Forbidden Love On A Full Night
Failed Move On

Realizing that I couldn't buy any more time, I kicked my shoes, then sat on the bed, took a breath, grabbed my phone, and called home.

Prasetya picked up the phone on the first ring. "The residence of the Mahardika family."

"Hi, Brother, is Mama there?"

"Full Light, hey, how are you? What a great wedding!"

"Be quiet! It sucks you, brother! Let me talk to Mama!"

There was a moment of silence, and then I heard my mother's voice.

"Purna's? The darling? Where are you, honey? You all right? We were so worried. You're not sick or why, are you?"

"No, Ma. I'm doing fine. Really am. I just can't do it." I heard my father's voice in the background.

"Your father wants to know if you want him to pick you up? He's worried about you, honey."

Hm....

"Not now."

"Have you spoken to the reporter?"

"Not yet." I lay on my back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. "I don't know what to say."

"Well, don't worry. My mom talked to her mom this afternoon. He and his sister have gone to Makassar."

I laugh. Convinced that Mr. Reporter would go ahead no matter what. Business is always number one for him. The man will not let a small thing like a runaway bride stand in his way.

"I hope they're having fun."

"Where are you?"

"I'll let you know that Mama promised not to tell Papa."

There was still silence on the other end of the phone. "All right."

"I'm in Lembang. Stay at D'Ranch." I was silent for a moment. "Please don't tell Papa where I am, will you? If she asks, just tell me Mama doesn't know. Please, I don't want anyone to see me. Especially that guy. Mama knows, right?"

Actually I'm pretty sure Mr. Reporter wouldn't call asking me, but anyone knows he's calling. He cannot know where I am. I've already decided.

"Yes" said my mother, in a neutral tone. "Mama understands that."

"Oh, Ma, why don't I listen to your advice?"

"Because you're stubborn, just like your papa. How long are you planning to stay there?"

"I don't know. I don't know. Just look at it later. Emm... By the way, is Papa very angry? I really can't do it."

I heard my mother breathing. "Yes, very. But okay, you did the right thing. Don't worry," he said, speaking in a softer tone than before. "Mama is just glad your child finally uses common sense before it's too late. And don't worry about your papa. He'll wake up, see it later."

"I hope so."

I heard my father's voice in the background, louder and more agitated this time, then his voice rumbled on the phone. "Are you okay, Purna?"

"Yes, Pa. Sorry if-"

"Papa wants this marriage" interrupted my father harshly. "Journalists are good for you and you are good for him. He's very smart and he's going-"

"Pa, I don't love Mr. Hartawan. Never does. I let you two persuade me to do something I don't want to." I closed my eyes and clenched my hands. "Papa can't change my decision. Not at the moment. I know what I'm doing."

I can feel the frost at the end of the phone line. There was a long pause, then my father said, "Alright. Your mama wants to say good night."

There was a moment's silence, then my mother's voice sounded again on the phone. "Call often. You hear?"

"Yes." Yeah." I blinked holding back tears. "I love my Mom."

"Mama too. Take good care of yourself. Keep eating regularly and sleeping regularly. Good night."

"Night, Ma." And I laughed, my mother always sent messages like that to her daughter.

But as soon as my laughter dimmed, the sound of knocking on the door inevitably made me step up and open it.

The mosquito repellent lotion he gave me. "To sleep well," he said.

I nodded, welcomed the thing from his hands and thanked him. But the man's eyes clearly swept across the entire room of the cottage.

"You yourself? Where's your husband?"

Ughhhh! He's obviously looking....

"He's taking a shower."

"Oh." Practically her eagle eyes glanced at the closed bathroom door.

"Yes, I was just about to take a bath with him when you came."

Ram nodded, his expression describing jealousy. "I'm sorry, yeah. Have fun."

"A little while," I said, preventing him from leaving. Ram who was just about to leave turned his body back to face me. "May I ask you something?"

He puts his shoulders. "certain. Please."

"You... Are you married?"

The answer appears in the form of a headband.

Ah, I don't know why I'm relieved. Freaky....

"What's wrong?"

"Emm?"

"Why are you smiling?"

Eh? L smile? Oh. shameful! She won't catch the impression that I'm happy because it turns out she's single in a positive sense. She probably thought I was laughing at her because it was so good to hear that my ex-boyfriend was still single while I was married. I'll be bad in his eyes.

I shook my head strongly. "No, kok. I. i.. i...."

"alright. Don't explain."

"Oh, okay. That's all I want to ask-"

"Congratulations on your marriage."

"What?"

"May you be happy."

"Oh, yes. Thank you, Ram."

He's nodding. "I'll excuse you then. Good night."

"Night."

I shake myself. Feeling amused about yourself. It was as if I had just fallen in love with that man. Like old times....

Nevermind, Purna. You are no longer the sixteen-year-old girl who was fascinated by Ram, the cool nineteen-year-old. You are now twenty-four years old and have been widowed three times.

Argha!

I think I should take a shower immediately, after which I quickly sneak my body*behind it under the blanket. Like the other bride, this time I will sleep on my bed and not cry over the body of my husband who was just killed on the first day of marriage.

You're lucky, Mr. Hartiff. If only we were married, maybe now you have been titled as the deceased and your body has been stretched stiff with a covering cloth in the morgue. And, instead of stabilizing my breath, I just managed to snatch my virginity.

Wait, virginity? I promised Ram that. And ever imagined -- also dreaming - was doing that with Ram. Make love to....

"Oh, well," I muttered, I really want to sleep naked. "Let me go through this bridal night in a dream."

I turned to one side, thinking about the nightgown that was stored with my bridal attire while gazing into the darkness. My mind was filled with thoughts about my teenage years, about how I dreamed of that tall man to be with me through a long night of warmth. And I realized, even though I chose my own nightgown, I never imagined how I would go through the night with Mr. Hartawan. But with Ram...

For the past eight years, that guy has been crazy about me in my dreams....