“Did you know I’ve been looking everywhere for you all this time? Even your close friends didn’t know where you were. I even went to your house, but they said you weren’t living there anymore,” Bram explained as he drank a glass of mineral water to quench his thirst.
“You were looking for me? Why?” Laras asked suspiciously.
“For something that doesn’t need to be said. Someday, someone will understand.”
“My parents don’t live there anymore. Ever since my father was reelected to the Regional People’s Representative Council, he moved into a new house near his office. Our old house was sold to one of my father’s colleagues.”
“Don’t you want to inherit your father’s business and wealth?”
“My older sibling took over the business. As for my father’s wealth, I already told you that I’m not looking for or coveting worldly possessions. I’m only focused on my service.”
“Oh, right. Do you still live in Malang? It looks like your business has become more successful and keeps growing, huh?” Laras continued, moving on to her next question.
“As you can see ... Yes, I still live in Malang.”
“Can I ask you for a favor?” Laras asked.
“What favor?”
“I hope the story of our past stays between the two of us.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep our story completely private,” Bram replied, reassuring Laras.
“Thank you.”
Bram merely smiled and nodded in response to Laras’s words. Then, all of a sudden, Laras started another conversation with Bram, speaking like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time.
“Oh, right. Where is your wife from? Wait, I’m sorry—are you married?” she asked with her sweet smile.
“That’s one of the reasons I’ve been looking for you all this time.”
“What reason?”
“The relationship we had for nearly three years—didn’t it leave even the slightest feeling in your heart?”
“Hahaha ... Enough, Bram. That’s in the past. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no need to bring it up. Let me close the chapter on my past and live the life I have now,” Laras replied with a soft laugh.
“I want to apologize to you.”
“Apologize? What for? You never did anything wrong to me.”
“I did a lot of things wrong to you. I often betrayed our relationship. When we were still dating, I often went out with other girls. Please forgive me,” Bram pleaded.
“Bram ... Bram! Enough. That’s in the past. There’s no need to bring it up. I forgave you long before you ever asked me to.”
“Don’t you feel anything for me at all, Laras?”
“Feelings? What kind of feelings do you mean? The feelings that once existed have changed. The affection and love we once had have now become ordinary affection—the kind of love I feel for my fellow sisters.”
“You’re lying.”
“Please, Bram. Don’t force me to do something I can’t.”
“But, Laras ...” Bram’s words suddenly stopped when Laras quickly cut him off.
“Enough, Bram. Please try to understand. Besides, our relationship now is limited to charitable work, nothing more,” Laras said, cutting him off.
“Okay, I understand. I won’t force you. In that case, I’ll take my leave now. Give my regards to Sister Retha.”
“All right, I will. Thank you so much for helping us,” Laras replied, lowering her head.
Even so, Laras still had to respect Bram as a guest and as a donor to her foundation.
Laras escorted Rafael to the front door of the living room. The taxi that had brought him was waiting outside. Bram could only gaze at Laras’s beautiful face from a distance. He went home carrying both regret and happiness—happiness because he had succeeded in finding the woman he loved, but regret because he couldn’t have the woman he loved. Bram was too late, because Laras had now become a nun.