The First Curse of Love
57. "We, Kan... Friends"

And Danny proved his challenge.

From that day on, Danny started acting like a friend to Qiara. Slowly but surely, he also began to show an old version of himself. There was no more awkwardness, no more sadness in his eyes every time he looked at Qiara. He even casually dared to embrace Qiara. And when Qiara showed her protesting face, Danny would only smile while raising his eyebrows, and always quibbling the same; "we, right, friend."

Those three words became the three most annoying words for Qiara right now.

Because of that too, Qiara began to regret himself, why was he so brave to challenge Danny to be friends with him?

Almost a week Danny enjoys his vacation on Banu island, and during that time, Danny always sticks to Qiara. Every time Qiara went to the Orphanage, Danny would definitely follow her. That's why, some people at the Orphanage are getting used to Danny's presence. They all knew that Danny was Dean's younger brother, who was a regular donor. The kids at the parlor even started to like Danny.

That day, Danny saw Qiara who was holding a female toddler who was about two years old. At that time Danny was struck with a pushy look. He so imagined, if only then Qiara did not have a miscarriage, surely their baby was that big now. Because of that, almost Danny shed his tears. All of his past mistakes were back in his memory. Now he began to understand, the reason why Qiara finally decided to leave him.

"Mom Ira, Reno is gone! I'm getting reports that he's not going to school today."

The words of Mr. Rendra to Ira's mother, the Head of the Panti, immediately made some people in the place stop their respective activities. Even Qiara who had always seemed to be chatting with the baby in her arms, also approached Mr. Rendra like the others.

Reno was one of the children they cared for at the Panti. Reno was handed over to Orphanage when she was only six years old until now she has turned thirteen and sits in the seventh grade of Junior High School. At that time, his mother handed Reno over to the Orphanage because she felt she would not be able to raise Reno.

Reno is an out-of-wedlock child, her father disappeared from nowhere after refusing to take responsibility, and letting Reno and her mother live amid poverty and deriding views from those around her. Because of this, his mother prefers to give up her child at the Orphanage in the hope that Reno will find a new parent who can give him a decent life.

And two weeks ago, Reno's mother came to see her son. Reno was very happy because she was finally able to reunite with her mother after so many years. His mother even took Reno for a walk and bought some clothes and shoes. However, after his mother left again because she had to go back to work, Reno always seemed moody. Reno who is usually always cheerful, suddenly changes. And the peak is today, when Reno suddenly disappears.

"Have you tried asking Reno's friends at school, sir?" Qiara asked worriedly. How not to worry if Reno is one of his favorite children in the Panti.

Without Qiara noticing, Danny was standing right next to her, making them look like a pair of young parents with a beautiful baby in Qiara's arms.

After listening to Qiara's question, Mr. Rendra's countenance suddenly changed.

"It has. But they don't know."

"Don't panic everyone!" Said Ira's mother, trying to calm down some worried-looking Housekeeper. "Now, we're all splitting up and looking for Reno. Explore all the places that he often or ever went. If Reno doesn't meet today, we can report to the police later."

A moment later, they all dispersed. Likewise with Qiara who had handed over the baby to a manager. As Qiara walked out, Danny suddenly appeared beside her and said, "i'm with you, Qi!"

...****...

"Hufthhhhhhhhhhhlally!" Windy's sigh was full of relief after dropping his body on a sofa and resting his head comfortably there.

Since this morning, Windy was busy pacing back and forth looking for an engagement ring belonging to one of the visitors at the hotel where he worked, which he said was missing.

Windy even had to flip through almost all the piles of blankets in the laundry room to find the ring. After struggling for almost a full day, Windy finally managed to find the ring and return it to its owner.

There was nothing more comforting to Windy, as soon as he saw a satisfied smile on the faces of a pair of visitors who would soon be celebrating their wedding.

Windy has served as a Hotelier at Clover Leaf Hotel & Resort, one of the largest hotels in Banu Island since two years ago.

Clover Leaf Hotel & Resort under the auspices of Sadewa's Group, is one of the branches of the Danny family-owned hotel which is now officially led by Dean since two years ago. Because Danny chose to hands off the family business, Dean was the eventual heir to the hotel business pioneered by his father for nearly two decades.

And sure enough, Dean managed to lead well and make their family hotel one of the best hotels. During his two years in office, Dean consistently continued to show his hard work, and naturally proved that he was indeed worthy of the position entrusted to him.

"Good job, Win!"

Said Dean who suddenly appeared in front of Windy while carrying a large paper bag. Windy who heard the voice of his lead, immediately stood up and took an upright stance. That thing, it just makes Dean chuckle.

"Thank you, sir." Windy replied politely, trying to drive away his fatigue in front of Dean.

Without Windy taking into account earlier, Dean suddenly took a step forward, brought his face closer to Windy's ear and whispered softly, "isn't it really awkward to meet Dean here?"

Windy held his breath until Dean distanced himself from him. "Let's sit!" Dean's word then.

Dean sat on one of the couches first, then Windy followed.

"You know the owner of the missing ring?"

"Why, Sir? Did I make a mistake?" Sambar Windy quickly.

Dean chuckled again.

"Hahaha it's not like that. He said he was very grateful for your hard work today. And you should know, it turns out he is the son of the owner of ANH Group. Because of your hard work today, which he thinks is very meritorious in his life, they agreed to hold a wedding reception at our hotel next month."

"WHAT?" Windy was shocked. There was no longer the polite demeanor before Dean like before. "So real Dean?"

Dean just smiled while nodding his head. "But first of all–", Dean grabbed the paper bag earlier and stuck it out in front of Windy, "replace these shoes you wear. Your feet must have hurt pacing back and forth wearing those uncomfortable work shoes since."

Windy was stunned for a while. Dean's attitude of concern like this never fails to make him flutter. But he understood, that he should not have more feelings for Dean, he should not be too late in the flow of his feelings. In Dean's eyes, Windy was just a friend of his sister's. Forever will be no more than that. Forever too, Windy is just that.

"Thank you, sir."

"SISTER DEAN!" Error Dean firmly, then clucked. "When we're both, just treat Dean as usual. In front of the other staff, Brother Dean is already awkward enough you call 'Sir', please don't be aggravated anymore."

"I'm sorry, Mr. L–eh, Brother Dean..."

"Issshh..." Dean grimaced as he softened Windy's head. Windy just laughed.

After Dean left because he had to attend a meeting, Windy immediately looked into the paper bag given by Dean. Windy took out a shoebox from inside, and as soon as he saw a pair of brownish-white sneakers on the box, Windy immediately smiled happily. He hurriedly took his phone and immediately photographed the sneakers given Dean who he thought was very beautiful. After that, Windy also replaced his work shoes with sneakers.

"It's so safe for his shoes. Must be expensive, huh." Knot Windy then stomped his feet on the floor.

...****...

After circling Sina City for nearly an hour, Qiara and Danny have yet to find any sign of Reno. Qiara also called Ira's mother several times, trying to ascertain if they had any news about Reno, but Ira's mother had not received any news.

"Is Reno disappointed that her mother didn't take her away?" Danny asked Qiara who was sitting next to him.

Qiara shook her head, "I don't think it's because of that. Reno already knew that her mother would go again to work. And while with his mother, Reno looks happy."

"Then, is there something Reno doesn't know?"

Qiara seemed to think, not long after he remembered that a few days ago, Ira's mother had told him, if in addition to meeting Reno, Ira, her mother's goal to come to the Orphanage was to borrow money from Ira's mother. Qiara recalled that the day her mother spoke to Ira's mother, she met Reno who was standing in front of Ira's room. From that day on, Reno always showed her gloomy face, like she was disappointed.

"I think Reno knows, if the main purpose of his mother came to the Panti not because she wanted to meet him, but to borrow money from Ira's mother."

"If that's the reason, it's natural that Reno is disappointed." Danny's knot later. "He missed his mother for years, but once his mother came, it wasn't because he wanted to see Reno one hundred percent. There was another goal that ended up leaving Reno hurt and disappointed. Especially in the past his mother had given him up at the Orphanage."

"Danny! Danny's! Stop that!! It's Reno, Dann!!" Qiara patted Danny on the shoulder several times. While one free hand pointed towards Reno who was walking in the middle of the road regardless of the crowded vehicles passing by. The horn sounds of several vehicles continued to sound, as if asking Reno to step aside.

"You wait here! Let me get that Samperin Reno." Danny hurriedly opened his seatbelt then ran to the middle of the road to catch up with Reno.

Meanwhile, the people by the roadside began to swarm in witnessing the actions Reno had taken. Just then, Reno looked like a dazed person.

Qiara and the others panicked when they saw a trontoon truck that was getting closer to Reno. Many times the truck honked, but Reno stopped.

"RENO, LOOKOUT!!" Shouted Qiara from the side of the road.

And before the truck hit Reno, at the right moment Danny managed to lift his body and jump to the side of the road to make his shoulders hit on the road with a lot of hard. Luckily, Reno wasn't hurt in the least, nor was Danny. Danny only felt pain in his left shoulder.

"DANNY!!" This time Qiara shouted Danny's name. He doesn't care about anything but Danny.

"Reno, are you okay? You all right?" Cecar Danny while holding both of Reno's shoulders, tried to regain his consciousness.

"Reno, look at Danny!! Reno!!"

Reno surprised. His face was instantly pale when faced with Danny.

"K—Kak Danny?"

"Thank God! As long as you're not hurt, that's okay. Next time don't do this again. Everyone is worried about you."

In the middle of that situation, Mr. Rendra suddenly came and helped Reno to rise.

"Sin' Danny's okay?" Ask Mr. Rendra. Mr. Rendra also witnessed the heroic actions carried out by Danny to save Reno.

"It's okay, sir! Now Mr. Rendra brought Reno back, yes. He must still be in shock."

"Okay, Danny! Thank you for saving Reno."

After Mr. Rendra took Reno away, Danny's attention was now on the truck driver who had almost hit Reno. Danny came closer, then apologized. The truck driver also looked as shocked as the others.

"Sorry, Sir! That was my sister."

"Mas really okay?"

"Yes, Sir. I'm not okay. You can continue the journey again."

After finishing his business with the truck driver, Danny turned around. The figure of Qiara who was looking at him with a glazed look immediately greeted him.

"Reno is okay, Qi! You don't have to worry anymore." Said Danny who thought that at that time Qiara was still worried about Reno.

But Danny was wrong! At that moment what Qiara was worried about was Danny himself. Qiara thought that once again he would put Danny in danger.

"Stupid! How can you jump just like that, dan—" he said stopped as his breath choked with anxiety in his chest that burst.

"Qia—"

"Let me see, you got any injuries?" Qiara said as she examined some parts of Danny's body with her hands and eyes that looked trembling.

For a moment Qiara wanted to shake off her anxious feelings, cool her head, and focus on Danny who had just escaped danger after saving Reno.

"Qiara, I'm okay—aaah!" Danny immediately grimaced in pain as Qiara's hand touched his left shoulder.

...****...

Danny sat down with his back to Qiara who was compressing a bruise on his shoulder. Qiara was actually adamant about taking Danny to the Hospital, but Danny refused and assured Qiara that it was just a regular bruise.

Qiara, reluctant to believe Danny, finally takes Danny into the car and checks his shoulder. After being convinced that it was just a bruise, Qiara immediately went to a nearby pharmacy to buy an ice bag.

"Let me compress myself."

Danny intends to take over the ice bag from Qiara's hands. And at that moment, he subconsciously touched the hand of Qiara who was still holding the ice bag on his shoulder.

They were both frozen, before Danny finally turned around and looked at Qiara in silence.

And as soon as Danny turned around, both of Qiara's eyes were immediately fixed on his engagement ring draped by Danny. When he unbuttoned Danny's shirt to check for bruises, Qiara was completely insensitive to the necklace because he was too worried about Danny. However, Qiara chose not to say anything. After all, Danny also seemed unaware that Qiara had seen the ring.

Qiara did not want to cause other problems by discussing the ring, although now her heart rumbles after finding out that Danny still keeps his ring.

"Dann, thank you for saving Reno. If you're not on time, I can't imagine what's going to happen next." This time Qiara was already able to control himself. He again looked calm without ripples like before. He also tried to forget about the ring.

"And that's why you're so worried about me, right?"

"Danny!!" Qiara growling.

Qiara did not know, that how happy Danny was when Qiara worried about him when he saved Reno. For some reason, Danny felt a one-point win over Qiara.

"How are you, Qi?" Danny asked suddenly with the same look.

Qiara breathed a long enough breath. A moment later, Qiara carved a single thin smile on her face. He knew, that it would definitely not be easy for Danny to ask that one question. That surely Danny tried to suppress his ego as much as possible before finally passing the question out of him.

Only, Qiara did not want Danny to know anything about what he had been through for the past three years, and how he had lived his life during that period of time. Qiara did not want to further accumulate feelings of guilt and regret for Danny.

"I tried so hard to forget everything, Dann. I tried so hard that even in my dreams I was in pain, but I failed. I forgot all my feelings for you." Qiara bathed, trying to quell the pain that rained down on her heart.

As Qiara was about to lower her hand from Danny's shoulder, Danny got stronger. Danny chooses to change his question when he realizes that Qiara will not answer him.

"Or let me ask you this... How does it feel to be the past I've always won?" Danny's voice was shrill, and his gaze on Qiara's two eyes deepened.

Because Qiara again did not answer, Danny decided to sufficed by releasing the hand of Qiara he had been holding since. But just before Danny's hand fell, Qiara immediately flipped his hand and held Danny's hand, and grasped it slightly tightly with the same position on his shoulder.

"How does it feel to be stuck in the past and be a prisoner there?" Qiara asked back in a tone that was no less ominous.

"Qi?"

Qiara smiled questionnaires, rolling out an unsolved puzzle from Danny's side. Qiara lowered her hand from Danny's shoulder while still holding Danny's hand. What was done by Qiara, made an ice bag that since they were resistant just slipped away.

"So, what I want to convey to you right now is, please no longer live in regret. In the past, we hurt each other, we hurt each other. But, I want you to realize, that it's all over. We deserve to have each other's happiness now."

"Are you asking me to forget you?" Danny pulled his hand from Qiara's grasp, staring bitterly at the two brown eyes.

Qiara shook her head, "no. I'm not asking you to forget me. After all, how could I forget that I am now in front of you? I just want us to let each other down and let go. Because honestly, seeing you live in regret like this and still stuck in the past, makes me even more hurt, Dann..."

"And seeing you in front of me like this, without being able to hug you, made me a thousand times more injured, Qi. I'm almost crazy!" Danny's breath sounds up and down.

They fell silent again, staring at each other and reading into each other's eyes. Not long after, Qiara put on one by one the buttons of Danny's shirt he had released to check for bruises on the man's shoulder. After finishing fishing, Qiara hugged Danny gently, trying to calm his breathing, to make Danny freeze in his slackness.

Although Qiara's movements back then were completely illegible to him, but eventually the way that Qiara used it was powerful for Danny. Because now, Danny slowly felt his breathing begin to calm down.

"I'll hug you whenever you ask. We, right.. guys!" Said Qiara mimicking Danny's annoying speech that he repeated quite often lately.

Danny breathed quite hard. But Danny didn't even return Qiara's embrace at all.

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