Forbidden Love On A Full Night
My hero....

Mr. Hartawan was in front of my cabin early the next morning. Dressed in a neat checkered shirt, a strappy tie, levi's pants, and shiny boots so I could mirror it, the man looked exactly like a novice.

"Hi, honey," he said like a young man, plus with a smile. "Ready for breakfast?"

Huh! There was no point in refusing to go with the man. I am hungry and need to eat. I was a little more cheerful, imagining the possibility of us passing Ram in the dining room.

And I did hit Ram. The man was walking out of the dining room when we entered, only I was looking at Mr. Reporter so as not to see Ram.

Ram grabbed my arm so I wouldn't fall. "Sorry, Miss Mahardika," her tone was cold, but I could see the passion in the look in the man's eyes as she looked at me.

I'm nodding. "My fault," I said in an equally cold tone. "Mr Ram, I don't think you've met my friend. So introduce, Mr. Hartawan Agung Sentosa." I emphasized the word friend when introducing the two. "Master, it's Ram. You remember him? He was our riding guide the other day."

"Yes, of course," said Mr. Hartawan. The man did not extend a hand to Ram.

Ram himself nodded back, his own hands clenched tightly at his side.

I stared from one man to the other. They judge each other like two anjin*s fighting over a bone. The silence spread so that at once the atmosphere became uncomfortable. I'm getting hot!

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Ram. Come on, honey," asked Mr. Hartawan while holding me through Ram to the dining room.

We found a table next to the window and sat there. The waiter brought us coffee and recorded our order and walked away from our table.

"Who is that guy?" ask Mr. Reporter.

"He works here. You know that."

"Yes, but who is he? What's your relationship with him?"

"What do you mean?" My senses are immediately alert. "Alas-"

Mr. Reporter raised his hand, cutting off my rebuttal. "You know him, don't you? And I don't mean because he works here."

"I do know him, then?"

"Stop dodging. Who is he, Purna? What does that man mean to you?"

"Everything," I said slowly. "He means everything to me."

The man looked at me as if he had grown a head there again. "You fell in love with her? A horseman?" Mr. Hartawan shook his head and laughed. "Damn it, you managed to outwit me. No kidding. It's not funny."

"That's right, sir. I fell in love with him."

The eyes of the man turned cold and hard. "Oh, so. So he's the reason you left me like a fool at the altar?"

"I'm sorry."

"And how does he feel about you?"

"That's none of your business. In fact, none of this is your business at all."

"No, indeed!" he yelled. "I can't believe you left me just for a cowboy. How humiliating!!

My God, it's his shameful attitude. Basic man!

I looked around the dining room. Some of the people who were having dinner near our table turned their heads towards us.

Mr. Reporter realized that and immediately lowered his voice, "I asked a question, and I want an answer. How does that guy feel about you?"

"Why don't you just ask him?" sahutku. Standing up, I threw the napkin over the table and walked outside the dining room.

Afraid that Mr. Reporter would follow me, I began to run as soon as I was outside. I ducked around the side of the inn towards the small river and crossed it. I ran until my waist ached and my lungs burned, then dropped myself under a tree and lay down on the grass to take a breath.

This event may have had its silver lining as well. Maybe that guy won't bother me anymore.

Lying under a shady tree, strangely, I felt as if I was detached from all the trouble and everyone. The sky is bright blue, the air feels warm, fragrant with the scent of grasses, trees, and wild-growing flowers. Far above me, an eagle swirled around lazily, and I remembered Ram.

I love you, my mind, then close my eyes. It was easy to imagine the man there...

Just there...

He rode across the vast prairie under the limitless blue summer sky. Nothing was visible as far as the eye could see, but he was not afraid. He kept his youth, enjoying the touch of sunlight on his face, his gaze searching, constantly searching. And time seemed to pass by, without feeling the day getting longer, the shadow got longer, but he still continued to ride, riding, ignoring the fatigue that was getting worse, and more, and hunger and thirst are becoming more and more evident. He can't stop. He had to find his soul mate even though the sunlight had left the night. At last he was there, there, riding on a hilltop, under the light of the full moon, stopping his horse, and the soulmate watching himself riding, coming over, looking dashing, dashing, crying happily, he dropped into the arms of his lover, mentioned his name and grabbed her tightly, promising that he would never leave her. It never will....

"Open your eyes and get out of here."

Eh?

I opened my eyes, and Ram towered high, standing near me.

"It's a good thing you're still sane and you're not running into the woods. Otherwise, you'll make me bother."

Oh, he knows everything. Did he see my quarrel and that bully guy? Thank goodness that's what happened.

"I just said you were sane, but now you're smiling to yourself. Basic crazy! You wait what? Hm? Hurry up and leave."

I'm shaking. "Do I have to obey your words? Why do I have to go?"

"Oh, honey, it's gonna be raining soon. You want to get soaked in here?"

Oh, if I had the same ability. I'm not gonna ask. Ram could smell the rain in the air. "alright. Thank you for warning me it's gonna rain."

Ram did not reply, and instead immediately turned around.

"By the way...."

His footsteps stopped to hear me...

"Thank you for your attention."

Without saying anything, the man stepped back. "Basic crazy!"

But this crazy woman is gonna stop you, honey. Justjust look. I held my leg and I squealed, "Auw! Ouch!"

"Why?"

I grimaced. "My legs are cramping."

Though reluctant, Ram approached me. "How should I help you?"

"Loof?"

"You intentionally?"

"You want to leave me alone here? Raininess?"

He shook his head, but kept holding me.

"Thank you, my hero."

I told you I haven't given up, honey....