Blooming At It's Time
¹⁴ She's Not Finished

On the table were already two packages of self-defense tools. Each consists of a chili spray, a folding knife, an electric pen, and a personal alarm remote. All of this was done by Alden. He also explained how to use each tool on Alora. They met after work, because Alden said there was something important he had to say. He just wanted to give me those tools.

"One for you, one for Sandra. Harsa looks like she can take care of herself, she's pretty fit." Said Alden, then sipped his americano.

They are currently hanging out at Orenji Cafe. After negotiating the wedding there, they often visit. For a long time they must be a subscription with a member card to collect points. Even the servants there might have already started memorizing them. Ice americano and Hazelnut choco, have become their mainstay drinks, in addition to beer and soda.

"Would you like to see me for just this?"

"Save aja. Tools are important."

Alora was silent, not replying to Alden. He drank his Hazelnut chocolate, then took a kidnap with his cell phone. Seeing that, Alden knew that Alora was completely indifferent to the explanation of the tool she had just done.

"Don't tell me nobody wants to kidnap an adult! Even if you feel like you're failing at being human, your organs are valuable to organ sellers." Alden said the sentence casually, even though Alora was already shuddering in horror at hearing it.

"Are you psycho? You're talking like a psychopath, just so you know!"

"Actually, all of those people have psychopathic seeds."

"I can't believe I have to deal with crazy people."

"That's got your playful marriage idea, if you forget."

"ORIGIN!"

Alden drank his American ice casually, while enjoying the strains of the song that had reached the end. Then another song started to roll. At that instant, Alden clucked in annoyance. He had a really good intro music to that song. He also memorized every verse of that song. All the memories of the song go back to his head.

...

The days change, but the heart is still waiting

The day came again, where I felt alone

We laughed together, remember?

We cried together, remember?

I can't even laugh anymore, I can't cry anymore.

...

"Dog! No other songs?" Alden grumbled in annoyance. His jaw hardened, while massaging his pulsating temple. He had been very good at holding back his feelings all this time. Hearing the song now, it almost made him collapse. But where could she cry in public, in front of Alora.

"Orgill! The song is good, why are you angry? Is this your ex's song?" Alora, ketus.

Alden let out a long sigh, then lowered his head to cover his face with both palms. Instantly, Alora realized the truth of her sentence. He immediately flicked his finger, feeling he had gotten good materials to mock Alden.

"Seriously? ****! But isn't your ex an artist? She got a song?" Ask Alora. She knew that far about Shella. Though it should have been a secret, Alden told Alora everything about Shella.

"You didn't see the movie? It's the soundtrack song!" Alden took off his palm, but his head was still drowned limp.

Meanwhile, Alora laughed in satisfaction, mocking Alden. Alora continued her action by saying, "If so, this good friend of yours is asking for the song to be changed!"

"No need."

"Excuse me, sis! Is there another song? My friend is upset!" Alora exclaimed, inviting dozens of pairs of eyes to stare at them.

"Damn it! Shut your mouth!"

Alora ignored Alden's request, and instead stuck out her tongue at the broken man. Alden, who had run out of energy, just cursed slowly while massaging his forehead. Alden is dizzy, having to deal with Alora.

"Shut up!"

"What a pity to my friend!" Alora stroked Alden's hair, her intentions of course mocking. But Alden quickly fended off Alora's hand. While Alden frowned in annoyance, Alora laughed instead and enjoyed the drink.

After he was satisfied to laugh, then he noticed every look on Alden's face. If she could make fun of Alden, Alora felt a bit sorry for him. It was obvious that Alden was still feeling sad, but the man was really trying to be mature. Though Alora was sure, her mind was screaming to cry.

"What is so special about him? Why do you like him so much?"

Alden took a deep breath, then answered Alora's question in between her breaths. "Do I need to clear? I like it like it. There's no reason."

"The ant! So romantic!"

"Close your mouth! You may never fall in love!"

Alora smiled obliquely, then straightened up a little of her drink. He didn't reply to Alden's words, instead rolling back his life all along. He doesn't remember ever loving someone. Or maybe it was SMA, but after that Alora just focused on being the backbone. He never thought of falling in love. Well, take it for granted, Alora never fell in love.

"I've known him for five years."

Alora attaches full attention to Alden who starts telling stories. The eyes of the man looked far away somewhere. Perhaps remembering his past memories.

"I remember in the hotel there was a TV series filming, she was still a figure at that time. I remember his spirit first. He loves the acting world. She said she ran away from home to be an actress..."

Alden laughed for a moment, remembering how innocent Shella was back then. Then he continued his story, "That time the filming was quite long. I remember being able to steal time from work to meet him. I don't know, I didn't realize I was falling all over."

Alora did not take her attention away from Alden. Hearing the story, while looking at every expression Alden made during the story, Alora believes the man misses his ex-lover very much. Alora can feel how deep Alden's love for his former lover. Although Alora herself has never been in love, but her heart also felt broken. The conclusion that Alora got from Alden's story is, the man still hasn't forgotten about Shella.

"That's lucky for her, dating the real you."

Alden formed a smile on his lips, "Yes, right? Unfortunately he was unconscious."

"There really is a man who is sincere? All this time I've only seen a drunken man who likes to beat his wife. Or a quiet man who's cold not playing, hard to read his feelings."

After gulping down her drink, Alden tried to digest Alora's sentence. She felt sure one of the men Alora was telling her was Harsa, a cold man who was hard to read her feelings. But Alden wasn't sure of the first man Alora told me about. I don't know if the woman was just talking or not, but Alden felt it was not just the origin of talking. Actually Alden was eager to ask further, but he felt it was not yet the time. Let Alora enjoy the time to be open with Alden.

"Ride, Al. I'm curious about something."

Alora looked at Alden.

"Have you never dated?"

"Orgill!"

"What a pity you are!"

After that, the two returned to chatting as usual. No more deep talk about their personal lives. The two just enjoyed the twilight while chatting casually. Then, the two separated as the day began to dissolve.

❖❖❖

Alora arrived at her house safely. Fortunately he didn't have to use Alden's tools tonight. Alora had also looked at the surroundings, and found nothing. At least he can breathe a sigh of relief and sleep well.

On the other side of Alora's home environment, it turns out that there are those who watch her every move. This time Alora did not realize that the man was still observing her house.

He's not done yet.

❖❖❖