DEALLOVES
17 | Regret?

"Wheat? You why? You were from earlier diem. Hm,"

Nanda stroked Dera's hair with her other hand still focused on the steering wheel.

"Nan, I'm gapapa."

"You still think of Al? Did you make the same decision?"

"Nobody needs to be copied, right? It all happened too. It can't change again."

"So you still wish everything could change?"

"Dutch. I don't want to talk about this anymore. I'm tired, I want to go home."

"Okay, honey, now we're home."

After Dera got home, Nanda returned to her apartment. Today was a tough day for Dera. He had to lie to his own feelings. Dera still loves Al very much, she has no intention at all to end her relationship with Al. The circumstances that forced him to do this.

Dera began to shed her tears. He remembered fond memories with Al while looking at some portraits of pictures that he still kept neat. He didn't expect his relationship with Al to end like this.

"Al, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I still want to fight with you. But I can't Al, I have to do this for your family. I don't want Nanda hurting you and your family. I'll always love you Al."

Dera cried so much. He could only vent his sadness and frustration with tonight's cry.

---

While elsewhere, Al kept swearing and banging his hands against the wall. He still does not believe this incident. He still hopes this is all a dream, but what is the power of everything is real. His mind drifted into his good times with Dera.

"Splitting.. Is it my fault, dear? Why do you make me like this? You really made my heart break into pieces. It hurts Ra. You've managed to numb me now, honey. I'm not gonna fuck this up. I know you are my destiny. I won't be that easy to get rid of you."

Al knows Dera well. He knew Dera couldn't have behaved like that for no reason. Al promises to find out the truth and get Dera back in his arms.

•••

Dera was in the office room, he was still struggling with important documents that he had to learn and he recap. He was just trying to take his mind off last night.

Suddenly he was surprised by the sound of knocking on the door from someone.

"Lake in." Dera answered without getting out of her seat.

Dera did not pay attention to the person who entered his room. He was shocked after feeling the man peek at his cheek.

"Dutch?"

"Hi Darling. How are you doing? Too busy, huh?"

"Nan, I'm doing a lot of work now."

"okay-okay. Let me help you here. What do I have to do?"

"No Nan, what the hell are you? It's my job."

"This task is also from me right? If I say don't do this, it means it's an order for you."

"Nanda is already. If you don't want me to do anything, then why am I still here? Mending me home, right?"

"Darling you why the hell? Why so sensitive today? You're another PMS?"

"..."

"Is this all because of Al?"

"Nanda please-"

"What's? Why Honey? Am I really?"

"..."

"Hmm, dear to me," Nanda guided Dera up from her seat. "You belong to me, only to me Dera. Please, you're spared Al. He's just your past. Your future is just like mine."

Dera did not want to look at Nanda. Nanda began to gently caress Dera's cheeks. When Dera closed her eyes, Nanda brought her face closer to Dera's. Nanda's lips almost came into contact with Dera's lips, but it did not happen because Dera immediately rewinded so that there was again a distance between the two of them.

"Honey," Nanda was a bit upset that her intention had failed.

"Sorry Nan, I'm going to the toilet first. Excuse me."

Dera came out of his room. While Nanda just clucked in annoyance and exhaled a long breath.

---

That day Nanda invited Dera to visit her parents' house. Actually Dera refused to come along, but Nanda's words succeeded in making Dera comply.

"Okay Honey. We're getting to."

Nanda rang the bell of the mansion in front of him. Soon a middle-aged woman in a socialite style was seen opening the door and welcoming them warmly.

"Sirland.."

"Ma, how are you?"

"Mama is good, dear. You came here! Don't talk to mom anymore."

"Well Ma, Nanda misses Mama. Oh yes Ma, where's papa?"

"Papa still has business in the branch company. Nan, who are you coming with? Is this your mom's daughter-in-law you've been telling stories about?"

Dera shakes Nanda's mom's hand.

"Dera, Aunt."

"Oh yeah. Nanda's aunt. So you're called Dera. Nanda used to tell me about you to auntie. Pantes aja Nanda always crazy about you, it turns out the girl is this sweet."

Dera only responded with a smile.

"So you can't go in Ma?"

"Eh yes in and out. Dera, don't hesitate, honey. Consider this your own home. Often play here, aunty will be very cool. Nanda rarely comes here either."

"Ma, uh,"

"Yes yes, I know that my son is super busy. Understand, CEO, right?"

"What the hell is Ma?"

---

They also got into a warm conversation. Mama Nanda feels very compatible with Dera. Dera managed to attract the heart of Nanda's mother, of course, he did not hesitate to make Dera as a daughter-in-law.

They continued the conversation over lunch.

"Come Dera! Eat it, dear. Don't be shy."

"Yes Aunt."

"Dear, eat a lot. Mama's cooking must be good."

... ... ...

"Where's Dera? You like it, honey?"

"Yes. Um, this is good for Auntie."

"Tante Seneng if you like. Oh yeah, Dera.. Nanda in the office isn't bad, is she?"

"Ma, how'd it go to Dera anyway?"

"Yes mama wants to know what Dera Darling thinks. Come on Dera, tell auntie! But be honest."

"Hm, actually Nanda in the office is really cold Auntie."

"But I'm not like that you're the same darling."

"So, if it's not the same with me, in front of other employees you're always cold."

"Dera, you don't wonder! Nanda is like that. He can be warm and loose just the closest people, the people he loves. If he can be warm with you, it's a sign that you include the person he loves. Nanda love you."

Dera just fell silent.

"Ma, it's it."

"Loh really, right? Nanda, why do you still want Dera to work as your secretary? She's your future wife."

Dera immediately choked on hearing Mama Nanda's words.

"Honey. You're doing all right? Drink up, baby! Slow down, yeah.." Nanda helps Dera to drink.

"Tante wasn't wrong about Dera?"

"..."

"Ma, don't talk about marriage now. I can't fire Dera, either, Ma. I still need Dera in the office."

"Mama is just about to be able to watch the wedding of your child. You love Dera too, right? You must want to be serious with Dera, right? There is no harm in getting married soon. You're both grown-ups."

"Mama, Nanda still wants to focus on managing papa's company first."

---

Dera daydreams on the balcony of Nanda's parents' house. Nanda came to her girl there. Nanda understood that Dera was thinking about Nanda's mother.

Nanda hugged her girl from behind.

"Wheel.."

"Maan!"

"Why you, honey? Thinking about mom's talk?"

"..."

"I think mom is too. Is there no harm in getting married soon? I'll soon find your parents to apply for you."

"Your nanda-" Dera faced towards Nanda.

"Why Dear? I love you the same. I love you so much. I'm ready to be born to be your husband."

"..."

"Can't you love me yet? You don't love me, Dera?"