Blooming At It's Time
⁴⁰ Will Be a New Start

Kala closed the door to Giri's room after giving him some blood pressure-lowering drugs. Thankfully there was Kala, so that he could swiftly check the state of Giri and give proper handling. Giri is now resting in his room. Kala was immediately approached by Alden with a look of his face that was clearly worried. Kala frowned, not so fond of the expression Alden showed. If indeed he was worried, why would he still lie to Giri and Kala like this? Sometimes Kala does not understand the way of the young mind, and sometimes he forgets, he was once a young boy.

"Well, Ma?"

"You still have it? After what you did?" Kala's voice rose, staring straight at Alden, still with his hardened line.

Alora stood a few steps behind Alden, watching how horrifying Kala, whom she once knew as the friendliest doctor, had now turned into a disillusioned Mother. Alora was speechless, and just felt guilty.

"We were wrong, Ma. At first it was, but-."

"You realize you're playing with marriage?"

DEG.

Not only Alden, even Alora felt her chest pierced with a small but very sharp dagger. Alden let out a long sigh while rubbing his face, not knowing how to explain to Kala who was already disappointed.

"Alora," Kala turned to look at Alora and continued, "do you realize what you're doing?"

Alora sighed softly before looking up to stare at Kala. He regretfully replied, "Yes. I'm sorry, Ma."

"Okay, maybe it's Mama's fault that Opa has already made you married, by all means. Mom knew our way was wrong. But your ways are also not allowed!" She brushed her hair back with her hands. "Why did you get that far?"

No one answered.

"We pressured you too much? Alden's? Do you really want to go up to the office?"

"Alora? Is selling more important than your future? Why are you forcing yourself like that?"

Now that Kala was leaning against the wall next to the door of Giri's room, both of his hands covered his face, disguising eyes that were about to cry. Can not be denied, Kala himself also felt guilty for forcing this marriage. Kala let out a long sigh, calmed himself down, then put the palm together in a finger tie and lowered it down.

"You don't have to go that far." Kala stared at her fused hands.

"Ma..." Alden tried to get close to her mother, but stopped when Kala spoke again.

"You don't have to force. No need to wait for next year. Divorce if you're not happy."

"No, Ma!" Alden immediately replied.

"Alden! Don't be complicated! You don't have to please anyone anymore!"

Since then until this second, Alora could only be silent, already feeling like crying. A few months ago, Kala asked her to marry Alden, and now, Kala is asking them for a divorce. Kala's request was not at the right time. Because the two now have each other in full.

"No, Ma! Trust me Alden! Everything is different. No more divorce words, Ma."

Kala shook his head slowly, with a heavy heart saying, "Sorry, Mama is not sure you can believe it again after knowing you guys have lied."

That sentence really made Alden and Alora unable to dwell anymore. For now, there was nothing they could do to make Kala believe. With the disappointment of Kala, no matter what they did, it would not make Kala change her mind. The conversation with Kala is dead-end, so Kala decides to leave Giri's house, letting Alden and Alora reflect on their own deeds. Maybe also consider the next step. But apparently no one is negotiating. Alden and Alora were just sitting limp on the living room couch, holding hands. Alora leaned her head on Alden's broad shoulders, blank stares forward, thinking of nothing, just not wanting to part with his Priya. While Alden, staring at their fused hands, gently rubbed the back of Alora's hand with his long fingers, trying to give the message that he would not leave his woman.

"Alden, how should we go?" Alora's voice shook.

Without having to look, Alden knew that now both of Alora's beautiful eyes were glazed, even almost crying. Alden kissed Alora's head. "Everything's gonna be okay, I promise. We focus on taking care of Opa first."

Alora nodded.

❖❖❖

The afternoon and evening had already passed, it was almost time for dinner, and Giri still did not wake up either. Alora sat on the edge of Giri's mattress, pulling a thick blanket up to the middle-aged man's chest. He stared fixedly at Giri's wrinkled face, watching every line that bore witness to the life of the middle-aged man. I don't know how hard Giri's life got to this point, and Alora felt that she had ruined the middle-aged man's life so badly. Unable to hold back the cries, Alora bit her inner lips, but the tears kept flowing, sobs still sounded. Shortly after, Alora heard Giri groaning softly. Alora immediately wiped the tears on her cheeks, then knelt beside the chair, to look at Giri's face up close. Giri took his hand out of the blanket, very slowly, and Alora reached him.

"Thank God! Thank you!" Alora gave thanks, while kissing Giri's hand. "Well, does he feel better?"

Giri sighed, then said, "Oh my goodness, Opa just forgot to take hypertension medication."

"Why are you crying?"

"Ma... Maafin... A... Alora... Opa..." Alora stammered on the sidelines sobbing her cries. His cheeks were wet like rainwater, his vision blurred with tears, but still facing towards Giri.

"Have, already."

"Early..nyaa.i.it...i.....denya...Alora...Alden w.sa...salaaaahhaaaa!"

"What?"

"Opa...don't.huu..mistake...Alden's..."

"Alora!"

Thankfully Alden suddenly entered, even without knocking, at least being able to help Giri here.

"The opa? Is he awake?"

Giri immediately waved his hand in the air, not strong to face Alora who was crying like an SD boy missed his textbook at home. "Please calm down Alora."

Actually without being told, Alden immediately approached Alora, kneeling beside her, and rubbed the woman's back gently. After feeling Alden's touch, Alora immediately turned her head and scattered into the man's embrace. Still crying, while Alden patiently calmed Alora down.

"Shhh... It's fine, Al. Everything's fine."

"A...Alden..bil..lang to O..pa.aku...yang sa....salaaahhh."

"No, Al. You're not wrong."

"T-but-"

"No." Alden tightened their embrace, not forgetting to still pat Alora's back gently while occasionally rubbing her, so after a while Alora began to look calmer and hugged Alden tighter.

"Alden..."

"I'm here..."

"Please don't leave me..."

"I won't. Promise."

Anyone who saw this scene, would definitely be able to see how Alden and Alora loved each other, Giri was no exception. Giri did not expect to witness this incendiary scene, but after paying attention to the two, he was increasingly convinced there was nothing more to worry about from Alden and Alora. Because now Giri is sure, the two are already in love with each other without any less.

After everything had died down, Alden and Alora were ready to tell Giri all their stories from the beginning to this second. No more cover-ups. With understanding and patience, Giri heard all the stories to the regrets of Alden and Alora. Giri does not regret doing that, because now there is nothing else that can make him falter. Giri knows who he has to trust.

"That's it. The important thing is that you're aware" Giri put Alden and Alora's hands together and patted them softly. "Opa sorry for pressuring you to get married. Thank you, you guys are united."

Alora wiped her dripping tears once again.

"Opa understand your Mama's feelings. Opa knows Kala more than anyone. Opa was sure, Kala would definitely understand."

"But... Opa hear where it's been?"

This time Giri looked straight at Alden, giving him a hint of his gaze. Without having to hear a name from Giri's lips, Alden immediately understood. His forehead puckered, his lips slightly pursed in annoyance, Giri knew Alden started to get emotional after a name appeared on his head.

"Not to think about it. Let Opa take care of it."

❖❖❖