Lily Flowers for Prince
1. Lily
Lily ran to the cafe next to her office building.
The light rain soaked his face gently. Lily slowly wiped her wet face with a tissue.
Today Lily's quick home clearance after a week of overtime completed the year-end report. Lily glanced at her watch. Hours 13.25
He has to go back to Bandung. Papa's in the hospital again. Angga's sister, the oldest brother, told Lily.
But before going to Bandung, Lily had an appointment to meet with Rakha for a while.
Rakha waved her hand towards Lily. Sit on a desk chair next to the cafe window so you can enjoy the view outside.
Lily first ordered her favorite warm chocolate and currant cheese croissant.
"How are you, Ly?" greet Rakha as Lily arrives at the table.
"I'm good. You how?" Lily asked back.
Rakha only smiled as she raised her shoulders.
"Eat first" Rakha said.
Lily did not have lunch on purpose.
While enjoying her favorite currant cheese croissant, Lily occasionally stares at Rakha.
Five days ago Rakha married her ex-boyfriend, Dina. Leaving Lily. On the grounds of being forced to marry Dina because she said the woman threatened to kill herself by cutting her veins with scissors.
Aah sounds like drama. But that's what happened. Rakha left him with such a reason.
They even prepare for the wedding when Rakha is still with Lily. Pick up Lily often. As if nothing had happened.
Even two weeks before they got married, Rakha still accompanied Lily home to meet Papa.
Lily learns of Rakha and Dina's wedding plans from Rakha's two best friends. Dion and Billy. A week before they were married, Rakha gave Lily an invitation letter.
Lily comes to Rakha's wedding with Billy and Dion. Lily wants to prove that she is strong and does not fall even though Rakha left her.
In fact, Lily cried all night. Disappointment and heartache are certain. What makes it so hard is to think about how to tell Papa and his family about Rakha. The family knows that Rakha is a man who is close to Lily.
The night after her wedding, Rakha calls Lily. I asked for time to meet on Thursday.
And today she was already in front of Lily. I don't know what the purpose is.
"Is there anything to say?" ask Lily after the food is over.
"I'm asking for help. Lily do not get close to other men first" said Rakha make Lily confused.
"Wait me. I want a divorce from Dina." she continued, making Lily even more confused.
"I know I was wrong. I was mean to Lily. My decision to marry Dina was a big mistake in my life"
"Give me three months to complete my divorce proceedings with Dina"
"Please do not accept love from anyone. Wait for me, Ly"
Rakha looked at Lily. Her eyes were hopeful.
"Why divorce. You've only been married for 5 days" asked Lily, feeling weird.
"I don't love him, I had to, Ly"
"Since the first day of marriage, we've had a big fight just because of trivialities. He can't talk softly, always rudely"
"I realize, what I love is you" Rakha said.
"I'm sorry, Ly. Please don't leave me"
"Wait for me, Ly. please" Rakha looked expectantly.
Lily did not answer. He stared out the cafe window while trying to finish his cold hot chocolate.
"I can't, Rakha" said Lily coldly.
"Please think again, Ly. Give me one more chance. Please"Rakha looked at Lily expectantly.
"I can't, Rakha. You're already married. I have the right to seek my own happiness"
"After this I want to go back to Bandung. My dad entered the hospital this morning" Lily glanced at his watch. Hour 15.22.
"Sorry, I can't deliver. Because I had to pick Dina up in her office" Rakha looked at Lily with guilt.
"No problem. I rode Ztrans travel in the building next door" Lily said.
"After all, we've got nothing to do, right?"
"My family doesn't know anything about your marriage" Lily continued.
How could Lily have told me about this when Dad was sick.
Rakha bowed. His sitting attitude seemed to be all wrong.
"All right. I'll go first. See you" said Lily hurriedly.
"I drive to the travel office, Ly" Rakha follows Lily who has stepped away without ignoring her.
You only need to walk to the travel minibus Ztrans office. Because it is only 200 meters from the cafe where they just met.
"See you, Lily" Rakha said as Lily climbed into the minibus.
Lily just waved her hand with an expressionless face and without saying anything. Just like on the short trip earlier, Lily just fell silent.
Lily was just thinking about Papa's condition.
Along the way, Lily's mind drifted to think of Papa. Hope Papa isn't too bad. Hopefully healthy again.
There were six passengers on the minibus with three rows of passenger seats. Each line is filled by two people.
Lily sat in the first row seat behind the driver.
The passenger next to him was a tall man, white like he was not a native Indonesian. There may be European ancestry, such as French or English. He was reading a book.
Four people behind him seemed to be a high school boy who was going on vacation to Bandung. Along the way their chat was very exciting typical of High School children, making Lily entertained to hear it. Typical babble-chattering schoolgirl cheerful.
About half an hour later the vehicle arrived at the Ztrans Cihampelas shuttle. Lily has informed Angga's sister, so that Mr. Min, Papa's driver can pick her up.
His office phone sounded. Mr. Bram, Lily's boss and the director in his office called.
Mr. Bram was meeting, so Lily sent a message via whatsapp that Lily was allowed to go home quickly because papa was sick. All reports have been finalized and Lily put them on Mr. Bram's desk.
"Good afternoon, Bram sir. I'm going home early today. My dad had a heart attack"
said Lily.
"Good, Lily. I just read your message. You apply for leave until your papa recovers"
answer Mr. Bram.
"Good, Sir. I'll take a leave of absence later. Thank you, sir"
"Sama-sama, Ly. May your father recover soon. Do not forget to always pray for his recovery" said Mr. Bram.
Mr. Bram is a good man. Although a director, but always treat all employees like friends.
Just as Lily shut down her office phone, her personal phone rang.
A message from Rakha
"I'm gonna miss you, Lily baby"
"May Papa be healthy soon yes" the second message.
Hhhhh...Lily was still confused by everything that happened. He did not even know how he felt right now towards Rakha after the meeting earlier. It seems she is getting reluctant to see Rakha. The conversation disturbed him. Rakha's request words offended her pride. After she left Lily, she suddenly came and asked her to wait. Lily tried to quell the anger in her chest.
Lily replied to Rakha's message "thank you"
it seems cold. But that's all Lily could write.
Lily put her phone in the bag immediately.
Ciiiiiit.
The vehicle stopped suddenly. All the passengers were surprised.
"I'm sorry, Mom and Dad, the vehicle in front suddenly stopped" the driver seemed to feel guilty.
"There was an accident in front of us. Please don't panic, Mom and Dad. We're secure. Soon we arrive" continued the driver.
Lily grabbed her bag that had fallen under the chair. The male passenger next to him also did the same. He was going to pick up the book that fell. Their heads clashed.
"squeer" Lily grimaced softly holding her head.
"Sorry.sorry" said the man. Lily looked over with her face still grimacing. His eye.....
"are you okay?" the man asked.
"the servant is a little sick" Lily said immediately averted her eyes
"but it's okay.it's just common pain" Lily continued as the man felt confused and misbehaved.
"thank God" he murmured.
The vehicle has entered the Cihampelas shuttle. Lily saw that Mr. Min was waiting for her.
Mr. Min immediately grabbed Lily's bag and headed for the car.
Car goes straight to the hospital.
***
Papa's in the ICU. There's Mr. Yan there. Mr. Yan was papa's assistant long ago. Always accompany papa anywhere. Mr. Yan and Ms. Halimah, his wife, do live in papa's house. They don't have children. Ms. Halimah was the one who helped Mama at home a long time ago.
When Mama died, Ms. Halimah felt a deep sadness like us. Mom treated Halimah like family.
Although Papa could not continue to be accompanied in the room. At least there are families who stand guard in the waiting room if at any time necessary.
Papa had a heart attack. According to Mr. Yan, Papa suddenly shortness of breath while walking around the factory.
Mr. Yan immediately took Papa to the hospital. So that Papa quickly get help.
Lily looked at Papa from behind the glass window. Papa is asleep. His body was fitted with several tools and cables.
Papa's been sick since Mama's departure two years ago. How not, Mama accompanied Papa for 32 years. Surely Papa felt a deep loss.
***
drrtttt.phone incoming from Ka Angga. "Sister tonight at about ten to the hospital. There was an important meeting that could not be canceled. I have to replace Papa"
"you go home first. rest"
"Lily wants to see Papa, sister" Lily said
"tomorrow you go to the hospital again, yes, it's late"
"Tomorrow we'll meet at the hospital"
"good, Brother. Lily's coming home now" Lily said.
***
