CHAPTER 10

"Mother...." Bella sent a message to her mother.

After a few minutes, the message was answered.

"Yes, what is up?"

"Want to vent," Bella replied to the message while pursing her lips.

"About Aris?"

Bella was surprised, how could her mother know about Aris. Whereas she had never told about this?

"How did you know? Bella hasn't told me yet." Bella asked curiously. Even she began to guess. 'Has Aris told mother first?' the monologue.

The virtual conversation via Whatsapp went smoothly like a toll road. Mother and daughter exchanged messages with each other earnestly.

"Aris tells everything to mother, he has asked for his blessing."

"Huh? He's that serious, Mom?"

"Yes, how does Bella feel? It's Bella who asks for proof."

"Ouch... Bella's confused."

Mrs. Luluk stopped the activity of replying to the message, besides she had to go back to work.

The shady-faced middle-aged woman deliberately lets her daughter make her own decisions, for Bella should be able to judge Aris's actions, even knowing what decisions she should make.

Before Aris confessed his feelings to Bella, he contacted Mrs. Luluk first, told a story and then asked for his blessing.

Yes, Aris is very close to that woman. Like a biological mother, Mrs. Luluk did not hesitate to reprimand, advise, and even get angry at Aris if the man made a mistake. On the other hand, if Aris lacks capital, Aris does not hesitate to ask for help and Mrs. Luluk does not hesitate to give it to Aris.

Aris Sabarudin considers her a second mother because Luluk's name plays a vital role in Aris's life.

"Mother, Bella is confused, not to mention that there is a child at the boarding house who is close to Bella." The girl sent a message to her mother again, it could be seen from her beautiful face that now stiffened. Her mother didn't reply. That choice made Bella's heart even more worried.

Bella Kurnia Sari is a woman who is cheerful yet friendly, also firm at times. But never make her angry until she is disappointed.

Because once she was disappointed, there were no more apologies or opportunities.

***

Soon they arrived at the Mall. Aris rolled up the sleeves of his jacket slightly. His eyes darted around the mall. While Rania occasionally refreshes her loose hair.

"What do you want to buy?" asked Aris.

"I think I need to buy a t-shirt, I left my clothes in Jakarta yesterday," replied Rania as she followed Aris' steps from behind.

Then Aris walked to one of the famous shops in the Mall there.

"Ris, don't stay there." Rania evened out her steps and then slightly restrained Aris by pulling the sleeve of his jacket.

"Why?" asked Aris curiously.

"Let's take a walk first, Ris later there is another better shop." Rania grinned showing her straight teeth while pointing towards the other end with her chin.

Then they walked along every corner of the Mall, both of them occasionally laughing out loud, pointing at each other, as if to tell something they had encountered.

That day was the happiest moment for Rania. Until they were right in front of them. There was a woman who was very, very beautiful.

"Ris," Rania called, still focused on the woman.

"Hmmm... what's wrong?" asked Aris. The man is now busy with his cellphone.

"Look," said Rania.

Aris looked up and followed the direction of the chin of the woman beside him. Then the blind spotlight fell on a woman wearing a hijab, fair-skinned, her face was lovely and sweet, Aris frowned.

"So what?" asked Aris surprised.

"There's a girl, don't you flirt?"

"No, you're jealous, you're hurt, I'm still being blamed."

The two of them stopped.

"If I eat my heart and I'm jealous, I've been eating it for a long time, so I'm used to it and my heart is immune." Said Rania with a trembling voice. The girl was trying her best to keep her feelings hidden.

The sentence just now made Aris feel slapped, he confirmed the girl's obedience, for a moment the image of his guilt toward Rania danced in his brain.

"Suppose I'm flirting with a girl now. Or for example, I currently have a girlfriend of my choice, are you sure you're normal?" asked Aris firmly, analyzing every line of expression on Rania's face.

Rania still looks calm. "Oh, that's... as expected, Ris, right?"

Aris frowned. Hearing that, Aris suddenly looked at her with a sharp surprise. Feeling that his Rania knew something, Aris stuttered. "What was that?" he asked frantically.

"The woman you called. I just heard about it."

Aris's confused and disbelieving face looks so natural.

Rania took a deep breath. "So how was the result accepted?" Then Rania turned her gaze in any direction to hide her wound.

Aris didn't move, he was shocked that Rania knew everything. Meanwhile, he tried to hide everything about Bella from her so that the girl would not feel hurt.

"The face is normal. There's nothing to worry about, Ris." Rania said calmly and reassuringly.

"Are you sure?" asked Aris in the end, the man confirmed with a probing look. Rania nodded firmly.

The bustling atmosphere made the severe conversation not last long, realizing that many people were starting to look at them, Aris narrowed his eyes and formed a frown of astonishment on his forehead.

"You don't have to buy clothes, let's just go home, I just remembered that I have work to do." Rania's words were more than enough to answer that the girl was heartbroken.

Then Rania turned and walked towards the parking lot quickly. Aris stood there, still with feelings and thoughts that he couldn't explain.

Arriving at the parking lot, Aris tried to calm down again.

"Ran, I can explain, we'll have a good talk, okay. Don't be like this. What are you doing?" Aris paused his sentence while trying to grab the girl's hand but hesitated, in the end he stopped it, "are you angry?" made Rania feel more and more pain in her heart, it was absurd in there.

Rania is now looking at Aris closely and deeply.

"I... don't know what's going on between the two of you." Rania smiled bitterly, the girl was still staring intently at the man in front of her. "But for sure, I will be the happiest woman if you are happy, Ris. I am grateful that I finally found the answer. This heart affair is transparent. Whoever becomes your companion, she is the luckiest woman."

Aris looked at the eyes of the eye with a look of pity. The man didn't know what to say, Rania's words pierced his heart. Then the girl left there still with a calm face but this time with teary eyes.

"Wait, Ran!" Aris tried to stop her steps. Suddenly the girl turned, now the two were back facing each other but now there was a distance.

At first glance, Aris stared intently at Rania as the woman whose heart was now being torn apart lowered her head. Rania's facial expression was indescribable.

Rania's eyes changed for a few seconds from disappointment, jealousy, and anger. Then she averted her gaze. She was avoiding Aris's intimidating gaze.

Aris walked over to Rania. Now the two of them are facing so close, Aris is standing with his hands on his hips with a wrinkled forehead. A chuckle filled with annoyance escaped his lips.

"Aris." Just one word that Rania said, Aris then poured out his anger. Explodes instantly. "Stop, Ran! Stop pretending and make me feel guilty, as if I'm a bastard boy who consciously hurts you, I'm an incompetent guy!" His eyes widened

"I've learned to accept you, but other feelings require me to stay away from you," he continued while exhaling roughly.

"I want to go home...." Rania tried to ignore what Aris had just said. The girl turned her gaze to the side, avoiding Aris's gaze.

Hearing Rania's request, Aris frowned.

"If you can accept everything, why suddenly change? Don't buy clothes, now ask to come home suddenly. Try to remember what happened earlier, you were the one fishing to make everything open, even though I've tried to cover everything so you don't get hurt," said Ares.

"I told you, I suddenly remembered that I have work to do, that's all. If you still want to be here that's fine. I can take an online motorcycle taxi home." Then Rania left Aris, who was still frozen.

The man with exotic skin and a muscular body felt guilty, but he couldn't do anything.

Aris felt that he had to let her get hurt this time because no matter what. Sooner or later Aris will tell Rania about Bella, that girl should know, for a much better life, without any expectations from him.

***

Days keep changing. Aris has entered a new chapter in the world of love, which he strives for and he enjoys the process of winning the heart of the woman he idolizes. Likewise with Bella.

The black hoodie and the long gray striped skirt she wore wrapped her body. Pashmina which is her trademark is neatly attached to the head. The net look full of happiness shone on her beautiful face. She sat up straight with a smile, accompanied by a sparrow.

The place to hang out that she missed so much now she stepped back, with a different atmosphere and feeling. This time someone was waiting for her there.

"Welcome, Bella." Hafid's smile greeted him warmly.

Bella and Pipit then took a seat.

Then small talk, even high school experience chatter just flowed, then many things they discussed together.

Unlike usual, this time Bella and Hafid's meeting was so memorable. Now the girl will give a particular room to a man with a handsome face and politeness in her heart.

The three of them chatted with each other. Pipit also participated in it. There was also a warm friendship between them.

"I didn't think you could change drastically like now, you used to be a bit of a tomboy, but now you're even more beautiful with your hijab."

"Don't just believe in appearances, Fid, Bella is still a dilapidated person." Pipit replied, Hafid laughed out loud.

It makes the atmosphere more fluid because it is decorated with light laughter.

"Oh, yes? But now more and more people glance at Bella, don't you? Who knows, after emigrating, she will meet her soul mate," said Hafid teasingly while raising his eyebrows several times.

"Oh, there is!" Sparrow interrupted excitedly. Answer the question quickly. Suddenly Bella rolled her eyes and pinched Pipit's hand. The girl who used to be a tomboy now decided to wear a hijab, squeezing Pipit's hand until her best friend groaned in pain.

****

From the other side there was someone who stood and froze, he looked at that shining face with a big smile. Now and then he chuckles while staring at his phone screen.

His Bella looks so pretty. A little stubborn but soft-hearted at the same time. Aris can feel it all clearly since the first day he met her, even without meeting eye contact

Amid his smile, suddenly a worry took over his heart. Instantly, the smile disappeared from his face. Aris is still afraid that Bella will accept other men more than him.

Is it true that the girl who has been struggling all this time can accept? Aris is afraid that his love will be unrequited, especially since their introduction is only virtual so Bella has the right to change her decision. It's hard to get a chance from her let alone her heart after the struggle.

Then Aris thought of something. Hope this will help him convey his love seriously face to face and then nicely propose to her. In a week Bella's birthday. Aris intends to come to Ponorogo to visit Bella and her father. Explain his good intentions openly.

"There's still time to pray and then continue to struggle to knock on her heart for a week. Hopefully Bella will still give me a chance." He muttered softly as he pushed his hair back, then he sighed restlessly.

***

"Okay, it's over, everyone. Thank you!" Rania put her hands together to thank the employees who helped out at the outlet today.

Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. Saying Hamdallah for today's packing which was finished earlier. For cosmetic packaging and boutiques, turnover has skyrocketed. Rania has also taken part in the Daily Adista outlet for days.

"It's getting more and more famous by the day, Mrs. Rania's outlet!" said one of the employees.

Rania hears it.

"This is all thanks to you. For your hard work, Daily Adista is getting more and more famous among young and old, from the upper, middle and lower classes. Anyway, thank you!"

All employees applauded, then they smiled proudly at Rania at her young age, being able to have a business and open up jobs for many people, there was a mixture of emotion and gratitude. Rania vents her hurt on positive things, don't know how long she will work hard from morning to night.

"We're happy these days you've been direct, usually behind the scenes," said Delisa, Rania's employee and friend, looking away.

"Keep up the spirit, Rania Adista!" Delisa grabbed Rania's chin and teased Delisa, knowing her best friend was feeling very well. The girl laughed and said, "I'm already four or five, excited, excited!"

Not long after, the object in Rania's bag vibrated. Nia takes her out from there.

"Who, Ran?" Delisa asked probing.

The girl didn't move, her eyes were fixed on the screen of her phone.

"About Aris?" Lisa asked again.

Rania nodded while unlocking her cellphone screen.

"What do you want him to do?" Delisa asked again. Making Rania glared sharply for a moment. "How would I know, Delisa Maharani! I haven't even opened Neysa's message, do you want to read it?" she answered exasperatedly.

Delisa pursed her lips. "Fortunately, my friend is patient, yes, she is already insensitive, even more honest, he is close to other girls," said Lisa later. The girl was so upset after hearing Rania's story about Aris.

Ignoring Delisa, Rania turned her attention back to the screen. Her forehead furrowed again as she read the line after line of sentences.

"What does this mean?" Rania asked surprised. She was still staring at the lit cell phone.

"Why, Ran?" Delisa also looked at the screen, then immediately became transfixed.

Lisa slowly looked at Rania's face which had turned sad. A flash of anger and disappointment was depicted there.

"Ran, I think that's enough, it's useless for you to wait for someone who is—" Delisa's sentence was cut off. Rania Adista just left it there.

"Rania!" Her screams were useless because Rania walked very fast.

Delisa sighed, patted her forehead hard, and put her hands on her hips. Watching Rania's back that went away was covered in wounds.

Rania has arrived outside the Outlet. She sat in a chair facing the parking lot. She stared at her cellphone screen, which had provided painful information.

Rania decided to contact Aris. The first time the girl got the man again was since her meeting yesterday and Aris's painful confession.

"Busy, huh?" Rania sent the message without hesitation, even without a preamble.

Not long after, Aris replied, "Hi, Ran. How are you?"

Rania did not answer the question. She quickly forwarded the message she had just received to Aris's number.

While Aris was there, he was surprised to read the message that Rania had just sent.

His face was tense. His jaw clenched as his eyes glazed over and he began to guess. "Who messaged Rania?"

"So you went to East Java? Wow, that fast?"

The piercing question from Rania pierced Aris's heart. Sentences that contain facts that he can not deny. He was sure that he had hurt Rania's heart more deeply, but he thought this was better than late. He knew things would worsen when Rania found out about Bella, the girl became more sensitive.

"Neysa said?"

"Answer, Ris, you want to follow that woman?"

Aris ruffled his hair roughly. "Shit!" he snarled loudly.

Aris felt cornered for a moment. He was not moving in front of the woman he hurt again for his honesty.

"Sister Ran, Brother Aris said goodbye to mother, if you want to go to the East Java area, Neysa doesn't know exactly, did you go with Sis Rania too?"

Rania could understand that line of sentences quickly, where else would an Aris go if he didn't meet the woman.

"So, you are in love with her until you are willing to go all the way to meet her?"