Author's Note :

Read the dialogue, scene descriptions, and expression details for each character in chapter 26

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"You know why I'm like this now? I mean, my son and I had a bad tragedy. Bad because I accidentally tried to end my life in front of my own son and it turned out to be the beginning of a long disaster for Mahendra. My son is sick, Lesmana". She shook violently while still kneeling. Lesmana had given up asking this beautiful lady to get up.

"Help my son..". This woman began to whimper and plead non-stop.

"Give your daughter to him. I beg you!". She didn't want to get up and still kneeled, hoping for the deepest mercy from a father who was hit by a dilemma. How could he not? The father who just got the news that his daughter might be released from the trap of the big mistake he made 'Marriage agreement with the master' was now faced with the former lady of the house, a mother who was begging for her son.

"Why should I give up my daughter? What kind of illness does the young master have?". Honestly, Lesmana didn't really understand what Gayatri said.

"Since only she can heal my son, your daughter must take responsibility. She has brought up the post-traumatic syndrome disorder that my son suffers from. It means your daughter can also heal him. I won't get up from my knees until you allow your daughter to be a part of my son's life. I beg you, Lesmana. You can ask for anything". This woman kept begging her aide non-stop.

A man with the status of a father could only sit down resignedly. He needed to save his own daughter.

"Honestly, I don't really understand what you're really saying. If I accept your request, it means I'm sacrificing my own daughter. My little Aruna will lose her youth. Maybe she still loves me, because that child is always like that.. But how can I forgive myself? What kind of father I'll become?". Now it was Lesmana's turn who couldn't let go of his daughter. He tried to defend her.

An honorable woman approached him, holding his feet. Gayatri told everything about her son's condition, as well as her condition. She promised to always take care of his aide's daughter. She also promised to try to return Lesmana's daughter if her son, Mahendra, had reached the recovery that the entire family wanted.

"I'll talk to my dad myself. You know.. I never spoke to him after we'd been through a lot of bad things. But this time I promise you that I'll guarantee your daughter". The lady's words didn't get any response from her aide. There was no word of agreement from Lesmana, but Lesmana was still a good man who didn't know how to refuse.

"Wouldn't the young master make the choice himself?". Lesmana interrupted at the end of their agreement.

"My son won't be able to choose your daughter unless he has strong feelings. Even though we never even speak to each other again, but I still know him more than anything. He'll most likely use his brain to choose". Gayatri expected Lesmana to encourage Hendra to choose Aruna.

"I won't make any decision unless he really chooses my daughter".

"But when Hendra chooses your daughter, I beg you not to stop him. I know this time you're given the right to stop him".

The conversation ended in the anxiety of both parents. Soon-to-be in-laws with different perspectives. One hoped that Hendra and Aruna's relationship would continue. But the other hoped to keep his daughter free from an unwanted marriage, the long aftermath of the aide's agreement with his master.

~

[Flashback. Chapter 26, First Thief]

"Lesmana, wait a moment!". Lesmana, who started and intended to leave the room was stopped by Wiryo.

"I don't understand you. This time, you and your daughter can get away from us. Why did you give your daughter back?". Wiryo straightened his stick and stood up. His former secretary turned around with a salute. Lesmana's head lowered softly.

"Because your grandson needs her". Lesmana seemed to understand something the Wenceslas family was hiding.

"To what extent do you understand about Hendra's condition? Who told you??". Wiryo was surprised.

"That's not important, Sir. The important thing is that I have fulfilled my promise. I allow my daughter to be part of this family on one condition". Lesmana made a request.

"Name it!".

"Later if Aruna isn't able to face this marriage anymore, I ask you to allow her to go at any time".

"Okay, I accept". Wiryo started the next deal.

"Please stop acting like a secretary. We're going to be in-laws". Wiryo asked, objected.

"Isn't this our agreement: Lesmana is Wiryo's secretary until he hands over his daughter. When my daughter has become the daughter-in-law of this family, I'll break ties with you and I'll behave like a real father". Lesmana was holding back a deep crushing feeling at every word he said.

"Thank you. Until the end, you remain my loyal secretary".

_Even the daughter you hand over has the same character as you_

The old man sat back down, looking at Lesmana's back.

.

"Gayatri, do you think I was too much?". The old woman peeked at a boy and a girl entering the car.

"Yes". Gayatri, Hendra's mommy. She wasn't very talkative and tended to be calm.

"But my prediction is right. She's an innocent and sweet child". Wenceslas's grandmother smiled.

"I think your way of finding out is a little outrageous". Gayatri stared at the speed of her son's car more deeply than others thought.

***

[Now]

"You're my wife. Honestly, I don't have the heart to do this at all". In his burning anger, Hendra was still trying to find his senses.

"If you don't have the heart to do it, you should let me go instead of torturing me like this". That woman could only scratch at her torn clothes, covering herself in vain.

"Is it that hard to give me my rights?? How do I look like in your eyes, Aruna?! I know I made a lot of my mistakes. But can you repay it in any other way than being cold to me like this?". The angry man turned to whimper, begging his wife to understand him. He just realized the girl in front of him was a complete mess, like a woman who was made to be worthless. The culprit was himself, Mahendra destroyed his girl.

"What rights should I give? Isn't it obvious that you and I have an agreement that we have to stick to?". Aruna started to find herself and few spots slowly stinging. She tried to stay as strong as she could.

"Deal, MoU, agreement.. Whatever that is, can you just break it once?! Aren't I, you, and our marriage much more valuable than that? Why do you always think that's important?! How important is that?!". He made a grip, getting tighter and sending another pain apart from the spots Mahendra had bitten her.

Aruna looked at him with a different look. The eyes that never showed anger were now throwing fire.