The Artificially Genius Doctor
Conflict of Interest and Hope

The cold morning was still hugging every corner of the Rudi family home. The garden behind the house, which was filled with spring flowers, seemed more lively with insects that sounded merrily, accompanying the smell of wet soil after a night of rain. Behind the living room window, Rudi sat on an old wooden chair while holding his laptop. He is immersed in the program codes that he and Elsa develop.

"Justie!" call a middle-aged man from the doorway. It was his father's voice, with his gray hair starting to whiten and the wrinkles on his forehead that looked deeper. "We need to talk."

Rudi turned his head, his father's eyes exuding an aura of disapproval that he recognized well. "What else, Dad?" asked Rudi in a soft voice.

His father stepped in, closing the door behind him. "I heard from Mr. Haris that you often miss classes and spend more time with Elsa. What the hell is going on?"

Rudi took a deep breath. He looked into his father's eyes, looking for signs of understanding, but all he found was disappointment. "Dad," he said, "I'm really interested in the world of IT. Elsa and I are working on something big. Something that could change the medical world!"

His father raised his eyebrows, cynicism clearly read on his face. "By spending time staring at laptop screens and ignoring medical lessons?"

Suddenly, the sound of a knock on the door broke the tension in the room. Elsa, with a shocked face, stood in the doorway, her eyes going back and forth between Rudi and her father. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you guys were talking" Elsa said hesitantly.

Rudi got up from his chair, his eyes begging Elsa to stay. "Dad, Elsa was part of this plan. He understands my vision."

Rudi's father looked at Elsa from top to bottom, as if judging. "Plan? What can you achieve with your 'plan' that is more valuable than a doctor's degree?"

Elsa gulps, gathers courage. "Sir, we both believe that by combining medicine and technology, we can create something like never before."

Rudi added, "We're not just playing around, Dad. We're trying to find a way to make disease diagnoses more accurate with the help of technology."

His father seemed to hesitate for a moment, yet he quickly returned to his strict expression. "Rudi, you are the last hope of our family to continue the medical tradition. Do you really want to throw all that away for....your toy is this?"

For a moment, the room was quiet. Elsa holds Rudi's hand, giving him some encouragement. "Sir," said Rudi in a confident voice, "I respect family traditions, but I also have to follow my heart. I believe this is the right path."

When the door closed behind her father, Elsa whispered to Rudi. "We can do it" he whispered. Rudi looked out the window, into the garden filled with flowers, and felt as if the world was smiling at him.

The sun was about to sink, creating a gradation of orange and purple colors in the sky that stretched widely over the city. In a small cafe on the corner of the street, Elsa sat on the outside balcony, staring at the letter she was holding. The letter with the prestigious university logo looked heavy on his hands, and every word written there was proof of a dream that had almost come true.

Rudi sat opposite him, his face looking curious. "What's that?" tanyanya, while sipping hot coffee.

Time passes, it does not feel Rudi and Elsa finally graduated from the world of High School.

The cool air flows gently through the balcony of the cafe where Elsa and Rudi sit. A pair of seagulls flew low above them, dancing beautifully in the darkening sky. The lights of the city began to light up, adding to the romantic atmosphere in the cafe.

"I was admitted to the University of New Discourse, majoring in computer science," Elsa said with enthusiasm, presenting the acceptance letter to Rudi.

Rudi read it with his eyes that quickly traced every word. A faint smile appeared on his lips. "Congratulations, Els," he said, though his tone sounded flat.

Elsa noticed Rudi's tone and frowned. "What's wrong?"

Rudi took a breath, held Elsa's acceptance letter tightly, then placed it on the table. "It's not about you being accepted. That's amazing, really. But..," she hesitated, looking for the right words.

Rudi looked into Elsa's eyes, "I'm envious, Els. Your family supports you fully, even proud of the choice. While me? I'm sandwiched between family expectations and my own interests."

Elsa looked surprised, "Oh, Rudi..."

He continued, "Sometimes I think, what would it be like if I had freedom like you? To pursue what I really want without feeling guilty or overwhelmed."

Elsa's eyes glazed over, "I'm sorry, Rudi. I didn't know you felt this way."

Rudi shakes. "It's not your fault. I just. sometimes feel trapped."

Elsa took Rudi's hand, squeezing it with understanding. "You're the smartest person I know. And I know you can find your own way, even if it means going against the flow."

For a moment, the two friends stared at each other, giving each other support without having to say much. In the midst of the silence, a servant came, giving a surprise in the form of a piece of cake with a candle burning on it.

"Congratulations on your acceptance, Elsa," said the waiter with a friendly smile, "Little cake from us to celebrate your success."

Elsa smiled, "Thank you." However, behind that smile, he felt sad to see Rudi who seemed to be immersed in his own thoughts. However, Elsa knows that her journey will be challenging, especially keeping her relationship with Rudi strong despite the ordeal.

A cool cafe's Eve was still felt in Elsa's skin, even though they were already in the city park. The garden lights started to light up, giving a playful gentle light effect on Rudi's face, making his facial lines look so clear. Elsa felt her heart rate getting louder every time she saw Rudi laughing or even just looking up at the sky.

They were sitting on a park bench, under a large tree whose leaves were stirred by the night breeze. Elsa steals a glance at Rudi who is busy talking about his plans in the future. Quietly, Elsa enjoyed this moment; a moment where she could see Rudi up close, hear his voice, and feel his own heartbeat that seemed to speak of a long-held feeling.

Elsa tried to distract him by staring at the fountain not far from them. The splashing of water and the glittering of lights that shone on it seemed to bring Elsa to another world. A world where he could freely express what he felt to Rudi.

However, reality called him back as Rudi said, "Els, did you hear me?"

Elsa was surprised and quickly looked at Rudi, "Oh, sorry. L'm... I'm stuck in my mind."

Rudi smiled, "You always have been. Always the deepest in your own world. What's up?"

"Ah, there is no. Just..," Elsa paused for a moment, looking for the right words. "Just think about the future, I guess."

Rudi nodded, "Just like I was. You know, sometimes I envy you. You always seem confident in your choices."

Elsa gulped, "But Rudi, that doesn't mean I've never felt afraid or hesitated."

Rudi looked at Elsa with an understanding look. "We all have our own fears and doubts, Els."

Silently, Elsa felt that there was something she wanted to reveal. Something that had long been embedded in his heart. However, those words seemed to be tightly locked inside the chest.

The two of them then moved off the park bench. Elsa's footsteps were heavy, and so was her heart. The seed of love that had started to grow in his heart made him confused. Does he have to reveal it? Or let it be a secret?