ENDLESS HALLWAY
CHAPTER 24: SHORTCUTS

Fadly cast his gaze towards the tall tree not far from where they were. The atmosphere that was not so calm, even almost dark made the tree like a giant shadow that was looking for prey. Especially when the wind toyed with the lush leaves, blowing them to the right and to the left increasingly looked very gripping.

And Fadly took her breath looking at it. Should she follow Zahra's advice to elope?

Should he leave his widowed mother with his three young siblings?

If so, who would help his family make a living?

Since his father died three years ago, the burden of the family fell on his shoulders, he had to work every day to earn money to meet the needs of the family. His old mother did not want to stay silent to see his eldest son work to slam the bones for their daily living costs, so he also helped by selling nasi uduk, which is also very popular, fry bananas and chicken porridge every morning in front of his house.

And now Zahra, the girl he loved so much, invites him to elope, not the same as telling him to give up his responsibilities to his mother and sisters. Ah, how could he do that?

"How, Dly?" zahra's question again disturbed his daydream. It was seen how much the girl looked at him expectantly that was huge.

"I don't dare, Ra," Fadly sighed softly later, almost inaudible.

He threw his gaze in the other direction so that he would not see that the girl looked at him with great disappointment.

"Filly!" zahra shouted, the girl was flabbergasted at the unexpected answer. "You... You don't love me anymore?" zahra continued in a disappointed tone.

"It's not that problem, Ra," Fadly said later with a voice choked in his throat. "I can't bear to leave my family. You know, all this time I've been the backbone of our family life? Even the results of my work alone are not sufficient for daily needs and other costs, until my mother also helped to find money. How could I leave them?" fadly explained.

At once Zahra's lips clenched and felt faint to hear the reason that Fadly gave her lover.

That sentence is actually not excessive because it is true that Fadly worked to slam bones for his family life, how could he leave his family just like that?

But, didn't Fadly think about his current predicament?

Didn't Fadly think about how scared she felt right now?

Is there anything else that can provide a way out until he is freed from the forced marriage?

"I understand the state of your family, Dly," said Zahra then after a moment of silence. "It is you who have been their hope and focus. But, don't you feel sorry for me? Will you release me to

another man's embrace that I really don't love? If only you knew how much I love you, Dly. How you were the one who stole my first love and made me assume you were the only man who deserved to be my husband." zahra said she began to feel soft and the fibers of her tone and the tears welled up in both of her beautiful eyelids.

"Zahra," cried Fadly, the man' immediately hugged her tightly. How touched his heart was to hear the honest confession of the girl he loved just now. Smelling of Zahra's fragrant hair. "I'm sorry, Ra. Ii'm sorry. I understand that you love me with all your heart. But, I really can't make up my mind right now, Ra." explained Fadly explaining everything to her impossibility.

"Your words reflect that you don't care about my distress. You are more concerned with your family than I am" Zahra said in a cynical tone.

"Zahrah!" fast Fadly hatch. Didn't expect that her lover would accuse her like that, "Don't you say that! Understand my situation, '." replied Fadly.

"That's it," the girl clasped her hand. "I know your heart now. You're more concerned and ahead of your family than I am. It's not worth it that I'm expecting you." continued Zahra.

"Don't say that, Zahra," Fadly began to panic. "Let me think carefully about what we should do later." replied Fadly later.

"I don't have much time, Fadly. It's best to decide now whether you agree to my proposal or not" Zahra said unequivocally.

"Give me time to think, Zahra. I can't decide so soon" said Fadly.

Zahra bit her lip. It felt extinct already his hope to continue leaning on Fadly. Looks like the guy' is more likely to choose family than himself.

"I don't think there's anything else I can expect from you, Dly," he said, then weak. Withholding tears so as not to fall on his cheek. "I know you're harder than leaving your mother and sister." Zahra said intermittently as she endured her grief.

"Patience, Ra, I will help you find the best way out" Fadly said again trying to convince.

"No need, Dly," Zahra shook her head. "I don't want to trouble you. Let me find my own way. Goodbye." without saying anything else Zahra immediately ran away leaving Fadly who was flabbergasted to see his attitude.

"Zahra, wait," screeches. But late. Zahra had gotten further and rushed up to a public vehicle that happened to stop nearby.

Cowo' it can only be confused with a heart of heartache. The reality he received was truly mind-boggling. In his deepest heart he loved and loved the girl, but he also could not leave his family alone. In silence Fadly again threw out his heavy breath.

Two days later, there was news that touched his heart. Zahra has left this world for all eternity, his body found floating in the river with a sharp object incision in the lower arm of his left hand.

From afar Fadly could only see how the girl's parents were devastated by the fact that her son Zahra, an innocent girl, was innocent and innocent by her current state.

Because the girl had never revealed where she was going and what?. Really Fadly did not expect that Zahra would be that close.

So strong was the establishment of the girl, that she dared to do what was forbidden by any religion because it was only a desire from her parents who fulfilled sheer ambition. Zahra left this world to defend her unworthy intentions with a man she did not love. And Fadly must accept the reality that happens later.

Since the incident, Cindy and her husband Rangga left their hometown to complain of fate in Jakarta due to deep suffering. Cindy and Rangga did not report to anyone, they left like a disgrace swallowed by the earth.

And it happened for years...!!!