ALDERANDA

De-Al Love Never End

"Nan, have you finished the meeting?"
"Yes. It's more like just chatting casually. You haven't slept yet?"
"Not sleepy yet, Nan."
"Ra, I brought this for you." Nanda handed over the bag he had been carrying to Dera.
"What's this? Wow, ice cream! Yeah, but it's melted."
"Maybe it was too long on the way."
"It's okay. I'll put it in the refrigerator for a while, let it freeze again."
After Dera put the ice cream in the refrigerator, Nanda invited Dera to sit together to talk.
"Honey, you really aren't sleepy yet, are you?"
Dera nodded.
"Then we can talk, right? Just like our plan at that time. You want to tell me everything about you that I don't know yet."
"Hm, okay. Where shall we start? Ehm--"
"Just tell me anything about you, what you like and don't like."
Dera began to ramble about herself at length which she thought Nanda did not know. Meanwhile, Nanda listened intently.
"I think that's it, Nan. What else? Btw , I also don't know much about you, other than the one on the list you gave me when I first became your secretary."
"That list is complete enough. For others, maybe you will know as time goes by. That's why we must always be together. Erm, is there no more from you? That's all I don't know yet?"
"Yes. That's all, Nan. I myself am also confused about what else to say."
Nanda held Dera's hand, "Seriously? How about your heart, how about your feelings?"
"Nan??"
"Darling, what should I do? I just want you to miss me the same way you do for Al."
Dera was really surprised, she felt bad. She already thought that Nanda knew what happened at that time, between her and Al after the meeting.
"I-I...."
"You still love Al? Do you still wish you could get back together with him?"
Dera shook her head.
While the look on Nanda's face began to sink, even his eyes began to fill with tears.
"You even chose to talk to Al after the meeting that time, while I waited for you here alone."
"Sorry, Nanda."
"Is what Al said true? You miss him too?"
"Nanda.. It's not like that. Okay, sorry about that, Nan. I also don't understand my own feelings. I'm still trying, really trying to forget about him and just focus on you, but--"
Nanda touched Dera's face and rubbed her cheek gently, "Honey.. I just don't want to lose you. You want to give me a chance, for our relationship, right? I'll help you so you can really forget your past. I promise. ."
"Forgive me."
"Okay. Enough! I don't want to prolong this problem. From now on, don't stay away from me and don't ever hide anything from me again, OK?"
The tension was instantly relieved. However, it was undeniable, in his heart Nanda still harbored considerable worries. Regarding Dera's heart, which was not completely his, Nanda could not ignore it. Nanda was afraid that his chance could actually be lost.

---

After their project work in Yogyakarta was finished, Nanda and Dera decided to go home. Further details on contracts with Adikara can be arranged from Nanda's office. Before returning to their city, Nanda took Dera for a walk, enjoying several tourist attractions before actually leaving Yogyakarta. Don't forget to buy some souvenirs for Mama Nanda and the Dera family.
"Nan, I think this is enough. You've bought a lot for my parents. What's more, you don't want me to just cut my salary for this."
"Shh, it's okay. Besides, we don't come here often. You've helped me choose gifts for mom. So, now let me learn to be the ideal son-in-law for your mother and father."
"Gosh.. Nanda!"
"Darling, later you accompany me to give this gift to my mother. At the same time, so that my mother can meet you, she said that she misses you."

---

Nanda took Dera to his parents' house. Mama Nanda was very pleased with the gifts of batik clothes and cloth that Dera had chosen as souvenirs from Yogyakarta. Mama Nanda also invited Dera to make Nanda's favorite cake.
"Ra, it's been a long time, Auntie, I miss cooking with you again."
"Yes, Auntie. Dera also misses cooking with Aunt."
"You and Nanda are fine, right?"
"Ahh y-yes, Auntie."
While baking cakes in the kitchen, Nanda's mother told a long story about her child and expressed her great hope that she would soon propose to Dera as a life partner for her only son. Suddenly Dera felt even more worried and burdened. It would be so hard if she later disappointed Nanda's mother's hopes, but to be completely with Nanda let alone to make a promise life and death, Dera was still not ready and I don't know when she will really be ready, she herself can't be sure.
Until Dera didn't expect it, on that very day Nanda expressed his wish to get engaged to Dera, in front of his parents. There was nothing other than mama and papa Nanda who helped persuade Dera not to refuse. Dera was trapped in a situation she didn't want. Seeing the enthusiasm of the Nanda family, Dera's lips persuaded her to say yes. From that day on, the preparations for Nanda and Dera's engagement began.

---

In the minutes leading up to the engagement ceremony, Dera's doubts only grew. Even though this isn't a wedding yet, it still feels like Dera isn't ready. She wished that time could be pushed back again, but in fact, she couldn't. Dera even realized that a beautiful engagement dress had fitted nicely on her body.
As soon as Dera was standing beside Nanda, witnessed by many pairs of guests and Nanda was getting ready with his engagement ring, suddenly Dera shook. Dera's body swayed, Dera was unconscious. Nanda swiftly caught the body, picked her up and carried her to his room to lie down.
Nanda was so panicked. The doctor arrived soon after Nanda contacted him.
A few minutes after the doctor left, Dera woke up.
"Honey, thank goodness you're awake. You passed out. You should have told me you weren't feeling well."
"Nanda, sorry."
"It's okay honey, we can continue this engagement after your condition improves."
Dera was trying to get up from her lying position.
"Honey, you don't get up yet. You are still weak."
"No, Nan. I want to talk to you."
"Okay, but it doesn't have to be now, right? You rest first, Ra."
"Please, Nanda. This is important."
"Hahh.. Okay, what's wrong?"
"I can't be engaged to you."
"Yes, I know. We're not getting engaged now, honey. Your condition is still--"
"No, I don't mean just for now. Until whenever I will not be able to."
"Ra??"
"Nanda.. I don't want to keep trapping you in an artificial relationship. In fact, I will never be able to love you back. I can't love you, Nan. I want us to end all of this before it gets any further. I really feel guilty if I keep keep this unclear relationship. I don't want to continue to torment you with one-sided love. It would be better for you to forget about me from now on."
"Gosh Ra, why are you suddenly like this? It's probably because of your condition that you're overthinking . Honey, everyone--"
"Nanda, I'm serious. Sorry for having to disappoint you and your family. I should have refused your request for this engagement from the start. Even if it's late, it would be better if this didn't happen."
"But I love you, I love you, Dera! Please , don't do this! We can do it, Ra, maybe it just takes time, right? I can--"
"I beg you, I can't. Don't force me, Nan. Go ahead, you can scold me, insult me, express all your disappointments for me, even if you want to fire me, I will accept it. I am not a good secretary and lover . I believe you will get your happiness too, but not from me, Nan. Sorry to hurt you, but I think this is better for us ."
Nanda just kept shaking his head. His face was red, even his eyes were wet. Because he could no longer face Dera, Nanda chose to leave Dera.
Dera really felt guilty for letting a family as good as Nanda's family down. She also felt uncomfortable if she had to linger in that place. Finally Dera decided to try to get out of bed. Once outside the room, she met Nanda's parents.
"Dera, where are you going? You still need to rest," said Nanda's mother.
"Auntie, I'm sorry. Dera has to go home now. Dera--"
"Dear, Nanda has told me everything. Whatever your decision, Auntie will try to understand. Aunt also can't force you, can I? Even though Aunt is a bit disappointed because I lost a future daughter-in-law like you, it's better for you to be honest than to do everything by force. I know right now Nanda will definitely be hurt, but don't worry, sooner or later he will definitely heal by itself."
"Once again Dera apologizes, Aunt, Uncle. Dera has to go home and explain everything to mom and dad."
"Okay, let Nanda accompany you. He also won't let you go alone in this condition. Nanda is in front."
As soon as Dera arrived at the front, she saw Nanda with a look of disappointment. Dera really understood the state of Nanda's heart at this time, it must be really messy.
"Nan, I'm going home okay."
"Should it be now? Can't you wait a little longer? At least until your condition recovers first."
"I'm okay."
"Okay whatever. I'll accompany you."
Just as they were about to get into the car, someone parked his car in front of Nanda's parents' residence. The man got out of the car in a neat tuxedo.
"Dera!"
"Al? What are you doing here?"
"Ra, you know, today is my wedding with Natasya. And now I will prove it to you, I promise, I will not marry her or anyone. I ran away from the wedding."
"What? You ran away? But Natasya is already your fiancé, you shouldn't just leave her like that."
"I don't care about anything else, for me the most important thing is my struggle for us."
"Al--"
"Are you really engaged to Nanda?"
"Our engagement is off, and... It's never going to happen." Nanda patted Al's shoulder. "I admit defeat, I can't force Dera. She won't be happy with me. So, if you really love Dera, please take good care of her, fight for her, don't make her cry again."
"Nan, bro ... I won't disappoint Dera again, I promise. Ra, do you want to come with me now? Let's get married!"
"What? It's not possible Al, without our parents' consent?"
"Dera, if you really love Al, whatever it is, you have to fight for your love. Go!" said Nanda.
Dera finally followed Al. In the middle of the journey it turned out that Al's family car managed to follow Al's car. After trying hard to avoid his family's pursuit, Al had to stop when his family's car managed to surround him.
Al asked Dera to get out of the car. Mr. Darma and his wife, as well as several other members of the extended family also got out of the car to catch up with Al. Feeling that there is no other choice, Al creates a drama in front of his family. It happened that they were on a flyover and that location was used by Al to convince his parents.
"Stop! If Papa and Mama come closer, I'll jump!"
"Al! Are you crazy! Why are you so childish?" said Mr. Darma.
"All this time Papa and Mama have never been able to understand how I feel. If I can't be with Dera, I can't be with anyone either, it's better if I leave forever."
"AL!!"
"Al, don't be reckless. Why does it have to be like this?" said Dera who was also afraid.
"Darling, there is no other way. I'm sorry. Now let it all be up to them. You step back, I don't want you to fall too."
A long tough debate ensued between Al and his parents. Al increasingly shows his recklessness and his statements are not kidding. Al is really going to jump. In the end, Mr. Darma decided.
"All right, Al. Papa won't forbid you and Dera. You get out of there now!"
"Are you serious, Papa? After this, you won't change your mind, right? You and Mama won't hurt Dera and her family again, right?"
"Yes. As long as you don't ever be reckless like this again."
Al immediately approached his parents, not forgetting that he was holding Dera.
"Dad, Mom, I know, after all you guys are still my parents. You just want to see me happy, right? And my happiness right now is only with Dera. Don't worry, I'll help explain everything, give understanding to Natasya's family and also Dera's parents."
Al and Dera carried out the wedding that day too. With super fast preparations, only the two families attended and a few guests who had been Al and Natasya's wedding guests. The marriage that they thought was impossible, is now really happening.
Meanwhile, Nanda, who witnessed the news of Al and Dera's impromptu wedding via social media, could only smile bitterly. Half of his heart was happy because he saw his Dera finally smiling happily after getting her love. The other half of his heart was crying because he realized that second he had really lost his love.
The day after the incident, Nanda decided to leave for a while, calming down in another country. For the time being, the affairs of the company he left to his subordinates. Dera has also sent her resignation letter to Nanda's office.

---

"Dera.. Honey, now you believe it, right? We are meant to be together." said Al.
"Yes, although it's a bit forced."
"Not forcing it, but that's our struggle. What is clear now is that Dera and Al's love will never end. Dera is only destined for Al and Al is only for Dera."
Dera and Al hugged each other while enjoying the evening sky together.

•••

In the end of every story, there must be a happy party, there is also a suffering party. Who ends up happy or suffering, it's true in the power of destiny. However, suffering will not last forever. Because God did not create His creatures just to suffer in the world. There is a reason and there is definitely a gift of happiness that has been prepared. It's just that the time of giving gifts is different for each person. Humans can only try to live what is there and let fate speak.