The Love Between Two Countries

Open the Heart

Azharin was still far away from his country, under the skies in the European hemisphere. He was comfortable at Bernard's parents' house. He even left Bernard some time when Bernard suddenly had to go to take care of business.

Azharin spent time with Glorya and Emilia by cooking or tidying up the flower garden. Sometimes she had to leave the kitchen when Barbara pulled her hand and invited her to play. It did not feel like three days Azharin had been at Bernard's parents' house. During that time, not a single sentence slid from Emilia's lips and Glorya asked who Azharin was.

Azharin also doesn't want to tell you much. He felt the Bernard family did not need to know how he, his family and his past were. He only planned on telling Bernard if the time came.

"Do you like Bernard's country?" glorya asked in between making cake.

"I don't know Glo. One thing I know, I like in the middle of this family." Azharin said frankly.

Glorya looked at the faint bitterness when Azharin told the family. Seeing Azharin so close to her children in a matter of days, Glorya felt also close to Azharin.

"You can stay here longer."

"Did I not disturb the comfort of this family?"

"We want you to stay here soon, at least in this country with Bernard."

"Thank you Glo for accepting and trusting me. I want to take you to see the sights in Indonesia someday."

"When the kids are on vacation, maybe I'll file it with Bernard." Glorya glanced meaningfully. Azharin replied by shaking his forehead.

"I heard all your talk" Bernard said from behind them.

They both spontaneously turned around and saw Bernard had walked closer to Glorya and Azharin.

"You want to see where my lady Glo lives?" ask Bernard.

Bernard headed for the dining chair, as did Azharin and Glorya. They wait for the cake to cook in an electric oven.

"Don't expect much Glo. This man was just a business in his mind. He won't have time to come to my country." Azharin gave a mocking smile.

"You're complaining Barbie?"

"I'm not a child. I'm just explaining to Glo, so don't expect you."

"Oww, Barbie, you've always liked to argue with me. Don't you want to try anything else?" lure Bernard in flirting.

Glorya only watched the show that Bernard was presenting. Bernard looked different when he was with Laurren.

"Whatis that? Don't tell me you asked me to get into your bed." Azharin conveyed in disbelief to Bernard. Not only was Glorya smiling widely, Bernard was as well.

Bernard had an idea to harass Azharin. "I think you understand Barbie well enough. We've grown up the same."

"I understand, but I cannot understand." Azharin replied casually.

"You still like a lot of excuses."

"Look Glo, your sister only wants one night of love. She had no serious intentions, it was evident she had no plans to see my family." Bernard glared to hear Azharin say love one night.

"Barbie, aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

"I'm more afraid to be away from you." Azharin was intending to tease Bernard. But it felt awkward when he said it directly. It was different, when he only replied through written messages.

"You're not good at seducing, baby. I'd rather you argue with me than flirt with me" Bernard said in a mocking tone to Azharin. Glorya laughed as well as Azharin. He also felt strange when he said to seduce Bernard.

***

"Darling, can't you stay here any longer?" ask Emilia when Azharin will return tomorrow to Indonesia.

"I have to work, madam. My cut was only 3 days. I'm sorry."

"I'll marry her as soon as possible Ma. I will bring him here" Bernard said confidently.

"I'm not willing to move here. I can't give up my job" said Azharin. Bernard's surprised. He had not asked Azharin's willingness.

Azharin looked at the disappointed faces of Emilia and Glorya. Can you just accept me here? Then why doesn't my mom care about me? Even the heart of leaving me who needs his affection.

Azharin's face looked sad. Memories of her mother leaving just came back. Azharin was pensive with teary eyes.

"What's wrong with you, baby?" emilia asked immediately aware of Azharin's change in face.

"It's okay, madam. Sorry." Azharin kept her life hidden. He does not want to be pitied. He wanted affection, not a mere pity.

"I'm sorry if I didn't ask your opinion. I'll leave the decision to you." Bernard misunderstood Azharin's grief. He thought it was because of a one-sided decision from him.

Azharin was silent. Azharin's silence made Bernard again say, "We'll discuss later. How about we have dinner?"

"Barbie, I'm sorry I didn't think about your feelings." Bernard clasped Azharin's small hand in his hand.

"I'm not angry."

"You're not angry, but you're sad about it."

Azharin turned her head and got seriousness in Bernard's gaze. Azharin was still weighing up, should she open her heart to this foreign man. "I'm not sad because of your one-sided request."

"What's wrong?"

"Do you really love me?"

Bernard sighed softly. Until this second, he still did not understand the thought path of the girl beside him.

"If I don't like you, I won't come to you. Not calling you. I'm not gonna ask you to marry me. Is it not enough that I love you that way?"

Azharin digested Bernard's words. He still wanted to ask, so he did. "If I say not enough, how?"

Azharin's hand was still held by Bernard. Bernard pressed Azharin's hand more strongly, not to hurt, but to give warmth to the cold hand and the frozen heart.

"What do you want from me?" ask Bernard.

"I want you to come to my country if you're serious. Not just promises."

"That's all?"

"Right now, that's all I need from you." Azharin answered steadily.

"Well, I'll fill it. I'll go home with you."

Azharin stared in disbelief at Bernard's reply. "You're serious?"

"I'm seriously Barbie. Just as seriously from the start I saw your face straight away."

"I'm glad to hear it, Bernard."

"Must, and you'll take a lot of pleasure from me. I'll make you happy, all my life."

"Don't promise what you can't keep." Azharin gave a warning.

"We'll see. I never meant to hurt you in the least bit, my dear."

"Bernard ..." call Azharin then. After they returned silent as if dissolving in their respective daydreams.

"Yes. What's up?"

"Don't you want to know my past?" azharin fishing rod.

Bernard felt it was the right moment to grab Azharin's heart completely. Bernard knew if there was any doubt in Azharin's heart. He understood, despite the annoyance that Azharin did not believe in Bernard's seriousness.

"I didn't want to know at first. I feel like that's only half your life story. I just know, I love you and want you for now and for the future. However, now I want to know, in order to understand you."

"Yes. I want you to know, so that one day my past won't be a stumbling block in the course of both of us." Azharin.

"You're right. Tell my darling. I'll be happy to know."

Azharin said who she was, how her father and mother were, then who she had and loved her. Azharin could not help but tear when she told him how, her mother abandoned her and her brother.

"You know my background and my family. If you want to back off, I can understand." Azharin did not dare to hope much.

"You're wrong Barbie, I'm not stupid to let go of you just because of your past. Save your stupid thoughts. I'm going to see your brother."

"Thank you, Bernard," said Azharin, leaning against Bernard's chest. Bernard hugged Azharin, as shock and pain flowed into Azharin's trembling body.

"Together Barbie." Bernard peaked Azharin's head.

"Now we're in. Tomorrow morning we're back in town. We're leaving together."

"I'm happy to know you."

"I am too."

***