ALDERANDA

Engagement

That afternoon Dera was still busy with her work at the office as a secretary. She was checking several important documents before she gave them to Nanda.
In the midst of her busy life, suddenly there was a knock on the door.
"Yes, come in!" said Dera from within.
A man was seen opening the door and entering Dera's room. Turns out the CEO came.
"Nanda?"
"Hey honey, um--you're busy huh?"
"Reasonable."
Nanda was closer to Dera's position now.
"Dera.. I actually want to show you something."
"Oh yes, what?"
"Sorry Ra, but I think you also need to know about this." Nanda handed over a card like an invitation.
Dera also put the document that she had been holding onto her desk and turned to look at something Nanda had given her. As soon as she opened it and read its contents, she was completely speechless. It was like a tightness in her chest now. Because the card she was holding and seeing at the moment was an invitation to Al and Natasya's engagement.
Nanda embraced Dera's shoulder from the side and rubbed it gently. He knew Dera must be feeling bad now.
"Ra, are you okay? Never mind, you forgot about him, okay?"
"..."
"Darling?"
Dera seemed to be trying to hold back the tears that should have been flowing from her eyes earlier.
"I-I'm okay Nan."
Nanda took Dera in his arms. Dera could only accept that and muttered to herself.
" Dera, what are you doing? You should be happy right! Now Al can be happy with his own life, he has moved on from you. He has found the best choice of heart according to his parents' wishes. What else? Maybe you should also be able to be happy with nice guy hugging you right now ."
"Honey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to spoil your mood today. However, I couldn't possibly not tell you. The event is tomorrow evening."
"You want to come to the event?" Dera asked, still in Nanda's arms.
"They've specially invited me, there will also be a lot of my clients. Actually, if I have to come, I'd like to invite you to accompany me. But, if you mind, we don't have to go there."
Dera let go of Nanda's embrace.
"We can go there," said Dera loudly.
" Are you sure ? Are you sure it's okay?"
"Nanda.. I'm okay. We have to respect their good intentions in inviting us, right?"
"But, I just don't want you to get sicker if we go there later. If you can't, don't force it honey. It doesn't matter if we don't come."
"I promise. I will be fine Nan."
"Okay then, it's up to you."

---

The next day, after finishing work at the office, they prepared to attend the event.
That night, Dera looked so elegant in her pastel dress and her long, neatly tied hair. Natural make-up makes her face more radiant and fresh.
Nanda's gaze could not move from the first time he saw Dera's appearance at that time.
"Come on Nan, I'm ready."
"This isn't a dream right? I feel like I'm seeing an angel in front of me right now."
"Nan--"
"You are very beautiful tonight, Dera. I'm sure, you will even be prettier than the one with the event."
"You really like to exaggerate when you praise people."
"Only to you anyway."
"Okay. We're leaving now right?"
"Yes Beautiful. Come on !!" Nanda took Dera's hand towards his car.
They finally arrived at the venue. Al's family rented a luxury hotel specifically for the engagement. Actually, Al must have felt compelled to go through it all. However, maybe Al had no other choice.
Dera and Nanda entered the venue. Looks a beautiful decoration, full of flowers, but still looks elegant. All kinds of decorations and furniture arrangements made the event seem more luxurious. It can be seen that there were also many important people present.
"Honey, how about it? Should we stay here or should we just go home now?"
"Nanda.. We just got here. Don't you want to go home again? I'm okay Nanda."
Nanda's hands could not even leave Dera's waist. He has been embracing Dera ever since.
Not long after, a client approached Nanda.
"Mr. Nanda, you come too it turns out?"
"Ah, yes, Mr. Doni. It's been a long time since we've seen each other."
"Yes. The last time I remember was the meeting in Lampung. It's been a few months ago. It's been a long time."
"Oh yes. That's right Sir."
"You didn't come alone, so you already have a suitable choice I see. This beautiful girl beside you--"
"Oh, I forgot to introduce her. She is Dera, my secretary."
"Secretary?"
"Yes.. My secretary and lover."
"Wow... I thought that. It's impossible to just be a secretary. It seems that Mr. Nanda is also a victim of love of location."
"More or less, Sir. You came alone or ...."
"I was with my wife. She was there meeting her friends. Mr. Nanda, I pray you come soon!"
"Oh sure Sir."
"Then I'll excuse myself."
Dera and Nanda continued to walk around the hotel enjoying the party atmosphere. Nanda never let Dera be alone or bored.
"Honey, how about we go there? It's not too crowded there. I know you're not one for crowds."
Dera nodded.
When Dera followed Nanda, her eyes immediately met Al's, who was standing on the stage, accompanied by Natasya. Their gazes seemed to hint at each other's turmoil.
"Honey, are you here? Why do you have to be here? I can't do this in front of you, honey." Al muttered to himself.
"Al you why?" asked Natasya.
"Nat.. Are you sure we have to do this? I swear I can't Nat, I can't, Dera is there."
"What else can I do Al? You also can't ruin this event right? We can think about our next plan after this. Again anyway we're just engaged now. This isn't a wedding."
The guests took turns approaching Al and Natasya to congratulate them.
"Dera, do you want to wait here? I want to find them first, as well as congratulate them and give them our gifts. After that, we can go home."
"Nan, I'll just come with you."
"What? Are you sure? Honey, you don't have to--"
"I'm sure. I'm fine. I also have to say goodbye to them, right?"
Dera and Nanda meet Al and Natasya together. Nanda didn't forget to keep Dera's hand from his grip.
The atmosphere started to get tense when the two couples faced each other.
"Mr. Al Putra Darmajaya, I congratulate you on your engagement. We wish you all the best until the wedding. I hope that after this you remember not to bother my lover anymore. Oh yes, here is a small gift from us." said Nanda confidently.
After that it was silent. No one spoke until Dera finally spoke up.
"Congratulations Al. Glad to see you now."
He shook his head. He suddenly grabbed Dera's hand and held it tightly.
"Ra, you know what? I really don't want us to be like this, honey."
"Please Al, let me go!" Dera tried to free her hand from Al's grasp.
"Release Dera now!!" Nanda pushed Al and forced his hand away from Dera's hand.
"Hey, what's your problem?" Al's anger at Nanda.
Natasya also tried to calm Al, "That's enough Al. Enough! You can't be careless."
"Come on honey," Nanda embraced Dera and took Dera away from there.
After a bit away, Nanda is now staring at Dera deeply.
"Are you okay?"
Dera shook her head.
Nanda hugged Dera so tightly.
"Nan, I'm fine."
Nanda let go of his hug and turned to grab Dera's face to get closer to him. Instantly Nanda's soft kiss landed on Dera's lips.
Little did they know that Al had been watching them.
In the middle of the kiss, Dera still managed to talk to Nanda.
"Nan, there are a lot of people here."
"I know honey. So what? They won't bother us now. They know we're a couple."
"Ehmph--but Nanda--"
Nanda let go of the kiss and hugged Dera tightly again. He breathed deeply on Dera's neck, feeling Dera's scent slowly.
While Al, who witnessed the scene, already felt anger to the top of his head. He does not accept other men touch and even fondle his favorite girl. Al's hands were already clenched. He swore and almost approached Dera and Nanda.
" Shit ! Damn it people!" Al almost left.
"Al, where are you going? Remember Al, don't make a fuss here!"
Natasya prevented Al's intention.

... ... ...

Nanda tries to calm Dera who is currently feeling anxious. In his arms, Nanda said, "We can go now, we don't have to stay here long."
Nanda took Dera out of the hotel where the event was. Arriving near Nanda's car, Dera suddenly let go of Nanda's clutch.
"Darling??"
"Nan, I--" Dera's tears started to flow.
"Ra.. Honey, are you okay?"
"Nanda sorry--"
"Dera??"
"Nan, can you leave me now? I want to be alone again."
"Gosh. No Ra, I can't let you be alone now."
"I beg you Nanda. Please.."
"No. I can't honey. I won't."
Nanda hugged Dera tightly again. Dera was crying in Nanda's arms.
" It's OK. You can cry all you want in my arms whenever you want, Dera."