Forbidden Love On A Full Night
How sad!

"You look so pretty."

I looked at Mr. Reporter with blurry eyes. The man looked too happy. "Your words are so sweet" I murmured.

Mr. Hartawan smiled, then kissed a glimpse of my cheek. "A bad night?" tanyakanya.

It sucks! My heart is broken, don't add it!

"Can we go and get some breakfast? I need a cup of coffee."

The man nodded. "All right, sweetie."

We walked into the dining room without saying a word. Mr. Reporter held the door for me and I headed straight for the nearest table. After a new seat I saw Ram sitting at the table, right across from me, facing me. The man was wearing a dark gray T-shirt that opened at the base of the neck, and faded blue jeans, and the man looked handsome plus fit. Well, he enjoyed a lovely and pleasant evening. That's when she saw me, her gaze was fixed on me, her expression showing? A regret? Relief? Before I could be sure, Mr. Hartawan sat down and blocked my view.

I picked up the menu list, wondering why I agreed to spend the day with Mr. Hartawan, while all I wanted was to sit all day in the cabin and cry, I said, and after my relief and tears are gone, I will check out of this place.

"Good morning, what do you want to order?"

I felt a long, black jemari of jealousy twisting my heart as I looked up and saw Welly waiting to take our order.

"What do you want to order, honey?" ask Mr. Reporter.

I'm sure I won't be able to swallow past the wedge in my throat. I lethargicly replied, "Waffle strawberries and a cup of coffee."

Mr. Hartawan ordered scrambled eggs, toast, orange juice and coffee.

I leaned sideways a little so I could see Welly refilling Ram's coffee mug. Nor did I miss seeing Welly's smile towards the man, or the fact that the girl touched his shoulder.

"So," said Mr. Hartawan, "in my opinion, maybe we can go to the city today and have a look. Maybe watch a movie and then have dinner. What say?"

I put my shoulders down. "Sure, whatever you want to do."

"I need to get back to work." Mr. Hartawan smirked. "I've been letting Juna take over long enough. Most likely he had forgotten who the boss was. I think we can go tomorrow morning after breakfast. Can you be ready then?"

I'm shaking. "I'm not ready to go home yet."

"Come on, you've been acting like a rich little girl for a long time. It's time to get back to the real world. Your parents are waiting for us to brunch tomorrow." Mr. Hartawan grabbed across the table to hold my hand. "At that time we could talk about our marriage."

He started again. "I'm not going to marry you."

As usual, Mr. Reporter didn't listen to a single word I said. "I guess we shouldn't be planning a big wedding, but we can make it up to the reception."

"Mas!" I threw my hand at the table. Forgetting my cold attitude and calling him Mr. Hartawan lately. I called him as before because the anger was already billowing in the head. Then, remembering that we were not alone in this dining room, I lowered my voice. "Can you just listen to me for once? Our relationship is over. I don't love you. I'm not getting married to you. Notnot now. Not anytime either. Help me!"

He grinned furiously. "I think you mean it."

"Very."

Mr. Hartawan's jaw is tight. The man looked at me like he was looking at me, really looking at me, for the first time. Then, very carefully, he folded the napkin and placed it on the table. Standing up, the man reached into his pants pocket and took out a few pieces of money, which he then placed next to the napkin.

"Alright," he said briefly. "Goodbye, Purna."

Just feeling some relief, I looked at Mr. Hartawan outside through the door. The fact that I was not surprised at all proved very clearly that I did not love the man, and would never love him. The only bad thing about Mr. Hartawan's departure is that right now I can see Ram clearly, right in front of me and our gazes meet. One of his eyebrows was curved full of question marks.

Ignoring the man, I grabbed my cup and took a sip of the coffee, pretending to enjoy the view outside the window.

Welly brought us our order a little later. "Is there anything else you need?" ask the girl.

"none. Thank you." Thank you."

I was surprised that I didn't lose my appetite. I not only finished my waffles, toast, and Mr. Hartawan's scrambled eggs, but also drank the orange juice and coffee of his order.

In front of me Ram leaned back in his chair, frowning while contemplating. Thought what? Fights just now? A permanent dispute this time? It's very easy for Ram to be sure.

Fortunately, my stomach was full and I had finished all my food before my taste was gone when I saw Welly go back to Ram's table to ask the man out on a date. And with his misery he took a tissue to clean the man's lips right in front of my eyes.

Before the scene stimulated my tears out and dripped, I immediately left the dining room, carefully avoiding Ram's gaze.

Outside, I took a deep breath and went to the administrative office.

Aunt El looked up from behind the table when I came in. "Good morning, dear. It seems like you are sleep deprived again. Cry all night again, and just want to cry again now? Hmm?"

Ah, if only Aunt El knew, and I think she did, I'm like this because of her niece. But like he asked, I don't hold a grudge. Now that it feels relieved, I just need to speak carefully with the man and leave peacefully. Not like eight years ago. This farewell cannot burden me for the next eight years, not forever.

If only it could!

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine, Bi. At least now in a stable state. Can I sit down?"

He nodded then I immediately sat down on the chair in front of his desk. Aunt El looked at me. His eyes squinted with his head slightly tilted. "So?"

"I'm gonna check out. I'll leave this afternoon after returning some stuff from my room."

Now Aunt El looks at me softly. "Are you sure of your decision?"

"Yes. I'm very sure. I'll check out today."

Aunt El took a deep breath. "You're going to London?"

Eh?

"How did Auntie know?"

"Auntie heard you talking on the phone."

"So?"

I put my shoulders down. "I've considered it carefully. I've booked a ticket for the flight tonight. And I'll settle there. There's a college friend of mine who's offering me a job. So... why not? I need a new environment away from everyone."

"Included far from Ram?"

I'm shaking. "Don't talk about it, huh? Would please? My heart is not that strong."

I was just about to tell Aunt El about who I really am when she heard Ram's voice greeting someone outside the room, she was heading here. I quickly hid in the toilet.

"Don't tell him I'm here" I asked as I ran.

Aunt El just shook her head in astonishment at my childish behavior.

"Good morning, son," she said cheerfully.

"Morning," said Ram.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. Has the town gone home?"

"They're all city people. Which one are you talking about? Like I don't know," he mumbled.

I heard Ram exhale sharply. "Has he gone?"

"Yes, just a few minutes ago. Without bride. I can tell you he left the field unattended."

Ram glared at his aunt.

"Oh, stop looking at me like that, Young man," Aunt El said. "It's as clear as snow on the top of the mountain if you still love that girl. Why don't you do something about it before it's too late?"

That's when I was stunned. What does Aunt El mean? Does Aunt El know who I really am?

"It's too late."

"Never is it too late."

"Auntie...." Ram disagreed.

"Stop being pessimistic."

"Forget it."

"He's gonna fly to London tonight."

"Oh...."

"Don't let you regret."

"Not going to."

"Ram...."

"He can fly high."

"Then?"

"I can't reach him."

"But you can stop it."

"I don't have any ammunition."

"What did you say? Give me many grandchildren, and I give all mine to you. I'll be busy petting my grandchildren instead of being in an office space like this."

"It won't change anything" said Ram. "His family will never like me, and Auntie knows that. They think I'm trash. It will stay that way forever."

"Well, change their assumptions. You're a smart young man. Handsomest. Not ugly at all. Are you just going to give up?" asked Aunt El while flicking a finger that was clearly heard by me. "Where did the boy I knew go? The boy who fought to get what he wanted? The boy who wants to be a fighter?"

Again Ram just took a deep breath. "Come," he murmured. "Where is he?"

"Ramana Linga! Stop talking like that right now, you hear me? I'm not too old to hold you back and cram that common sense into your head!"

Ram had no power of restraint: he laughed. "By the way, is there anyone in the toilet?"

Eh?

"No. Please use it."

Oh, my gosh...?

"No. I just feel like there's someone else here."

"O yeah? Have you checked your heart? Maybe it's there."

"Oh, my goodness. Stop teasing me like that, Auntie."

"alright. Continue your work, now. Shouldn't you be giving a horse riding lesson to the Wijaya family girl in a moment? Sana, go. And remember, be careful with the eldest daughter. You know, right, she has a real crush on you?"

Ram grumbling. "Just calm. I've been hooked up with a spoiled rich girl."