Chapter 3 PART 2

Part 2 – My Longing Unrequited.

Time flew by, and they had already arrived at Grand Ma's house. The winding and picturesque village roads welcomed them with fresh air as they stepped out of the car.

"Wow, it's so refreshing!" Adinda twirled around like a ballet dancer.

Meanwhile, Nabila picked a freshly bloomed jasmine flower near Grand Ma's house. "Wow... it smells amazing!"

Although the plant was small, it already bore beautiful white jasmine flowers. Nabila thought about asking Grand Ma for tips on how to grow jasmine flowers, so she could make her home's garden as beautiful as Grand Ma Anyelir's.

Lala just shook her head, observing the antics of the two friends. Adinda, who always believed she was the prettiest and most charming, didn't hesitate to show off her drama queen personality. Nabila, on the other hand, was sometimes curious but slow, yet always willing to help with anything. Anyelir, in contrast, was an open book. Anyone could see the genuine and innocent side of her behind her beautiful face. Sometimes, Lala felt like she had three younger sisters when she was with them. And for some reason, they always described Lala as stern, even though firm was quite different from stern.

Lala helped Anyelir carry their belongings into their room, leaving Adinda and Nabila to explore Grand Ma Anyelir's house on their own. It turned out Grand Ma Anyelir had the largest house in the village. On their way there, Lala had checked out all the houses of the residents in the area.

Anyelir hugged her Grand Ma tightly. It had been a while since she last saw her, the last time being when Grand Ma visited Jakarta on her own.

"Grand Ma, you look beautiful as always," Grand Ma Esih lovingly caressed Anyelir's face.

"When is the event, Grand Ma?" Anyelir embraced her petite grandmother.

"In two days. Tomorrow, we'll start decorating the house. I had hoped you'd take over my business here," Grand Ma said as she patted Anyelir's shoulder.

Here? And potentially meet every day? Anyelir didn't know what to do if they met again.

"Grand Ma, you know I prefer working in an office, according to my expertise," Anyelir pouted.

"It's okay, dear. I already decided on my successor, and luckily, he agreed."

Anyelir looked around, hoping to find the person she was looking for, the person she hoped would welcome her arrival. But why couldn't she find him? Did he not know she was coming today? Besides, what was she expecting? Warm hugs signifying that longing couldn't be contained? It seemed impossible that she was the only one longing.

Anyelir introduced her friends to Grand Ma Esih.

*****

They had dinner together that night, and the commotion continued when Anyelir was with her three friends. However, someone's greeting interrupted their activities.

"Good evening, everyone."

Everyone turned to the direction of the voice.

A tall, handsome young man stood there, smiling at everyone. "Ah, Byan, you came home late. Come here and sit, we're just starting dinner," Grand Ma Esih reached out to him, inviting Byan to join them. Nabila and Adinda looked at him with admiration, while Lala exchanged meaningful glances with Anyelir. Anyelir nodded softly as if saying, "That's him," which made Lala smile.

Finally, Lala met the man who made her friend fall in love.

Byan greeted each of Anyelir's friends, who suddenly became flirty, especially Nabila.

"Lala, Anyelir's friend," Lala introduced herself as she shook Byan's hand.

Then Byan approached Anyelir. She shook his hand while looking into his sharp and warm eyes. "Welcome, Anyelir. How are you?"

"Good," Anyelir replied.

That was all that was said between Byan and Anyelir. They resumed their dinner, but Anyelir couldn't help but notice that Byan's gaze kept returning to her. What did it mean? Was he jealous or...?

Unfortunately, Anyelir didn't find any meaning in Byan's gaze because he resumed eating without any special expression.

Damn! Didn't he want to know about Emil?

"Well, finally Grand Ma's granddaughter has a boyfriend. Why didn't you bring him along?" Grand Ma Esih looked at her granddaughter, who seemed increasingly uncomfortable with her question.

"He couldn't make it, Grand Ma. He's...," Anyelir seemed to struggle to speak, but it was too late.

"He can't come, Grand Ma, because he..." Nabila continued answering for her.

"Oops, sorry for blabbering. You know I can be careless sometimes. I'm sorry," Nabila felt remorseful.

Anyelir sighed and then continued eating, even though she knew Byan's eyes were back on her. She decided to take her glass of water, sipping it challengingly at the man in front of her. She wanted to see what was implied in his eyes, jealousy perhaps or...?

Unfortunately, Anye didn't find anything in Byan's gaze because he continued eating.

Damn! Did he want to know about Emil?

"Well, well, well, does Grand Ma's granddaughter finally have a lover? Why wasn't he invited here?" Grand Ma Esih looked at her granddaughter, who seemed to grow more embarrassed with each passing moment.

"He couldn't come, Grand Ma, because he..." Anyelir seemed to struggle with her words, but it was too late.

"He's on his way here. He texted me that he'll come tomorrow. He's having trouble reaching his lover," Nabila answered, completely oblivious to the effect her words had on both Anyelir and Byan. Anyelir and Byan happened to sit opposite each other. Slowly, they resumed eating.

Damn! She wanted to drown her friend in Grand Ma's catfish pond.

"Meaning?" Lala looked at Nabila and then Anyelir.

"He messaged me that he's coming tomorrow because his lover is currently unreachable," Nabila said as she nonchalantly enjoyed her grilled.

**

**

As they were getting ready for bed, Nabila and Adinda were in one room, while Anyelir shared a room with Lala.

"Nye, are you sure you had a relationship with that guy earlier?" Lala looked at Anyelir through the dressing table mirror. Anyelir was still applying her night lotion, while Lala was already wrapped in a thick blanket. The night air felt very cold, probably because they were in a mountainous area.

"What do you mean, Lala?"

Lala nodded, and Anyelir noticed it.

"But earlier, you two didn't seem like a couple. Are you sure he's the one who wrote those love letters you showed me?"

Anyelir sighed, then finished arranging her cosmetics before joining Lala.

"That's what I don't understand. What am I to him? Maybe he's bored or has another girlfriend here?"

"Why don't you try to clarify things?"

"What if he asks about Emil?" Anyelir regretted the words of one of her friends at the dining room earlier. Her relationship with Emil was still very new, and it wasn't the right time for her to proclaim their relationship.

"Are you already sure about Emil?"

Anyelir shook her head.

"I don't know. I don't know how I feel about Emil, to be honest. He never gives up in pursuing me. Several times he has shown that he is serious about me, while I'm still confused about my feelings. But honestly, when I'm with Emil, I don't feel... that way. Not like when I'm with Byan. I was extremely happy when I received his first letter. My heart was pounding as if it was about to burst, especially when we walked together. Even if we just sat in front of a catfish pond, I felt incredibly happy. I still remember how I made an appointment with him for the first time; I could hardly sleep all night, just thinking about going out with him the next day. I must be exaggerating, right? Meanwhile, you saw how he treated me earlier?"

"In your opinion, how would you describe my feelings?" Anyelir turned to ask.

Lala smiled. Indeed, when someone falls in love, it's sometimes hard to think logically.

"That's called not having moved on from Byan yet," Lala said firmly.

Anyelir fell silent. Was it true that she hadn't moved on yet? When she started thinking about all that, her head started to ache.