FORBIDDEN TO FALL IN LOVE

77. Finale

Mr. Suherman stroked his daughter's head affectionately. He stared at Valeda for so long, that it made the atmosphere in Daniel's room feel awkward.

That morning, the sun hid behind a thick gray cloud. Eve was warm outside. The weather is perfect if someone is walking around. However, Valeda chose to accompany Daniel in the hospital. He didn't want Daniel to disappear again. He even handed over all the office affairs completely to Celine.

Daniel glanced at Kris who was visiting him after checking the state of Daniel's orphanage. Kris felt awkward too. He himself had never been in a position like this with the Valeda family, let alone with Mr. Suherman. Kris shrugged his shoulders, gesturing for silence at this moment and waiting for Mr. Suherman to open his mouth.

"I've heard from the doctor who treated Valeda," Mr. Suherman finally started the conversation. Daniel did not dare to lean on his pillow, so tense was he. For Daniel, this time the atmosphere was different. Mr. Suherman is no longer just a parent who must be impressed, but also Daniel must get his blessing to propose Valeda. "Doctors say that Valeda is not pregnant" Suherman continued.

Daniel nodded, confirming what Mr. Suherman had said. "It was just my stratagem to lure Rangga," I'm Daniel.

Mr. Suherman rubbed his pointed forehead. "So it seems..." He looked calmer and there was no anger implied from his eyes. "Actually, I hate you because I still believe that you are the one who caused Valeda to experience the fire disaster first. I was fooled completely. I'm sorry for that."

"Not to be discussed, sir," replied Daniel. "That's an old story. Anyway, I finally got Valeda back," Daniel cheeks red when he says it.

"Uhuk! Uhuk!" Kris teased, amused at Daniel's behavior.

Mr. Suherman smiled slightly. "By the way, can you explain, what exactly are your plans, until it happens like this?" ask Mr. Suherman.

Daniel looked at Kris who immediately nodded. "I will tell you my part, and Kris will complete it" Daniel said. Daniel also explained that at first he was just pretending to be in a relationship with Valeda, with the intention of avoiding the insistence of Mrs Emely to get married. Daniel also has hidden intentions, after learning that Valeda is the son of Mr. Suherman - the man who broke his family relationship. However, as time went on, everything became different. They fell in love with each other.

Perhaps because of the news, Rangga finally decided to return to Indonesia and meet Valeda. Then, the nightmare happened. All that Rangga admitted, was clearly heard by Mr. Suherman by Phone. Daniel does not need to explain how evil Rangga is behind his good attitude to everyone.

"Then, how did you get to that place?" Mr. Suherman throws a question at Kris.

"We're discussing the missing Daniel, sir," Kris begins the story. "I and Celine were in Valeda's apartment that day, when Rangga came. For some reason, Valeda had a hunch that Rangga would do something."

Mr. Suherman nodded. "My daughter is very similar to her mother. They have a strong feeling."

"We hid in the guest room. As you have seen, I recorded all the events of that time." Chris looked out the window. Drizzle has been greeting the earth, since when. Kris could still feel an overwhelming sense of fear as he recalled how he stalked Rangga that night. "In case, I sent the video to a friend of mine who works in the police force. I actually don't know if he can help or not, because he is just a small employee and has no power. Me and Celine could only follow them back then."

"Without any plan?" ask Mr. Suherman.

Kris nodded once. His hands clenched and shook. Kris could feel the anger flowing back in his blood. "I and Celine were silent. I was even afraid to breathe. I know, if we get caught, it's over our history."

"But you guys did it" Mr. Suherman corrected.

A smile was etched on Kris's face. "My friend apparently owed Miss Valeda a favor. He immediately contacted me and asked me to give you my position at that moment."

Mr. Suherman nodded in understanding. Apparently, the police who came at that time were help from Kris' friend. Suddenly Mr. Suherman felt inferior. He can't think about what his daughter has done, until someone else has a debt of gratitude and immediately moves on when Valeda needs help. The daughter he thought was just a snot child, had grown up well.

"Thankfully it's all over this time" said Mr. Suherman in relief. "The host shall be punished accordingly. I'll make sure he can't get close to you or your family." Mr. Suherman turned to Daniel. "You can focus on taking over some of my companies and divide your time well."

"I'm sorry, sir," replied Daniel quickly. "I have to reject that offer now. I still have to finish my college. If I get a high post in a short period of time, it'll invite tremendous controversy."

"I'm just teasing you," said Mr. Suherman.

Daniel took a long breath. 'Thankfully I rejected it, ' Daniel's inner self.

Mr. Suherman looked at his cell phone. "It looks like my wife has reached the hospital. I'll take him for coffee in the cafeteria. You guys don't disturb Valeda's sleep!" said Mr. Suherman, then passed from before them.

***

Daniel's brothers were delighted with Mr. Suherman's invitation and had already consumed a lot of grilled meat before the dinner began. All three of Valeda's sisters are soft-spoken because they feel sorry for the terrible events that Valeda experienced. None of them thought that Rangga would do such a cruel thing to Valeda or Daniel.

"Are you okay?" Valeda swiftly helped Daniel as Daniel was about to stand up from his seat.

"I'm well, Val," Daniel lied. He could still feel a twitch of pain in some parts of his body. Daniel even struggled because one of his hands still had to use a cast for another two months.

"Where are you going?" valeda asked, following Daniel who was walking away from the ring of fire.

"Why? You still afraid I'm disappearing again?" goda Daniel's.

Without hesitation, Valeda grabbed Daniel's healthy hand and clasped it tightly. "I won't let you out of my sight" he replied steadily.

"May God hear your prayer" Daniel clasped Valeda's hand. "I heard, Rangga mandapat sentence of life imprisonment?"

"The punishment is even less for all his crimes" Valeda said. "I didn't think he was like that."

Valeda's last words he's said a million times. Clearly visible from the way he spoke and the glare of his eyes, he was actually saddened by that fact. Valeda has been with Rangga since childhood. Of course there was affection in his heart. Rangga still has a special room for Valeda.

Daniel did not dare to express his jealousy. As much as she tried to cover it up. Now is not the time to make the fragile Valeda into distress with the childlike feelings that Daniel felt.

"Do you eat well?" Daniel. He always looked out for the woman he loved. He was quite worried because Valeda was instead busy taking care of him who had many 'nurses'.

"I eat three meals a day" replied Valeda.

"You're skinny."

"I'll eat well, when my mood has improved."

"You think so much of Rangga?" accuse Daniel. Finally the jealous rage overflowed out of his mouth.

Valeda turned his head quickly and Daniel immediately threw his face away. Daniel's face was red from his own shame with his passionate feelings.

"Daniel.." call Valeda slowly. He pulled the hand of Daniel who was still unwilling to return his gaze. "You jealous?" ask Valeda.

Daniel did not answer. His heart was beating so fast that it made his hands tremble. Daniel saw the tares swaying in the wind of the beach. He plucked it and twisted the weed into a small circle.

Valeda just kept silent to see Daniel's behavior. Her heart blossomed from feeling the sweet jealousy of her boyfriend.

Daniel turned around, facing Valeda with a puffed up chest. "It's for a while!" he said with a great shaking voice. He himself was shocked, as he felt his voice as if he was yelling at Valeda.

Valeda looked down to find Daniel pulling his hand, then Daniel pinned the ring on his ring finger. "Haha! Greatness!" Valeda commented with a sigh. "Where is a proposal like this, Dan?"

"Ehem! Ehem!" Daniel turned his face as red as a boiled crab. "Po-everything else you're tied to me! There can be no other men!" Daniel insists.

Valeda smiled broadly. "We've been tied up long before this" he said.

***