The Side Away

Interruptedly

"La."

Laura was surprised when Gino hugged her and leaned on her shoulder. He rubbed Gino's hair in a gentle gesture, feeling that the man was going through a difficult time. Laura did not want to ask about Gino and his family's affairs. As an outsider it was uncomfortable to ask about the matter.

"You hungry No?" ask Laura.

"I ate with Malik." Gino looked at Laura with a grim look. "Pad's health declined and I was forced to take over the company. La, if I can't fulfill your wish to live outside of Jogja, how?" ask Gino.

Laura did not reply to him immediately, she did not tell Gino about Rahma's invitation that day. And the desire other than being with Gino is to live outside of Jogja. Laura fell in love with the New York crowd. His life is in that place, not Jogja. However, Gino's predicament is that instead of Laura not understanding, he knows if Gunawan wants his son to inherit the family business. It's just that Laura wants Gino to live a free life with her.

"La, if you don't want to stay in Jogja. You can go back to America, but I want us to get married first. I know, Jogja has a lot of painful memories and I'm trying to understand. Only, I have no choice but to obey my father's wishes. He has a history of heart disease, I'm afraid something will happen if he refuses. La, this time can you understand?"

"I don't know No." said Laura honestly.

"After this problem is over we can build a small family outside Jogja and have many children."

The conversation felt heavy. Being Gino's lover was not as easy as he had imagined.

"I'm not ready for marriage. Sorry, about the proposal, I can't get married anytime soon."

"I know La."

Had Gino understood, the man's face would not have been grim after Laura had said that. He felt guilty and tried to comfort Gino by hugging the man. The habit of rejecting someone's proposal seems to have become Laura's habit. It is hard to break that bad habit. Moreover, Gino someone he loved, the guilt that haunted him even more.

"Any hugs during the day?!"

Ajeng's remarks caused Laura to push Gino violently until the man fell on the floor. He almost killed Gino if Malik didn't hold the ceramic jars that were on the table. Laura approached Gino with bated breath.

"Are you okay, No?" asked Laura worriedly.

Gino shook his head. "I want a break. You accompany Ajeng with Malik."

"Gino again butek La. I did not come home overnight because I did my job. His father had to go to Singapore for a medical check, Aunt Mira also came. Uncle's illness got worse because Gino refused to take over the company. Malik story they fight in the meeting room continues to fainting and aunt Mira was forced to slap Gino. The situation is more difficult, the company also needs a leader, but the health is getting worse. Gino is very selfish, just not according to passion, he refuses hard to be a successor. If Malik was his brother, he wouldn't mind being the leader. The problem is, Malik is just a cousin and Gino deserves to be the leader of the company" Ajeng said. The two sat in the rear garden gazebo while feeding the fish. Malik with Gino because he felt bad about the incident.

Laura looked at the fish fighting for food. He pensively long enough to understand Ajeng's words. Gino's burden was getting heavier while Laura was just silent without giving her strength. Thinking of his own feelings without hearing Gino's opinion. Their relationship like poison sooner or later could kill anyone. And Laura doesn't understand Gino because of her past with Rahma. The shadow of her parents' death as well as the harsh treatment after the wedding, Laura never forgot it.

What if physical violence happened after they got married?

Laura knows, Gino is not her father and not all men are violent. However, Mario's treatment scares him if one day Gino will behave like that man. He does not understand Gino completely, neither attitude nor nature. Except his childhood friend and first love.

This kind of life, what was Laura's wish?

He obviously loves Gino. However, for various complaints, it does not feel the right decision. And chose to keep his own problems including his meeting with Rahma.

"You're in love with Gino, aren't you La?" tanya Ajeng broke the silence.

"Love is not enough in a relationship Jeng" replied Laura.

"I know, you were in a relationship with someone else in New York. Maybe the reason you haven't received Gino is entirely because the man is still in your heart. Not that I judge, but according to my point of view you are not as enthusiastic as Gino. Sometimes things you don't realize other people can see. It's like how you feel now. I know you and I know that you still have doubts about Gino's proposal. Even objected to the wedding. Indeed, there is a reason for someone not to get married, but marriage is also not something scary. I'm talking about it because I've been struggling with married life. La, you've had a difficult life and I understand your decision, but Gino is also entitled to hear your opinion. When you trust someone, you understand what a relationship means. Interaction between couples is not just about love, but also trust. True as you say, love is not enough for a relationship. You should understand this as La."

Laura turned. "You look like a psychologist."

"You're so irritable to talk about La." said Ajeng annoyed. "I want to talk about my favorite designer. I'm willing to watch until midnight on the latest runway design. Crazy, cool vow. I'd like to wear her wedding dress, but she's left first."

Laura frowned. "What the hell are you talking about Jeng?" laura asked not to understand.

"You know Jason Allen, right?" tanya Seriously.

"Jason Allen?" reset Laura.

"Talented designers in America are even famous around the world. His name also entered the Forbes list. You live in your home country and you don't even know!"

Laura thought hard she might have read that name somewhere. Jason Allen, Jason....

Suddenly he remembered Jason who had died. It turns out that Ajeng one of his fanatical fans, Laura forgot her best friend had aspirations to become a designer. And ended up running aground because Ajeng changed direction to become a reporter. Now hearing Ajeng mention Jason's name, he felt concerned about the man. Had the world known, the great Jason gave up on love. The life that many people dream of has the greatest secret of losing one of their kidneys in order to save the life of someone they love. And that person loves someone else. Maybe they're throwing away lives like Jason's. The price paid is too high for a sacrifice in return.

"Have you ever met him, not La?" tanya Ajeng was curious.

"It is not good to talk about people who have died" said Laura then rose from her seat. "I'm gonna take a shower and we're out for lunch."

"Geez, girls at this hour haven't had a shower yet!" Ajeng spilled the fish food so surprised him.

***

At two o'clock in the afternoon Laura set foot in a simple food stall not far from Gino's house. He came alone because Ajeng and Malik say goodbye for work reasons. Gino was sound asleep in his room. Laura did not want to wait for Gino to wake up and let her stomach starve. Last night he skipped dinner and this afternoon will eat his ass off.

Fried chicken rice kremes become the mainstay of Laura's menu. Do not forget the sweet tea as a complement. He ate voraciously ignoring his cell phone that rang out from behind his pocket.

Half an hour later, Laura had finished two plates of rice and two glasses of sweet tea. His stomach was about to explode from the satiety, his appetite had lately increased.

Her phone rang again reminding Laura to see someone who contacted her.

Apparently Lucy. It looks like the woman managed to undergo recovery therapy after losing Jason.

"Lala!"

Lucy has returned causing Laura to have to cover her ears due to the scream. Even some of the people in the stall turned their heads because Laura forgot to reduce the volume of the sound. He immediately paid for his order then left the place. It is uncomfortable to talk under the supervision of others. He was on foot looking at the passing vehicle while listening to Lucy talking from across there.

"I missed you. When do we meet?"

"I miss you too. I don't know, I'm in Indonesia right now" Laura said honestly.

"You're with Gino?"

"Yes." answered Laura briefly.

"Mario was so sad when she heard you were with Gino. He was almost crazy and awake all night. You know Mario loves you so much, he's still not willing to see you with anyone else. Mario has never loved someone so deeply before, losing this is like a nightmare in his life. Lala, why don't you talk to her one more time?"

"Mario can talk anytime."

"Now Mario doesn't have the courage to do that. He values your relationship and Gino."

"Lucy, what do you mean?" ask Laura to make sure.

"Gino forbid Mario to interfere with your life. At that time, Gino answered his call and said you were together. Mario knows the difference in time and that New York night means Gino's staying at your apartment. He knows you and Gino did it. And he doesn't know if it's driving him crazy. Mario almost got hit by a car if no one helped him. I'm afraid Mario purposely walked in the traffic. Even though he's strongly denying it, but I know because he's my brother." Lucy said.

Laura checked Mario's contact number and did not find Mario's name there. Looks like Gino deleted Mario's contact and didn't tell Laura about it. Slowly, the disappointment appeared. Why would Gino do that?

"You also daydream while we're talking."

Laura put her phone back in her ear. "Gino didn't tell me this. Lucy, I'm sorry on her behalf."

"You can tell Mario. I have nothing to do with this."

"Lucy, I'm on the road. I'll call again." said Laura then disconnected when she saw a car stop next to her.

With a quick movement, Laura opened the car door and sat down beside Gino in silence. The man's face looked much fresher. However, Laura's mind was fixed on Lucy's words. He was about to ask, but was restrained because the man first spoke through a cell phone. And Gino mentioned Rahma's name, apparently the person who spoke to Gino was the woman.

"Rahma wants to go back to Aussie. He's sorry about the incident. And your dinner the other day." said Gino after the connection ended. He drove his car at a moderate speed, watching the streets crowded with vehicles. "I didn't know you met Rahma and had dinner with her."

"I also didn't know you removed Mario's contacts."

"La, haven't you been able to escape Mario?" tanya Gino clenched her hand at the wheel of the car firmly.

"This question you should already know the answer to No." said Laura Lirih.

"I don't know anything about you and Mario because you never talk about him."

"No, I don't want to fight. Your emotions aren't stable the better we can think." Laura closed her eyes unwilling to discuss it.

The car drove through the highway. Looks like Gino has no intention of bringing her home. However, Laura did not ask and let the journey be filled with silence.

***