Forbidden Love On A Full Night
The Poor Pagiku

I tried but failed and was blinded by tears. Without caring about anything, I ran as fast as I could until I fell on my knees with an injured palm. Grimacing pain. But it was nothing compared to my broken heart.

In tears and crying, a helping hand held my shoulder and pulled me up.

"Don't cry, honey. Forgive my nephew's rude treatment."

Oh my God, how shameful I am. Aunt El saw what happened between me and Ram near the stable: how her nephew dumped me and, how I was like a woman who had no shame - like begging for love to someone who didn't want me to be with her. She rejected me.

"Are you okay?" the woman asked, but she immediately saw my bleeding palm, wound from being hit by a sharp stone as I landed onto the ground. "Your hand is hurt, son."

I'm shaking. "I'm fine, Bi," I said. "I'm fine."

"Let's come with me. Let me treat."

"No. No need, Bi. I. I want to go. I'll check out. Could you help me-"

"Shhh.. calm yourself. Okay well? Don't act rashly."

"But I can't be here much longer. I don't want to. I can't. Sorry, I have to go."

"Don't make decisions in an emotional state. It's too late. It's not good for girls to be on the road these nights. Listen to me."

While wiping my tears, I shook my head. I can no longer be here, my heart.

As if reading my mind, Aunt El offered me to stay at her cottage. "You can stay at my place. Think of me as your own aunt, huh? Comeon?"

I looked at him in disbelief. He was moved by his kindness, and I knew what he said was true. But I don't want to go back to my cabin. Not tonight, and not to meet anyone. And I feel like Aunt El's invitation is the best offer for me. Not because she's Ram's aunt, but because I need a place to hide to calm myself down.

"Come, come." He grabbed my arm and took me to his cabin.

I nodded and followed.

Arriving inside the cottage, Aunt El told me to sit on the sofa while she picked up the P3K box. "Remove your hand" he said, pulling my hand and cleaning my wound with antiseptic liquid, then applying red medicine and covering my wound with plaster.

"Thank you, Bi. Aunt is very good. Thank you." Thank you."

He nodded while smiling in sympathy. "Have you eaten?"

I'm nodding.

"Then rest. Come on, you can sleep in the guest room." Gently, Aunt El again grabbed me by the arm and led me to the guest room in her cottage, which was only blocked by the wall with the living room. "Rest," he said. "You have to take care of your health. Do not get sick from lack of sleep. Think about what you want to do tomorrow, okay? Auntie's gonna get you some water to drink."

I nodded, muttering thanks. When Aunt El came out and came back, I was already up in bed, leaning on the head of the bed.

"Drink first" he said. He shoved a glass of warm water into my hand, then stroked the side of my head as I sipped the warm water which slightly relieved my throat. "Remember to sleep. Aunt excuse me."

I nodded again. Then, just before Aunt El closed the guest room door, I called out to her. "Please don't tell anyone I'm here? I beg?"

Understandingly, the loving woman nodded then immediately closed the door.

That night, though it was so hard to sleep, I did not get out of bed. Crying for hours until my eyes felt very sore, and at what time, I finally fell asleep and woke up in a bad mood. There was shame to the owner of the cottage because I woke up this afternoon. But may he understand my situation, my mind. I just curled up, leaning against the bed as Aunt El opened the door to check on me.

"Good morning, son. How are you doing?"

I shook my shoulders and was about to get out of bed when I heard Ram's voice outside the cottage. Without being able to stop myself, I went to the window. Peering, looking at the man with mixed feelings, but dominated by wounds and sadness, but there was a bit of sweetness and happiness because I could still see him even in hiding.

Watching me like that, Aunt El did not comment anything, she just smiled with a hurt feeling. Perhaps a smile to make me feel better, or a sense of pleasure because he finally knew that his single niece had love in her heart, and was hurt because of this trivial fact.

"Sorry, Auntie," I said as badly as I could. "Emm... Can I stay here for a while? I don't know where I'm going after the check-out from here. And before I leave, I don't want to meet anyone. What can?"

Aunt El who was standing with the tray of food in her hand just nodded. "All right," he said, and he put a tray of food on the table. "Stay here and don't neglect breakfast. I'll get you new clothes from the souvenir shop. You can eat and shower while Auntie's gone, okay?"

"alright. Thank you, Bi."

"There's a condition."

"What's? Terms?"

"Don't leave without saying goodbye to me. Your thanks are accepted if you comply with your aunt's request."

This time with a smile, Aunt El stroked my cheek and left me in the room. "Eat and bathe. There's a bathrobe in the closet. I will bring you clothes again. You can wait, right? Auntie's got a little work in the office."

"certain."

After Aunt El died, I looked out again. I couldn't stop myself from looking at Ram outside Aunt El's cabin. He wore jeans and a sweatshirt, leather sandals, and a hat on his head. While walking towards the dining room, he looked around, nodding towards the handful of guests who were there. "There will be another storm" he murmured. "The weather really suits my mood."

Ram did not enter the dining room, nor sat at the table on the front porch. But he sat under a tree, in front of Aunt El's cottage, and relaxed there.

Welly Damiri, one of the officers who worked at this place approached his desk. "We've got waffles, or scrambled eggs for breakfast." The girl poured him a cup of coffee. The girl was beautiful, with blonde curls, brown eyes, and a smile that always adorned her lips. I can see, he's not hiding his interest in Ram. But from my position, I could see clearly Ram trying to avoid it. And not looking at him like he was looking at me.

After ordering breakfast, Ram grabbed a cup of coffee and took a sip of its contents, then he glanced inside, around the room.

I hope what you're looking for is me. You're thinking about me. Want to know where I am, want to know what I'm doing, and want to know if I've had breakfast. I hope, Ram....

Gazing at a glance around the courtyard, he saw the sky start to dark up there. Lightning snatched in the distance, and muttered, he should cancel today's equestrian event.

"You're late" said Aunt El, who had just come out of the cottage, she went down the steps.

"Yeah." Ram rolled his chin to the chair in front of him. "Want to join me, Auntie Darling?"

"Oh, that's so sweet." Aunt El smiled as she sat down. "Something's bothering you, son?"

Ram glared at Aunt El, his forehead shrinking. "No. Why?"

It was raining, the first little drops splashed on the window.

Aunt El shook her head. "Don't lie to me, Young Man. I've known you your whole life. Now, what's on your mind?" Aunt El watched him with narrowed eyes when Ram did not reply. "There are only two possibilities" he murmured while contemplating. "Money or women's problems. My last guess."

Ram swearing. "Auntie knows too much."

Welly placed a plate in front of Ram and looked at Aunt El. "Does Auntie need anything?"

"No. Thank you, Welly." Aunt El waited until the girl left the table, then leaned forward. "Now is the time to forget the past, son. You need to date occasionally. Maybe you can take Welly?"

Eh?

My heart breaks to hear it....

"The girl likes you. It's obvious."

"Bye...."

"That's a fact. He's crazy about you."

"Come, Bi...."

"My Ram is my family" interrupted Aunt El. "That gives me the right to interfere. I don't like seeing you alone too often. If you're not interested in Welly, why don't you go near that beautiful Miss Mahardika?"

Hearing my name mentioned, Ram almost choked on his coffee. And I'm glad my name is called....

"Auntie knows she's been here only for a moment" Aunt El added. "But what's wrong with taking her out to eat or watch a movie?"

Ram smiled a little. "Well, by the way about Miss Mahardika, did Auntie see her this morning?"

"No. I haven't seen it yet" Aunt El said, smiling broadly at Ram. "She may still be curled up in bed due to sleeping late at night. By the way, I'll bet, he would love to be invited to watch a movie if you invited him. You just take her."

While sigh* irritated, Ram distanced himself from the table. "If there's something I don't need, it's a matchmaker."

"Hey, listen to me. Don't just ask her to fight and make her cry all night. Entertain him."

Ram glared again. "meaning?"

"I saw clearly how my nephew hugged and kissed her passionately. Then dump him just like that. My Ram kicked him out in a disrespectful manner. How poor that poor girl is."

Ram looked agitated. "I'm sorry about that. Excuse me. See you later. Bye...."

Oh. thank you, Auntie....