HATE Before LOVE
Zehra and The Three Musketeers.

Zehra and the three Musketeers; Ardan, Gavin and Teddy, sit on the couch in Ardan's study, with a coffee table in their midst, after telling about his past that caused Elif to be so unloved by Yanuar, they devise a plan to save Elif from an arranged marriage which they suspect is a form of revenge for Yanuar on Zehra and his family.

"Then what's Aunt's plan?" asked Gavin who was sitting right next to Zehra.

"Mom has only one plan: you have to kidnap Elif!"

"WHAT?!" Ardan, Gavin - even - Teddy was shocked to join the most up-to-date plan they had ever heard in history.

Seeing how the reaction of the three young men in front of him made Zehra no longer know what to do to save her daughter.

"Sorry Aunt, it's not that I don't appreciate Aunt's plan, but we don't think it's the right plan" Gavin said.

"Yes, I know, but I don't know what else to do. The elif could not possibly escape, because Yanuar would definitely look for him and drag him back."

"Actually, I already had a plan before I knew Mr. Yanuar would act like this" said Ardan who then made Zehra and Gavin round eyes filled with hope.

"What is that, son?" ask Zehra.

"Ted, please get Elif's file in my bag."

Teddy without saying directly run Ardan's orders. And came back again by handing Ardan what he asked for. Then, Ardan opened the file containing some documents on the table, right in front of them.

"These are the documents required for the study abroad scholarship. Just ask Elif to fill out the form from the three best Universities from the three countries that I have recommended. After that, the documents were complete and Elif could immediately be ready to leave for the country he chose."

Zehra's eyes were back in tears. He really did not expect that Ardan had prepared all this for the sake of his daughter.

"I'm sorry, Mother Zehra, for not talking about this plan to Mother even Elif herself."

Zehra nodded in understanding, tears had already returned.

Teddy returned to the tissue box.

"How did you prepare all this?" ask Gavin.

"Technically, it was Teddy who prepared everything, I who laid out the plan. Because somehow, I feel like I have a hunch that Mr. Yanuar will not allow Elif to return to pursue his dreams and ideals. And it turns out my hunch is right."

"Well, I'm really not wrong, you and Teddy are worth a thumbs up!"

"Biliyorum." (I know) Ardan said casually. "But to carry out this mission, I need your help, Gav."

"I'll definitely help."

"Alright," Ardan straightened his body. "Didn't Mom say, Adit said last night Mr. Yanuar planned to meet Elif with his old friend the day after?"

"Yes, right."

"That means tomorrow!" Gavin Sahut.

"Alright, then this afternoon we must carry out this mission. Gavin, I'm asking you to pretend to be one of the staff of our scholarship foundation, you're going to say that Elif has registered and that all his requirements have been accepted and Elif is ready to leave. Well, I will explain to Elif and Adit also about this plan so that Elif will not be confused later when Gavin comes. Teddy will be in charge of making sure Elif and Gavin get out of there with no threat. And I'll wait for Elif at the airport to directly take Elif to the save place I had prepared before Elif left." Ardan finished explaining the Elif's rescue mission. "How's it?"

"But are you sure Mr. Yanuar will believe and allow the Elif to leave?"

"Yes, my husband would definitely not give Elif permission."

"I know." replied Ardan. "From what I see, Mr. Yanuar is a person who is very calculating about money and most do not like if he has to spend money especially for the purposes of Elif, is not it?"

Zehra nodded quickly.

"Therefore, Gav, you must emphasize in your explanation that the registration is canceled unilaterally by prospective students, then the prospective student will be fined, we can just say the fine is above 100 million."

"Will Mr Yanuar believe it?"

"of course! I've made a written rule about terms and conditions. You can show him the rules."

"I actually had intended to marry Elif as soon as he finished school. As we once announced in front of Mr. Yanuar's family, but..."

"But what's my son?"

"Either Elif will or not, because that day before Mr. Yanuar came, actually I and Elif had a little quarrel that made us finally decide to end our relationship."

"What?" Gavin surprised. "Whatchu mean? Aren't you doing all this because you love her so much?"

"of course. The quarrel did not change my feelings, heart and love for Elif." Tukas Ardan's. "But I don't know with Elif himself, whether he's still coming back with me or not."

"Don't worry, son. Elif still loves you" Zehra said with confidence.

"W-how did you know?" ask Ardan. He was a little nervous to hear the phrase 'still love you', does that mean all this time his heart did not clap one hand?

"For these four days Elif was just curled up in her room. Just a little bit of eating, not telling anything, not even Mona and Yura could make Elif smile again. It was like losing his spirit and his sun. And I found Elif's phone where the screen showed Nak Ardan's picture with a funny look of surprise."

"Is that really so?" Ardan instantly blushed. Smiling wrongly. That must be the pot Elif took while in the hospital. Turns out you kept it. Inner Ardan pleased.

"Why is your cheek so red?" ask Gavin tease.

"Nope-no. Um, so," Ardan is back in control of his facial expression. "Are you sure Elif won't turn me down?"

"Of course."

"All right then! This mission must succeed!"

Suddenly Ardan's phone rang, and Elif's name was on it.

***

Meanwhile at home, when there is no Adit because Adit is school, and Zehra has not reached home, Yanuar opens the door of the Elif room. Elif sat down without even opening the blanket. His puffy eyes looked at the man he had always known as his father with a strange look. Because Yanuar also came with a strange expression. Elif had never seen Yanuar grin such a strange and frightening manner. Yanuar looked like a starving man and looked at Elif like a fine meal.

"Dad what's up?" Elif reflexively presses the emergency call button on the phone screen that is directly connected to the Ardan number. He also pulled the blanket. His heart was beating in fear. His father was more fearful than if he was angry.

"Dad?" Yanuar smirked, next to his eyebrows rose. Then he chuckles. "Why do you always think of me as a father for everything I've done to you?"

"Because Dad is my father." replied Elif fearfully. He was really scared.

//Hello, Elif, Elif, what's up? Hello Elif?//

"You're a real fool just like your mother. You stupid, shitty women!" Jerk Yanuar.

"Dad what's wrong? Why are you mad at me? Why Yah? What wrong? Why did you never love me?" elif asked with his voice trembling.

While Yanuar stepped slowly closer to the bed. "You really want to know?"

Elif nodded despite hesitation and fear. He could hear the faint voice of Ardan calling him from his cell phone, but he could not answer.

"Because you're not my son! You're not my flesh and blood! You're just your mother's bastard son with a man who doesn't even want you! And I, I must be a father to you. Hmh!"

JEDGER!!!!

It was like being struck by lightning on a very hot day. Elif's body instantly suffocated. Tears escaped just so wet her cheeks that were not even dry yet.

"That-can't be..." Elif shook his head, his voice trembling more and more.

"Dad must be lying..."

"Don't call me Dad! You're not my son!"