CHASING THE LOVE OF THE TEACHER
Self Maturity

Arjuna linked his hands together, sitting opposite to Papi Rudi in front of his former prospective-in-law's desk in the group's Darmawan office. There was no Budi or anyone else, just the two of them in the room.

Arjuna looks so nervous, but when leaving school to this place, Arjuna is so confident to meet papi Rudi because he does not want his relationship with Cilla to be bumped by blessing, plus, the incident in the room Bu Retno can not be stopped until at Pak Slamet only.

Arjuna tried to return the gaze of Rudi's papi who was waiting for him to talk while leaning on the chair and folding both his hands in front of his chest.

“I came here to ask permission from Om to establish a relationship with Cilla again, even if Om does approve I want to marry Cilla as soon as possible.”

“Didn't you hesitate to be Cilla's husband ?” the flat, cold voice of Papi Rudi made Arjuna shudder.

“Sorry I've been a cowardly man, Om. I was thinking too much about myself and worried about something that might not necessarily happen. When Cilla let me go, I just realized that her presence in my life was so meaningful and losing Cilla was more frightening than all the responsibilities that I had to carry out when I married her.”

“But Cilla himself feels inappropriate for you because of your age difference.”

“I've spoken carefully with Cilla and we've agreed to live this relationship more openly and face all the problems together.”

“My decision has not changed, Arjuna. I don't want my daughter to be hurt again, enough she's suffered because I left her and I don't want the man who's going to be her husband to do the same stupidity I did. It's the same as plunging Cilla twice in the same hole.”

“I promise I won't let Cilla be alone again, Om. My life is his guarantee. As long as God is still giving breath to me, during that time I will always be on the side of Cilla.”

“Speaking is easy, Arjuna, but when faced with a difficult reality, I'm not sure you won't worry anymore. I've been in it for nine years.”

“But Om..”

“Go home, and if your assignment is done at school, leave your job as a teacher, no need to wait until the school year is over. Cilla is my responsibility.”

“Om Rudi..”

“I still have another job, Arjuna. If you really love Cilla, give her a chance to get her happiness without you. Who knows there is another love that can make him feel better.”

Om Rudi had already moved from his chair and signaled for Arjuna to leave his room.

Arjuna lethargic and stepped out of the room.

“Arjuna !”

The call stopped his steps that had already arrived near the door. His little heart wished that the call was the one surprise he expected. Arjuna turned around, opening the door.

“Ya Om.”

“I'm not messing around asking you to stay away and let go of Cilla. You already know that all the gaps for you guys I will close. Do not let you regret coming back for pushing yourself too hard. As a more mature man, you would know that Cilla would back off as you moved away from her and ignored her. Don't take advantage of his innocence let alone you are the first man to make him fall in love.”

Rudi's words so struck Arjuna's heart, making his face a little stunned, as if he could not believe that the middle-aged man before him was so hard and firm with his decision. There was no more smile and friendliness that Arjuna had ever felt before.

“Good Om, I understand.”

Although contrary to his heart's wishes, but Arjuna's mouth can only respond to Papi Rudi's request and leave the Darmawan Group building with mixed feelings.

**

**

Unbeknownst to Arjuna, it turns out that Cilla also came to see Papa Arman in the building owned by PT Indopangan.

The difference is that Arjuna asked for time to see Papi Rudi, while Cilla was asked to come because papa Arman wanted to meet.

This morning there was a message going to Cilla's phone and it was Papa Arman who sent it. Not to forget at the end of the message written so that Cilla does not tell Arjuna about Papa Arman's request this afternoon.

After school and finishing the last follow-up, Cilla rushed to the school gate. While standing at the end of the second-floor staircase, Cilla could see Arjuna's car had just left school.

Arriving at the gate, Cilla searched for a foreign car that would pick her up. Not long after, a black car stopped in front of him and a middle-aged man appeared behind the window.

“Non Cilla ?”

Taken by a young woman, Cilla arrived at the room on the 9th floor and another woman escorted her into the room behind the next door.

“Are you in a relationship again with Arjuna ?’ The question with a flat voice made Cilla's heart immediately deg-deg right.

Cilla is currently sitting opposite Papa Arman on the sofa.

Cilla did not expect that Papa Arman would meet him with a cold and flat face like now.

Last met at the hospital, Papa Arman has shown his firm and fierce nature, but his aura has not been this cold.

Cilla shuddered at it.

“Not yet, Om,” says Cilla slowly. “Still waiting for permission from papi.”

“You think only your papi would disagree until you come back ? Arjuna's mother may have given the green light, but as his father, Om also does not agree you guys back in a relationship again.”

Cilla was stunned to hear Papa Arman's slightly loud speech.

“Didn't you ask us to accept your decision to cancel your marriage and even break your relationship?”

Cilla lowered her head and breathed. His hands were clinging to each other. It was a shame to be faced with a situation like this until Cilla did not know what to answer.

“Even you did not consider how sad Mama Arjuna felt when you met us at the restaurant. And in that short time you want to be in a relationship again with Arjuna and easily say that your decision at that time was a mistake ?”

Deg

Papa Arman's disillusionment struck Cilla's heart. It was unthinkable for him that his actions had hurt Mama Diva.

“Im sorry Cilla, Om. Sorry for getting Aunt Diva hurt and Om Arman disappointed. I'm sorry that Cilla isn't old enough to think long before making a decision. It turns out that Cilla's love is not enough to see the condition of Mas Juna from a different side, Cilla only saw it from Cilla's side.”

“So please you now understand with Arjuna position. Your own father has been determined to never accept if you want to get back into a relationship. As a father, Om also does not want Om's son to get hurt more. Please stay away from Arjuna if you love him and be a good boy to your papa. Especially now your papi needs you more, who knows by giving him a lot of happiness, papi heals faster.”

Cilla lowered her head and nodded slowly. His heart was completely pinched with a lot of Arman's words this time. Cilla thinks maybe this is what aunt Diva felt when Cilla remained determined to return the necklace given by Aunt Diva and give up her engagement ring with Arjuna.

This pain was felt by Aunt Diva when Cilla still insisted on calling her aunty even though the woman asked her to still call mama even though there was no longer a relationship between the future daughter-in-law and in-laws in between them.

“Thank you for all the kindness Om and Aunt have ever given to Cilla. Sorry if Cilla finally let down Om and Auntie. Cilla pamit, Om.”

Cilla got up from the sofa in Papa Arman's study and bowed before leaving the room.

“Pak Mino will take you home. Om already asked him to wait in lobby.”

“Thank you, Om,” said Cilla while bending her body back at a glance.

Seen several times Cilla sighed while walking gontai towards the lobby. Realizing he is not mature enough to face the real problems of life.

All this time Cilla just trying hard and accept everything as if fine. Cilla is unable to fight the fact that she is still young, not mature enough to see things outside her scope. Cilla hopes this experience will be able to mature itself and end in happiness.

**

Cilla and Arjuna stood in different lobbies, one in Darmawan Group building and the other in PT Indopangan building.

At this time the position of both of them stood upright on the edge of the lobby and sighed then inhaled deeply the afternoon air that was not too hot today.

Realize that their love struggle is not easy. But as long as that intention ends in kindness, all the effort they do will definitely end well as well.

Cilla and Arjuna both let out long sighs and encouraged themselves with just one word “ HOPEFULLY “.