Stains In Love
Pulang Kampung's

The clinking sound of the eating utensils clashing sounded. A couple is currently enjoying their dinner while talking about their only daughter who has long gone overseas to pursue a career in the capital after earning a college degree. Apparently, the wife had just stirred her food while occasionally exhaling tired breaths.

“Ma, has anyone disturbed your mind? I've been looking around since you've been just flipping through your food. One bribe doesn't go into your mouth. What's up?” ask Anton, the husband.

Dini, Anton's wife puts her shoulder out.

“Either why I feel bad, Pa,” replied Early.

Dini and Anton are Stella's biological parents who live in the village. Staying far away from the princess was honestly not an easy thing for them, considering that Stella was a woman. Sometimes, if you haven't heard from Stella, their minds will be alarmed. They would feel worried half to death, afraid if bad things happened to their daughter.

“Not good how, Ma?” anton asked, narrowing his eyes.

Dini put her dinnerware on the table, then looked at the husband with a glare. From the look in his eyes, it seemed that the woman was in a state of turmoil.

“I feel if at this time Stella is not okay, Pa,” explained Early. “I don't know how to explain it. But, her heart doesn't feel calm, Pa.”

“Ma, no need to worry. Papa is sure that everything is fine,” Anton replied with a gentle smile.

Anton grabbed the wife's hand, then clasped it tightly. Anton's grasp channeled calmness in Dini's heart. Early that initially seemed riled up can now be a little calmer. Although the look in his eyes still showed concern, at least the woman could already begin to calm down.

“It's been two days Stella didn't give me any news, Pa. Normally, Stella's always telling me every day, Pa. I became worried if something happened to the boy,” said Dini.

Anton understood about the worries his wife was feeling. Therefore, Anton tried as much as possible to calm his wife.

“Ma, Stella is not alone. He lives in the same town as Garry and Ane. I'm sure if there is something that happened to Stella, surely Garry and Ane have informed us,” explained Anton, giving understanding to Dini.

“It remains that my heart is not at ease that I have not received any news directly from Stella. My feelings were really unsettled, like something was wrong.”

Anton smiles. “You take it easy, Ma. I'm sure Stella's gonna be okay. She has already grown into a strong woman, she can definitely keep herself overseas,” she replied. “Ada Garry and Ane who have promised to keep Stella too, ‘kan, there? So, we better be here just pray for the best for Stella so that she is always in the protection of God.”

A sigh sounded out from Early lips. The woman nodded her head weakly. “Alright, Pa. I will try not to worry anymore with the condition of Stella.”

Behind the wall that separates the living room and dining room, without Anton and Dini noticing, there was someone hiding there and had heard everything that his parents were talking about.

*****

A few hours ago ....

“Stella, if you want to return to the village, I can accompany you,” Ane said.

The woman looked at Stella with a look of pity, she could not bear to let Stella travel alone in a state of sadness like this.

Stella smiled faintly. “Kak Ane does not need to accompany me. I can go home alone, Brother,” reply.

“I can't possibly let you go home alone, Stella.”

Stella chuckled a little, then shook her head.

“Kak, Bella needs Brother Ane here. If Brother Ane comes with me, will Brother Damar not be suspicious? My plan to hide Garry and Feby's affair could fail if Kak Damar is involved,” explained Stella.

Ane sighed. “You're right.” The woman smiled widely. “Now what should be our top priority is you. You need to calm down and clear your mind first, Stella.”

“Iya, Brother.”

“Then, when are you going home?”

Stella tapped her shoulders. “I don't know either, Brother. What is clear, anyway, as soon as.”

Stella and Ane returned to chatting lightly. A few minutes later, Ane said goodbye because she had to take Bella to the course.

After Ane returned home, Stella hurriedly booked a flight ticket to return home soon. He was very confident that Garry would come to his boarding house after work. Stella still refuses to meet Garry. And so, he decided to leave immediately.