The Untouched Heart

Chapter 24 - Sincere Praise

Look what happened to me. I also followed the way Hendra called the three characters in the story. I wrote, but I also almost forgot the names of the characters so that they were called characters only. Not by mentioning each other's names.

“Sorry, am I criticizing too harshly?” Hendra touched both of my hands that were on my lap. I smiled and then looked at him.

“No. You're correct. I was in too much of a hurry and was so naive to make a story that ended like that. It is fitting that some readers say that the storyline I wrote was too easy to guess. There is no element of surprise that is meaningful enough,” I said slowly.

“It's not true. When the male figure finally chose to believe in the female figure, it was very surprising. Because of course everyone guessed that he would return to act the same as defending his mother and sister. And I'm sure, that turning point is what makes the female character again convinced that her feelings for the male character are getting stronger. He must be increasingly convinced that his choice to remain in a relationship with the man is not wrong.”

“Unfortunately, she was wrong. He had let one incident be the determinant of his fate when there were many similar occurrences where the man had failed to show the seriousness of his love for the female figure. That's what makes the second male character decide not to work in the same place as the female character. Not just because he was heartbroken. But he does not want to constantly watch the woman he loves cry and suffer.”

“How can you draw that conclusion if I don't point it there?” my question does not understand.

“Therein lies your greatness, dear. Your story opens up possibilities for the sake of possibility as an alternative to what you have written. The reader's imagination is stimulated by the story you tell and not just focused on the facts you open. That's what makes people love to read,” praise Hendra sincerely.

“Is that?” I could feel my chest feeling so airy hearing compliments from her.

“Iya. I appreciate your honesty in your writing. And I thank you for appreciating my honesty in giving an opinion.”

“I'm not wrong to show my work to people who know how to appreciate it.”

“You worked hard to finish that story. Of course I appreciate it.”

“Thank you. You really helped me find the weaknesses in the way I write, I will fix them in my next project.”

“Do you have any idea what story you will write next?”

At length, I told what I was thinking that was interesting enough to be written. He listened to me intently and only expressed his opinion when I asked. He also gave some input that made me wonder why he did not become a writer alone. He's more talented than me. But he only laughed when I suggested it.

A car was waiting when we were outside the arrival terminal. A man greeted us and immediately took over the suitcase carried by Hendra. My husband opened the car door for me and then he got into the car. Accustomed to traveling alone with her, I did not step away and sat right next to her. Leisurely, he placed his hands on top of both of my hands that were on top of my lap.

I just slept the whole trip. Though I have tried to stay awake so that I can tell the view of the city we passed for my writing later. But it's okay, I can do it on the way home later. For the time being I really can't help my sleepiness.

Feeling a slight shock to my shoulder, I opened my eyes and saw Hendra smiling at me. I think I just fell asleep, why did he wake me up so soon? “We have arrived at the hotel,” he said.

I look around us. The car stopped in front of a beautiful building. A man holds the car door on Hendra's side to keep it open. I rubbed my eyes and murmured slowly.

Hendra got out of the car first, then he helped me. While holding my hand, he led me into the hotel lobby and then approached the reception. Once the business with the hotel staff was over, a woman invited us to the elevator.

I was dying to lay my body down as soon as Hendra closed the door and locked it. But I knew that I had to clean myself and change clothes before going to bed. Hendra entered the shower room while I was cleaning my face and brushing my teeth in the sink. I didn't wait until he finished his bath and went to bed first.

I do not know how long I closed my eyes but the sound of water in the bathroom did not stop. Is Hendra still in the shower? He only worked in the office and did not play mud, what made him take a shower for so long? I can't usually hear the sound of water when I'm very sleepy. Or maybe he did it intentionally to disrupt my sleep?

“Build, darling. We have to catch the ship this morning.” I felt a kiss land on my cheek. Woke up? I just went to bed and he told me to get up? No. gabe. I still want to sleep. Without opening my eyes, I turned around to find a comfortable position and tried to go back to sleep.

I heard laughter. “You chose a vacation to this place, I think because you want to explore it. If you really prefer to sleep all day, well, we will be in this hotel until we return later.” Whahuh? On vacation? I opened my eyes immediately.

“What time is this?” I was still confused by the situation around me. I turned around and saw that the window curtain was open. The view outside surprised me. The sun has risen. It is not night anymore but morning.

“Jam seven. The ship we boarded will leave at eight. So, if you do not want to wait for the next departure, you should immediately take a shower.”

He didn't have to say it twice. I got up and immediately picked up a change of clothes before going into the bathroom. His laughter was still heard even though the door was closed. I didn't do any heavy work yesterday, what made me so sleepy?

Ah, yes. We're trying to give grandchildren to our parents. He was serious about his promise. Almost every night we make love, sometimes in the morning as well. If I'm not careful, I can get pregnant in the near future.