ALDERANDA

Dera's Dilemma

Al let go of his hand. He was now looking at Dera so closely. Both of his hands had moved to touch both of Dera's cheeks.
"I really love you Ra."
"I know, even though we can say we miss each other, we still can't go back to how we used to be."
"You can. Don't be pessimistic, honey. We still have destiny. I know fate doesn't really want to separate us. The proof is that wherever it is, we will always be brought together. Right?"
"Al--"
"That's enough, honey. If you just want to talk about your doubts, it's better that's enough! Now you sit here okay. I'll get you a drink first. We can still talk about many things. I still want to talk to you alone."
Al asked Dera to sit on his hotel room bed. While he headed to the fridge to get a drink.
"Here, Ra. Drink first."
Dera received a bottle of soft drink from Al's hand.
"Hmm, we can talk about anything. It's been a long time since we can sit and talk together like this, right?" Al said as he sat beside Dera.
"Al, your wedding--"
Before Dera finished, Al's index finger covered her mouth.
"Ssst! Let's talk about something else, honey. Ehm.. You remember, the first date after we first started? I wonder if it's still the same place now? Let's go there sometime, shall we?"
"Erm--"
Al returns to nostalgia, telling everything he remembers about his memories with Dera. Too many, too long. Al still remembers every detail.
"Then, honey, we used to--"
"Al.. I think I should go now."
Al gently stroked the hair on the side of Dera's head.
"You worry about him that much? He's not a kid who needs you all the time, right?"
"You don't understand, Al. I've been talking to you for too long. Nanda must be looking for me."
"You still can't choose between me or Nanda? Hm?"
"I don't know, Al. My feelings right now, I don't understand. This... Ah, this is too confusing for me. What's clear is that I don't want to hurt Nanda, I don't want him to be disappointed. I told him that I want to give him a chance to our relationship."
"This is my fault. I should have not let you get close to him from the start. Now I am overwhelmed myself and have to think of ways to get rid of him from your life."
"Sorry Al, I have to go."
"Okay, no problem. Let me think of a way to get our relationship back to how it used to be, without anyone bothering us. At least now we don't need to be tense anymore when carrying out the project cooperation contract, right?"
"Okay Al, I better go now."
Dera got up from the bed where she was sitting. Before she could get out, Al held her for a moment.
"Wait dear!"
So calmly, Al gave a kiss on Dera's forehead.
" Love you ! See you , honey!"

---

Dera headed to her hotel room. There was a sudden feeling of guilt in her heart. She thought she shouldn't have been with Al before leaving Nanda alone for too long. Especially with Al's kiss on her forehead earlier, she suddenly remembered that before going to the meeting, Nanda had also done the same thing. Right there, even with the same words of love.
Nanda saw Dera who had just returned. There was a look of curiosity on his face.
"Ra, the meeting took a long time, didn't you? You just got back now."
"Y-yes, Nan."
There was no other choice for Dera but to say yes. How could she have told Nanda that the reason for not returning for so long was not that the meeting time was too long, but because she had spent some time chatting with Al.
"You must be tired. Was the program boring? Come here, sit down first," Nanda invited Dera to sit on the bed.
"Nanda, how are you?" asked Dera then.
"I'm fine. I'm fine. Then... How did the meeting go?"
"We got the contract, Nan."
"Oh yeah? Are you serious? Darling, thank you. I know you can handle this well." Nanda immediately hugged Dera tightly because he was happy.
Then Nanda let go of his hug. However, seeing Dera's face at this time, Nanda was amazed.
"Dera, what's wrong with you, honey? We got the contract, you should be happy, right? But how come--"
"Actually there is something else, Nan."
"Why, dear?"
"So the Adikara group didn't just give the contract to the Armandito group , the Adikara group decided to recruit two company partners ."
"Okay, then... That means we will also work with other companies, right? What's the problem?"
"The problem is that other company... Darmajaya group ."
"What?" now Nanda just surprised. "How come, Ra?"
"I don't know. That's Adikara's decision."
"Why does it have to be Darmajaya? I never even thought about working together again... Wait, so you met Mr. Darma there earlier? Was he looking for trouble or bothering you again? Just try it if I'm there. "
"No, Nan. Actually, the person who came to represent Darmajaya was not Mr. Darma, but... his son."
"Al?? So he was there?" asked Nanda angrily.
Dera responded with a nod.
"He must be trying to bully you again, right?"
"No, Nan. Everything's fine."
"Hadehh.. What else now?"
"Sorry, Nan. I was also confused about whether to accept this offer or not. I know you won't like it if you have to work with the Darmajaya group . I almost gave up this opportunity. But... I remember how important contracts are. this is for you, I'm afraid you will also be disappointed if I waste this opportunity. So, in the end I still accept. Sorry if my decision is wrong, Nan."
"No, honey. Why are you apologizing? Your decision was right. In fact, I'm really grateful because thanks to you, the Armandito group was able to get this contract. Darmajaya's problem, let me take care of it. I also don't want to lose the contract. This is just because I don't like working with the Darmajaya group ."
"So... Is it really okay, Nan? I--"
"Sshtt! Never mind, darling. Come on, don't think about it anymore. As for the next business of this cooperation, I will take care of it. So you don't have to deal with Al Putra Darmajaya anymore. Okay!"
Dera nodded in understanding.
"I ordered dinner. You must be hungry too, right? What do you want to eat?" continued Nanda.
"Whatever, it's up to you, Nan. I'll change my clothes first okay?"
After their dinner arrived, they ate together while talking. Dera was still worried about Nanda's condition, she kept asking and making sure whether Nanda really didn't need a doctor. They also discussed about their activities tomorrow. Cooperation between the three companies will start from tomorrow and Nanda ensures that he will also be present at the business discussion, he doesn't want to burden everything on Dera anymore.
After dinner, they immediately went to their respective beds to rest. Tomorrow they have to get up early for a business meeting.
Around one o'clock in the morning, Dera woke up. It was certain that she would find it difficult to close her eyes again because there was something still stuck in her mind. She looked at the side of the bed beside her, it seemed that Nanda was still asleep. Dera went to the balcony of the room, even though the night air was still very cold. Dera stood on the balcony, looking up at the night sky while daydreaming about something.
The disturbing thing is the feeling of a dilemma that has resurfaced. After her meeting with Al today, the dilemma is even more real. You say you miss him, yes, Dera still misses Al exactly like she said earlier. However, she could not forget, on the other hand there was Nanda who really adored and loved her. Al's hope equals disappointment for Nanda.
Dera's dreamy program was suddenly stopped by a strong arm from behind her.
"Honey, it's cold here. Why don't you sleep?"
"Nanda, why are you awake?"
"Hm, you can answer that question for yourself. Why are you awake at this time?"
"I... Erm, I woke up and couldn't sleep anymore. So, I came here."
"Thought something?"
"It's nothing, Nanda."
"Don't worry too much about the contract, honey."
Nanda doesn't know, it's not the contract that makes Dera so concerned, but the people involved in the contract.
"Yes, Nan. Erm, you just sleep again. Tomorrow you have to get up early, you'll be late."
"Are you?"
"I can't sleep yet, but I promise I won't oversleep."
"If you can't sleep, that means I have to accompany you first until you're sleepy. I also don't have to worry about oversleeping, right? You're sure to wake me up."
"Nanda--"
"You can talk to me until you are bored and sleepy. I am ready to accompany you for life."
They continued to talk with the dominant topic regarding business contracts.
"... That's why I'm really enthusiastic about this contract, Ra. You don't need to worry too much about anything anymore, OK?"
"Hopefully our collaboration with Adikara can run smoothly, Nan."
"Yeah, let's hope so."
"Erm, let's just sleep, Nan."
"Are you sleepy?"
Dera nodded.
"Okay. Have a good rest, honey. Don't forget to wake me up tomorrow! Hehe."
Dera and Nanda went back to sleep. I don't know if Dera can still sleep well tonight? While the dilemma still continues to demand a definite decision.