FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

64. End of Contract

"You guys, really think it's a hassle!" grouse Mistress Emely. "You should have followed what you said from the first moment, Val! Your life won't be this complicated."

"Then, Mama told Val to get married young?" sindir Valeda's. "That's not what Valeda wants, Ma."

"At least, look for someone like Rangga" said Mrs Emely.

Valeda was ready for an argument, when suddenly Rangga appeared behind Mr. Suherman. Valeda could feel Daniel's hand tighten. He knew that Daniel did not like Rangga.

"Oom, Auntie, it's not good to talk about something like this in the hospital" Rangga spoke up.

"You're always like this! There's no point in protecting Valeda constantly!" replied Madame Emely.

Rangga rubbed Madam Emely's arm. "Isn't it your job to protect each other?" rangga said with a smile.

"Rangga, can you take Papa and Mama outside? I'll catch up" Pinta Valeda. He did not want the atmosphere to get hotter.

"Okay," Rangga agreed. He immediately led Mr. Suherman and Mrs Emely away from Daniel's room.

Valeda looked at Daniel. Daniel's face was not at all relaxed. He seems to want to be angry.

"And... I'm going outside to talk to my parents" Valeda said.

Daniel squeezes Valeda's hand. "Don't be fooled!" whispered Daniel.

Valeda smiled at Daniel's warning. "I'm the originator of this pretend courtship idea. There's no way I'd agree to part with you and marry the person you choose" Valeda whispered.

Daniel opened his mouth, to speak again. But, he hurriedly threw away his face. Despite feeling strange, Valeda decided to save her question for later. His parents will not sit patiently out there. Valeda patted Daniel on the back, then walked away.

Valeda walked quickly outside the ER room and saw her parents talking to Rangga. "Pa.." call Valeda.

Mr. Suherman turned around. "Are you still going to insist on your relationship?" ask Mr. Suherman.

Valeda looked at her parents in turn. "Val has not been able to part with Daniel, yet" Valeda replied in a soft tone.

"Haha!" Madame Emely laughed loudly, then left from before Valeda.

Mr. Suherman took a deep breath. "Papa tasa, you already know what our answer is, Val," Mr. Suherman said before following his wife walking towards the parking lot.

Rangga patted Valeda on the shoulder. "Calm down. You yourself know how your parents are, right? They must be more concerned with self-esteem and good name."

Valeda stared at her parents' car until it disappeared at the hospital gate. He took a breath and exhaled slowly. "I'm tired" I'm Valeda. "I understand how important it is to keep their good name. But, Daniel's not a bad person."

"Casta" said Rangga. "Our parents are still conservative and think of caste. I thought you'd be like them if you were a parent."

"Don't tease me!" grouse Valeda. "You too, just go home! I still want to be with Daniel."

"Would you eat first?" bargain Rangga.

Valeda. He has no appetite at this time. "I'll eat later."

"Next time, don't refuse me," Rangga patted Valeda's head with a smile.

'Refusing him to eat together?' thought Valeda. He simply replied with a nod, as he could not promise regarding it.

When time came, Valeda saw Daniel's eyes closed. Breathing regular. There was a soft snoring sound from him. Valeda smiled unconsciously.

'Daniel said not to be deceived, was he worried that I would obey my parents?' inner Valeda.

Valeda sat in the chair next to Daniel's bed. He stared at Daniel for a long time.

"Sorry.." whispered Valeda. He kept quiet for how long, making sure that Daniel didn't wake up because of him. "If I could take better care of you. None of this is gonna happen. I'm sure it's all my business competitors."

"No" Daniel answered suddenly.

Valeda was shocked to hear Daniel's voice. "You awake?"

Daniel opened his eyes slowly. He looked at the ceiling of the room without blinking. "It's not because of your business competitors."

Valeda swallowed his saliva with great difficulty. He's looking down lethargic. It is impossible to hide what he thinks of Daniel, for it concerns Daniel himself.

"I know, you don't just shut up about this. Perhaps also, you've done a lot of research behind my back." Daniel moved slowly, then turned to Valeda. "Is there anything you want to say?"

Tears burst out of Valeda's eye. It feels hot and painful. "I-I tried to finish it alone." said Valeda amid her cries. "Without knowing... You are so important to me... I'm afraid you'll hate me after all this..."

Daniel's hand is outstretched. She's curled Valeda's long hair. "When I agreed to help you, I was already aware of the consequences I would receive."

"But-but... Your sister lost her life..."

Daniel pulls Valeda into his arms. Surprised, Valeda stopped crying. Daniel stroked Valeda's hair gently. They remained silent for a long time.

"Wal..." Daniel finally broke the silence. "I'll tell you everything I know. At first, I was also afraid that you would deny and turn against me. But, now it's up to you."

Valeda. He saw Daniel with a serious face. "What do you want to tell me?"

"Before that, I wanted to terminate the contract between us" Daniel said.

Valeda. Daniel's sudden request made his brain stop working. He did not even dare to ask why. Daniel was gentle with him. But that doesn't mean Daniel wants it.

That kiss too...

"I can't pretend to be your boyfriend anymore" Daniel said.

Valeda pulled his body. He sat straight up in the chair with a serious face. "I understand. Being next to me will only make things worse" Valeda replied. She almost cried again, but this time out of sadness. Just a few minutes ago, Daniel said that he did not want to part ways and would be with Valeda. But, what Valeda got at the moment was quite the opposite.

"That's not my excuse."

Valeda had almost run to escape because he did not want to hear anything from Daniel anymore. Her hands squeezed the skirt that covered her knees. Valeda tried hard to stay seated there. "Is it because of the diamond?" that line just came out of Valeda's mouth.

Daniel laughed softly. She shook her head. "Didn't my attitude make you aware?" ask Daniel.

Valeda's heart was pounding, I don't know what. Instead of being unconscious, Valeda enjoyed every bit of tenderness that Daniel gave. He even wanted more than that.

"I'm in love with you, Val.." whispered Daniel. "I've been in love with you since we first met."

***