The Side Away

Ajeng's marriage and Gino's proposal

Ajeng wedding party is very luxurious. Laura holds Gino's arm and the two walk side by side into the hotel ballroom. The invited guests look elegant with luxurious clothes attached to their bodies. Laura felt her palms cold as a result of the situation. Moreover, several pairs of eyes noticed Gino who was beside him. Among those people, Laura felt familiar and her heart raced faster looking at the fixed gaze of the eyes.

"Rahma." said Laura.

The woman was wearing a pale pink long dress, wrapping around her slender body. Rahma's face did not change much from the last time Laura saw her, there was only something different about the woman.

The look in his eyes felt guilty.

Laura clenched Gino's arm tighter in search of strength as the man was unaware of her panic. Gino actually greeted some guests so Laura was forced to put on an awkward smile on the grounds of politeness. Luckily, the wedding was soon to take place and the host began to speak. Laura did not listen to the sequence of the wedding but rather noticed Rahma who also looked at her. Feeling uncomfortable, Laura breaks away from Gino on the grounds of going to the toilet. Hopefully Ajeng doesn't kill him seeing Laura leave the place before the peak event. They had met the day before the wedding and Ajeng did not stop talking. Unfortunately Laura did not listen to the conversation because Malik kept perceiving it and asked how much it had to do with Gino. Laura's cheeks heated up considering the events of that night, but it was impossible to tell Malik. Gino kept watching him in silence. However, it demands Laura to keep that secret.

The sound of running water resuscitated Laura from the daydream. She turned her head to the side and saw Rahma was examining the makeup. However, Laura knows Rahma is just pretending.

"La, how are you?"

Laura looked at Rahma through the mirror, feeling caught off guard by the question.

"Good." he said briefly.

"Good."

The sound of a cell phone saved Laura from the situation. It seemed like Gino was frantically looking for her because as soon as Laura came out of the toilet, the man was already waiting for her. Gino hugged her, ignoring the several pairs of eyes that happened to be passing by at that spot.

"I thought you went La." said Gino. However, don't let go of that hug. "Don't repeat it again."

It sounds childish when an adult male forbids him to go to the toilet for fear of loss. Gino's attitude like that caused Laura to smile a little.

"I'm not going anywhere No."

"Let's go there before Ajeng nagged again" said Gino then pulled Laura away from the place.

Back to the increasingly festive wedding. The melodious singing sung by the artist of the country adds to the crowd of the wedding. Vaguely Gino sings beside her, Laura just silently watches over Gino who is drifting in the song. It feels like a dream to be in Jogja after a long and tiring journey a few days ago. Now, that fatigue paid off with the excitement of the wedding.

"Okay, make the mbak standing there, welcome to sing along with the mas."

Laura's legs seemed to float as Gino carried her towards the microphone and the host stepped aside. The invited guests noticed the two of them were no exception Ajeng who brandished his two thumbs. Apparently, the idea of singing came from Ajeng.

"Tonight, I congratulate the two happy brides. May your marriage last until death do us part. Okay, just make small talk I just say." Gino took something from his pants pocket then grabbed Laura's hand and put the ring on the girl's ring finger. "From now on, Laura Oktaviana is Mahendra's mistress and spends her time with me until death separates. For that, are you willing to be Mahendra's mistress in the future?"

Whistles and applause further enlivened the atmosphere. Laura nodded slowly then the music rang and Gino started singing. He touched the ring that was coiled on his ring finger with a joyful feeling. It is very different when receiving the ring given by Mario. Perhaps, love causes that difference.

"La, don't ever leave again" Gino said after the song ended.

"Thank you for the masnya and hopefully this proposal runs until the wedding" said the host then returned to continue the next event.

"Sir, don't go to America anymore. Here alone accompany mother, marriage problems do not think about. Give it to mom and dad." said Mira accompanied by a warm embrace.

"Here mom don't interfere in the affairs of young people. Let's take a break, from yesterday's lack of sleep" said Gunawan, Gino's father. "You go on, but remember not to drink alcohol. La, keep an eye on Gino, if he's drunk, tell me you're dad."

Laura smiled at the romance of Gino's mother and father. It is unexpected that the two have approved of their relationship and call themselves father and mother. Laura clasped tightly onto Gino's hand, feeling happy with her current life. Having a complete family was his dream long ago, finally Gino gave the opportunity once again.

"Thank you No." said Laura.

Gino smiled. "I should have said thanks to you La. From now on, I won't let you go again. I'll understand all your difficulties and try to hear your opinion."

"Come on No, we're also taking the bridal flowers."

"Roman."

***

An hour after the wedding was over, Ajeng ran to his room still wearing a wedding dress. Laura smiled slightly at Ajeng who was panicking just because of his abrasive elbow. Such minor injuries, Ajeng to bring the doctor and ask about his condition.

"Gino is stupid, just keep it from you!" said Ajeng upset.

"I'm okay Jeng" said Laura and asked the doctor out of her room.

"I didn't get to change clothes because I was worried about you. Just because of the flowers, you get hurt. At the end of the day, you don't get the flowers. Why did you tell Rahma to take the flowers?" ask Ajeng.

"I don't want to talk about that Jeng."

"Reverse to the room, the first night even wandered into people's rooms. Mas Malik frantically looked for you, he thought you ran away." Gino suddenly appeared and forcefully pulled Ajeng out of the room. "Lala let me take care of you."

"Review you No!"

"All of you said the same to Malik ya Jeng. I'm asking for five-star service and keep it free!" shout Gino.

"Free your head!" Cussing in annoyance in the hotel hallway.

"You love the seductive nature of Ajeng" said Laura.

"He looks like David, mentioned a little already raging. La, where's that sick?" ask Gino worriedly.

Laura showed her abrasive elbow, just now she had deliberately covered the wound as Gino carried her to the room. An embarrassing incident at the wedding makes her the center of attention and Laura chooses to step aside before the party ends.

"I'm fine No, you look like Ajeng."

"Because I'm worried about you La. Not because of this wound, but because you met Rahma. I forgot, he's also Ajeng's friend and their relationship is fine."

"Ajeng has nothing to do with it No. Sorry, embarrass you on the show."

"So La's accident, you should have been worried about that wound. At night, you rest, yes, I still have the same business as Malik." said Gino then kissed Laura's forehead. "When the business is done, I'll accompany you to sleep."

"There can't be anything here. You go back to your room No." Laura refused.

"It's not okay here, but at home" said Gino.

"No, until we get married."

"Sabar ya La, I'll take care of my problems as father and we can continue to marry calmly. You don't want to stay in Jogja, so I asked Malik to continue my efforts. The only problem is, I don't necessarily agree with this. Don't worry, I can definitely persuade mom and dad can't refuse mother's request. La, I'm serious about you and in the future we can pass the problems together, including your problems with Rahma."

"Yes No." said Laura briefly.

"This is not Rahma's problem, but all your problems."

Laura pushed Gino out of her room, she was tired of hearing the man's nonsense.

***