HATE Before LOVE
Random Request.

Teddy and Sonya had already left the corridor, Gavin was in front of Ardan's listening room. The two adult men of different character and personality stood facing each other yet with their respective expressions.

Ardan stuffed both of his hands into the pockets of his jeans, his face showing a cold expression that was hard to read.

But Gavin smiled at his friend who had completely changed.

"I'm sure you found out about me and Elif when I was his senior back in college."

"Of course."

"Then what did you find?"

"Nothing."

"Because there's nothing between me and Elif, I can guarantee that."

Yes, there is nothing, but you have stolen my Elif's heart with your obnoxious attitude and kind nature. Rendra in his heart. But wait, why didn't he beat me up? Why did he even guarantee that there was no connection between himself and Elif?

"I've always believed Elif was a good girl, so I always told you not to play with her" Gavin said. "But after hearing all of Sonya's stories, now I'm sure Elif is in someone's right hands."

Ardan's forehead frowned. Gavin looked at him suspiciously.

"Don't look at me suspiciously like that. I hope when I get married, you and Elif can be her bridesmaids."

"Tabii. (of course.)" replied Ardan in Turkish.

"Please take care of her. I trust you now" said Gavin, patting Ardan on the shoulder, then turning away. But then he turned around again.

"Don't be jealous of me anymore, I'm not your rival."

Ardan just grunted.

Meanwhile in the room, Elif felt so upset. Between trust and fear to believe in Ardan. Not because of fear of heartbreak, because actually Elif had been heartbroken since he knew Gavin already had a lover, and moreover Gavin had said that Ardan should not need to be jealous of him, he said, because Gavin already has a lover. The huft!

But it wasn't out of fear of heartbreak that made Elif hesitate to believe Ardan's changing attitude now. But he was afraid, all just Ardan's game just to avoid the matchmaking that his mother always scheduled. Elif is afraid if he believes in Ardan and it turns out that all is just a game, which hurts later not only himself, but also his family.

But...

Elif did not close his eyes as well if Ardan was so different, to the point of making him unsure, where any attitude of people could change so quickly? Where there are people who have admitted that Elif is not his type, suddenly admitted to liking him and fell in love with him right after Elif took out all his junk and planned to let go of all this charade.

Again, but...

Ardan no longer looked at her one eye, no longer looked at her with a mocking look, no longer looked at her with a cold gaze. Ardan now only looked at him with a gaze full of sincerity that Elif could actually feel.

Slowly Elif stretched himself, then tilted his body to the left very slowly, a little pain, but could be tolerated pain in his right abdomen. He supported his front belly with a panda doll not too big, not too small brown.

The door opened and closed, then Ardan's voice cleared. He approached the bed of Elif, his hand touching the top of Elif's head very gently, his gaze so warm.

"Why is it tilted like this? Does it not hurt?"

Elif shaking. "I've been supporting him with this."

"They're from Gavin?" Ardan withdrew his hand, turning his face away.

"From Sonya."

"Ooh."

"Said Brother Gavin, you don't need to be jealous of him."

"Yes, of course, I told you, Gavin already has someone in his heart. It's just, he didn't know there were others who secretly liked him."

Elif smiled wryly. He knew very well who Ardan meant.

"I thought Gavin was going to beat me up and Sonya was going to grumble because I thought you finally told them. But it turns out that Gavin entrusted you to me instead. Why?"

Elif sighed tiredly. "I don't know either."

"Is it because you finally realized that you were just clapping one hand at him?"

Elif shaking.

"Then?"

"I. don't know."

"I know, you must be doubting me, right?"

Elif hesitated. But he kept nodding.

"What's wrong, I understand." Ardan smiled wryly. He also moved from his place with a heart that also resigned. Ah, he feels like he's not himself. Resigned to circumstances is not him. He was the one who always got whatever he wanted, nothing he couldn't get. Whatever the way, Ardan will always come out as the winner.

But this time, he felt unable to force what he wanted. He did not want Elif to get hurt again. He wanted Elif to be able to choose whatever he chose, not because of coercion.

Elif was no longer cynical to her that was more than enough.

"Sir Ardan..."

"Yes?" Ardan immediately turned around.

"Have you had lunch?"

Elif nodded.

"Why? Do you want to eat something too?"

Elif nodded.

Ardan chuckles. God, why is that cute Elif!

"What do you want? A paste? A pizza? The steik? Chicken geprek? Sea food?"

"I want a spicy hibiscus. I also want asem vegetables, salted fish with sambal terasi using lalapan and warm rice and eat it on the edge of the rice field."

Ardan laughs.

"Why laugh?" Elif.

"Your request is random." replied Ardan.

Elif.

"Listen, let alone seblak and vegetable tamarind eat on the edge of the rice field. I can give you the company and buy rice fields so you can enjoy your food."

"Huh, that's too much. I just want to eat, not do business."

Ardan came back to bed. "You'll have to make a full recovery, after which I promise to treat whatever you want to eat."

Elif immediately smiled sumringah.

"Hearing to be treated to food alone can make your face sparkle so." Ardan's head bobbles.

"Excuse me, lunch." A hospital attendant came in to deliver the patient's lunch.

Ardan immediately took over the tray that the officer gave him. Then the officer came out again. Ardan swiftly opened every plastic covering every food container, preparing it on a wheeled table. After that help Elif to sit down. Their distance must also be trimmed because inevitably Ardan must half hug Elif to help him.

The masculine and fresh scent of Ardan wafted out, greeting the olfactory Elif that he secretly enjoyed. Likewise with Ardan, the sweet aroma he always enjoyed even without having to be close together like this. The sweet aroma that has become a therapeutic scent that calms him for the past few weeks.

They face each other, no one talks to each other in a while, until both feel awkward themselves.

"Eh, do I want to eat it?"

"No need, sir, I eat alone."

"All right." Ardan. He had to stay away, or Ardan couldn't stop himself from eating the Elif.

"Sir Ardan has eaten what yet?"

"Not yet."

"Then, Mr. Ardan eat first, I can be alone here."

"Leaving you alone in this room?" Ardan raised his eyebrows. "No, I'd rather not eat than leave you alone."

"But-"

"Don't worry, I ordered Teddy to buy me lunch."

"Oh so. What lunch message?"

"Something very delicious. You'll be envious."

"cheat!"

Ardan laughs.

***

Teddy returned to the hospital with a pack of food that Ardan had ordered. The food that Teddy wasn't sure Ardan was going to eat. But as usual, Teddy neither asked nor refused Ardan's orders. He kept coming with the orders he had done.

Teddy arrives in front of the room, knocks three times, and Ardan goes out to receive his lunch.

"Are you sure, sir?"

"Why is that?"

"You don't like porridge, why do you want to eat chicken porridge now?"

"Why did you become like Sonya, ask so many questions."

"Sorry sir." said Teddy. "Can I help you again, sir?"

"Nothing."

"Good Sir. Enjoy the porridge." Teddy bowed his body and then left where he stood.

Ardan then looked at the nanar styrofoam box containing chicken porridge.

Let's try it! I can definitely!/