Part 2

The first meeting with Zidan left a deep impression on Airin's heart, and her cheeks always turn rosy when recalling the happy moment of having dinner with Zidan that evening.

The happiness, tinged with awkwardness, intensifies as Zidan communicates more actively and gives more attention than usual. Their communication becomes more intense, with Zidan occasionally accompanying Airin in her sleep through video calls, even if it's only during overtime. The rest of the time, they exchange messages.

Zidan's attention doesn't stop there. Every weekend, Zidan visits, either just to have a meal together or to shop for Airin's necessities, but it's not for long, only two or three hours. Zidan's attention and sacrifices lead Airin to decide to invite him to meet and give an answer to the question that lingered.

Without much thought, Zidan heads straight to Airin's location, even though his work at the office is piling up. He goes to get an answer that aligns with his desires and to prove that he is serious.

It takes Zidan more than four hours to reach the designated place that witnesses the formalization of their relationship. The two of them, Airin and Zidan, are now sitting together in a park, exchanging shy glances as today is the day of reckoning after a long wait.

"So, what's the answer?" Finally, Zidan speaks after sitting face to face with Airin for quite some time, looking at her beautiful face now blushing.

Airin, who has been gathering courage to express her answer, lifts her slightly lowered face. Biting her lower lip, she neutralizes the nervousness that has taken over her.

"I... I accept your wish to be my boyfriend."

Whatever Airin said at this moment, her words are not well-structured and articulated. Even though she had crafted many words with a hint of sweetness back at her place. However, when facing Zidan and looking into his eyes, everything dissipates, as if all the vocabulary in her mind is sucked away by Zidan's charisma.

Both corners of Zidan's lips lift, forming a smile in response to Airin's answer.

"Thank you, Rin. I don't know what to say to you. I am very grateful and happy to get the opportunity to be your boyfriend." Zidan, who is already overjoyed, unconsciously clasps both of Airin's hands.

Airin simply smiled, observing the genuine sparkle in Zidan's eyes. For her, it was truly sincere, and the 'yes' to the question from that time had been long-awaited.

She didn't want to be hypocritical. Airin had wanted to say 'yes' for a long time, but she needed the right moment and more proof to make the right decision.

Moreover, from any perspective, Zidan had no flaws whatsoever. He was incredibly handsome and perfect. Look at his handsome face with a prominent nose, thick eyebrows, and a strong jawline, complemented by his fine hair, enhancing Zidan's attractiveness.

From another perspective, Zidan was a very caring and patient man, generous with both money and time. There was nothing that could make any woman reject him. This included Airin, who had succumbed to Zidan's attention all this time.

However, up to this moment, there was still one thing that made Airin curious. Zidan never wanted to do video calls from his home; it always had to be from the office while accompanying her work.

Despite that, the reason Zidan gave to Airin silenced her and dismissed any negative thoughts that had always haunted her. This was to ensure that nothing would hinder the progress of their relationship.

Zidan's explanation was that he couldn't answer video or voice calls at home because he was afraid his mother would find out about a woman close to him. This would pressure him to get married and have children. Zidan didn't want Airin to be burdened by these expectations; he wanted her to finish her studies before taking their relationship to a more serious level.

Initially, Airin was still skeptical about Zidan's explanation. However, he continued to prove that he was serious about his words, and Airin was the only woman he had been close to all this time.

Therefore, Airin's decision for Zidan remained aligned with their mutual desires – to pursue a romantic relationship.

Their love relationship was official now. Even though they were faced with a long-distance romance, Zidan's attention and the time he devoted to Airin made her not feel distant. In fact, she felt Zidan was always by her side, accompanying her wherever she went.

Occasionally, they went on vacations together to unwind. Without any fear because Airin had complete trust in Zidan. She no longer felt awkward traveling alone with him, whether it was just a vacation or overnight stays.

The fear of something bad happening never crossed Airin's mind. Zidan had only dared to go as far as hugging, and there had been no kisses except on the forehead and the back of her hand. Zidan had never acted strangely or inappropriately, so Airin felt safe and comfortable traveling with him, anywhere and anytime.

Until one night, they stayed in a hotel. As usual, if it got too late, Airin couldn't return to her boarding house; she might get expelled by the owner for violating the rules. Where she lived, bringing a man home late at night was not allowed, and returning after 9 PM was prohibited.

But now? The clock showed it was half-past ten at night, and Airin decided to stay overnight with Zidan. They were used to it, and nothing bad had ever happened.

However, in the morning, Airin was sitting on the bed, crying while hugging her knees. She stared blankly at the bloodstains on the bedsheet, remnants of Zidan's actions the previous night. Somehow, he had forced and begged her to engage in forbidden relations that would harm her as the woman involved.

Airin didn't know what had happened, why she had agreed so easily and melted under Zidan's deadly charm. Now, all she could do was cry, lamenting her foolishness that had robbed her of her dignity.

"You don't need to worry. I will take responsibility if anything happens to you. Even though I won't marry you, because I love you so much, Rin. So, please, don't cry again so that I don't drown in guilt," Zidan said softly, reaching for Airin's hand and gently stroking it.

However, Airin, already disappointed with Zidan's actions, immediately pushed him away. She lifted her tear-stained face and stared sharply at Zidan.

Airin shook her head. "I trusted you, You. I already rejected you and begged you not to do it. But what did you do? You hit me and apologized with sweet words at the same time. Acted violently, causing me to lose everything," Airin whispered, wiping away the tears that refused to stop flowing.

"... and now, you say sweet words and want to take responsibility? Prove it today if you really want to take responsibility. You don't have to wait for me to be pregnant or until I finish. Because the result will be the same." Airin took a deep breath. "If not now, then leave! Don't see me again."

"Rin..."

"Stop!" Airin raised one hand, asking Zidan to be silent, as she didn't want to hear sweet words that would shatter her for the second time. "Take responsibility or leave!"

"Rin, I can't marry you anytime soon. You're still in college, and please finish first. Not only that, I have to finish our house first before we can get married. I don't want my mother to intimidate you if we live in my parents' house. Considering you're just an ordinary student from the countryside!"

"You!!" Airin was shocked. How could Zidan say that, while all this time he had always praised her? Zidan even used to say he would accept all her shortcomings. However, now Zidan dared to utter such harsh words.

"What? What do you want? Demand me to take responsibility if I don't want to do it in the near future? Please!" Zidan retorted. Losing control, he spoke in a loud voice.

Cornering Airin further, who was now staring blankly at him. "I'm disappointed in you!"

"Whether you want to be disappointed or whatever with me! What's clear is I'll take responsibility if you get pregnant or when you graduate later. Other than that, never expect us to get married. No wealth, at least you have a degree to present to my parents."

Like lightning in broad daylight. Zidan's words instantly burned Airin's entire body without a trace. Her dignity had been robbed, and now her pride was being trampled upon like a useless item.

Not only that, now Zidan left just like that. Leaving her alone, crying helplessly in the spacious hotel room. Without a word of farewell. All that remained was the loud bang of the door harshly closed by Zidan.

Now what? The rice has turned into porridge. Airin won't be able to fix her mistake again because everything has happened, and time can never be turned back, even for just a second.

Her dignity has been lost, seized by a man she barely knew, and had only met a few times. To make matters worse, Airin never knew the complete address of Zidan's residence. All she knew was the city of Jakarta. Imagine how vast Jakarta is to search for Zidan's whereabouts?