Blooming At It's Time
³⁷ Catastrophe Night

Alora has been avoiding all the interactions Alden is trying to make. Alora often ignored Alden, until the man did not know what to do. Alora also often came home late at night, so there was no time for them to meet and talk. Whether or not this move was correct, which was clearly instead of feeling relieved, Alora was even more unable to escape her depression. He thought it was only a matter of time, to accept the fact that Alden was not his. Then everything will return like all, when they take care of each other's affairs, without bringing feelings to this fake marriage. At least that's Alora's hope.

For those who observe Alora every day, of course the woman looks different from the previous days. Actually Genta had long wanted to ask, but he did not want to be judged as too meddling. After a few days of seeing Alora moody, Genta finally decided to check on her condition. What made him suddenly moody, having previously with a spirit of learning to make cakes.

"After this you are free?"

"Huh?" Alora was surprised by Genta's sudden question. While trying to look fine, Alora said, "Bossy. Why?"

"You want to go for a walk?"

"Huh?" This time Alora made sure her ears didn't hear wrong.

"I mean, can you accompany me to find a suit? I need to get to my cousin's wedding reception." Genta smiles.

"Oh... Yes, I can."

With Alora's nod, they immediately closed the store on time, then darted on a motorcycle owned by Genta to a shopping center not far from the store. Alora remembered this place. Some of the store outlets they passed when he visited Alden gave him unlimited credit cards to buy. Alora recalled, back then she was only shopping for her sisters, while Alden told her to do a little shopping for herself. Just by surrounding this place alone can make Alora think back to Alden, his eyes until they look empty and dreamy.

"Al's? You okay?" Genta patted Alora's shoulder gently.

At that time, then Alora realized and saw Genta was dressed neatly in a suit and navy pants in tune. Alora quickly smiled, again to look fine, then she shook her head. "This is good." He said while staring at Genta from the tip of the foot to the head.

Genta only smiled, even after realizing something was wrong with Alora. No. gabe. He had been conscious from the beginning, and only wanted to comfort Alora slowly until the woman herself was unaware of it. After completing the main goal, which is actually not the most important, Genta carrying a paper bag containing his shopping towards a colorful corner with bright lights and a cheerful noise. Unaware of that, Alora simply followed Genta's steps. He only realized when Genta stopped his steps right in front of a game arena.

"You wanna play?" Genta immediately pulled Alora's hand into the arena of the game, without waiting for an answer.

This was Genta's main goal, making Alora forget for a moment the thoughts that had been bothering her. Genta was indeed such a person, not blatantly asking, but sensitively sensed that something was wrong with Alora. Genta also did not frankly comfort Alora, instead doing so very subtly, even Alora herself would not be conscious and just enjoy herself. Genta succeeded, Alora smiled and laughed again while playing some games there. The two enjoy time together, while being a little nostalgic during High School when Alora and Genta still often play together.

"YAHHH! How can you lose to Genta? I was the better one!" Alora complained when she lost to play DDR, but her lips still curled and almost laughed.

"Have you forgotten how to play?"

"Where is possible!" Still not accepting defeat, Alora again repeated the duel game against Genta in the DDR engine.

Once satisfied play, and exchange hundreds of coupons with just two cans of soda. At least Alora got a strange rabbit doll from a clamp machine, of course Genta who tried to strap the doll, Alora just comments but he took the doll. It was okay, after all, it was fun to hear Alora come back as cheerful as before.

"My feeling is, or is the price of the gift more expensive, huh?" Alora was astonished after taking her sodas off. That empty can he threw in the trash, useless.

"How long have you not played? It just doesn't make sense."

"Are we the suckers?" Alora laughs.

Not because of the joke, but Genta laughed after seeing Alora's laughter. "Maybe."

"But it's okay, like I got a doll." Alora raised her doll high, with a smile.

"Zinc?"

"Look! I forgot the last time I played this game."

"Good..." Genta sat in a long chair in the middle of the mall, followed by Alora who sat next to him. "You've been moody lately. I think there's more to mind, huh?"

Alora immediately turned to Genta, not expecting the man to come to his senses. Then Alora looked at the doll in her lap, then realized Genta's purpose in bringing her here. Suddenly Alora felt bad as well as thanking Genta. He also feels compelled to answer Genta's questions, but somehow answers them, there is no way Alora would tell him about her pretended marriage to Genta.

"Not to answer. Sorry if I interfered."

"No, Gen. Excuse me. I mean, thank you. I didn't know I looked so moody."

"Sorry if I ask you again, but, do you have a problem with your boyfriend?"

Alora instantly silent a thousand languages. His lips clenched, trying not to open the voice that would get him carried away. It will be dangerous if Alora drifts away and reveals all the secrets of her marriage so far. With Alora's reaction, Genta understood immediately, so he nodded while looking at her hands. His lips smiled slightly, of course a person like Alora already had a lover, what else did Genta expect? He just had enough of being a good old friend to Alora.

Alora's phone suddenly rang, Sandra's name on her screen. Alora asks Genta for a minute, then picks up the phone from Sandra. During her talk over the phone, Alora had a glance at Genta.

"I think I should go home, Gen. My sister said something important at home."

"I'll take ya."

"You're here with me, when I just came home alone anyway? Don't refuse, will you?"

Alora sighed, then smiled, "Yes... Thanks again, Gen!"

❖❖❖

That afternoon at his desk, Alden thought of a way to force Alora to talk to him, or at least interact. No, it might be better to slightly lower expectations, at least they could meet. Alden searched his phone contacts, looking for names that might help him. Of the many contacts he had, his crazy idea was fixed on Alora's two sisters. Maybe he should ask Harsa or Sandra for help. No, instead of calling, Alden would go straight to their rented house. Yes, Alden's decision was unanimous, and he had already decided to meet with Alora. So here she was, staring at Sandra who had just cut off her phone with Alora.

"What did he say?" Alden asked with widened eyes.

Sandra clucked, then looked at Alden annoyed. Luckily, Harsa is on night duty. Otherwise, it looks like Alden will run out of Harsa's hands. "You guys who fight why am I so complicated?"

"Make it up, San! What do you want? I'm buyin. Oh yeah, it's in the eating." Alden bared his teeth, smiling innocently while thrusting a box of platter sushi with an expensive-looking package.

With a timid smile, Sandra received the expensive meal cheerfully. Opening the chopsticks, Sandra said, "Or I like sushi. Make up for Alden!" Then immediately amazed with the taste of sushi that just entered his mouth.

"Yes... Eat a lot."

"By the way, why are you guys fighting?"

"Hm... It's a long story."

"Help... Household issues." Sandra sighed, then came back humming cheerfully as a piece of sushi entered her mouth. Alden chuckled, seeing Sandra humming while slightly shaking her body to the right and to the left. Sometimes Sandra closed her eyes and frowned.

Alden laughed just by observing Sandra, "You look like Alora."

"What?"

"He also eats well." Then her smile faded, as the memory of Alora regained control of her head. Smiles, laughter, cooking-sung humming, even tears dripping from her beautiful eyes, Alden recalled everything he went through with Alora. Again he cursed himself, because it had disappointed Alora.

Alden waited long enough. She spent nearly an hour in the living room with Sandra, watching a boring television show. Although occasionally they talk, but everything is normal, not as interesting as his activities with Alora. For whatever sake, Alden really missed Alora, he wished Alora a quick time. And God seemed to hear Alden's prayer, because shortly after, the sound of a motorcycle stopped in front of the house.

"Oh that's it coming." Sandra immediately got up from the sofa to open the front door. Alden got up and followed Sandra, and stopped right behind her as she was shocked, "Oh my God."

Alden followed Sandra's line of sight, and saw Alora get off a motorcycle driven by a man. The man smiled, and so did Alora, they briefly chatted before the man darted away and Alora was still waiting until the man really did not appear to be his shadow. With a strange rabbit doll in her arms, Alora opened the front gate and entered through it. Just by standing in front of Alden, Sandra could feel the heat behind her, so she turned her head and saw the look on Alden's face that looked very angry.

In his heart, Alden suddenly felt extremely angry. His hands clenched tightly, his jaws hardened, his ears were red, his face looked extremely angry. But she did not say a word, until Alora first mentioned her name.

"Alden?" Alora looked at Alden and Sandra alternately, then said resentfully to Sandra, "What do you mean, San?"

"Uh... Sis... Go in yuk." Sandra was already exhausted, feeling that there would be a third world war.

"What are you doing here?" Alora ketus to Alden.

"What are you doing?" Alden didn't lose.

Wuuush.

Sandra who was now in the middle of Alden and Alora, suddenly felt a cold wind blowing until her body brushed.

"He told you to call me, San?"

"Sister..."

"Yes. Wh why? Not satisfied you dodged?"

"I'm not avoiding!"

"GUY! Guys. Mending in, or you go home. Sticking at home. Shame on the neighbors!" Sandra sounded annoyed. His hands ruffled around his waist, staring at Alden and Alora alternately.

Without warning, Alden packed his things, then pulled Alora's wrist to follow him. Of course it was not that easy, Alora pulled her hand out of Alden's grip, because her wrist began to hurt. Alora rubbed her wrists, then walked ahead of Alden towards a car parked near the house. Alden let out a long sigh, then turned to look at Sandra regretfully.

"Sorry yes, San." He said, before following Alora into the car.

While staring at the car that was slowly moving away, Sandra hoped that Alden and Alora could solve their problems.

❖❖❖