The First Curse of Love
17. Confessions

"SIZE?" Strangled someone from a distance when he saw Arga who was standing in the lobby of ANHstar Radio. That afternoon, Arga came to pick up Qiara.

Hearing someone call her name, Arga turned her head and frowned a little when she found out that it was Alisha who had just called her name. Alisha's face looks so bright with a smile full of happiness that adorns her beautiful face. While Qiara who was beside Alisha was astonished. How did Alisha and Arga get to know each other?

"Al, you know Arga?" Qiara asked curiously.

However, before he could answer Qiara's curiosity, Alisha who seemed not to listen to a single voice immediately ran towards Arga and approached the dark-skinned sweet youth. Qiara who felt ten times more astonished now, only followed Alisha behind.

"Hay, Arga! I'm an ink, right?"

Arga showed a face of pretending to think that would make Alisha feel a little disappointed. And so caught the disappointed look on Alisha's face, Arga immediately laughed and then patted Alisha's head, "hahaha, kidding! Of course I'll take it."

'Ceileh says use me-you.' Ledek Qiara in heart. The two people really did not consider Qiara's presence right now. And yes, Qiara suddenly felt transformed into a mosquito repellent.

"Inget, right, what was our promise?" Alisha said, trying to remind Arga of the promise they made that night.

Still with a smile on her lips, Arga recalled her words that night, when Alisha asked for her mobile number first after they finished their dinner.

"Yes, Ga! Can you ask for your phone number?"

"mmm..." Arga looked hesitant.

"Please..."

"Don't you know, I'll give you my phone number when we meet again."

"What really?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Promise?"

"Promise!" Said Arga steadily while hooking her little finger on Alisha's tiny little finger that had been lifted first.

Alisha raised her eyebrows as if she could hear their voices in Arga's memory. Arga then chuckled while scratching his back head. A moment later, Arga takes Alisha's cell phone which she holds in her hand.

Arga makes a missed call to her own number using Alisha's phone after she saves her name.

"Now, it's done." Arga said while returning Alisha's phone.

Alisha immediately smiled in satisfaction, showing off her row of teeth to Arga.

"EEHHOSE!"

Deheman Qiara who was quite loud instantly made Arga and Alisha both gasp and immediately looked at Qiara who was already standing between them with her flat face.

"Eh, Qi? Already selese? Go, yuk!" Take Arga while embracing Qiara's shoulders in a friendly manner.

The thing that Arga did to Qiara certainly made Alisha confused.

"Know where are you?" Qiara asked as she alternately cast her gaze at Arga and Alisha.

"There's a deeeeh.. You want to know!" Arga answered while rubbing Qiara's face.

"Ka—kalian... know each other?"

Qiara and Arga compactly look at Alisha after listening to the question that Alisha throws. "My best friend since Kindergarten, Al." Answer Qiara later. As for Arga, he immediately raised his eyebrows, just like Alisha did earlier.

"Okay, if that's what we came back for, Al. Bye, Alisha!" Pamit Qiara while waving one of her hands then walked first.

"I'm leaving, huh, Al? I'll call you later. See you, Alisha!"

Before getting an answer from Alisha, Arga immediately ran a small chase after Qiara's steps. Once their steps were aligned, Arga re-embraced Qiara's shoulders with ease.

"Don't macem-macem you're the same as me. Alisha is a good girl." Said Qiara warning Arga while whispering.

How could Qiara have been silent to see the closeness between Arga and Alisha when he knew how bad reputation Arga Joshua had been.

"Byeah, Qi. He's not my type either. You know what my taste is." Reply Arga while whispering with her eyes rolling. A moment later, Qiara suddenly elbowed Arga's stomach and ran away from Arga.

"Qiara, sick! Watch out, huh?!" Arga soon pursues Qiara to avenge him.

And all the things that Arga did, continued to be the center of Alisha's attention until the two men disappeared from her sight.

...****...

"Qi, you know Irsyad didn't?" Arga opened the conversation when he, Qiara, Celine, and Danny were gathering at the cafe they used to go to. Arga asked Qiara while occasionally glancing at Danny who started to show an uncomfortable look on his face.

"Irsyad?" Qiara asked back while putting up a thought mimic. He had heard that name before.

"Yes, Irsyad. Irsyad Arkana Malik from Journalism." Arga explained.

His gaze was once again on Danny who began to show dislike. And that's exactly what Arga was waiting for.

"Pernah was horrified. But forgetful inget. Why?"

"Irsyad wants to meet you." Answer Arga to the point.

Danny, who had been pretending to be busy with his phone, immediately raised his face after listening to Arga's last words. In his heart Arga immediately shouted triumphantly. Danny's already eaten the bait.

"Where are the horrors?"

"Everyone is horrified, except you."

Qiara sounded out sigh. He still seems to think. While Danny, inwardly he secretly hoped, may Qiara refuse.

"Try IG lo, deh. Irsyad always love your posts. Several times I've also sent DM he said." Arga still did not want to give up.

Qiara immediately opened her Instagram account and checked the direct message. Sure enough, he found the name Irsyad who several times indeed sent him a message. And just as Qiara was about to open Irsyad's profile, unexpectedly, Danny suddenly snatched away her phone.

"Danny, what the hell?" Qiara Protest.

"I think we should go home now. It's almost ten, here." Danny cried as he glanced at the watch in his hand.

At the same time, Arga and Celine immediately glanced at each other while raising both of their eyebrows.

"Come, Qi!" Take Danny to Qiara as they all get ready to go home.

"Emm, I'm going home with Brother Dean. I was chatting with him." Qiara answered steadily.

A second later, Danny's once-bright facial water instantly turned murky. It froze for a moment.

"Yes, I go first, okay?" Pamit Qiara to the others after seeing Dean who had just come with her beloved blue vespa.

With such a carefree face, Qiara waved her hand at Dean then dashed out of the Cafe leaving the others.

...****...

After riding his motorcycle aimlessly, Dean finally stopped by the roadside upon seeing the grilled corn merchant. Qiara looked enthusiastically at the row of corn that was on top of the toaster. With a feeling of pleasure, Qiara jumped down from Dean's vespa and immediately stood in front of the grilled corn merchant while watching him fan the corns with both sparkling eyes, it was as if it was his first time for Qiara to see someone burning corn.

Seeing Qiara's adorable demeanor that never failed to keep her entertained, Dean then chuckled and walked over to Qiara.

"Mas, two roasted corn, huh?" Dean said to the merchant in front of him.

After waiting for a few minutes, finally their corn was ready. They then sat side by side on a long wooden bench while enjoying the night view on the edge of a river that became a tourist attraction in the city.

"I'm happy, if Brother Dean has started to open his heart to Om, Aunt, and Danny. Yeah, I don't know how heavy the past is for Brother Dean, and it's definitely not an easy thing for Brother to make peace with the past, that's why I feel like Brother Dean is amazing."

Qiara then looked at Dean beside him who was also staring at him, Qiara smiled and continued his words, "lucky girl who can win over Brother Dean someday."

I don't know how many times, Dean smiled. He then rubbed Qiara's hair fondly, "this is all thanks to you, Qi. You've been helping Dean a lot all this time. If it wasn't for you, Brother Dean would probably never have been able to forgive the past. You have taught me a lot about acceptance and gratitude. You are very influential in my life, Qi." Dean replied, 'and I hope you know, if you've won my heart, Qi.' Dean continues in my heart.

Dean's gaze on Qiara was gradually serious. And Qiara, who was beginning to guess the Dean's riddle through the look in her eyes tonight, was instantly dumbstruck. The two eagle eyes never lied to him, not once. And Qiara was able to read Dean's feelings clearly, which seemed to have deliberately wanted Dean to convey through his gaze.

Qiara's breathing then came to a halt as she looked at Dean's face that was getting closer to hers. Both eyes were closed. And just a second after Dean's lips touched the surface tip of his lips, Qiara immediately turned her face away feeling guilty. Danny's words two years ago are suddenly splashed in his memory.

"If you knew Brother Dean first, and I never came to the life of Brother Dean, you would have fallen in love with Brother Dean, not with me. I'm just lucky, because I knew you first, Qi...."

Dean just smiled, trying to hide his disappointment as much as possible. He could understand why Qiara had rejected him. Qiara must have been very surprised because Dean had suddenly done it.

Qiara was eventually saved from the situation when she received an incoming call from Danny.

"Hallo, Dann?"

"Where's lo? What time is it? Home chepet!"

"It's the same with Brother Dean."

"Yes, just go home. I'm waiting."

"Yes, yeah, it's coming home."

After turning off her phone connection, Qiara looked at Dean hesitantly. But once again Dean smiled. As if understanding the girl's wishes, Dean rubbed Qiara's left cheek, "let's go home!" He said later, trying to stretch his chest.

Unlike earlier when they left, on the way home, Qiara did not hug Dean as a handle. He even deliberately made a distance with Dean on the bike so as not to get too close.

After arriving at her house, Qiara got off the top of Dean's motorbike while bowing languidly. Actually Dean did not want to say anything, but looking at Qiara's attitude now, made him feel bad.

"Qi, look at Dean." Pinta Dean tilted her face to see Qiara's face clearly. Qiara then shook her head.

"Sister Dean's sorry, huh? Brother Dean promised it wouldn't be like that again. Hm?"

Instead of hearing the answer from Qiara, it was precisely Qiara's originally vague cry, then it became clearer.

"Qi, how are you crying?"

Qiara nodded back. From the moment, Dean knew that Qiara must be feeling guilty about her. Dean chuckled and immediately pulled Qiara into his arms, "already, it's okay. Don't think about it anymore, huh? Sttts..." Dean patted Qiara on the shoulder slowly, just like calming a crying baby.

"Sorry Qia, Brother Dean. Qia knows Brother Dean is sincere, but Qia still loves Danny. Qia can not escape Danny even though Danny is often evil with Qia. Qia hated herself because until now Qia still hopes that Danny will come back with Qia again..." Said Qiara while sobbing. It really sounds sad.

"Shhhhhh... Brother Dean knows. Uda, huh? Its nothing. Shhh.. sshh..." Dean continued to pat Qiara on the shoulder, then landed a lightning kiss on her head.

And Danny, who was quietly listening to all of Qiara's confessions from behind the wall beside the gate of Qiara's house, could only sigh while gripping firmly his five fingers. He's very angry. Angry at not being able to do anything for Qiara, other than injure her.

Hearing Qiara's sobs, Danny felt like there were millions of razors breaking his heart nonstop. It feels tight and painful at the same time.

^^^To be Continued...^^^