The Pearl of the Heart of Alvino

100

Rania, who is bored waiting for Alvino's return, asks Felisa to accompany her to chat in the family room. "Fel, you don't want to get married yet?" rania asked while enjoying the fresh fruit brought by Felisa.

"Not Madam," said Felisa politely.

"Why? Isn't your age almost the same as Al's?" Rania frowned.

"I still want to be alone, Madam. For me getting married is complicated, especially if you already have children. Surely our energy time will really be drained," said Felisa. Rania's face suddenly looked worried.

"Felisa, do you think it's better if I have a child now or later?" ask Rania hesitating. Actually she is not ready if she has to be pregnant at this time, because she still wants to focus on her college.

"If I think, it's better to postpone it, ma'am. Moreover, the Madam is still thinking about college. The madam could plan to have children after finishing college later," Felisa's suggestion, Rania nodded confirming Felisa's remark.

"But Al really wanted a baby. I was banned from KB altogether" Rania said softly.

"You can secretly do KB, Madam." Rania turned to Felisa who was smiling towards her.

"I'm scared, Fel."

"I can take Madam to see a Midwife, she was my Junior High School friend first. Nor will I complain to Young Master if you do KB, Madam." Rania looked at Felisa's face. His heart was really worried at this moment. She was anxious to delay the pregnancy, but she was afraid that Alvino would be angry with her.

"But Fel ...."

"Mrs, you're too young to take care of a baby. I'm sure that if you become a mother at this time, your college will be stopped in the middle of the road" Felisa said trying to convince Rania.

"Is KB safe?" Rania begins to agree to Felisa's suggestion even though she is still a little hesitant.

"Certainly safe, Miss. You can try the Pill, but you have to take it regularly, too late once you are most likely to get pregnant, Madam."

"Fel, you'll know I'm a careless man" said Rania lethargic.

"Then you can use injectable KB only, Madam. If the implant or IUD I believe, Young Master will definitely know," explained Felisa trying to convince Rania who still looks worried. "How, Madam? I'll drive you. Take it easy, my friend is a professional Midwife."

"Let's think about it, Fel. Thank you for accompanying me in conversation," Rania said with a forced smile. Felisa only responded with a nod of her head.

***

"You're so pretty, Nad." Febian still chuckled by holding his phone. Without Nadira knowing, his sister was live streaming on social media.

"Mommy! Daddy's! Look at the pretty face of your beloved daughter" said Febian. Davin and Aluna who were making a video call through Ardian just laughed to see their two children.

"Mommy, Daddy," whined Nadira as she rubbed the birthday cake that adorned her entire face.

"Happy birthday, dear. I'm sorry, Mommy and daddy can't come there" Aluna said. "Mommy's best prayers are always with you, baby."

"Daddy's prayers too, dear." Davin, who was next to Aluna, laughed at her daughter's face.

"Thank you, Mom, Dad. I love you guys" said Nadira happily.

"We love you too, Nad. Take care of yourself" said Aluna with a grim face. "Don't forget, in three months' time for Anin's wedding, you have to go home."

"Yes, Mommy. I want to clean my face first" said Nadira.

"Don't Nad, you look more beautiful with your look. Look, my friends congratulate you." Nadira stopped her steps, she turned around and saw Febian who was showing her phone screen. Nadira's eyes widened when he found out that Febian was still streaming.

"Bi! You're so mean!" nadira was upset. He ran up to Febian and rubbed his face into his sister's face, until now they were both equally dirty. Instead of being angry, Febian laughter exploded.

"Happy birthday, princess" said Febian. Nadira only snorted and went to her room to clean her already completely sticky face.

After cleaning his face, Nadira lay his body on the bed. He picked up the phone on the nightstand and saw a lot of incoming messages. Nadira opened the messages one by one and he sighed disappointed when he did not see the name of someone he was looking for listed among the messages.

Why am I still hoping. But I know I have to completely forget it.

Nadira opened his social media account, he smiled when he saw the live broadcast that was done by Febian earlier. His smile grew wider when he saw the account of Cacha who was also uploading a photo of his birthday that happened to be the same as him. After commenting on Cacha's post, she re-scrolled her phone screen. His heart felt so pounding when he saw a post with a picture of a birthday cake with twenty-two candles on it.

"Happy birthday to the special person who once lay at heart. My prayer, may happiness always accompany your new life."

Nadira's cry broke, though her name was not listed there. However, he knew who he was referring to in the post.

"I miss you, brother," muttered Nadira. He wiped away the tears that were pouring down his face.