The Untold Story
Female Hand
- B's PoV--
*Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Hotel: 2003, Competition Day*
Aditya had already put some of the food I made on his rice plate. He is now even seen starting to arrange the food in his spoon.
The man smiled at me, said 'good meal', before he opened his mouth and.......
One bribe...
I saw Aditya pausing for a moment. The man seemed to think for a while before continuing his meal.
Two mouthfuls....
From Aditya's facial expression, I could see that he seemed to like my cooking. The man ate so well.
Three mouthfuls....
My heart's agitated. This is the third feed. The man really astonished me, why he could not taste the taste of pepper in the food.
Is his tongue numb? Why didn't he stop? Should I stop him? Do I have to.....
"B.... You're not eating? It tastes really good. Thank you." Thank you." Aditya's words made my eyes glaze over. I feel like I'm the worst woman in the world.
This guy's.. Highlight his sincere eyes while eating my food, which I'm sure tastes nothing compared to Auntie Chef's cooking at the mansion. He did not even know that I had put something he should not consume in the food.
Wh why? Why should he respond like this?
Unknowingly I shed tears. Now, I really feel guilty for him.
I have always believed that there are no really bad people in life and vice versa, there are no really good people.
But... Why should he be nice to me and mean to the one I love? Why does he always put me in such a difficult position that he forces me to do something evil to him?
"B... You cried? What was? Did I offend you?" Aditya frowned.
"Don't I just say that your cooking is delicious? I really like it, B!" Aditya clasped my hand and said the sentence solemnly.
"You.... The first person to appreciate my cooking..." I said while wiping away the tears that immediately flowed into the river and were unstoppable.
I lie. I was just looking for an excuse and I didn't enjoy this lie either.
Aditya smiled wryly at me. The man again put a spoonful of rice and side dishes into his mouth and said, "Open your mouth. I'll bribe you. We're eating together, hmmm?"
I'm riveted. My heart is getting sad.
Aditya has offered a mouthful of rice with vegetables and shrimp on it. Even I who feel guilty cannot resist. I opened my mouth and accepted his mouth a spoonful after a spoonful.
Finished bribing me, the man then fed himself. He kept doing it in turn.
I don't know why I just sensed that Aditya was a caring man. Sometimes he even wiped away my tears that I could not stand and hid.
"Don't eat anymore! It doesn't taste very good," I persuaded while trying to take the plate from his presence.
Aditya held my hand. The man then shook his head.
"Whatever is made from the hand of a woman, especially if it is made from the hand of a wife or a mother, then no man can refuse her pleasure," aditya replied with a deep look.
The look of the eyes that had made me stare a few times. Eyes I never knew what it meant.
"Whatever you make for me, I'll love it, B. Thank you." Thank you." Aditya returned to his smile, before then he put another spoon into his mouth.
My daydream flew away. Daydreams about how deep and worth the words he has spoken. It was the daydream that led me to describe who Aditya really was. A man who is mysterious on one side, but full of surprises on the other.
I was still staring at him until something happened after that. Something that then shook my consciousness.
And prang!!!!
The spoon and fork fell off. His loud voice, made my consciousness even more perfect. Simultaneously, I found Aditya banging on his chest.
"IIikkh... Iiiikkh..." The man was like trying to scoop up the various air around him. From the look on his face, I could guess that he was in a lot of pain.
A few seconds later, a great fear suddenly enveloped me. I did not expect that the allergic reaction that would appear on Aditya's body was this kind of tightness. And... The man looked so tormented...
Aditya continued to hold onto his chest. Right now even his body was already lying weakly on the floor of that hotel room.
"Iiikkh.... Ikkh..... Ikkkh....." The man slept in a supine position. His fresh face instantly turned pale.
While I... I don't know what to do now. I wanted to help him but I was scared. I'm really scared.
"Please A-I, B...." I saw Aditya forcefully speaking with a gasp of breath.
At that moment I realized that I had gone completely outrageous. I risked his life. I didn't know that the pepper reaction to Aditya would be this severe.
My hands immediately shook again. How'this? What am I supposed to do?
Did I just run? Should I leave?? Yeah, maybe I should go..
Wasn't this what I planned before? I must leave now before he will get all his strength again and avenge me.
I'll call the receptionist and have someone help her, after which I'll leave this room. I will meet Indra and take the man away from Singapore as soon as possible. Yeah, correct. This is an opportunity for me.
"B-w......" Aditya's face was so pale, like it was not drained of blood at all.
I panicked and called the receptionist for help. But, instead of this feeling getting better, I got more and more agitated.
What if they find out that I did it on purpose? What if they put me in jail?
I'm getting more and more scared. What if he dies? What if I really killed him?
"Bykkkhh.... Iiiikkh..... Iiiikkkhhh..," Aditya's increasingly weakened breath was almost no longer heard in my ear.
I panicked and ran to get my suitcase, which was still near the door. We just arrived. We haven't even managed to fill that suitcase. But at least it made it easier for me to escape.
With trembling hands, cold sweat that kept pouring out, I was even preparing to open my bedroom doorknob back then.
I've already decided. I had to leave Aditya in that room. Soon there will be someone to help her.
"B..... T-please...." Aditya's voice was heard again. Before I actually left, I stared at his body.
That guy..... Trying to stick his hand out to me and..... Tear down.
At that moment, I felt my heart being sliced. I really hurt him. Hurt him with what he believed.
"Whatever is made from the hand of a woman, especially if it is made from the hand of a wife or a mother, then no man can refuse her pleasure," aditya's words came back to my mind.
I looked back at Aditya. The man is still in the same position. Helpless, lying, and almost dead.
"I'm sorry......." I said an apology to him while looking at the man's face wistfully, before then I closed the door of our room.... Without intending to return.
Ii'm sorry.... Adityas......
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*Esplanade, Singapore: 2003, Day Night*
I am currently inside an art building called Esplanade. The building was built about one year ago, looks so magnificent with the architectural form of the building that resembles durian fruit.
Many people say that this building is predicted to be the most luxurious performing arts building owned by the Lion Country. And I immediately believed in the news, as soon as I set foot there.
Don't ask how the interior is? This building is no less luxurious with performing arts buildings in European countries.
Like the performance building in general, this building is equipped with a magnificent stage, located at the front. Meanwhile, in the middle to the back, I saw thousands of audience seats arranged in such a way that added an elegant impression. In addition, I found many floodlights installed on various sides to make the stage more festive. Not to forget the walls and floors are dominated by wood, which further adds to the privilege and exoticism of this building.
After being satisfied to enjoy the building, I immediately looked for the whereabouts of the committee and did a re-list there. They asked me where my partner was and I could only answer that he would follow.
The re-list is now done. One of the organizers then gave me the number of participants to wear later during the competition. Another committee is now a guide for me so I can find the presence of the participant dressing room.
"This is your... Enjoy!" The women's committee who delivered me told me that this was my room.
The room is 3x3 which is so minimalist. Even so there remains an expensive impression left behind.
"Okay.. Thank you..." I replied to the girl with a smile.
Just as the young lady was about to leave me alone, I then thought of Franky and intended to inquire about his changing room.
"Do my partner and I share the same room or do we have our own?" I asked him to stop his steps.
"Both of you will share the same room," replied the girl kindly. I nodded my head in response.
Frankie... I just have to wait for him. We have the same dressing room. I was just waiting for him here and there was no need to look around, I thought.
"Is there anything else, Miss?" The girl asked to make sure that there was nothing else I wanted to ask her.
"No.... Everything is clear enough... Thank you," I replied, not forgetting to thank you for your help.
The woman left me alone in that room. Quickly, I then closed the door of my dressing room tightly and sat my body while leaning behind the closed door.
I can't hold it anymore. Whatever the beauty of this building, the hospitality of the organizers of the event, was unable to make me escape the guilt and worry that so dominates.
I could probably pretend nothing happened in front of them. I might be able to smile to respond to them. However, I couldn't do it while I was dealing with myself, just like what was happening right now.
I who was helpless to face myself, now can only put my palms to cover my face and cry again because of the guilt that is so deep. These two palms.... Which a few hours ago he grasped warmly, the same two palms, which were also trying to hurt him.
Adityas..... Hope they help you soon... Hope someone helps you...
Excuse me... Ii'm sorry...
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*Esplanade, Show Room: 2003*
And here I am, right now, backstage at the Esplanade. Five more minutes is my turn to perform with Franky. However, until now I could not find the figure of the man's wit anywhere.
Franky's like he's lost in the swallow of the earth. He is not in our dressing room. He was not backstage either.
I felt anxious at once. Did Franky really mean not to come? Why is everything falling apart like this?
Backstage, I was still going around looking for Franky. I don't feel tired looking for it. I certainly don't want to end up being a disqualifying participant.
"Bellatrix Atmaja, are you here?..." I heard my name called by a male committee.
"Yes, I am...." I half shouted to answer his call because my position was quite far from his position.
"Where is your partner?" The man looked around.
"M-my partner is...... Franky!!!!" My heart felt relieved. Suddenly I could find Franky backstage. Without delay, I immediately shouted his name.
"Please be ready! Two minutes and the stage is yours" said the male organizer and left us both.
I immediately grabbed Franky's hand and took him to the stage. I really wanted to vent my anger on him.
"Where have you been? I almost died of worry, Franky," I said in a half-banging tone.
"Bella's... Sorry, I can't," Franky clenched his hands together, a symbol that he was apologizing.
I immediately frowned at me. I really don't understand what he means.
"What do you mean Franky? Can't do what?" I'm rattled. That guy really confused me.
"Look! You're even wearing other clothes. What's wrong with you, Franky?" I kept on chattering and still tried to convince myself that everything would be fine.
"I can't accompany you to the stage. That's not the deal...." Franky was nervous. I increasingly do not understand the meaning of his words.
"Please, don't talk bouncy first.we both need to focus....." My words paused automatically when I heard the sound from the stage.
"So... I present to you..... From Indonesia's... Dancers Number 8...." MC's voice boomed at the same time as all the obscurity I felt. The applause of the lively audience adds its own burden to me now.
That MC voice called me and Franky. We are the number eight dance couple. It's time for us to dance on stage.
"Come, Franky!!" I pulled Franky's hand and tried to drag him onto the stage. However, the man seemed to turn off his steps.
"Please, Bella! This is not the deal" Franky said continuously without stopping.
What mean??? The testaments... What agreement??? Why did that word just keep coming out of his mouth??
"Franky, you can ask for anything later, but please.... Don't......" I suddenly stopped my words.
I'm riveted. My body suddenly shook again. I saw another figure standing behind Franky. A person I know very well.
A figure I never expected to be in the middle of all the drama that happened between us last afternoon. The figure that should still be lying weakly inside his room.
That figure... He approached me. The man has now removed the body of Franky who was facing me. He even thrust his hand right in front of my face, saying, "Shall we dance.... B?"
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Happy reading! Not curious anymore, right?? Hehehe..