Chapter 3 3.

Having someone who texts you every day, motivates you every time, is faithful in listening to all your complaints, truly cares about you in every way, reminds you to eat on time, and takes your medicine when you are sick is the best blessing. Everyone needs that kind of person in their life. Which not everyone can get their fair share of. And if you have one of those people, you're lucky. While others are out there chasing after what's rightfully theirs, you get it easily.

However, there is a time that we will meet the long wait. Not when I find you but when I know; all this time my best prayers to pick you up have finally united with the good prayers that God has answered. And all that is left of us is happiness and amen from the people who prayed for our love.

Too bad it's just a handwritten work on a piece of white paper. What was originally blank has now been mixed with black ink. Painting the mood of the writer; Alara Senja. Where her black eyes looked at the gray afternoon clouds. Swirling in the wind with an orange painting in the background.

Alara wants to feel like she belongs even though she doesn't really belong. Just to feel how her love is reciprocated by the person she likes. It would be amazing if Alara could describe it. But it's impossible.

Having been betrayed, hurt so deeply and unable to feel any feelings other than resignation. Lara always dismissed all the thoughts that had just crossed her mind. Even though in the end there were other vibrations present, it was very unlikely.

Bahtiar Gema was not the right choice. For Alara to drop her heart in the widower's grasp. But because of the agreement that Alara had sown on top of her high ego, that feeling played more of a role than her logic. She was already wet with regret. There was no way Alara could take back her words and go her own way. Think of it as a last resort so that there is no pressure that complicates Alara's space. It feels sick when you are forced together but not with your own heart's desire.

The echo-in Alara's eyes-could not be ignored. The man is so precious that Alara is so crazy to want to have him. And this was the only path she could take above the frustrating thoughts that greeted the fatigue of her life.

Tired. That's right. Alara had been feeling tired lately. Both physically and mentally. One thing was for sure, running was not enough. Stopping her limbs that were already getting farther and farther away was also not a good way. Alara was that planned. Yesterday was firm about her choice. Look at her today? Completely bemoaning her fate.

"You regret it?" Echo noticed Lara's expression from earlier. Frustrated and anxious. "You can share it with me if there's a problem." Who knows, it might be a good idea and Lara would open up to her a bit. She didn't expect much more, though. She was also a good listener.

"Hm. Eh?" Alara's eyes blinked. Lifting her sluggish head and glaring at the sight of Gema's face so close to hers. An inch away would have been the embroidered, saliva-laced lips that were knitted together. "These are just words."

"You're nervous, then." And Gema was a person who liked to draw conclusions as quickly as a Japanese train traveling from one station to the next. "You also answered with approval-"

"I think about this-"

"Me!" Gema pressed. The man's eyes were cynical and sharp as he corrected Alara's words. "The office is quiet and working hours are over. You don't need to be so formal. We're a couple, remember?"

Oh, to be reminded of that Alara snorted. Showing her dislike openly. Which obviously wrinkled Echo's forehead.

"You're unstable."

"Sa-I have a headache." Alara put her head back on the table. This time with a gentle tapping action. To Gema's dismay, she dropped her large palm onto the table.

"I don't want to date a sickly person."

"Damn it!"

"Don't swear, I'm older than you."

"Okay, uncle."

"I'm not your uncle."

"So what? Honey? Brother? Mas? Papa? Papi? Dad?" Alara replied equally sarcastically.

"Do you have a problem?"

"You think?"

"There is if that's the case. Care to share?" Echo offered again.

"Bed?"

My God, why was Alara's brain starting to go into the realm of yes-yes. Forgotten or what if Bahtiar Gema's track was an accomplished player? The man had been a widower for five or six years. Naturally, a bed warmer is always needed. And Alara the next generation.

"You want?" Ambiguous but Gema wanted to play it cool. She didn't want to be grumpy like she usually was. She still had to dive into why Alara Senja, who was her assistant, came to ask her about a ridiculous agreement for an unclear bond. Tell me, if not for bed, then what?

"Sometimes. I get horny when I see you."

WOW. Alara's honesty deserves appreciation. The red tomato changed places on both of her chubby cheeks. Making Gema reflexively kissed until the sound of 'plok' was heard and moved away afterwards.

"You can move into my house from now on. I don't like the boarding house atmosphere, it's noisy."

"My boarding house is safe. It's soundproof and the people aren't reckless."

"Who said that?"

Gema investigated. The condition of Alara's boarding house was not bad like most boarding houses. But when Gema went there, the neighbors on either side of her were at their worst. Politely welcomed Gema. Smiling, greeting and asking rotten pleasantries. Furthermore, they roamed over Gema from his sturdy arms to his broad chest. Such unclean treatment could provoke Gema. It's not that cheap for Gema to play with women. Gema's hired prostitutes are always of high quality and the best in the place. Providing excellent service inside and out was worth the amount of the check Gema wrote.

"I'm rarely there. I work from morning to afternoon. I go to college at night. Go home and sleep. So I consider them normal."

"Your eyes are normal." Echo grumbled. "I went there-"

"What did you do there?" Change again. Alara liked it. "I'm really curious about my life."

"It's not like that. I want my boyfriend's life-"

"Temporarily. Take notes!"

"You've been cutting me off!?" Oh yeah? Alara didn't realize. And didn't want to wake up. "I want to guarantee your life. So as long as we're together, there's nothing bad for me to leave behind later."

Gema's explanation made sense to Alara. This was Jakarta. Life in the big city is not as easy as one might think. So don't even think about struggling here if you don't have the effort and mental strength. Because courage is not enough to fill your stomach. Guts are not enough to quench your thirst for the real hard life. Alara had experienced it all.

"Bang." Alara called. Gema turned her head. His face was back to its original suit; flat and serious. "What do you think about a girl's virginity or not?"

For a moment, the different colored eyes touched each other. And through seconds that were about to turn into minutes, Alara unlinked them. She tidied up the files on her desk and prepared to leave. But Gema's answer to her question held her already raised hips.

"Not good and not bad. But as bad as I am as a guy, let alone a widower, I need that release. I'm normal. And living freely is the motto that I have been living by. But about virgins and not girls. Honestly, as vile as I am, I want a virgin if I get another wife."

"You're a conservative brother." Alara's sarcasm did not match the throbbing pain in her heart. The order that had been neatly put together was shattered. It was shattered by the storm. In one breath, Gema had explained the meaning of a life that was useless for Alara to live.