Trapped by Pandora
CHAPTER 9: RING
Alin was sitting in front of the mirror, preparing to go to Kishika Monza's birthday party. His face is covered with a blush on natural color and lipstick that matches the color of the lips. She was still stuck in front of the mirror, even though her makeup was done. Alin played a small blue velvet box in his hand, while recalling the events of a few days ago. Word for word Beryl said that night was still so clearly recorded in her memory. There was earnestness that he saw in the eyes of the man, but somehow the doubt in his heart was still so great.
FLASH BACK ON
Beryl stopped the car right in front of Alin's fence. Actually, he did not want this night to pass quickly. Her heart is happy. For so long his heart had been covered in nothingness, not feeling the explosions that made it livelier.
“Thank you for dinner,” Alin said as he removed his seat belt.
Beryl held Alin by the hand as she opened the car door. The thin-floated man had not willingly let go of Alin. He took something out of his pants pocket. Alin was astonished to look at Beryl, various questions floating around.
Alin was flabbergasted as Beryl opened the velvet box. A white gold ring with one small diamond on the right and left is a wing-shaped carving. Like a butterfly perched on a ring.
“Marry me,” said Beryl.
Alin was startled and spontaneously covered his mouth with a palm. He never expected Beryl to propose to him like this.
“I-ni a-pa means?” ask Alin stammering.
“Marry me, be my life partner. I don't want anything else, just you.”
Alin nodded in his seat. One side of the mind clapped in joy while the other side was still clad in gloom. What was the reason the man asked to marry her? Isn't the problem between them over? Zora's gone a long way, no one else will bother Monza's kids.
“Ta-but to-what?” Alin asked again.
“What's because of the kids?” Alin looked into Beryl's eyes, as if looking for answers to her questions.
“No! it’s not about them. It’s only about me,” firmly Beryl that makes Alin more confused.
“The truth is,” Beryl paused her sentence.
“Since I first saw you in the clinic back then, my eyes and heart were locked and could not look away. The second meeting at the bookstore made me fall in love. And about the kids, they convinced me even more, that you are the one.”
Beryl expressed her feelings without even once taking her eyes off Alin. He was almost stuck when he revealed it. Beryliano Monza is not a man who is easy to spread the word pearl, not the type of master seducer, let alone a poet. However, he did not know which power he possessed, until he dared to break the secret of his heart.
“Trust me or not, without the children's wishes even though I would still do this. Huppff, I know you need time to answer. It's not easy, let alone marrying this shameless old man like me, isn't it?” Beryl smiled at her faint smile.
“I'll wait,” Beryl clutched the ring box that had been closed it into Alin's hands.
“Next week Kika's birthday. I really hope that by then you already have the answer,” Beryl rubbed Alin's hand slowly.
“How about next week I don't wear it?” alin's question is like that which Beryl doesn't really want to hear.
Beryl turned her eyes to the streets. He knew his expectations were too high. Their brief introductions, the age range is too far between them and the three children are quite magical. A young, intelligent and energetic girl like Alin would definitely think a million times to accept her proposal. Alin was not the type of girl who put forward treasures, as she was quite capable of supporting herself. However, Alin prioritizes feelings. Beryl appreciates that.
“On that day, if you don't wear it then I'll forget about it. Well, even if it hurts a little. But I promise I'll accept whatever your decision is.”
FLASH BACK OFF
“Aaaallliiiiiinnnnn!” ragnala's scream shocked Alin, barely letting the ring box roll out of his hand.
“Yeah, can't he just scream ordinary? No jarring like a sledgehammer?” alin protest.
“Heloooo, wake up dong! From then on I called out subtly, busy daydreaming. Intonation up eight new octaves to trace the earth!” Ragnala snorted in annoyance.
“Ndreamun what the hell?” Ragnala looked at Alin's hand holding a blue velvet ring box.
“Udah ready with the answer?” search Ragnala curious.
“Let go yuk! Hunting late!” invite Alin who immediately moved from his seat.
Ragnala throttled, in his brain already strung many question words that are ready to be decomposed. However, Alin pulls his hand stopping Ragnala's actions that have not even begun.
^^o^
The Monza family residence.
Living room decorated with colorful balloons and ribbons. Kishika Monza looks cheerful with a pink princess dress and a head adorned with a petite crown. The seventh anniversary of the year is celebrated by inviting his school friends and children Orphanage Love Love, an orphanage that Alin frequented.
They started singing happy birthday songs together. Kishika cuts her birthday cake. Two-level palace tart cake complete with accessories characters Frozen movie characters favored by Kishika.
Alin laughed and watched the children's funny behavior. But behind the laughter, his heart felt shaken. His heartbeat was like a war drum every time he met Beryl. While the man occasionally showed off his sweet smile, then began to get busy with mobile phones and paced. Alin could only watch from afar, not knowing what Beryl was doing.
“Mommy Alin!” call Kishika. The little girl was already standing before him with a piece of tart cake placed on a small paper plate.
“Hello Birthday Girl! Happy birthday, yes! Hopefully long life, more pinter, more beautiful,” said Alin while kissing the right cheek and left cheek Kishika.
“Thank you, this is for Mommy!” Kishika handed over the cake plate she had brought.
“Thank you, baby!”
“This is for Doctor Nala,” Kishika gives one more plate to Ragnala who stands right beside Alin.
“Waah, thank you pretty boy,” Ragnala received it.
“Very much screen time yes?” goda Ragnala's.
“Yes is Doctor Nala, her name is also a birthday. But you know what I like the most?” babble Kishika.
“Hmmm, definitely the biggest gift, right?”
“Yee, not dong! My favorite gift is Mommy Alin!” Kishika hugged Alin tightly.
“Mommy Alin?”
“Yes, every night I pray with God that I will be given a good Mommy like Mommy Alin. It turns out that God has kabulin my prayer, right Mommy?” alin's tongue choked, he was forced to put on a smile and nod slowly. How could he not destroy the dream of the little girl who stuck right next to him.
“Kika very dear Mommy Alin,” he continued.
Kishika's innocence ravages Alin's feelings. Doubt creeps back in and makes it even more lascivious. The decision that had previously been taken suddenly collapsed. Alin was unsure of himself.
Alin turned his eyes away to the backyard, Beryl standing near the gazebo talking to her assistant. I don't know what they're talking about. Alin was trying to get close to Beryl, he wanted to immediately convey his decision so that the matter would not get more complicated. However, it seems Beryl is trying to avoid. Beryl was busying herself.
“Yesterday he asked for an answer, now why not indifferent anyway?” muttered Alin.
“You're all right, Lin?” reprimanding Ragnala who was half worried saw Alin's expression.
“Entai La, I myself do not understand.”
“Yeah Lin, don't tell me you're suddenly upset!”
Alin was pensive, his sense of sight still straight at Beryl who had not moved from where he stood. The kiss was ringing again, the dinner in the garden was recalled, a rosebush given by Beryl had not even been thrown away, still on display on the room table even though it was almost withered. For some reason logic held him back while the soul felt like running towards Beryl.
Alin was not ready to love, but his little heart said he was in love. Alin is half crazy. In the corner of his darkest heart, Alin refuses to believe in love. Past trauma still looms. What if that love would hurt again? What if that love would destroy her once more?
Alin is at war with his own mind. Logic and feelings argue with each other, argue, simple is not funny. Unknowingly, his feet stepped slowly but surely. However, his steps stopped suddenly. Beryl rushed away, looking from the other direction someone brought a suitcase. Beryl put the suitcase in the trunk of the car. A moment later, the car had already driven out of the Monza family residence without waiting for the party to end.
“Alin!” call Ragnala.
“La, where did he go?”
“Hmm, I don't know either. I think he hastily left, there may be an urgent problem.”
“What problems? Why carry suitcases?”
“Haish, where do I know, Lin! I'm not his assistant!” sulcan Ragnala is upset.
“Udah ah, let's go back inside again!”
A thousand questions struck Alin's mind. Why didn't Beryl look for him? Why doesn't Beryl ignore it? Why did Beryl avoid it? Why did Beryl leave before she heard the answer? There are many more questions.
^^o^
Beryl sat in the airport waiting chair, waiting for her boarding schedule. The problem of resort construction projects in Japan is quite troubling. Earlier this morning one of the staff who was there reported the development of the project, there were obstacles with the materials used. He could have left tomorrow morning, but when he saw Alin's empty fingers without wearing his gift ring, his mind changed automatically. There is no reason to delay his departure.
Disappointed, of course. Sad, for sure. After a long time closing the door of the heart to love, Beryl finally felt the beat of love present spur. Hope is a little broken. However, he realized it was impossible to impose feelings that were only one-sided. It was not yet time for her to feel that love grow again.
Seeing the arrival of Alin, his heart was happy not to be upset. Like a young man in love, he smiles at himself, so confident that Alin will accept his love. After receiving a call from her staff in Japan, she wants to talk to Alin as she can't wait to hear the girl's answer. However, when he saw Alin hugging his mother, no ring was seen adorning the girl's fingers. He stood upright pecking in place, his originally fast footsteps suddenly slowing down. The aura of her cheerful face turned cloudy.
Even though I was ready with whatever Alin answered, even though it was the worst, somehow it still feels painful. Heart's scratched. It turns out he wasn't ready for rejection. There's no point in talking to Alin. That was why he deliberately stayed away and decided to leave for Japan today as well. Drowning in work, will help forget the pain he suffered.
Beryl got up from her seat when the sound of a boarding call was heard. Maybe this is the best thing for them. Maybe Alin needs time to believe in his love, and he needs time to prove his love. It could be with a distance like this will make the mind clear again.
\~***\~
