The roar of the ambulance siren broke the quietness of the night. The ambulance ran in high speed. It raced with the time to save Chin Hwa’s life. Qeiza didn’t let go of Chin Hwa’s hand for a second. He was still unconscious. In silence, Qeiza kept praying, hoping her fiancé would be alright. No matter if their wedding had to be postponed. The most important thing was that Chin Hwa was safe. Ansel arrived at the spot when all the tense had ended. Just some policemen were still there, putting up the police line. “Shit! I’m always late.” Ansel hit the empty space. He had warned his ex-wife about the danger that harmed her life. Nevertheless, Qeiza seemed not to take it seriously. He also had sent someone to watch her. Unluckily, he still lost fast. Ansel went back to his car. “Follow the ambulance!” He ordered the taxi driver he rented. The taxi went away. “Faster!” Ansel was impatient. He was really worried about Qeiza. Ansel reached into his pocket. He pulled his phone out of th
“Oppa ….” Qeiza whispered while opening her eyes. She was upset when she could not find Dae Hyun by her side. “You’re awake, dear,” said Alina. “Thank goodness!” “Aunty, why are you here?” As long as she remembered, before she lost her consciousness, she was with Dae Hyun. “It’s not the point, dear,” said Alina. “How are you feeling?” Qeiza felt all over her body sore. Her bones were like crushed, hard to move. “Thank goodness you’re awake, Qei,” said Ansel. He had just come into the room. Qeiza was getting surprised. Why her ex-husband and ex-mother-in-law accompanied her. Where was Dae Hyun? Ansel moved aside when the doctor and nurse wanted to check Qeiza. He gave them the space to do their jobs. “You just need to take a rest, Miss,” said the doctor. “Within two days, you may go home.” “But, Doc—” “It’s for your sake, Qei,” interrupted Ansel. “Don’t argue!” The doctor and the nurse left the room after writing a prescription for Qeiza. Qeiza tried to sit up. She didn’t wa
If life gives you a misery, it will also prepare a pleasant surprise for you. Just keep patient till the time comes. *** “Can’t you drive faster?” Ansel mumbled on the back seat. Xander glanced at Ansel’s ugly face through the rear-view mirror. “This is a maximum speed that government recommends.” Ansel grumbled unclearly. It made Xander show his mocking smile while averting the focus of his attention back to the street. “Do you know where Chin Hwa’s uncle’s house?” asked Xander. “It’s too late to find it out now,” said Ansel. “Just go straight to the moslem cemetery. I’m sure he’s going to be buried there.” Xander drove his car to the nearest moslem cemetery from the business center district. When they arrived there, most of the mourners had left. Ansel strode entering the cemetery. His eyes moved wildly to find Qeiza among the crowds of the people who were leaving that place. He was not aware that Qeiza was walking out of the right side of the cemetery gate. They crossed pat
People will forget a thousand of your kindness just because of one mistake you do. Thus, keep doing good. *** Dae Hyun stood up on the top of the stairs, looking downstairs. He was keeping his eyes on Qeiza and the spouse talking in the living room. He wanted to listen to their conversation, but he was too far away. He just could guess from the facial expressions of those two guests. They looked disappointed. After they went away, Dae Hyun came closer to Qeiza. “So, you refused their request?” asked Dae Hyun. He sat on the opposite of Qeiza. Qeiza nodded. “But, I’ll escort them to the airport,” she said. “You don’t mind, do you?” “When’s?” “Tonight.” “Then, I’ll go with you.” “No need, Oppa,” said Qeiza. “I’ll be alright.” “This is Paris, Ae, It’s not too safe for women.” Dae Hyun stood up. “If you don’t allow me to go with you, it’ll be better for you to cancel your intention.” Dae Hyun stared seriously at Qeiza. He was really not willing to let her go to the airport with n
“Where did you get it?” Qeiza observed the thing on Dae Hyun’s palm. Her eyes widened when she recognized it. She stretched out her hand to take it. “I picked it up on the hospital floor.” Dae Hyun immediately clenched his fingers. He folded his arm so the thing kept staying in his hand. “That’s my brooch, Oppa!” Qeiza held out her hand. Hoping Dae Hyun would hand it willingly. Dae Hyun stretched out his fingers again. “Do you know what this is?” He turned the brooch ups and down, observing it carefully. Qeiza grabbed the brooch from Dae Hyun’s hand. She also examined it with a frowning forehead. “Just a usual brooch,” she said. “Where did you buy it?” Qeiza stared deeply at Dae Hyun. She felt weird with her adopted brother’s query. “That’s a present from Chin … Hwa.” Her throat felt choked when she mentioned Chin Hwa’s name. Her face turned into gloomy. Dae Hyun took a deep breath. He caressed the top of Qeiza’s head. “He had rested in peace.” “No wonder he could find you
Standing by the fence to the balcony, Qeiza could see a small swimming pool followed the contour of the balcony. “Wow!” Qeiza was blown away. She had ever said that she wanted to see a swimming pool when she stood on the balcony of her bedroom. She did not think Dae Hyun would memorize that all and made it came true. A garden of cactus also pampered her eyes. “You can jump down freely from here,” teased Dae Hyun while looking down. “I think I should try to do it one day.” Qeiza also looked down. “Ouch!” Qeiza screamed. Dae Hyun tapped her head. “Why do you like tapping my head so much?” Qeiza grumbled, caressing the imprint of Dae Hyun’s tap. “You seemed to need an alarm.” Dae Hyun smiled in amusement when he looked at Qeiza’s pouting face. “It’s better for you to take a rest right now,” said Dae Hyun. “I’m going to take a bath. My body’s feeling sticky.” Qeiza waved her hands. She kicked him out to immediately leave her. He always teased her. “If you need something, just ca
“Qeiza! Don’t joke too much!” Amira scolded Qeiza. “What if Mr. and Mrs. Santoso get heart attack, huh?” “Ah, hahaha ….” Santoso laughed again. “So, it’s just kidding, right?” Mrs. Santoso just shook her head while caressing her chest. Raditya exposed a slight smile only. Qeiza sighed and said in a low voice, “It’s up to you if you don’t buy it." “Qei!” Abbas yelled at her. He gave her a deadly stare. Qeiza stared at Raditya seriously. “Don’t you say I never told that.” Qeiza rose. She bowed at Mr. and Mrs. Santoso. “Please forgive me, Uncle, Aunty … I can’t stay here any longer,” she excused. Abbas also stood up. He pressed Qeiza’s shoulders, forcing her to sit back. “What are you doing, Qei? The dinner has just started. It’s impolite to just leave.” Abbas suppressed his voice. He tried to cover the anger boiling in his chest. Taking advantage of Qeiza was not actually as easy as what he thought. “I’m sorry, Uncle! I have another agreement,” Qeiza denied. She raised her hand,
“What’s wrong?” asked Qeiza. Dae Hyun had just locked his phone. “Daddy is being hospitalized.” “I’m sorry to hear that. How long has he been there?” “Since yesterday.” Dae Hyun grabbed Qeiza’s hand. “Do you mind if we fly to Seoul right away from Bengkulu later?” “What? Are you crazy?” Dae Hyun smiled wryly. He was too early to ask her that question. “Just cancel the vacation! We’re flying home right away.” “Hah! Ae … you ... what did you say?” “Why are you stupid all of sudden, Oppa?” Qeiza glared at him. “We can enjoy the vacation anytime.” Dae Hyun was still dumbfounded. “Are you serious?” “Exceptionally I’m. Visiting daddy is more important. We don’t know how long he will survive.” “Thank you, Ae!” Dae Hyun was touched by Qeiza’s decision. “I promise. I’ll make it up to you another day.” A few seconds later, he called someone. “We’ll fly in two hours,” said Dae Hyun to Qeiza after he ended the call. “Turn around, Sir?” asked the driver that ear-dropped the conversati
“You’re damn pretty, Dear ….” Mrs. Kim’s eyes flashed the light of admiration and pride for the new status of Qeiza as her daughter-in-law. “Dae Hyun is so lucky to have you as his wife.” “Mom ….” Qeiza blushed. The guests had dispersed. Now, just Kim’s family left. They were ready to leave the wedding hall. Mr. Kim tapped Dae Hyun’s left shoulder. “Now, Ae Ri is now completely your responsibility.” “Certainly, Dad. I promise to protect her and make her happy.” Dae Hyun reassured Mr. Kim. His hand reflexively wrapped Qeiza’s waist. A wedding car moved slowly and stopped right before Dae Hyun and his family. “Go!” said Mrs. Kim when Qeiza said goodbye with her eyes. Dae Hyun shortly held her hand, being ready to walk to the car. Ansel tapped Xander’s shoulder. He forced the guy to stop when he saw Qeiza and Dae Hyun getting closer to their car. Ansel rashly got out of the car and ran towards Qeiza. “Qei!” he called. Dae Hyun stopped his hand movement that would open the car do
“Why are you so obsessed with me?” “I’m crazy about you. I … can’t live without you.” “You’d been fine for four years,” said Qeiza.”You’ll also definitely live well for the rest of your life.” “Qei, please … give me a chance!” “Sorry, I can’t make it.” “Why? Do you really hate me that much?” “I’ve floated the pieces of my broken heart in the sea of tears,” said Qeiza. “It’ll be useless if you insist to put them together again.” Ansel felt his heart as though had just been torn apart by the sharp fangs of wild animals. It was totally hurt and painful. The sky was suddenly cloudy. The weather in the fall was changeable. The rain could pour at any time. It was like Ansel’s heart that also covered by the dark cloud of sorrows. “I’m sorry, Ansel!” Qeiza said. “From now on, please … stop chasing me!” “But … I’m really being drawn to you, Qei,” said Ansel, still fighting to convince her of the sincerity of his feeling for her. “Thank you. I’m flattered.” “So, will you think about
Listening to Qeiza’s mutter, Mrs. Kim grabbed the album from her hands. She also wanted to see which photo caused her tears flooding her face more and more. “Don’t take it, Mom!” Qeiza robbed back the album from Mrs. Kim’s hands. “I miss my mom and dad so badly.” Mrs. Kim examined the face of little Qeiza on the picture then averted to Qeiza’s face before her, comparing them both. All at once, she rushed to hug Qeiza. “Oh, my dearest ….” Warm liquid flooded her cheeks. “I’m so sorry! It turns out that you’re very close all this time, but … I didn’t recognize you.” After hugging each other for a long time, Mrs. Kim raised Qeiza’s face. She wiped the girl’s tears with her fingers. “Thank you for coming back to us, Dear!” Mrs. Kim pecked Qeiza’s forehead. Mr. Kim also wiped his tears. Dae Hyun was dumbfounded. He was at a loss for words. He had mixed feelings—between being amused and touched. Qeiza did not know how long he stared at her parents’ face with the gaze full of longing.
Ansel tiptoed, getting out of the place where he hid towards Dae Hyun’s entrance door. Once in while he looked back to reassure that no one caught him red handed. Ansel’s fingertips would just touch the doorknob when he felt a hand pulled his collar from behind. He turned his head to the right. The security guard of Dae Hyun’s house welcomed him with a fierce gaze right away. “Shouldn’t you have gone home?” Ansel smiled wryly. “I haven’t said goodbye to Ae Ri yet,” he answered. “Mr. Kim asked me not to let anyone in the house before he came home,” said the security guard. “So, please leave now!” Ansel showed off a sad look. “Just a moment … let me meet Ae Ri before leaving.” “Miss Kim needs to take a rest. She can’t be disturbed.” Ansel’s facial expression turned cloudy from the despair. The security guard couldn’t be persuaded. He could only turn his look to the upper floor when the guy kicked him out of Dae Hyun’s yard. He walked before the cab he ordered coming to fetch him.
Ansel stood up straight away. His blood boiled seeing Dae Hyun carrying Qeiza. Furthermore, when from the distance he saw them both smiling at each other. “Is she no longer able to walk so you have to carry her on your back after doing exercises?” Ansel asked in cold voice. His gaze looked like he wanted to skim Dae Hyun alive. “Let’s get in, Oppa!” Qeiza whispered into Dae Hyun ear. She was reluctant to be near Ansel for a long time. Dae Hyun raised Qeiza’s position that lowered a little on his back. The next second, he walked to the gate, granting Qeiza’s wish. “Hey!” Ansel shouted when the security guard closed the gate without letting him follow them. “Let him in!” said Dae Hyun when his security guard asked him through his gaze. “He seemed to get lost.” Ansel clenched his hands into fists. Dae Hyun’s words were like intentionally insulting him. He could do nothing. In order not to lose Qeiza, he had to swallow the annoyance. He followed Dae Hyun’s steps into the house. “Yo
The stars scattered on the night sky. They sparkled beautifully as if they invited the sparkles of incandescent lights along the Han River stream to joke. They competed with each other to show off their charms to the world. Qeiza was standing on the balcony of her bedroom, embracing her hands. Occasionally she petted her upper arms so the cold weather felt a bit lessen. She took a deep breath. She was resting her palms on the balcony guardrail. Her eyes were travelling, enjoying the beauty of the Han River banks. Yeah. Her adopted parents’ residence was in an elite area with spectacular views of the Han River stream and Namsan Mountain. From her bedroom, Dae Hyun could see Qeiza standing alone on the balcony. He put down the business magazine he read. Their bedrooms were neighbors. Even, their balconies were only separated by an iron fence about less than a meter in height. Here was Dae Hyun now. He jumped over the lower fence. In a blink, he had stood beside Qeiza. He also pampere
Ansel packed his clothes in hurry. Repeatedly he glanced the clock on the wall as if he was afraid that it would run fast to leave him. “What are you doing, Ansel?” Alina walked to close Ansel. Her forehead furrowed when she saw her only son was packing up. He was like going to run away. “I’m going to catch up with Qeiza ASAP, Mom.” Ansel answered without stopping his hand movements, putting his clothes into the suitcase. His eyes didn’t avert to Alina either. “Why? Did Qeiza go back to Indonesia?” Alina got surprised. She had heard nothing about how she was since a few days ago. Ansel stood up straight. His suitcase was full. He came closer to his mother. He squeezed the shoulders of the middle-aged woman gently. “Wish me luck, Mom! I’m struggling hard to make your dream come true.” Alina caressed Ansel’s arm. “So … she really went home?” “She didn’t, Mom. She … she fled to Seoul ….” Ansel strengthened his squeeze on Alina’s shoulders. He forced his lips to smile eagerly. “Th
“What’s wrong?” asked Qeiza. Dae Hyun had just locked his phone. “Daddy is being hospitalized.” “I’m sorry to hear that. How long has he been there?” “Since yesterday.” Dae Hyun grabbed Qeiza’s hand. “Do you mind if we fly to Seoul right away from Bengkulu later?” “What? Are you crazy?” Dae Hyun smiled wryly. He was too early to ask her that question. “Just cancel the vacation! We’re flying home right away.” “Hah! Ae … you ... what did you say?” “Why are you stupid all of sudden, Oppa?” Qeiza glared at him. “We can enjoy the vacation anytime.” Dae Hyun was still dumbfounded. “Are you serious?” “Exceptionally I’m. Visiting daddy is more important. We don’t know how long he will survive.” “Thank you, Ae!” Dae Hyun was touched by Qeiza’s decision. “I promise. I’ll make it up to you another day.” A few seconds later, he called someone. “We’ll fly in two hours,” said Dae Hyun to Qeiza after he ended the call. “Turn around, Sir?” asked the driver that ear-dropped the conversati
“Qeiza! Don’t joke too much!” Amira scolded Qeiza. “What if Mr. and Mrs. Santoso get heart attack, huh?” “Ah, hahaha ….” Santoso laughed again. “So, it’s just kidding, right?” Mrs. Santoso just shook her head while caressing her chest. Raditya exposed a slight smile only. Qeiza sighed and said in a low voice, “It’s up to you if you don’t buy it." “Qei!” Abbas yelled at her. He gave her a deadly stare. Qeiza stared at Raditya seriously. “Don’t you say I never told that.” Qeiza rose. She bowed at Mr. and Mrs. Santoso. “Please forgive me, Uncle, Aunty … I can’t stay here any longer,” she excused. Abbas also stood up. He pressed Qeiza’s shoulders, forcing her to sit back. “What are you doing, Qei? The dinner has just started. It’s impolite to just leave.” Abbas suppressed his voice. He tried to cover the anger boiling in his chest. Taking advantage of Qeiza was not actually as easy as what he thought. “I’m sorry, Uncle! I have another agreement,” Qeiza denied. She raised her hand,