ALDERANDA

Can it be Professional?

The meeting had lasted approximately one and a half hours. Representatives of each company had submitted their offers, including Dera, who represented Nanda at the meeting.
"Excuse me, Miss Dera is a representative from the Armandito group ?" asked a man from the Adikara group .
"Yes, Sir. I am Mr. Nanda's secretary. It so happened that Mr. Nanda was unable to attend because he was not feeling well."
"Oh, okay. To be honest, I'm quite interested in the system and the Armandito group offer that Miss just mentioned. I also know very well how credible Mr. Nanda is in running a business. He is a CEO who is quite competent. So, I thought I would not regret it if I this cooperation contract with the Armandito group ."
"Thank you for the trust, Sir."
"However, like my agreement at the beginning, Miss. This time the Armandito group has to work with other companies as well because I need two corporate partners . And... After I see everything here, I gave the third party for this contract to --representative right beside Miss, from Darmajaya group ."
"Thank you for the opportunity, Sir." said Al.
Dera really can't stop thinking. How is it possible that Armandito should be united with Darmajaya in one project. Can Nanda accept this? It had occurred to Dera's mind to give up this contract opportunity, but she again remembered Nanda who was so enthusiastic and excited about this contract, he really hoped that the Armandito group could get it. It was impossible for Dera to just let this go after the opportunity was wide open for his company. Dera didn't want Nanda to be disappointed.
"How about Miss? Can we agree on this?"
"E-uhh fine, Sir. I accept."
"Okay. Once again I thank all the companies that have attended and participated today. The decision has been agreed, so we can end this meeting. Good afternoon."
The company representatives started to disperse one by one. Dera already wanted to go back to the hotel. However, only two steps Dera passed, Al stopped her.
"Dera, wait!"
"Excuse me, is there anything you need?"
"Hope we can work well together," Al said, holding out his handshake.
Because she didn't want to linger and be too polite, Dera shook Al's hand and responded briefly.
"Sure. I hope we can both be professional."
It's not that easy, it's hard for Dera to let go of her hand from Al's grasp.
"Al, please let go!"
"Why? Are you in a hurry to find your sick CEO?"
"I don't want to argue with you anymore."
"Why do you have to debate? I've never asked for debate either, right? We can talk nicely, honey."
"We don't need to talk about anything else besides this contract matter. And about this contract later you can just discuss it with Nanda."
"I'd rather discuss it with you. But this time I don't want to talk about contracts. I want to talk about us."
"Al come on, I beg you."
"Dera.. It would be better for us to clear up all the misunderstandings, we straighten out the problems between us before our cooperation starts, right?"
"There are no more problems between us, Al."
"No, Ra. If there weren't any problems, we wouldn't have gone our separate ways like this."
"Excuse me, Al."
"Dera, please come with me for a while. I just want us to talk, nothing more. Come on, Ra!"
Al took Dera's hand, invited Dera to get into his car and headed to a hotel.
The hotel is the same place where Dera and Nanda stayed. Al was still holding Dera's hand until he was in front of a room--where Al was staying. Coincidentally their room was on the same floor, only not that close.
"Come on in, Ra. We'll talk inside."
"Are you staying here too? Al, my room with Nanda is also on this floor."
"I know."
"What? Are you following me with Nanda?"
"No. Don't get me wrong. I know because last night I saw Nanda on this floor. My problem here is also a coincidence. Or a coincidence designed by God, because we are always fated to meet."
Without further ado, Al took Dera's hand slowly and invited her in.
Inside, talk of love begins to drift, streaking.
"So, what Al?"
Still holding Dera's hand tightly, Al started to speak, "I miss you. Really miss you!"
"Al--"
"Let's reminisce about the past, we have too many good memories, right? How many percent have you forgotten?"
"I'm still trying to be one hundred percent soon. But unfortunately you keep showing up and harassing me."
"That means the world doesn't support you to forget. Our meetings are always, it's fate. Meanwhile, the separation that you make is unilateral, it feels as if you are going against fate. In the end, fate will definitely win, Ra."
"You're wrong. We're like this now, it's clear why, because the world doesn't support us to be together. There's no need to be grandiose about bringing the world, your own family doesn't support it anyway."
"So you still hope my family can support us, honey?"
"Not anymore, Al. I don't care about that anymore. Again Also I am now with Nanda. I don't need anything else. Nanda can make me feel more than enough."
"I'm sure you're not serious with Nanda. I know you, Ra. You're not someone who easily moves to another heart. You can't forget me yet."
"Don't be too confident, Al!"
"Better to be optimistic than pessimistic, right?"
"We don't have any relationship anymore. Please remember that!"
"We are separated, yes, maybe it looks like that on the outside, but actually it's not like that on the inside, right, Ra? Our hearts are still one. Your heart is still only for me."
"You better focus on your wedding. It's only a few days left, right?"
Hearing Dera continue to argue and argue with his words, Al immediately pulled Dera into his arms.
"Al, what the--"
"Husstt! I really miss this hug."
"I have to go now. Nanda must be waiting for me."
"Nanda-Nanda-Nanda! Can't you just not talk about him all the time? It's just the two of us here now."
"At least Nanda is better, Al. He can make me feel safe, comfortable and protected."
"That's all, right? But... What about love? Can you feel that for Nanda too?"
"..."
"You're quiet, right? Darling, I know our situation is really complicated. But one thing, listen to me, I can guarantee that the wedding won't happen. I have nothing to do with Natasya. In front of everyone, she is my fiancé. But in reality I only belong to you. I will only marry you, I promise."
"I've heard your promises too many times, Al. You don't need to keep promising that. I don't care anymore."
"No. I know you still care. Honey, you can take my word for it. Indeed, right now I can't do anything, but believe me, one day I will prove to you that I really want to fight for our love. I will come, take me You are back. Take you again from Nanda."
"You can't do that!"
"You can. Of course you can. Dera ... It's just us here. You don't need to be afraid to be honest with me. You don't need to be afraid to hurt Nanda or anyone. Tell me, Ra, you miss me too, right? You still love me with me."
"..."
"Honey, talk. Love is still there and will always be. You still love me."
Still in Al's arms, Dera said, "Yes, Al. I miss you too."
Al tightened his embrace, "Hahh.. That's what I've been waiting for, honey."