Sun Princess & Snow Prince
Episode 76 - The Most Complicated Decision

~ Hardest decision to take for the sake of family ~

No matter how many hours had passed, Avelia could only fall silent staring at the door of the operating room. By her side, Lily sat down, sobbing softly while holding her hand. In the other seat ranks, Ajie is alone. While the father-in-law of Ajie, Jaya and Danu and Pak Aaron stood not far from Ajie.

Everyone's face looks grim. However, Avelia's face was the most pitiful.

Guilt filled the heart of the girl now. Especially after he found out that Papa heard all his words to Ajie this afternoon.

Avelia had no idea that Papa's heart was in trouble long before they met again. That's why Papa is busy making arrangements for all his children. Papa wants them all married before he leaves. Because Papa doesn't want Ave to be sad, so Papa forbids Ajie to tell Ave.

Papa hasn't taken care of business since the last two years. His concentration moved only to think of ways for Avelia to return to Indonesia, marry someone who could make her happy and occasionally figure out how to extend the strength of her weakened heart.

That's why Ajie won't wait anymore either. Marry Lily as soon as possible.

My Big Monkey's...

Ave's tears are flowing again. He truly regretted his emotions. All this time he could cover it up. Ave should have done that anyway, bringing the secret of his darkest part of life to death.

The sound of footsteps approaching made everyone turn to the origin of the sound. Amy approaches while holding a brown envelope. Behind him were two assistants. They brought dinner.

Amy approaches Ajie first and they talk about something. After hearing Ajie's instructions for a while, Amy moved closer to Avelia.

"Ave... "

Avelia. Amy's hand pulled something out from inside the plastic bag her assistant was carrying.

"There's a sandwich. Eat first! Don't get it later when Mr. Fariz comes out, even you who passed out," persuaded Amy while offering a box of food containing sandwiches. Then he also gave another box to Lily, who nodded in thanks. Lily stands up, takes her to Ajie, persuades her husband to eat.

Ave stared for a bit before picking up one of the triangular sandwiches. But after a few bites, he felt full. Put the sandwich back in the box and just take the bottle of milk that Amy thrust at him again, sipping it slowly.

"Oh yeah, there was this. Mr. Fariz took it and fell on the floor. Because it's your name, Ma'am bring it here" Amy said, handing over a large brown envelope.

"This...what?" ask Ave weakly. Amy shakes. Don't know. He did not want to open an envelope that was clearly not for him even though it was not glued.

Without asking any more, Ave opened the envelope. A map of documents is visible and a folded sheet of paper falls to the floor. Amy takes it and hands it to Ave. A map of the document in Ave's hand was placed on his lap, while he began to unfold and read the sheet of paper that had fallen earlier.

A letter.

A tear fell on the letter. But Ave rushed to fold it back before everyone saw it. Then he put the letter in his pants pocket. He had no interest in finding out the contents of the map in the brown envelope and just put it back in.

Ave no longer cares about the contents of the map. It may contain a letter of agreement so that Zaid doesn't approach him anymore. Or maybe about The Crown's shares. If Papa takes her, maybe it's his. At the moment Ave doesn't want to think about anything.

Ave gives Amy the brown envelope. "Let's love Papa. The other one belongs to Papa. Ave already got a letter for Ave."

Ave's mind was really mixed. His emotions are not bad. He can't think much at the moment. He doesn't know what to do. All he knew was that his relationship with Zaid was impossible. He has to make a choice. Two choices that would both break his heart.

"Zaid's in the hospital lobby" Amy whispered to Ave. The girl sat down next to Ave while taking back the brown map.

Ave turned to Amy and saw Amy smiling understandingly at her. Without a word, he patted Ave's hand. Letting the dumbstruck Ave stand still.

Just then, the door of the operating room opened. Some people dressed in blue clothes came out. Ajie stood up and immediately approached them. The doctor who stood at the very front explained Papa's current state.

The news made a relieved expression visible on the faces of everyone waiting. Only Ave remained in the waiting chair. Seeing his sister looking down silently, Ajie approached her and crouched down in front of her.

Like when Ave was a child, Ajie grabbed his sister's hand, grasping it tightly.

"Papa's okay. Go home first, Ve! Rest up. Tonight let Mas and Jaya accompany Papa. You go home with Dad and Lily, yes" said Ajie softly.

Ave's lips trembled as she began to speak. "Mas... "

"Here, don't cry anymore! If Papa sees you like this, he'll be even sadder. Calm yourself yes! Tomorrow if Papa is conscious, you should be calm again. We'll talk later" Ajie said in a soft voice and then stood up, stroking his sister's hair before talking to Lily and Amy.

Ave could only nod. He was grateful, Ajie did not look angry at him at all. Nor does he blame her. It's hard for Ave to talk now, even to apologize.

After that, they marched out to the hospital parking lot, past the lobby. Lily and her father walk in front with Jaya. Amy and Ave are back. Ave doesn't realize anything, just walking in Amy's footsteps. In the lobby, Amy stopped her steps. Ave turned to Amy who was pointing in one direction.

In the hospital lobby, the atmosphere was already very quiet. The chairs that are used to waiting also appear empty. Except one chair.

Zayd sat there. Like old times. Waiting in silence. Unasked. Just sitting down, accompanying Ave from a distance.

Seeing him sitting around waiting like that, made Ave feel much calmer. When Lily was just giving birth, Zaid was waiting for her like that. Zaid never said anything, but his presence was enough for Ave.

"You're coming home with Zaid, right? Later let me tell you, Miss Lily," Amy said while hugging Ave. "Tomorrow you should be excited again huh Ve. We have to give Mr. Fariz our support."

Lily also looked at Ave. "Speak to him, Ve!" said the woman before returning to walk by her father's side and Jaya, leaving Ave.

Ave nodded at Amy and walked towards Zaid. Ave approached. But each step was like approaching a cliff. Now, a decision has to be made. Like it or not. Right or wrong. Ave has to choose.

Zaid's bowed head lifted as he looked at the tip of Ave's shoe. The man smiled at Ave.

"Eat already?" zaid asked while standing up to let Ave hug him. The girl rested her head on Zaid's chest.

"It has. It was forced on Amy's mother."

"You home? You haven't rested yet" asked Zaid.

Ave nodded.

"Wait for me in front of the lobby! I'll get the bike first! Don't forget to tell Lily that you're coming home with me" Zaid said.

Ave looked up before nodding. For a moment he was surprised to hear Zaid on a motorcycle. But at last he just kept quiet and nodded.

Zaid turned around, walking quickly to where the motorbike was parked.

While Ave looked at the back of the young man who was away. Trying not to think that maybe this is the time to say goodbye.

Ave didn't want to do it. But Ave only has Papa. He has lost Mama and Ave knows how painful it is to get through those days. Inevitably he had to make the toughest decision of his life.

****

Author Notes:

Is there a lot of whispers?