Enmeshed in Love
Chapter 28

Ben hugged Rena from behind him. He cannot lose for both. Rena clenched her hands. Crying in silence. It's always been like this, Ben's hard to understand. This man was sometimes so cruel to her but always made her comfortable under any circumstances.

"forgive me." Whisper Ben.

Rena's body shook, her defense collapsed. For some reason every time Ben says sorry he always falls.

Slowly twisting his body, facing each other. Ben kissed Rena's forehead long enough.

Liliana grumbled softly, watching everything with a turbulent heart. Seeing Ben and Rena like this made her even more angry. His hatred for Ben increased, starting from the moment he left. He was just waiting for the right time to destroy the brengs*k man.

"Ben, shall we see Echa? you're his father."

Ben breathed a heavy sigh. Grasping Rena's hand tightly.

"Rena, I can't. You know, the boy was present when I wasn't ready to be a father."

"so..have you not been ready yet?"

Ben took a deep breath. She loves Rena but has not been able to accept Echa as her daughter. Even though the boy was his real daughter but Ben really didn't want to accept it. He still could not accept his presence.

Seeing Ben who didn't say anything else Rena understood. I feel sorry for making a decision like this. Choosing a man who can't even accept the presence of his own daughter. Disappointed, that's how Rena feels now.

What God is punishing him now, shows him that the man he has always admired and considered better than the Arfians is so bad.

Rena let go of Ben's hand.

"i understand." His word. "Ben, I have to go."

"but Rena, where are you going?"

"i just want to get some fresh air." Said and left.

Ben just nodded. He would not forbid or restrain Rena from leaving. That woman will definitely come back, Ben sure.

Rena's tears don't stop dripping. He kept walking down such a lonely road. It was almost evening, he was walking with no purpose at all. Her heart's fucked up because of Echa and Ben. Echa's circumstances make him regret for abandoning her all this time. He often leaves her at the orphanage just to meet Ben. Now, the more regret he felt.

There weren't many sweet memories he gave the little girl.

Rena stopped her steps when she saw Arfian's car parked in one of the cafes. Hopefully he stepped foot into the cafe, trying to find the whereabouts of Arfian.

His eyes were on the corner table. He saw Arfian not alone. Someone she knew was sitting in front of her. Someone he once put away to get Arfian love.

Unknowingly his feet kept moving until now he was right between the two.

"Rena? what are you doing here?" Ask Arfian.

Rena instead of answering, she put on her surprised face.

"Rome..." The woman sitting in front of Arfian was just as shocked, all this time they had never met.

Rena saw Arfian and then the woman.

"you.why can we be together?" Ask.

Arfian did not reply, he pulled the two hands of the woman in front of him and held them tightly. Rena saw that with her eyebrows clutched. His entire attention was focused on Arfian hands.

"don't... said you're back together?" Rena Shock. "Hanum.you..."

"yes, you can say it like that." The woman called Hanum smiled faintly.

Rena looked at Arfian asking for an explanation. He tried to refrain from getting angry. Seeing Hanum and Arfian reunite made his heart not accept it.

Hanum was Arfian's ex-girlfriend in high school. They dated until they graduated from school, and then there was Rena. They're distant cousins who aren't very close. Rena couldn't see Hanum more fortunate than her. By all means try to slander her to have Arfian decide on the woman. Then with the opportunity he tried to attract his attention.

At that time, Ben had just cut off his relationship. Rena is confused because in her stomach there is another life. There's no other way but to make Arfian sympathize. Men who are hurt by their lovers will be easy to seduce.

"Hanum and I are getting married." Arfian answered making Rena almost feel anxious to hear it.

"A.what?"

Hanum stood right beside Rena. He whispered so quietly that even Arfian could not hear him.

"you used to slander me so cruelly, now you'll take the payoff."

Hanum nudges Rena's shoulder deliberately and then pulls Arfian to leave. Rena was in her place, the events of many years ago revolved back in her head. Where she firmly traps Hanum, as if the woman is cheating on him from Arfian.

Once outside the cafe, Arfian releases Hanum's hand holding her arm.

Hanum. He knocked on the Arfian's car glass hard.

"did you trust him so much that you still remember him? it's he who really cheats on you." Hanum said as soon as Arfian opened the glass.

After saying that Hanum left. Arfian was silent, saving the steering wheel of his car.

...*********************...

Rega sat pensively looking at the expanse of roses so beautiful in front of him. While Sena who was next to him just remained silent with her head lowered.

They are in a flower garden right now. After Madam Rada found out the truth, they became confused on how to deal with the old woman. Even Rada asks the two not to present themselves before Rega and Sena decide what they will do next.

Rada was confused. On the one hand he wants to make Arfian happy by setting him up with Sena, but on the other hand he also wants happiness for Rega.

"Rega..what are we doing now?" Sena asked confusedly.

Rega turned her attention to Sena. He crumpled his fingers, it felt like he couldn't lose this woman. But he loved her anyway.

"we defend our love." Rega finally chooses to hold Sena and will not let go.

Sena smiled. Nodding his head sign agreed. He can not hide his feelings of relief, finally his love can be anchored in the right place.

Rega pulled up next to Sena's shoulder and positioned the woman leaning against her chest.

"i love you. I'm sorry if I ever hurt you."

Sena did not expect that Rega would behave like this. Very gentle and attentive. Rega slowly hugged the smaller body gently.

"want to be my lover?"

Sena nodded then returned her embrace. He raised his head, looking at Rega who was smiling broadly at him. Both feel very happy.

...******************...

Gently Rada rubbed Echa Mane. His gaze was sad, he missed the smile and the voice of the little girl.

"Echa, kangen granny. when are you gonna wake up baby.." Sluggishly.

Every day the Moon is so tormented withstanding the ever-increasing longing. It's been over a month, but Echa's still lying there showing no signs.

His right hand continued to stroke Echa's hair while his left hand held her.Rada could not help but cry, almost every day he shed tears.

"Echa. Get up, son."

A small movement on Echa's fingers made Rada immediately wipe the tears. Looking closely at what he saw was reality.

"mr..." A small mutter from Echa's lips and her eyes that opened slowly made Rada grow wide in shock.

With trembling hands he touched Echa's cheek.

"honey..."

"Daddy..." His weak voice sounded very clear.

Rada immediately pressed the green button next to the Echa assembly bed. Calling the doctor in a hasty voice.

"Daddy..."

Only that name was kept on Echa. It was as if that was the only word in his memory.

"Daddy? Echa want to see Daddy?" Ask Rada.

The little girl squinted her eyes, looking at Rada with a difficult look. His forehead puckered and his tiny lips softly poked.

"whose grandmother?"

Rada. Shocked to death because Echa does not recognize him. The look in his eyes said everything clearly, as if looking at a stranger. Echa just keeps saying Daddy said.

"this is grandma.you don't remember?"

"i want Daddy. Daddy. I want Daddy."

The girl revolted until a doctor and a nurse entered the room. Trying to calm. Rada covered her mouth holding back the cry.

...*******************...