The First Curse of Love
21. Piece of Chewing Gum

Time almost showed at one in the morning as Qiara finished her work. And he was quite surprised when he saw Danny who was waiting for him in the lobby of ANHstar Radio.

It's not usual for Danny to come pick her up without warning her first. Qiara who was still dumbfounded in her place was completely unaware when Danny turned his head towards her then waved with such a wide smile on her face.

No more traces of heartbreak were left out of those eyes.

"Qia!"

Qiara then pulled away from her slackness when she heard Danny calling her name. He shook his head for a moment and approached Danny with a surprised face. "Tumben did not ngabarin first if you want to pick up?"

Instead of giving an answer, Danny stuck out a cup of Americano in front of Qiara. According to Qiara, the thing Danny did now was much more awkward.

How not? This young man was always angry whenever Qiara drank coffee after completing his night broadcast. But, what is Danny doing now? he instead gave Qiara coffee easily.

Wait a minute..Has Danny put poison in that coffee? Think Qiara.

Danny who seemed to be able to read Qiara's mind immediately chuckled and said, "just relax, there is no poison in it."

"What'sthis? Why can you suddenly read people's minds?" Qiara said while receiving the coffee from Danny. His eyes are still alert.

"Udaaah, have a cup of coffee let your eyes seger tonight."

"Emang why?"

"Because we're both gonna night ride all night. And the next morning, we'll see the sun rise on the beach. I haven't been to the beach in a long time, have I?"

Although Qiara's face looked flat and seemed to show no interest at all for Danny's words just now, but inwardly, Qiara immediately cheered in excitement. Finally, he could do a night ride alone with Danny. For Qiara, there was nothing more pleasant than this.

"It's a payday, because I didn't come to your surprise party that night. Deal?" Danny said as he reached out his right hand.

Qiara pretended to think. Not long after, he immediately welcomed Danny's hand and laughed together.

...****...

Just when the time showed at half-time three in the morning, Danny stopped at a rest area that was operating for 24 hours. Danny opened his *seat*belt, then moved closer to Qiara to wake her who was fast asleep.

Turns out Americano wasn't doing his 'job' well.

"Qi, let's get up. We'll stop by for a minute." Said Danny gently as he stroked Qiara's face. He could not bear to pat her face to wake her up.

Qiara bellowed softly while writhing a little, "huh? Where's us? I'm here, huh?" qiara asked in a hoarse voice and both eyes narrowed.

"Sampe what? We just arrived at the rest area. Some very cheating. I even sleep. This is not the night ride. You're sleeping in my car." Knock Danny out of the car first.

"Kang Ngambek relapsed again..." Qiara grumbled as she rolled her eyes.

He soon follows Danny, before his steps get worse.

In the rest area, there are only a few food courts that still open service. And having no other choice, Danny and Qiara decide to eat cup noodles. The rest area was also not too crowded like a normal clock.

A few minutes ago, Danny went to the toilet to wash his face. Qiara, who felt that Danny had been away for too long, finally tried to contact him. But unfortunately, Danny did not bring his phone and just left it in his jacket pocket. Qiara.

Where did that Tukang Ngambek go?

Just as Qiara was about to get up from her chair to check on Danny's whereabouts, Danny suddenly appeared right behind her while carrying a small-sized cake with a 20-point candle on it. Qiara froze in place with a blank face.

"Gue won't sing because you know you don't like that kind of stuff, more so than me, your super duper ex-boyfriend sucks. So, now just blow the candle. Because this is embarrassing enough now."

Qiara, who had been stunned, immediately laughed while hissing after hearing Danny's words. This shitty guy, he's always been this honest. And that's what's the attraction.

Following Danny's desire to start looking amused by what he did himself, Qiara blew out the candle and took the cake out of Danny's hands.

"Cock playing inflatable? You haven't made a wish, Qiara!" Danny complained while pursing his lips.

Qiara again chuckled at the look on Danny's face at the time. Danny may not realize it, but he looks very cute in Qiara's eyes.

"What do you make wish? All my hopes are in front of me now." Qiara looked at Danny with confidence and with a mysterious smile on her face.

"Huh?" Danny put up a disbelieving mimic that was immediately greeted by a soft laugh from Qiara.

Qiara this time did not say anything to Danny, he passed, tidied up their stuff on the table, then walked out.

A moment later, Danny woke up. He blushed, restrained all his misdeeds, and soon caught up with Qiara.

They also continued their journey. As Qiara said earlier, he replaced Danny driving. Exactly at five past ten, they arrived at a beach they had once visited during their field trip during Junior High School. Returning to that place, inevitably made Qiara's old memory leveraged again.

While waiting for the sunrise, Qiara ran to the beach while occasionally twisting her body, she also did not stop laughing. For her, this was the best birthday gift she had ever gotten for the 20 years she lived.

"Qia, don't run. Will fall." Danny said as he tried to catch up with the girl.

Instead of paying attention to Danny's words, Qiara ran towards him, pulled his hands together, and brought Danny closer to the water.

Seeing Danny who was afraid of getting wet, Qiara even more aggressively teased him by deliberately splashing water.

Feeling that it was enough with Qiara's sudden child-like behavior, Danny then restrained both his shoulders while looking deeply at his pair of beads. Danny's face gradually became serious, and the sound of Qiara's laughter that had echoed earlier, slowly dissipated.

"Udah, yeah, play it?" Pinta Danny with her soft voice. That soft voice seemed to have successfully melted Qiara's heart.

Danny then restores Qiara's long hair and attaches it to the back of the ear. Danny's gentle gaze and demeanor, as well as his attention, were somehow suddenly able to engender a form of courage and confidence in Qiara's heart.

Qiara was determined, that she would not think again. Because once he thinks again, then all the courage and confidence that has been embedded in him will be eroded.

"Why?" Danny asked in a still soft voice when he realized that Qiara was thinking about something.

Qiara was silent for a while, remaining one more minute before sunrise.

"Dann?"

"Hm?"

"After sunrise, I know I'll regret what I'm going to say to you now. But I don't care, if it's because of you, I'll regret it many times and repeat it. From now on I will be the only one who likes you, I will continue to stick to lo like gum until you bosen the same me, I will be the one who chases you. From now on, I'll enjoy the feeling of clapping this one hand without complaint." Momentary pause. Qiara sighed and looked more intensely into Danny's eyes, "since we've been together and we broke up, I've always wanted to say this one word to you, Dann. Now, I'll tell you directly..." Next later.

Danny was still staring at Qiara the same way. There was a veil of mystery unfolded from both of his eyeballs.

"Danny.I love you the same way."

As Qiara said that one sentence, he was already prepared to get hurt for Danny.

Along with the rising sun, Qiara tiptoed in order to reach Danny's height. After the distance between them was no longer stretched out, Qiara closed her eyes and dared herself to kiss Danny. At the same time, Danny's hands clenched tightly, he tried his hardest to dispel the impulse within him that continued to undermine his defenses mercilessly.

"Danny, I'm ashamed. Can you hug me now? I have to hide." Qiara muttered softly after releasing her link with Danny.

Qiara was too embarrassed to even look at Danny.

"Ciiih, you stupid idiot!" Curse Danny with a smile.

Although it looked calm from the outside, but deep inside him, there was a storm that was lacerating him.

Danny then gave the girl a soft brow before bringing her into his arms, and letting Qiara hide in his arms.

Just get here. Danny couldn't let his defensive fort collapse just like that.

...****...

After Celine, Qiara and Ray enter the house, Danny and Arga are alone in the backyard of Qiara's house. Suddenly, there was one thing that made Arga feel curious after they discussed who was suitable to be Qiara's match in the future.

"Dann, if asked to choose who will you marry in the future, who will you choose? Pricilla or... Qiara?" Asked Arga directly while leaning his face.

"Huh?"

"So, answer me. Who would you choose."

Danny put on a thinking face, he also touched his chin while squinting both eyes. Not long after... "Qiara's. I'll choose Qiara."

"Why?"

"Because if it wasn't for Qiara, my life would be very boring."

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