Chapter 93

After missing more than a week of classes because she was too absorbed in her grief, today Mauren returned to class. She mustn't get too wrapped up in her sadness, she must remember that her goal in college is to graduate as a great doctor. A doctor who can treat people who suffer from illnesses like the one her father suffered from yesterday.

"Come on Mauren, you have to do it. Your father would be proud if one day you managed to become a doctor like his wish."

Bracing herself, Mauren began to walk into the campus area where she was studying. She didn't go straight to her faculty building, she took the time to go to the public library to return some books that she had borrowed.

When she arrived at one of the corridors, she accidentally saw Arka with Naya. The woman smiled when she saw Arka noticing her. As she was about to approach the man, Mauren suddenly stopped her steps. The smile that had been on her lips instantly faded when she saw Arka leave right after seeing her.

"Arka, why did he leave? He even saw me. Is it possible that she doesn't want to see me anymore?" 

It turned out that the reason why Arka left before Mauren could reach her was because the man didn't want to fight with Naya anymore. He was with Naya, so if Mauren came to him, he was afraid that Naya would get upset and end up angry. That's why he chose to avoid Mauren.

"That was Mauren, right?" Naya asked after she was taken by her husband to the cafeteria.

"Which one?" Arka asked. The man decided to pretend he didn't see Mauren. 

"You didn't see her?"

Arka shook her head.

"That's okay. By the way, why did you invite me here? Didn't we have breakfast earlier? Do you want to have breakfast again?"

Arka instantly came to her senses. Honestly, she didn't realize she had brought Naya to the cafeteria. She had just been walking and ended up in the cafeteria.

"Arka."

"I'm thirsty for a drink. Do you want a drink too?"

"Sure."

"Wait here, don't go anywhere, I'll order a drink first."

Naya just nodded. Right after Arka left, she looked down. Naya knew her husband was just pretending he hadn't seen her earlier. Naya even saw with her own two eyes that Arka was looking at Mauren and vice versa.

"I hope you keep your word not to get in touch with her again."

:::

Mauren was confused by Arka's attitude. All of a sudden the man seemed to stay away from her. Even when she tried to send a message it always failed, was her number blocked? If so, what was so wrong that the man had to block her number?

Not finished with her sadness of losing her father, now Mauren had to be sad thinking about Arka's attitude who suddenly stayed away from her for no reason. 

Is it possible that Arka was asked by Naya to stay away from her? 

When she was focused on thinking about the reason why Arka suddenly avoided her, Mauren suddenly got a call from someone. Someone who made him want to get away from her but it was so difficult.

"Where are you?"

"On campus."

"Why haven't you picked up my call since last night? Do you want to avoid me?"

"No."

"Come to my house later after college. I don't want to wait any longer, I want to see that man destroyed right away!"

Without replying to the words of the person who was talking to him on the phone line, Mauren immediately disconnected the call unilaterally.

"When will I ever get away from him! If only I hadn't accepted his offer back then, maybe I wouldn't feel trapped like this."

Mauren, the woman deeply regretted accepting someone's offer to work with her. If only she hadn't accepted the offer back then, her life would have been peaceful.

:::

In the evening, Mauren went to the person who had contacted her earlier in the day. To be honest, the woman was reluctant to come there but because of the threat she was finally forced to come there.

"You understand our plan, right?"

Mauren nodded.

"I want you to do as I tell you. Anyway, our plan must succeed."

"Isn't this too much? I'm scared. What if she sues me?"

"Never mind that won't happen. I've taken care of everything. All you have to do is do everything according to my directions. You understand, right?"

Again Mauren could only nod. Honestly, he was afraid to do that person's orders, but he couldn't do anything about it either.

:::

In another place, Arka seemed to be daydreaming. I don't know why since seeing Mauren earlier made him daydream so often.

Honestly, Arka really wanted to go to Mauren. Ask her where she's been for the past week. Why did she suddenly disappear without any news. Arka was afraid something would happen to her. Especially now that he had blocked Mauren's number, so she couldn't contact him.

Arka's behavior was easily guessed by Naya. Naya, who knew that her husband had been busy daydreaming, could only remain silent. Without saying anything Naya knew that her husband was thinking about Mauren.

"Arka."

Arka snapped out of her reverie as soon as she heard Naya call out to her. 

"What's wrong?"

"I should be the one asking. What's wrong with you, I've noticed you've been daydreaming. Are you thinking about Mauren?"

Hearing that question, Arka remained silent.

"I know you saw him earlier, right? You lied and told me that you didn't see her. You did that to protect my feelings. Arka, I hope you will stay that way. Please, don't ever see her again. I'm doing this for the integrity of our home. I don't want any more arguments in our household."

"I'm sorry, Nay. I can't lie to you. Honestly, what you said is true. I was thinking about Mauren."

"She suddenly disappeared for a week. Disappeared without any news. I'm just afraid of what might have happened to her. She only has a father, she's an only child and her mother died a long time ago. There's nowhere for her to go, I'm just afraid something has happened to him that made her disappear for a week."

"How much do you know about her? You said you were only close as a lecturer and student, but it turns out you're much closer than that. You even know she's an only child, you also know she only lives with her father. Does Dis often talk to you about her life?"

"Nay..."

"I'm the same way. If she only has a father, I only have a mother. I only lived with my mom long before I knew you. She still has a father, a man who can take care of her. As for me, you know how hard my life was with my mother. Since childhood I never had a protective figure of a man. Until you came along. You are now the man who protects me. If you protect another woman now, then who will protect me again?"