Trapped by Pandora

Chapter 8: The Pursuit

“Are you okay?” beryl asked Alin.

“Hemm,” murmured Alin.

“Sorry, because you are a victim of Zora's violence!” Beryl felt bad for involving Alin in her family problems.

“So that's called Zora?” Alin asked back.

“Yes she is,” replied Beryl while brushing Mallory's bangs that were asleep on the sofa.

“Looks like he loves you so much,” Alin stared at Beryl sharply.

“Do you think it’s love?” Beryl replied to Alin's question about Zora's feelings. For Beryl what Zora feels for her is not love but an obsession that is growing craze. The more terrible the day, making the hair of Beryl's nape goosebumps.

“There are times when love and obsession have a very slight difference. We better not have to discuss it again,” continued Beryl.

“But I feel sorry for him,” Beryl is sorry to hear Alin say.

“Poor? Why?” Beryl.

“Because he has wasted his age in pursuit of a love that claps one hand. Very sad, isn't it?”

“Lantas, is that my fault?” Beryl did not deny what Alin had said. Zora loved it since childhood, even today still survives in solitude.

“Ehm-can be,” Alin smokes cold mineral water.

“Say where is my fault?” for the second time Beryl was amazed. Alin's path of thought was completely unpredictable. That girl is so unique. He also dared to retaliate against Zora's treatment, even though no one had dared to fight Mayfa Zora Wisesa.

“You know he loved you for a long time, but I'm sure you've never been firm on his expectations. You think your cold attitude will make him retreat in order. However, it has now backfired for yourself.”

Beryl was stunned, what Alin said was all true. Is the girl a psychic who can read her? All this time, she had considered Zora like her own sister. He used to think Zora's love was just a monkey's usual love like a gray white boy's love. He let Zora indulge, indulging his will when sulking. However, gradually, he realizes that it is not the usual monkey love. Call it gorilla love that makes Beryl start to stay away. Especially when Beryl finds her first love, Zora starts acting possessive. In the end, Beryl kept her distance and built a dividing wall at heart.

“It's time I went back to the clinic. You better take Rory home,” Alin gently rubbed Mallory's hair that fell asleep next to him.

“I'll take you,” between Beryl when Alin gets out of his seat.

“I can do it myself. Oh yeah, I don't think Zora's a problem anymore, she won't bother you anymore. So I guess we no longer need to continue with the wedding plan,” Beryl gasped, there was a bitterness infiltrating her heart when Alin said that. Somehow he was not willing when Alin said there was no need to continue their wedding plans.

“I'm gone. Take good care of them!” Alin put his foot up.

Beryl held Alin's hand. He stood face to face with the girl who had begun to enter his heart and mind. Grasping both hands Alin, grip tightly as if not to be removed. He had no idea what was driving him, but what he wanted the girl to be willing to stick together. Whatever he'll do to keep it.

Beryl looked at Alin with a wry look. Sadness, pain, bitterness, disappointment, fear shimmered into one.

“Can't you keep them with me?” beryl's tone of voice sounded pleading and groaning.

“I? Why should I?” alin was confused.

“Because it's only you they want.”

“They just asked for my help so Zora wouldn't interfere with your family life. With today's incident, I'm sure he won't dare to do it again.”

Beryl gulped, twisted her brain in search of the right words. He didn't want Alin to leave. His feelings are so strong. Is that love? He himself is not sure. However, her little heart urged her not to let Alin pass. Inhaled the scent of lavender that emanated from Alin's body like opium.

“Because I wanted you!” Alin flabbergasted. Touching Beryl's forehead, normal body temperature indicates the man before her is still sane.

“Huh, please don't joke!” alin Decak.

“No, I’m not!” beryl's words made Alin feel wrong.

“Already, I ti-mmmppphh ...,” Alin's body stiffened when Beryl kissed her lips. That was his first kiss! Hot air runs through every vein. His heart beats faster, his tongue twitching, his eyes twitching. What's up with him?

“What are you guys doing?” mallory's newly awakened voice shocked the two of them.

^^o^

Since the events in Beryl's office, Zora no longer shows the trunk of her nose. In fact, Mr. Wisesa and his wife came to the Monza family residence to apologize for his daughter's bad deeds. Zora who got out of control had tarnished their good name. Mr. Wisesa accepted Beryl's decision not to marry Zora. He also sent his only daughter abroad for a while.

Beryl felt her burden reduced because she was free from Zora's pursuit. However, on the other hand there was something that felt empty in the recesses of his heart, something was missing. Of course not Zora.

“What do you think Nak?” Lady Aretha had noticed her son daydreaming in the backyard gazebo.

“What's Alin?” Mrs Aretha offered a glass of Beryl's favorite durian juice.

“Mama it feels natural that Alin canceled your plans. It all started with Zora, now he is no longer a problem, so we do not have the right to demand his sacrifice right?” Beryl glared away while drinking her durian juice.

“What according to Mama children will easily accept women other than Alin to marry me?”

Lady Aretha sat beside Beryl. The thought went wild considering how his three grandchildren cheered happily when they heard Beryl was about to marry their idol doctor. Kishika, Si Bungsu even began to get used to calling Alin with the name ‘Mommy Alin’, understand Kishika was still 3 years old when her mother died. The figure of a mother is very much awaited, every day dancing and shouting in the house if she wants to have a mommy.

Mallory moreover, the cheerful aura returned like it used to be when her parents were still alive. He had even devised many plans for his daddy's wedding party. Starting from clothes, food, music, flowers, make up and so on, it is like the owner of a famous event organizer. Only Shaquille is probably still with his flat attitude, but he has been more open.

“Do you think there will be no more Zora-Zora?” the question Beryl asked was deeply troubling to Mrs Aretha. He knew many women who would not easily accept the presence of his three grandchildren sincerely.

“No will be easy for them, son. Mama doesn't know their reaction to hearing that your wedding plans are off. They must have been very disappointed,” Mistress Aretha sighed.

“Then, what will you do Nak?”

“Come, Ma! I was thinking of keeping him, but maybe I was too selfish to ask him to sacrifice himself for the sake of our family?”

“My son, forget the kids! Ask your little heart what makes you want to keep it?” suddenly Mr. Moazzam was already standing near the gazebo.

“Making children an excuse to keep a woman with you is selfish. If so, how is she different from a babysitter? Ask yourself why you want him to stay by your side. If you have the answer, then go after it. You are so fierce when it comes to dealing with the business world, but in terms of love you are puffed up!” sindir Mr. Moazzam.

“Papa!” hardik Mrs Aretha.

“This papa says what it is, Ma! Your son, if his head has not been hammered, then realize it over time! Do you want to wait for us to die before he gets married? Beryl, don't let you lose love again like you used to. Remember, regrets always come late!”

Beryl looked at her papa, heartbroken at the words of the venerable Mr. Moazzam. Losing love is so painful, he swore he would never know love again. That is why he immersed himself in the busyness of the business developed and closed the door of the heart.

But Alin, for some reason the shadow of the girl could have infiltrated and opened the padlock that had locked tightly. Even from the first time they met, Beryl was glued like a statue.

“Come in, Ma! Let this upset child get busy with his own hassles!” taunted Mr. Moazzam.

“Pa, Ma, I go first!” Beryl downed her durian juice and placed the empty glass on the gazebo table.

“Where are you going, son?” Beryl just waved her hand as she walked away.

^^o^

Alin took off the doctor's coat, which he put on the hanger. Put the phone into the bag, then move out of the room while carrying the bag. Today it is very tiring, there are almost twenty patients who have to be handled all day. That's because Ragnala went to pick up his brother at the airport, then all the patients were diverted to Alin because it was impossible to cancel.

“Suster Penny, I go home first yes!” pampered.

“Iya Doc, be careful ya!” suhut Sister Penny.

Alin pushed open the clinic entrance and stepped out. How shocked Alin saw a man standing leaning against a parked car right in front of the clinic door. Alin was silent. Memory was thrown to the one day where a kiss had been stolen from her innocent lips. Alin could still feel his tenderness, suddenly something rippled in his heart.

“Goodnight!” greet Beryl while holding out a red rose.

Alin gaped, his brain suddenly unable to think. It was not the red rose that stupefied him. However, it was the man who had made it almost melt. How not, the man who was the age of his papa looked so young and fresh as if he had just entered his thirties. A slightly rolled up long-sleeved grey shirt, black jeans and white sneakers make it much younger than its actual age. This was the first time Alin had seen Beryl wearing casual clothes.

“Oh gosh, why am I so dag dig dug squirming?” inner Alin.

“Hey, you're not allergic to roses are you?” Beryl fluttered a rose stalk in front of her face.

“Eh-oh, certainly not! Thank you,” Alin misbehaved and grabbed the rose from Beryl's hand.

“Why come here? The clinic is about to close,” continued Alin somewhat stammered.

“I'm here because I'm hungry,” replied Beryl of origin.

“Hah?” Alin. His hearing is healthy, right?

“This is a dental clinic, not a restaurant!”

“Ahahaha, I know! From the nameplate it is written that this is a dental clinic. Unless you have a plan to change it,” Beryl laughs, Alin's confused face is so adorable, he's increasingly tempted to prank her.

Alin looked annoyed, unconsciously he throttled. He was tired and did not want to joke. However, the man suddenly came over and interfered with his arrogance.

“Why the older the more like nosy sighh?” alin in the Heart.

“I'm hungry, so I'm here to take you to dinner. I know you haven't eaten yet, right?”

“But, unfortunately I've eaten!” reject Alin. However, the worms in the stomach refused to compromise with him.

“Oh, ****!” Alin cursed to himself as his stomach chant echoed shamelessly.

“Ppfft, it seems like the tapeworm in your stomach is more interested in my offer,” Beryl smiled triumphantly.

Without waiting for Alin's approval, Beryl immediately grabbed Alin's arm.

“Give me your car keys, my assistant will take care of it!” beryl's tone of voice was like a command line that could not be opposed. The masculine but gentle fragrance of Beryl's perfume was hypnotizing, and Alin followed Beryl's orders. For God's sake, he himself didn't know why it would be this bad.

^^o^

Beryl takes Alin to a large park on the outskirts of town. In the middle there is a lake with water that is so clear. A very beautiful garden, many shady trees stand firmly along the paths surrounding the park. Tabebuya trees whose flowers are blooming complete the beauty of the night surrounded by sparkling colorful lights. The playground is quite spacious, as well as the food court area where the food is designed like the atmosphere of the village with roadside food carts lined up neatly. Gazebo of wood and the roof is coated with straw.

Beryl chose a gazebo whose position is in the corner so that they can view the garden area freely. Alin was so amazed, his fatigue suddenly faded eroded the charm of the night that made the eyes sparkle. His sleepiness disappeared too.

“What do you want to eat?” beryl asked while showing the food menu she was holding.

Alin observed the food carts in the food court area. The concept of an open-air restaurant with one cart for one kind of menu, reminds him of going to the wedding reception.

“Come here huh?” Alin asked back.

“Ehmm, not really!” Beryl was still staring at the food and drink menu on the table and soon closed it as the waiter came over.

“Mas, I order know telor one and cappuccino. What do you want to order?” Beryl glanced at Alin who was still glued to the menu book.

“Mie chicken, drink iced orange!” he said while handing the menu book to the waiter. Somehow the picture of chicken noodles in the menu book was so tempting. The shadow of the spicy hot sauce is so tempting.

“You sure you want to eat tofu telor?” Alin felt astonished, conglomerates like Beryl ate such folk food.

“What's really why? Is something wrong?”

“No, just weird!” Beryl does not know what Alin thinks of her, but she deliberately fishes so that the night does not pass quickly. Moreover, the stiffness between them had already begun to melt. Their language is not as formal as usual.

“Do people like me not eat that food?”

“Of course you can, no one ngelarang also.”

“Then?” Alin was confused because Beryl was increasingly looking for him. If he gives an answer according to the contents of his head, he is afraid that Beryl will be offended.

“Although not afraid of stomach pain due to petisnya?” sahut Alin.

“Hahahaha...,” Beryl let out a laugh, she really enjoyed Alin's expression.

“Kok even laughed anyway?” sulk Alin was upset.

“You are funny!”

“What's funny?” Alin smiled wryly.

“People like me are ordinary people too. Both eat rice, both drink water, both breathe air. So it makes no difference to the others. Maybe his destiny was a little different,” Beryl squinted one eye.

Not long after the waiter came to deliver the food and drinks they ordered. Alin savored the chicken noodles voraciously, the worms in his stomach rejoicing. Occasionally he steals a glance towards Beryl who eats tofu eggs until barely left.

“So much huh?” sela Alin's. Beryl mangosteen while completing the chew. A moment later Beryl held out a spoonful of knowing the last mouthful to the front of Alin's mouth.

“Try aja,” Alin gaped and involuntarily opened his mouth to accept Beryl's feed. He also began to chew, it tastes very good, petis seasoning tastes savory on the tongue. The combination of tofu and eggs also feels right coupled with chunks of leeks that further add to the taste.

“How?” ask the young master.

“It's really delicious!” Alin nodded his head and gave a thumbs up. He knows now why Beryl likes roadside food like this, because the taste of the food in this place is not cheap even though the effect is only a suburban food class.

Beryl chuckled, not only because she saw Alin's happy expression, but also saw Alin's smitten lips affected by petis.

“You eat like Kika only, belepotan!” Beryl pulled out a piece of tissue and cleaned up the remains of the petis that had stuck to Alin's lips.

There was something in Alin's heart. Beryl's treatment made her misbehave. Shocked, confused, ashamed, but there is also a sense of pleasure and happiness. But there is also fear. Fear that this is just a passing feeling. A sense of momentary and just one-sided.

\~***\~