Chapter 8 Mission Statement

People say ...

The past is a place for us to learn. Not a place to stay.

No one wants to go back to the past. Especially ... if it's a bitter past.

But ... what if that past comes to meet us?

Should we run as far as possible to avoid it? Or ... let it be and welcome its arrival with open arms?

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"I'm home," I called as I entered the house and found Mom and Dad in the living room. It looked like they had been waiting for me for a while.

"Come in!" they replied in unison, sounding very cold.

"Dear, where have you been?" Mom immediately greeted me and hugged my shoulders.

It was understandable for my parents to worry, as they hadn't seen me at home since I left the restaurant this afternoon. And this was the first time I came home this late, outside of working hours.

The clock showed it was 10 PM, so their worries were quite reasonable.

"I went to the park after leaving the restaurant, Mom. Then ... after that, I did some shopping for my needs at my new workplace," I explained everything I had done that day.

"Alli, sit down. I wants to talk to you." Dad finally spoke after a long silence, staring at me with a cold gaze.

I complied and chose to sit on the sofa in front of Dad. Mom also sat next to me.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I'm sorry for leaving the restaurant like that," I acknowledged my mistakes before Dad could start scolding me.

"Next week, Draco's parents will come here to propose to you." Dad's statement was far more terrifying than his anger.

A proposal? Does it have to be this fast? Didn't I clearly reject this engagement at the restaurant this afternoon? Why won't Dad understand?

"But Dad, it can't be like that. You can't make decisions without my approval. This is about my life. My future, Dad." I tried to convince Dad to change his mind.

"And Draco is the best person for your future."

My efforts failed. Dad remained adamant in his decision.

"But Dad ..., Draco is-"

"Forget the past, Allison!!" Dad shouted firmly this time, making me speechless.

"Dad, please calm down. Talk nicely so Alli can understand," Mom advised, gently rubbing my arm to calm me down. Mom probably worried I would get angry too.

"Mom, I can't accept this engagement," I said, looking at Mom hopefully, wishing she would side with me this time.

"Dear, Draco truly regrets having hurt your feelings. You both just misunderstood each other."

What? Instead of siding with me, Mom was actually defending Draco.

"Alli, I know you're angry. You're hurt. But hasn't Draco been trying to apologize for a long time? No matter how often you reject his apology, give him a chance to fix everything, dear."

I exhaled roughly. No matter how hard I tried, I knew that both Dad and Mom would never agree with me about this engagement.

"Love can conquer hate, dear. Slowly, your love for Draco from before will grow back and erase all that hatred."

"...."

"As long as you're willing to give Draco a second chance."

I shook my head quickly, "There will never be a second chance for anyone who has ever hurt me."

"What are you talking about, Allison Valerie?!" Dad asked firmly. I could still see the anger in Dad's sharp gaze.

"Didn't ... I always teach you that humans will never be free from mistakes and faults? And everyone deserves a second chance?"

I nodded in agreement, "Yes. Dad. You're right. Everyone deserves a second chance. But clearly, that person is not Draco," I replied, remaining firm in my decision. I still refused to be engaged to him.

"Alli, Mom and Dad are trying to find a good young man for you. Can't you appreciate that effort even a little?" Dad asked, still with his firm demeanor. It seemed he really wanted Panji to be his son-in-law.

"I never asked Mom and Dad to find me a life partner. That was all your wish," I shot back, still unwilling to lose. For the first time, I strongly opposed my parents' wishes.

"That's not just a wish, dear. It's Mom and Dad's duty to find a good match for you." Mom spoke again.

"Alli! Draco is a good kid. He also comes from a good family. He has a good job, and-"

"And he's the first person who hurt your daughter." I inadvertently interrupted Dad. "Mom and Dad can match me with anyone you think is best, as long as that person is not him," I added, standing my ground.

It was hard for me to forgive what Draco did years ago.

"And didn't we agree? The proposal will only be made if I agree to marry someone chosen by Mom and Dad."

Mom and Dad now chose to remain silent, listening to me. I didn't know what they were thinking now. I just hoped they would understand and cancel their plan to marry me to Panji.

"I want this engagement to be canceled," I pleaded hopefully. A request that shouldn't shock them after hearing all my rambling.

"Not possible!!" Dad replied sharply. "There will be no young man who is better, and whose family we know well like him, Allie."

Huft ... it was really difficult to persuade Dad. I knew that well.

"You also know, right? Mr. Thomas is my bestfriend. I can't just cancel this engagement."

"27 days. Give me 27 days to prove to you that I can find a man who is much better than Draco. And exactly 27 days from now, that young man will come to meet you."

I didn't know where this crazy idea came from. I just wanted Dad to cancel his intention. I didn't care how I would find a good man in 27 days.

What was on my mind now was just canceling my engagement to that man.

And why 27 days? I don't know; I just remembered that my age was approaching that number. Counting 27 days from now.

"Don't joke, Alli. Don't oppose my decision with such silly things," Dad replied, of course, he wouldn't easily agree to my request.

"Yes, dear. Don't play around. This is about your future," Mom added, looking worried.

"Please allow me to prove to you that I can also find a good man for my life. And if I fail, I will comply with Mom and Dad's wishes to marry him."

Dad and Mom looked like they were considering my request. I knew they wouldn't easily agree to the silly decision I made. But ... I hoped they would give me a chance.

"Okay. Prove it in the next 27 days."

Dad's decision at least allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief. At least I had a lot of time to postpone marrying someone I didn't love.

"Honey ..., call Mr. Thomas to postpone her proposal. Just tell her honestly why this is happening. So they know that our child is trying to mess up her future," Dad continued, then walked away with a sour expression on his face.

After Dad left, Mom now looked at me with a worried gaze.

"Alli, what were you thinking to propose such a silly condition?" Mom asked urgently. I completely understood her concern for me now.

I sighed for a moment, "I don't know, Mom. I just want you and Dad to cancel my engagement with Draco."

"...."

"Maybe you're right, Mom. Draco has changed, but I still can't marry him."

"But ... dear-"

"Mom ... Dad might also be right, that was all in the past. And my feelings for Draco have long been left behind. I don't have any feelings for him anymore."

"Allison, love that once existed will come back over time. Time will make you love Draco again."

I shook my head quickly, "That ... will never happen. I've promised myself, Mom. There will never be love again for someone who never valued my feelings."

Mom fell silent again upon hearing my words. She, who was very familiar with my temperament, seemed reluctant to engage in a long debate with me.

I was too stubborn. There was no point in trying to persuade or force me. The outcome would remain the same.

In the end, I reached a saturation point in this situation. Initially, I tried to come to terms with my ego and willingly agreed to this engagement, but I ended up giving in by proposing an even more unreasonable agreement.

Just imagine, where would I find someone much better than Draco in 27 days? I should have said 2 years or 5 years.

Ahhh ... my emotions had led me to a situation that was even more complicated.

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