Erstwhiles
44. Early Morning

Acha was distracted from a night's sleep due to the roaring rumble out there. It was not the whirring of the wind that sometimes whizzed through the cracks of the windows. Nor the roar of the waves that hit the beach. The room was never this cold. Where is the touch of Karel's skin that has always been a barrier to cold?

Acha fumbled the side of her bed. Empty? He opened his eyes slowly. The dim light on the side of the bed was still on as usual. There was no sign of Karel in the bathroom. Not in the kitchen or the living room. Acha decided to check out.

The night is still at peace with silence. The waves were reluctant to sleep in conflict with the rock. But the sky, which should be still and quiet, was interrupted by the roar of flying machines. Acha widens the eyes. It's not wrong, it's Karel's. Karel's private jet. And now the big flying machine disappeared behind the clouds, with its owner evaporating somewhere.

Karel... did he really ride the giant machine? Leaving Acha alone on this remote island? Butwhy?

Whatever the answer is just a pain in Acha's chest. The girl curled up and cried without knowing the reason.

***

Karel entered a luxury apartment in the city center. The famous apartment is inhabited by political elite stakeholders. I don't know how long he hasn't set foot in this ten-story building. But it was still clear on what floor he had to stop the elevator.

"Rel.." the woman ran over and threw herself in Karel's arms. "I know you'll come. I know!" he drowned his tear-stained face.

"Rena?" hesitantly Karel rubbed the woman's head gently.

Rena pulled her face up, "Always. I'm older than you! Call me politely!" the woman complained while wiping the remains of tears on her cheeks.

"Nathan I never called you, brother" the man grumbled. After all, between himself and Rena only a few years apart, not far enough. He does not want to always be considered like a child if he calls Rena with frills Kak. "Why did you call me all of a sudden? Nangisin Nathan again?"

Rena breathed a rough breath. He turned his face down, knowing that Karel would judge him again and again.

"Nathan is married. Why is he still upset? He doesn't pantes dapet it from you, Ren," asserted Karel dislikes the behavior of Rena who still can't remove Nathan from his heart. In fact, Nathan has started a new life, but why is the girl still alive in the past.

"I know, but it's not that easy as Rel!" refute Rena with her pensive gaze. "You sit down first, I make you drink!" the girl pulled Karel's hand onto the sofa, but Karel refused.

"I can't stay long. Because I've seen you all right, I have to go home soon" Karel said to make Rena freeze. This time Karel refused. Usually Karel is willing to do anything even if not asked. Even when Rena stubbornly kicked Karel out of her apartment, the man would stay there until Rena felt better. But why did Karel suddenly become like this?

Karel nodded, "Sorry."

"Why?" Rena wants an explanation.

"I don't want Acha waiting for me" Karel himself was shocked by the reason that came out of his mouth. But honestly, even though the body is here but his mind never separated from Acha.

"Acha? Your fiancee?" Rena ensuring.

Once again Karel nodded.

"Are you seriously marrying her?" Rena doesn't believe it. Karel is desperate. Rena has of course heard the news of the conglomerate's two-child marriage. But he thought, it was only Karel's impulsive actions because he had rejected it many times.

"Why should I mess with a wedding? The date has been fixed. I'll marry Acha soon."

The phrase Karel makes Rena dizzy head. All he believed in, Karel was just a little sister to him. A friend and family who are always there when he needs to be. But presented the fact that soon the man will be the husband of people make his feelings mixed.

"You.. Can you leave me like a gini?" Rena wailing. "Rel, you know I can't be alone anymore if I think so. I need temen."

"That's what I came for. But I also can't stay for long with Acha."

Rena was disappointed, "You changed, Karel."

The man exhaled heavily, "Life is always changing Rena. I have Acha now. Nathan is living a new life with his wife. So why are you still nangisin Nathan? Live your own life. You deserve better than Nathan."

The woman shook her head. He hugged Karel again. "I can't Karel. If you also know me like this, how am I going to be?"