Thorny Love

*Chapter 68

One week later, Rama comes to Zia's office. He wanted to talk about cooperation with Zia, when in fact, he came just to meet with Zia.

"What's up? Why are you coming to my office now?" asked Zia while closing her laptop.

"I was just passing by Zi. Because it was past, I chose to stop by all of you. I'm sure, you must be in the office" Rama said as he pulled up a chair to sit down.

"Oh, I think there's something important that's taking you to my office right now."

"Hmm .. does not exist. But, have you had lunch now, Zia? If not, what if we had lunch together. All I stopped by, wouldn't it hurt if we had lunch together."

"Lunch with what? It's only ten o'clock. There's lunch at ten in the morning like this. Besides, I can't have lunch with you. Because Zein took me to lunch first. I made a deal with Zein yesterday."

"Zeein? You agreed to have lunch with him?" rama asked with annoyance.

"Yes. I agreed to have lunch with Zein. What's wrong with mas?" asked Zia with a face without any fault.

"Yes .. yeah nothing. I'm just a little disappointed. You accepted her offer to eat together. While you refuse my invitation. I am your ex-husband."

"You're my ex-husband, mas. But he, my future candidate. Of course I prefer the future candidate than the former past," said Zia firmly want to hurt Rama.

"I-you mean? Zein .... "

"Yes, Zein is my future candidate. Why mas? Is something wrong?" ask Zia steady.

"Ti-no Zia. Are you sure to accept him in your heart now, Zia? Have you completely forgotten all the sweet stories we've been through all this time?"

"Mas, I don't want to reminisce about the sweet story between me and you. Because of the sweet story we went through, it goes hand in hand with the bitter story. Which is very bitter, I myself can no longer feel how sweet the taste when with you at that time."

"Zijah. I'm sorry for all the mistakes I made. Isn't there a word of apology for me?"

"Pardon does not mean to accept back, Mas Rama. I forgive you for what you did to me. But sorry, I can't repeat the thorny love story you had for me. Because thorny love really tortures me."

"I knew. I was wrong and there is no place in your heart. But, just so long as you know Zia, I still love you so much right now. I will love you at any time. While life is still in this body, that's when I will still love you. Even though love is thorny love that its thorns hurt your heart. But, I married Laila also because of you."

"What do you mean you married Laila because of me? Don't try to find a reason to defend yourself."

"I'm not defending myself Zia. I said right. I married Laila because of you. I don't want you to hurt your heart by asking your grandchildren. Hence, I am willing to marry Laila and give my mother a granddaughter from my marriage."

"You're afraid Mama asked my granddaughter why? Is it because I don't deserve to be the mother of your children? Until you marry another woman just to give your mother a grandchild. Totally out of logic I'm the reason you're a mas. Don't you have any more reasonable reasons?" asked Zia annoyed.

Hearing Zia's reply just now. Something was going on in Rama's mind. He did not understand why Zia even talked to him like that. Zia spoke as if she had no flaws at all. Zia spoke as if she could give a child to Rama.

"Mrs .... " Rama canceled his intention to say about him knowing that Zia could not have children.

"What is Rama? Just tell me what you want to say to me."

"none. If you don't want to have lunch with me. I will go now" said Rama, rising from his seat.

"Yes." Yeah." Zia answered briefly while reopening her laptop that she had closed.

Rama saw Zia again with a hopeful heart. But in reality, he had to feel disappointment because of his expectations. Let alone preventing his departure, just look at Zia not.

'Forgive me Rama. I can't open my heart to you anymore. The pain is so intense that I can no longer afford to give you a second chance. Even for very reasonable reasons. Still, I can't, ' Zia said inwardly as she stared at the door of her room that had been tightly shut.

While Zia was pensive, Rama who was outside was shocked by Zein's presence.

"You? What are you going to do here?" rama asked Zein.

"Lho, sir Rama even asked me what I want here. Obviously I'm here because I want to meet Zia. That should be, I'm the one to Mr. Rama, what need sir Rama to come to Zia's office?" Zein asked back.

As if he had no words to argue with, Rama chose to leave Zein without answering Zein's words one word.

Seeing Rama not answering what he said, Zein felt strange. He looked at Rama with a look of disbelief. Can't believe what he just saw.

"It seems, he has already lost," Zein said to himself.

"But no. I can't be happy just yet because Zia still can't get me. Today, I have to get Zia completely. No more delaying" Zein said again with a breath, then knocked on Ziana's door.

"Lake in!" said Zia from inside the room.

Zein went inside. With a face full of happiness, he walked forward while continuing to smile.

"Zein, what's wrong with you?" zia asked somewhat strangely after noticing Zein's face for some time.

"none. Why the hell?" Zein asked back.

"You're a little weird today if I look around."

"Any? Why strange? My feelings are ordinary."

"Yes very strange. Today you look so happy Zein. Though, a few days ago, I always saw you moody after the court's verdict for Riska."

"Yes, I can already accept what happened. Now, there is actually something that makes me happy, as well as makes me feel very scared," Zein said as she pulled up a chair and sat down before Zia.

"What's that?" ask Zia curiously.

"Later I'll say it while we're having lunch. Now, I've come to pick you up. Can we go now?"

"Now?" zia asked while looking at the watch in her hand.

"Yes. Now." Now."

"Lho, it's not a new day at eleven, it's Zein."

"No papa if you want to go now. Eleven o'clock at lunch time. The sooner the better," Zein said, leading to another conversation.