Stains In Love
Unaltered

“Stella, you're really home, son?” dini asked, it was still unexpected that the princess they were talking about suddenly appeared before her eyes.

Stella chuckles. “Mama, Papa, I can't breathe if you hold me this tight,” great-grandson Stella.

Anton and Dini exchanged lyrics, then let go of their embrace to Stella, making Stella now able to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Come, sit down, darling. We had dinner together. You said that you missed my fried chicken from flour, right?”

Stella gave a nod to Dini's question.

The three of them sat down on the dining table.

 “We thought you weren't going home because you said you were going to apply for a job in the capital after you graduated, Stella,” Anton said, as Dini was getting food for Stella.

Stella said she would apply for a job at Garry's place of employment after graduation. Therefore his return in his hometown made Stella's parents surprised. On the other hand, Dini also became increasingly afraid that her worries were right if Stella was not okay.

Stella took a long breath. “I changed my mind, Pa,” replied.

“Change your mind? Not usually Papa's daughter who is very firm on this stance changes her mind. Is there a problem there, Stella?”

Stella shook her head, there was no way she would talk about her problem with Garry to her parents. Stella doesn't want to worry them.

“No, Pa. I just felt like I wanted to be unemployed for a while so I could spend Papa and Mama's money,” Stella joked, making Anton and Dini laugh crisply.

Stella's parents were the owners of the largest tea plantation in her hometown. No doubt if Stella said so to comfort herself. Despite coming from a family famous for the success of their tea plantation, Stella's parents are notoriously friendly and generous, making people love the Stella family.

“Of course you can spend money Mama and Papa, Honey,” reply Early. “But, right, ‘kan, if you're not okay?”

Stella grabbed her mother's hand with a warm smile. His heart was full of hearing the mother's question. It is true that people say that a mother must have a strong feeling about the condition of her children. But Stella doesn't want to worry her parents, so for a while she'll keep it a secret about what happened to her from them.

“I'm okay, Ma. I came back here because I miss you guys. It's been a long time since I've come home here,” Stella said.

“We missed you too, Stella. We're glad you chose to go home before applying for a job,” explains Dini while rubbing the back of Stella's hand.

“Already, we better have dinner now. Stella also definitely needs a break after traveling,” proposal Anton directly approved by Dini and Stella.

*****

In another city ....

Garry grumbles because after work he plans to meet Stella at the woman's boarding house but the traffic jam prevents her. For an hour he was stuck in traffic when he could not wait to meet his girlfriend.

“Sial! Why is the jam so long?” garry said as he pressed his car horn.

Garry glanced at his watch. It's almost seven o'clock in the evening, but the car can't move either. He then rested his body on the back of the seat while massaging his temple.

After he called Stella, until now there is still no news from Stella. Garry became convinced that something was wrong. It's not unusual for Stella to behave like this considering that Stella is not the type of woman who is cold and indifferent. 

“Ck! If the jams are not finished-finished, I can-can go to night,” grunted. “What really happened to Stella? Why do I feel if he ignores me?”

After nearly two hours of struggling in traffic, Garry finally arrived at Stella's boarding house. The man walked out of his car to Stella's room and knocked on Stella's door.

“Stella, open the door. It's me, Garry!” exclaim Garry while knocking on the door.

Niente. There's no answer from inside. Garry did not immediately give up, he again knocked on the door while calling Stella's name.

It seems Garry's arrival has attracted someone's attention. Stella's mother approached the man.

“Sorry, are you looking for Stella?” ask mom kos.

Garry turned his head, then asked back, “Iya, Mom. Is Stella out?”

“Stella was ready to go home. Last afternoon he left for the airport,” replied the boarding house.

“Back home?”

“Iya.”

Garry couldn't believe what he just heard. He was disappointed with Stella's current attitude. Usually, Stella never does anything without her permission. But now? Stella didn't even discuss with him when she wanted to make a decision.