The Bond of Our Love

CHAPTER 25 - Festival exhibition

"I'm sorry, ma'am, Ra. I can't help anything" said Rahul Lirih.

"You don't have to apologize, son. It's our family's problem. So we have to take responsibility to finish it. It should be the mother who apologizes. Because it has made you deal with the Sigit boss because of this problem" replied Bu Sakinah quickly.

Actually, five hundred million is not a big nominal for Rahul. That's if he's still part of the Aerospace family.

But now, he's a nobody. Just an ordinary guy who works as a craftsman in a guitar factory. There was no way he could earn three hundred million, within a week of helping them. Then what should he do now?

********

"What the hell is Yan?" Zahra's protest was upset as her hand pulled Yanti towards the end of the corridor.

"Tu, your scuffles have been waiting from earlier" With a faint smile on his face, Yanti pointed at the end of the corridor.

Zahra followed Yanti's gaze. And his eyes instantly caught the figure of a man who was very familiar to him. Who else if not Rahul. Tumben he's here.

"If you speak do not come from. He's my friend, not my crush" Zahra's repugnant exasperated.

"Oh.... friend? Meaning TTD?" Yanti smiled seductively.

"What's that?" Zahra scrunched her forehead.

"Friends but demen"

The annoying smile that adorned the face of Siresek Yanti, making Zahra even more annoyed to see it. Until he took off his shoes and lifted them up. Wanted to throw it in Yanti's face.

"Go not"

"Have fun yes. Ahaha!" Yanti ran over with a chuckle full of chafing.

Zahra sighed heavily at the behavior of her best friend, before walking over to Rahul.

"Ehem" Zahra cleared her throat. Surprised Rahul who was standing there waiting for him.

"Hi" Rahul smiled sweetly.

"Have been here long?"

"Yes. I asked one of your friends. He said he had an operation. So I'll just wait here"

"Oh..... You're not a factory?"

Rahul sighed and tilted his head. "This is afternoon. It's time to go home"

"Oh....."

"You yourself, haven't come home yet? Isn't today your shift from morning? Is this late afternoon?" Ask Rahul back.

"I'm overtime"

"Wild, tumbren? Does this have anything to do with your debt to the boss Sigit?" Tanya Rahul investigates.

Of course he still remembers very well the incident of arrival and the attitude of bar-bar gangs of loan sharks who rampaged, to the point of getting into a feud with him. Three days have passed since that incident. There are only four more days left of the deadline given by the loan shark. I don't know where they'll get three hundred million in that close time.

"What did you bring?" Zahra pointed at the plastic bag containing Rahul's hand. More precisely, he tried to divert the conversation, so that the man would no longer discuss the issue of loan sharks or debts.

"Here, I'm bringing batagor. Last time on the way here there was a traveling salesman. So I bought two. You want?" Rahul held up the plastic bag in his hand.

"of course. Here's my favorite food. Thank you" Zahra smiled cheerfully as she snatched the pouch from Rahul's hand.

"Well, we'll eat in the back yard"

"Come"

********

"Well....." Zahra stared at the empty Styrofoam box in her hand.

"Why?"

"Remove...."

"Huh. Not even half an hour, and you've already spent that box of bricks? Oh my.... Turns out this girl is greedy too huh"

Rahul's reproach made Zahra squint, and link her fingers together to touch Rahul's forehead.

"By! Habit yes, a little play centile" Gerutu Rahul while wiping his forehead that Zahra just touched.

"Eat him, the habit of insulting me does not begin to continue. Huh, basic. Also called favorite food. It's natural that it's really hard. If you don't want to give yes already. No need to gossip" Gerutu Zahra returned.

"Seriously, is this for me?" Zahra received the batagor with a smile.

"Yes how else. Than I continue to be a victim of your sentilan just because of this batagor. Or worse, if you cry. Then someone passed by and looked. I'll think I'm messing around again" Rahul joked.

"That's...." Zahra pushed Rahul's shoulder. "Am I a child, to the point of crying all over?"

"Oh yes, I heard from friends in the factory, he said tonight there is a festival exhibition in the village next door. We go there yuk. Kan, we also need entertainment once in a while" Invite Rahul.

"Tonight?"

"Yes"

"You go alone. I can't, because I have to be late"

"I know you need money to pay off your debts. But that doesn't mean you have to work hard day and night non-stop. You need rest too. If your strength continues to be suspended without pause, there are you even sick" Tegur Rahul.

"It's okay I'm sick, just not Mom. I know exactly what Sigit looks like. He never messes with his words. That's why I should be able to pay off that debt within a week. If not yes, maybe I don't want to be married and become his fourth wife. Actually, I've resigned, if that's part of my destiny. But I'm sure you'll never let that happen. Because I know exactly what my mother is like. And I can't let him, he got hurt in the loan shark's hand"

Zahra smiled softly. Making Rahul feel guilty, because he could not do anything to help the woman's debt problem.

"Yes is fine. If you insist on collecting the money within a week, I won't stop you. But just tonight, accompany me to the festival exhibition. I'd love to go there. But you know yourself? I can't go alone. Yes, I beg you"

Rahul advised and continued to persuade with a clear look. Making Zahra no longer have the heart to refuse him.

"Huh" Zahra let out a long sigh before replying. "alright. But tonight it's just yeah"

"Every boss, thank you" Rahul smiled sweetly.

"Uhg, basic" Zahra pushed Rahul's cheek.

"Ah ah, I want to eat again" Zahra went back to devouring his batagor.

While Rahul was happy because his plan to invite Zahra out succeeded. Although he could not help in financial matters, yet he could at least comfort the girl right? Helping her get a new, new atmosphere that could make her mind a little calm.

**********

"Have you arrived?" Rahul asked as they entered the exhibition building.

"Yes. Oh yeah, you go in first. I'm gonna go get some snacks and drinks first"

"Sure, don't want company?"

"Yes, I can do it myself. Just buy a snack. It's in there" said Zahra in a commanding tone.

"Yes already" Rahul raised his eyebrows before stepping away from Zahra.

Both are going in opposite directions. Rahul headed for the audience. While Zahra headed to the food bazaar to get snacks and drinks.

The festival is organized by companies from India. Therefore, throughout the event building is filled with Indian nuances. Starting from knickknacks and room decoration. Food or show presented. Also the appearance of the event organizers.

The atmosphere inside the exhibition building was quite crowded, with the presence of visitors who continued to grow. So that visitors who stop by kebazar must join the queue, and be patient in getting what he wants to buy.

So does Zahra who seems to be standing quietly. Connect with other visitors. In front of the food bazaar. Waiting until his turn to get the snacks and drinks he wants.

"Good night ladies and gentlemen! It feels so good tonight, I can say hello to you all! In the event, the Indian festival exhibition!!"

The sound of the host echoing filled every corner of the event hall. He was greeted with a loud applause from the visitors.

"And on this occasion! We also had a wrestling show! Which, the winner will get a prize of 1 billion rupiah plus, two vacation tickets to India!! And! Let's just welcome! This is it, the champion who has won the gold trophy five times in a row in the Indian wrestling event! Gautam Phogat!!"

The sound of applause came back. Zahra, who is still mingling with other buyers, still remains focused on the queue. Regardless of the call of the attendant of the event. Even if he heard it clearly the voice behind the microphone used by the man who hosted the event.

"Whoever among you can defeat him! Then the prize of 1 billion and 2 holiday tickets to India, will be yours! Don't miss this opportunity! Imagine a vacation with your beloved partner! Enjoy the natural beauty created in the country of Hindustan! Comeing! Is anyone interested?! Anyone!"

The host tried to lure the visitors, to participate in the wrestling competition. In exchange for a lucrative gift.

Zahra still did not budge with what happened in the ring area. I don't know who will be tempted to enter the competition. Come to think of it, a billion is a pretty fantastic number. Even much more than enough, if only to pay his debts to the Sigit boss.

But the way is too difficult. Must fight and defeat a reliable wrestler, who already has high flying hours? There's no way he could do it. She's just a woman who knows kitchen spices, medicines and how to care for the sick. Instead of getting the prize money, but instead getting intensive care at the hospital.

Without feeling, his wait for fresh drinks and snacks ended, when his mind was busy bouncing.

"And yes, here it is! What's your name?!"

"Aryan's Rahul"

Zahra who had just gotten the food and drink she had been waiting for, immediately gasped, hearing a familiar voice and name in her ears.