The Side Away

Photos and memories

The sound of a cell phone wakes Laura from her sleep. The phone belonged to Gino and he vaguely heard the man talking in a low voice. Laura closed her eyes again as Gino approached her and lay down beside her. The male breath caressed his face, subconsciously Laura shedding her tears. He had no intention of harming Gino and the depression came back. The fear of the events of the night caused Laura to be unable to discern illusion and reality. Supposedly, he could control his emotions so that their relationship improved just like it used to.

Long ago, before Gino took away the most valuable thing in his life.

"La, I'm sorry." said Gino seriously.

"I'm sorry, too." Laura opened her eyes and looked at Gino.

"Next week I have to go back to Jogja, Ajeng's wedding takes place next month. La, are you okay if I live alone?" ask Gino carefully.

"I want to come with you."

"But Rahma?"

"It's okay, I have to make peace with the past No." said Laura.

"Thank God." Gino breathed a sigh of relief.

"No, I want to marry you."

Silent.

It seemed like the marriage invitation was too fast, the proof was that Gino was silent and did not respond to his words. Laura turned her body then looked at the wall in the room with a blank mind.

"Are you sure you want to marry me?" gino asked after a long time they fell silent.

"You doubt?" Laura asked back.

"I never doubt La, but you can't forget the same shadow of your past. It's not fair to me, but I can't interfere even if he's been instrumental in your life. If I were in her position, I probably wouldn't let you go."

Laura took a deep breath.

"Udahlah No, I don't want to discuss anything. "

"La, why don't you ever talk about Mario for real?"

"This relationship is about me and you. Why are you taking Mario?" ask Laura.

"Because he is still present in your dreams. Free La, you're dating me, but your mind is on someone else. And he's your ex."

"No, if you don't accept it, or you're tired of understanding me. We better break it for a while until you believe that I've never loved Mario." Laura said.

"So the point is we should split up so I can trust how you feel?" gino asked to be sure, he had almost lost the patience of hearing that remark.

"You're an adult to understand my words No. You should ask yourself this. Are you not a first love obsession?"

"I love you La, from long ago until now. I just want you all, not for anyone else."

"I'm the same as you No. Where else is the lack?"

"I want you to throw Mario's name away in your life."

The debate did not seem to be over if Laura continued to express her opinion. Gino did not want to be denied and Laura could not accept the decision. He got out of bed and grabbed the medicine, his head was heavy and Gino didn't understand he had just gone into depression. Being in the hospital for a long time, Laura did not like it. However, doctors forbade her from returning home early because her condition was unstable. And Gino doesn't understand that simple thing.

"I will not mention Mario's name again No." said Laura Lirih as well as ending the debate.

***

Being in the hospital was like being in hell. Laura was grateful to have made it out of that hell, and was able to breathe free air. He stared at the snow falling heavily through the windshield of the car. Some vehicles honked and appeared to have trouble driving on slippery roads. Including Gino who focused on driving beside him. Had Laura been able to drive, she would have replaced Gino so that the man could rest. During his time in the hospital, Gino wakes up whenever Laura screams and the man frantically calls the doctor. Given Gino's sacrifice and their quarrel that night. Laura was overwhelmed with guilt.

"No, I want to eat chicken soup" Laura said breaking the silence.

"Try I can drive." Laura muttered softly.

"What's La?" ask Gino.

"It's nothing." answered Laura briefly.

"David may have sabotaged your apartment deh La. The boy wants to find information about Lucy. I lost the keys to your apartment after she left, but I'm sure she's back at your apartment."

"David want to steal Lucy's photo?" ask Laura.

"I don't know, maybe more than a photo. David was really dirty brain, it was similar to a landfill. Industrial waste is far less than David's head. Magical things can appear in his brain that is not how high his IQ is."

"I have a lot of pictures of Lucy, but most of them are Mario shots. Usually he keeps those photos."

There was not much conversation between them until they arrived at the apartment. Laura opened the door of her apartment then turned on the lights, there was no one there.

"Maybe David is back" said Laura and went into her room.

Ten minutes later Laura returned to see Gino after changing her clothes. The man was standing in silence while watching a photo album. Laura approached and grabbed the photo album from Gino's hands.

"I want to send it to Lucy" said Laura.

"La, I'm so tired. I'm gonna take a break."

Gino walks into her room before Laura explains about the photo album containing the photos of Lucy and Mario. It seemed like Gino was upset and chose to dodge.

The jealous man.

***

Since yesterday, Gino felt uncomfortable when he saw Laura's phone and the contents of the girl's message with Mario. She had no intention of opening Laura's phone and violating the girl's privacy. However, the jealousy can not be hidden especially Laura continues to mention the name Mario. Both in the dream and in the hospital when the girl was under the influence of sedatives.

Why is Gino never mentioned?

Naturally Gino asks about Laura's feelings for Mario. However, Laura's expression and the girl's unwillingness to discuss Mario further made her suspicious. Relationships should be based on trust, but the relationship and Laura have no basis if the shadows of the past still haunt their relationship. Gino used to spend his time reading thick books containing knowledge of the law. He could study that science well. However, when it came to Laura, she became very stupid.

Initially, Gino did not want to prolong the matter, and tried to believe it if Laura had forgotten the man. However, look at the photos of Mario in the album. Gino began to doubt Laura's feelings. The girl's choice as well as her feelings for Laura are called love or just obsession. He was tired of assuming with his own feelings and the answer remained the same.

Mario.

Likely from the start, Gino had already lost to the man. And Gino shouldn't force his feelings and their relationship to be more tenuous. She was happier to see Laura before she became her lover. Heard the girl's laughter as she recalled their childhood. Now, let alone laughter, Laura never even smiled after officially becoming her lover. Their first date fails as Laura leaves without saying goodbye, leaving Gino in a daze.

Gino understood it. The photo album he accidentally saw featured a photo of pasta on a plate and Mario smiling towards the camera. While Laura also smiled widely in the embrace of the man.

The photo looked blurry and it looked like Laura was keeping the photo well because there was no dust attached to it. As it turns out, Laura has not completely forgotten Mario and Gino can not get the girl's heart intact.

Love is shared, Gino never accepts it. Since childhood, he had already dominated about what belonged to him and did not let others touch him. Especially Laura, the girl she had loved since her teens.

Someone like Mario can't take Laura away from him.

At ten o'clock in the night, Gino meets Laura in her room. The girl was reflecting like the routine of the girls before going to bed. He placed his head on Laura's shoulder to smell the girl's scent. The scent of lavender invaded his nose mixed with his perfume. Gino's mind started to muddle, he looked at Laura with a judging look.

Laura's face has its own charm. The little lips that Gino missed that night. Unknowingly, she brought her face closer to the point of touching Laura's forehead.

"La, I miss you."

The miss that Gino said was like a veiled longing, he did not care about Laura's rejection. That night, he wanted the girl completely.

***