THE NEGLECTED ZAHRA DIAMOND

Chapter 23

"I know you must have been surprised to receive my invitation, but frankly I was so amazed to hear your speech that night. But it's not just your speech that interested you in joining this college, I see an amazing teaching talent in you. I'm sure you'll make this campus even more advanced if you become one of the lecturers here,"

"You're praising too much sir" Zahra replied

"So how do you want to be a lecturer here or not?" ask the rector

"Of course, who doesn't want to be a lecturer at this renowned University, it's just that you know I don't have a child who needs more attention than me...."

"I don't mind you taking him to teach, as long as he doesn't interfere with your work. After all, he's a smart kid, I'm sure he won't bother you" said the Rector, making Zahra finally accept the offer

Ivory was so happy when Zahra accepted the rector's offer. The man could not even hide his joy by giving a bucket of roses to welcome the arrival of Zahra at his campus.

The first day of teaching made Zahra feel so proud to be able to realize his dream to become a lecturer.

Now that my dream has been realized, I have become a lecturer, hopefully after this there will be nothing to demean me and my son.

"It looks like you're very proud right now, Za remembers. Even if you're a lecturer right now, your life won't change. You're still a widow with a disabled child. I don't think there will be a man of honor who will marry you again. Especially after knowing that you would only give birth to a disabled child," Delia sneered at him

"Who says no honorable man will marry her" said Gading approached the two

"Today you will be a witness, if I am going to propose to Zahra to be my wife" he added, making Delia so stunned to hear

"What's?. That's right," said Dilla in disbelief

Ivory immediately approached Zahra who still could not believe his words.

He then took out a ring from his pocket and rested in front of him.

"Will you marry me (will you marry me)" said Dirga making Zahra more gaping

The woman didn't think Ivory would actually propose to her.

"Don't joke, not funny to know," he answered trying to ignore it

"I've never joked with my feelings, it's been a long time I've wanted to say this, it's just that I don't have the courage to. And today I just had the courage to express my feelings to you," replied Ivory looking at him softly

Zahra looked at Zalika who was holding her arm tightly. The little girl was seen turning her face when she saw Ivory expressing her heart. As his mother he knew very well if it meant that Zalika did not like him.

He could not give an answer to Ivory because however he had to ask for his consent if he wanted to marry again. He knew very well that his daughter was still dear to Dirga so it was impossible to allow her to marry Ivory.

"I'm sorry I'm not ready to get married yet" Zahra replied stammeringly

"What a pride, but already grateful there is a kind man who is willing to marry her, but do not think he even refused it, ck, ck, ck, really arrogant!" cibir Delia smiled happily as Zahra rejected Ivory's proposal

Zahra immediately left the campus and went home.

I'm sorry, Ding, I hope you'll get a suitable companion for you,

That same day Zahra packed all her belongings and rushed out of the Ivory apartment.

He then gave the keys to his apartment to the man.

"Thank you so much for your help all this time. Looks like I have to move to my house" said Zahra gave the keys to her apartment to Ivory

"But your house isn't finished yet, and where are you going to live?" tanya Ivory

"I can rent a temporary house, or stay in a hotel. You don't have to worry, thanks to my bimbel efforts I have a lot of money so don't worry" replied Zahra

"You don't have to do all this because you rejected me. I don't mind if you and Lika stay here. Although I'm disappointed in your decision but I don't want to kick you out of here at all. I know exactly what you feel so don't hesitate, just think of me as usual" replied Ivory trying to block it

"But I can't, I'm not a person who can ignore my own feelings, so forgive me if this time I can't accept your kindness."

Zahra then took her daughter away from the place.

"You don't mind if we stay here for a while" Zahra said upon arriving at a simple contract

Zalika.

"I'm sorry if you haven't been able to rent a nicer house, but you promised to move from this place next month," zahra tried to convince her daughter to stay in a simple rented house for a while.

Although Bimbelnya business must have developed rapidly but Zahra never enjoyed the money from his work. He deliberately donated all his money to help schools and foundations that shelter children with special needs.

He chose simple life. The following days Zahra began to move away from Ivory. The woman tried to bury her feelings so as not to like the man more. Although sometimes he must be ready to endure the pain when the feeling of longing began to attack him still he tried hard to forget Ivory for the sake of his daughter.

As there was a heavy inner relationship between her and her daughter, Zalika began to feel the sadness that her mother had experienced since severing her relationship with Ivory.

Although she never showed sadness in front of him, the little girl could tell that her mother loved him so much.

While participating in a painting competition, Zalika deliberately expressed her mother's feelings to Ivory with her brush.

The painting won the painting competition held by the Ministry of Culture. In addition to getting the first champion, his paintings are even on bandrol at fantastic prices by an art lover.

"Tell me what this painting means, son?" ask the buyer of the painting who is so curious about the meaning of the painting in his hand

"It was a feeling of greatness, he loved me so much that he was willing to sacrifice his happiness for me. He was even willing to be kicked out of the house of the man he loved just to defend me. Right now Mamah knows I want her to come back with dad, because I miss my dad so much, that he is willing to reject the proposal of the man he loves to keep my feelings. Although I was happy to see that she was not married to that man, but I was sad to see that she looked empty. He smiled but was not happy, that's what made me feel even more guilty for having blessed his love," Zalika replied, making everyone in the place teary-eyed to hear him

"So what do you want now?"

"I want you to be happy" Zalika said, making Zahra distrustful.