My Lovely Cousin's

Chapter 36: The Hole in the Heart

Surya comes to meet Zara in the apartment that the girl now lives in, Ran's apartment. After being sent in, Surya sat on the sofa while putting his luggage on the table. Zara sat down and looked at Surya. The mood is a little awkward.

"What did Surya bring for me?" ask Zara flat.

"Some groceries and some things you asked for" Surya replied with a faint smile.

"Thank you."

"Well, you're together."

A few seconds of silence later Surya remembered Ran's message telling him to convey all about the company.

"Zara, are you ready to hold your father's company?" surya asked breaking the silence.

"No." still in her flat tone, Zara looked back at Surya after a while turning her towards the table.

"Then, who will hold the power?" ask Surya again. Actually he knows, who will replace Ran is himself but he just wants to make sure that Zara really has not been able to bear the burden of being the owner of the company.

"Son, I really can't. I still have to go to college, even now I'm still semester one." replied Zara.

"Alright, but at least you should go to the office once in a while to see how things are going."

"Later to see if I can or not."

Surya nodded in understanding. Then change the topic because he felt Zara did not want to discuss it.

"I'm going on a business trip for two weeks, you take good care of yourself. And well, I've hired ART to help you cook and clean this apartment. If anything happens quickly call me." said Surya at length.

Zara breathed a long breath. If only Ran existed, then he would not have to put anyone else into that apartment. Honestly, he objected if anyone else entered the apartment, except Surya. It feels like his privacy was breached by someone else, but what's okay, he can't do homework alone.

"Hmm." retorted Zara who sounded reluctant.

"Be patient, life is hard. Strengthen yourself." said Surya then rose.

Zara got up and drove Surya to the door. After Surya's departure, Zara took two plastic bags on the living room table that were brought by Surya and took them to the kitchen.

A few moments passed by Zara laid her body on Ran's King-size bed. Now Zara went into the man's room more often, and even decided to sleep there. For some reason, he always misses Ran. For a moment he thought, is his love for Ran so great? Why is it so hard to accept the fact that they have ended the relationship. I don't know.

Although the longing he felt was very heavy, Zara did not call Ran. Not because of heartache, but he did not want if later after talking to Ran will cause new wounds in his heart that are certainly difficult to heal.

Ran was already like a protector to him, because Ran was able to make him feel safe. When she is enveloped by fear, Ran's embrace is the best place to feel calm until she can be free from that fear. Instantly Zara realized something, inside her chest felt so cool recalling the fond memories with Ran. And it seems, his love for Ran really cannot be measured anymore. And made it hard for him to forget that handsome-eyed guy.

'Why do you have to go when my feelings for you are so great? It's really hard, but I'll never open my heart to anyone again. You're the last one, I won't love anyone after you. Even though I should not marry though.' Zara's pledge in her heart.

...*****...

The day passed so quickly and now, it was on Sunday Aura held a wedding. After going through several processes, the families of both parties agreed on a marriage between Bryan and Aura. Despite Aura's young age, the girl did not reject the apostasy of her parents and Bryan's parents at all. They married with a considerable age difference, which is 9 years. Aura was 19, while Bryan was 28. Bryan was a Deputy Director of a paper company that his father held. His face is handsome, blue eyed. Bryan is of English descent from his father, while his mother is indigenous. People say that Bryan is a crossbreed.

So far, there are no obstacles that they feel in the marriage process. And when the contract was completed, they were reunited and then put the rings on each other's fingers. Everyone present felt happy to see the two people who had just united in the bonds of marriage a few minutes ago. No exception to Zara. He stared with happiness at the figure who was the queen that day, he just remembered if Aura had just become his best friend and was now the wife of people.

"Thankfully, I was very happy to see him" said Zara, who was standing at Satria's side.

"certain. Who isn't happy to see their best friend happy, right?" satria said with a sweet smile.

They met for a while, before someone finally called Zara by name.

Zara looked at the face of the girl who called out to her while squinting, she knew this girl. On the girl's side was a grown man who was also no stranger to her. Whether this was a coincidence or indeed God had planned, Zara really did not believe what she saw. Faykah and also Aizuko, a director of Nara Group.

"You.. I finally saw you again." said Zara for the first time. He approached Faykah and hugged his friend.

Faykah returned Zara's embrace tightly.

"I miss you, Zanzara."

"I miss you too, Faykah. Why did you just show up? Did you accidentally not meet me? Uh, wait a minute.." Zara let go of her embrace then turned her gaze to Aizuko who was standing looking at them with a smile.

"Sir Aizuko.. It's good to see you again." Zara lowered her head slightly.

"It's nice to meet you too, Zara." Aizuko replied.

"Do you know each other?" ask Faykah. Zara nodded.

"Honey, she is Amakusa Ran's younger sister. The owner of the company I'm working with." Aizuko told Faykah.

Zara squinted her eyes at Aizuko's words, Honey? Are they dating? Think Zara.

"Hey, wait a minute. Do you guys have a relationship?" ask Zara curiously.

Faykah and Aizuko looked at each other.

"of course. We're already married to Zara." they replied simultaneously.

Zara flabbergasted. "Ja.. So then.. The man you mean to be betrothed to, Aizuko?"

"Well right." replied Faykah with a smile. Zara nodded slowly.

"Why didn't you tell me? You never even called me." Zara protested.

"Whatdidyou say? Didn't I say? I think you should go back to your memory, Zara. I have sent my invitation to Kak Ran's company, and at my wedding you were absent. Ran says you're sick." explains Faykah.

"So don't blame me" said Faykah.

"Then, you two. Do you know Aura?" zara asked as she stared at Faykah and Aizuko in turn.

"No. We only know Bryan. I'm a close friend of Bryan's." replied Aizuko.

"Oh like that. Hey, Faykah. Do you know, Aura has replaced your position" Zara said with a slanted smile.

"really? Looks like you're challenging me, Dad. Well since you started it then don't blame me if I make you sad. You know Zara, Aizuko has replaced your position. Hahaha." said Faykah really mockingly.

"Good damn you are.. Never give up. You always win the debate with me." said Zara.

"Hahahaha." they laughed together.

Then Faykah stared at the man next to Zara.

"Is he your lover?" ask Faykah.

Zara. "Oh, ahaha, no. He's my best friend, and he's also Aura's cousin. Her name is Satria."

"Satria" said Satria to allow himself to shake hands with Aizuko.

"Aizuko and my wife, Faykah." Aizuko replied.

"Ohya, I forgot. Diamond Ran?" aizuko asked Zara after releasing her handshake to Satria.

Zara jerks. A moment ago he forgot the narrow-eyed man but Aizuko reminded him again, Zara felt tightness but she tried to hold back.

"Sir Ran, he's back in Japan." replied Zara.

"really? Since when and in what order?" ask Aizuko.

"Four days ago, he came back because his father was dying" Zara replied as she was.

"When will you be back?"

Deg, this is the question that Zara is avoiding. He does not want to accept the fact that Ran will never return.

"Mmm, I don't know. Last he told me if he didn't know when he'd be back. Maybe he won't come back." replied Zara in a soft voice.

Aizuko realized the bitterness that emanated from his wife's friend and decided to end the discussion about Ran.

Satria also noticed this, grabbed Zara's shoulder and stroked her slowly.

"Em, then me and Faykah go first." said Aizuko.

Zara and Satria nodded slowly. After Aizuko and Faykah passed, Satria opened her voice.

"What's your grief over these few days over her disappearance?" satria asked still holding Zara's shoulder.

"Can we find a quiet place? I'll explain it there." said Zara with a bitter look.

"Alright, we're going to the back garden." eventually Satria leads Zara to the back garden.

They were sitting on a park bench made of teak wood. Zara is sometimes seen to regulate the breath. Satria who saw this snorted.

"Now tell!" satria.

Zara glanced at a glance then turned her gaze back the other way. "Four days ago, Brother Ran returned to Japan and severed our relationship. The reason for that was because he didn't want to make me wish and wait for him who didn't know when to return." Satria listened to Zara's explanation carefully.

"Then, what else do you expect?" ask Satria.

"I.. I still hope that he will come back and keep his promise to my father. He promised to take care of me. And even I've loved her so deeply." this time Zara weakened and finally shed tears.

Spontaneous Satria pulled the girl in her arms. Satria felt so much suffering that this girl was going through. To make it unbearable to let Zara continue to grieve.

"I will always be there. I promise." he said comforting Zara.

"No.. Not Satria. Don't do anything for me, I can't repay you." Zara tried to dismiss Satria's words. He was afraid that Satria would feel a deep disappointment if she had to endure the grief she had poured out on him.

"Don't refuse me anything! I'm your best friend and it's appropriate that I bear your sorrow." said Satria.

"No." Zara's words came to a halt as Satria's index finger held her lips.

"I told you, don't refuse! Let me endure it all, you just need to move on with your life and continue to be happy."

Zara stared at the Satria jet bead that was also staring at her. There was no doubt that there was only the sincerity that Zara saw that made her slowly accept.

"But I can't forget Brother Ran, I love him so much" Zara said.

"No problem. I'm just gonna keep you happy, I don't expect anything back from you. I'm your best friend and I'm sincere in helping you."

Satria realizes that what she did for Zara will make her hurt. And he knew that the wounds that would arise would be very large and painful. But, for Zara's sake whatever she'll do. Because that girl was his first love. It was only Zara's smile that she expected nothing else, even if her feelings were unrequited Satria was willing.

"Sometimes we act foolishly just to see the smile of someone we love. And now I do. Then after today, what else is Satria tomorrow? I don't know." said Satria inwardly.