LOVE NARA

3.58. SHACKLES OF THE PAST

"Alya, this is for you."

Ardi took out a small box lined with white velvet cloth from his pants pocket and placed it on the table, right in front of where Alya was sitting.

Alya's gaze turned to look at the object then looked back at Ardi and waited for the man to explain. His sitting began to be unsettled, just as his attitude seemed nervous and erroneous.

"Open up" Ardi pinta with a soft voice and a shady look.

With trembling hands and a heart full of vibrations, Alya ventured to follow Ardi's request. Open the small box until it looks inside.

Alya looked at Ardi with teary eyes. His right hand shuts its mouth, holding back the billows that filled the space of the heart. Not a word was said from him, as if waiting for Ardi to give an explanation for the goods given to him.

Meanwhile, Ardi still continued to nail the gaze on the graceful figure before him. The widower noticed every change that appeared on Alya's face, after knowing what she was giving to her special lady.

There was still a feeling of anxiety in his heart, fearing that Alya would not be pleased and would instead return the item to him.

"This is nothing. Think of it as a bond to strengthen the relationship between me and you. Hopefully, as time goes on, this relationship will turn into one, which is us."

Ardi continued his remarks, before asking for certainty of an answer from the graceful hijab doctor he loved as sincerely as he did.

"As I've told you before, we should start getting used to this relationship. Learn to hold each other's heart and keep each other's feelings. Always confident and trusting to live this togetherness, even though it still has to be separated by distance and time."

Alya was even more moved, not expecting to get a surprise like this from Ardi. The tears finally flowed as well without being able to hold it anymore. The face that had warmed up with the rest of the body, was increasingly seen red as the cry that began to sound sobbing.

Unable to see his beloved heart dissolve in tears, Ardi's hands stretched out just like to wipe Alya's tears. But the woman realized it first and avoided.

Alya regressed her body and tried to stop her own crying. Both of his hands began to clean the surface of the face that had been soaked by tears. Then dry it with a sheet of tissue available on the table.

"Sorry .. I'm sorry, Al."

Ardi held back the hand movement and pulled it back. Reunited his two hands and squeezing each other to dispel anxiety. Her heart started pounding waiting for what Alya would say in response to her.

After adjusting her breath and mastering herself, Alya began to steady her heart to convey her answer.

"Al ...?" Ardi continued to wait and prepare the heart, in case Alya refused his gift.

A moment later, as their gazes met and locked onto each other, Alya smiled and nodded with certainty.

Ardi blinked his eyes, wanting to confirm what he had just seen. Once again she saw Alya still reviewing her smile and nodded back to reassure herself.

"Alya .. you ...?"

Ardi did not continue his sentence. Her happiness soared when she heard Alya's soft voice say something.

"The ring is beautiful. Thank you, Di."

Alya tried to stay calm even though her heart was pounding even more and made her attitude so nervous. He kept trying to throw away all the doubts he still felt. Almost his feelings weakened and almost changed his decision.

"So you accepted it, Al?" ask Ardi to make sure once again. And Alya nodded like the previous answer.

The man heaved a sigh of relief and threw away the rest of his anxiety again. His smile was no longer restrained, in spite of being satisfied with the happiness that filled the space in his heart.

"Thank you, Al. I'm so happy," honestly Ardi without covering it up again.

Her tense face had gradually disappeared and changed into a smile that adorned her happy face. His gaze was fixed straight at Alya who continued to pay attention to the ring inside the white box on the table.

"May I put it on your finger, Al?"

The question was simply uttered from the lips of the widower doctor who was staring fixedly at the doctor with a graceful hijab in front of him.

Quickly he closed his eyes. Out of control he shook his head to cast away the dark shadow that came to disturb his happiness. The happiness that he has just felt and wants to continue to have with the man of his heart choice.

Seeing Alya shake his head, Ardi tried to be airy and did not want to force his will. He realized his request might be too excessive and crossed the line between them.

"All right, I get it, Al."

Hearing Ardi's words, Alya immediately opened her eyes. He wanted to straighten out his attitude that had been misinterpreted by the man.

"Ardi .. That's not what I meant. That's not the answer for you. I ... I ..., the shadow is teasing me again and I want to get rid of it quickly."

Alya lowered her head and covered her face with both hands. The shadow still haunts his mind. Even continue to disturb when he is happy with the man he loves.

"Are you okay, Al?" Ardi turned frantic and worried for his beloved woman. He poured a glass of water that was still there to Alya.

"Drink first, Al. Calm yourself and try to fight that fear. Do not let you get lost and weakened again because of it."

Hearing Ardi's voice full of anxiety, Alya put her hand away from the face. He looked at the man who was still holding a glass for him.

There was a new strength he had when he heard Ardi's attentive speech and attitude towards him. He received the glass and immediately drained the water inside.

While putting an empty glass on the table, Alya continued to catch her breath and calm her feelings. He still closed his eyes again, trying to fight against the dark shadow and throw it away from his mind.

With feelings still filled with fear and worry, Ardi kept quiet and waited. He continued to pay attention to Alya who was still trying to calm down.

It turns out this is you and your real heart, Al. Behind your independent attitude, it turns out you are very fragile in loneliness. Behind your hospitality and smile for everyone, you keep this deep inner wound alone.

Thousands of regrets returned to fill Ardi's thoughts and feelings. The separation that he once thought would bring good to everyone, in fact, made Alya as sick as this.

Shackled by a very dark past and drowned in a dark valley filled with shadows of fear that continues to haunt and difficult to leave. Silent and alone. Weak and full of wounds.

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FB: Aisha Bella

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