20. Can't Believe

I let Elsie go to the front porch. Elsie immediately went to her motorbike and started it.

"Don't overthink about it, Zie. Anyway, you need to stay away from your friend and be natural to him. Over time those feelings will go away," Elsie smiled.

"Okay," I replied with a smile even though I wasn't sure in my heart.

"Do not tell anyone!"

"Okay, sweet lady," Elsie smiled broadly.

Elsie waved her hand then left in front of me on her motorbike, and I stared at her until she was out of sight. I feel like Elsie doesn't believe my story. However, it's impossible, and I'm not forcing her to believe it either. I shook my head. Even now, I still can't believe it if I don't wear the ring that the woman gave me.

***

After the midday prayer, I immediately packed up to return to the boarding house. Tomorrow the practice location will no longer be in a hospital but a village. The activity is called Village Community Health Development, an action in collecting data on rural communities' health problems to find solutions to these health problems.

I had just finished packing when mom and dad came home from a friend's house.

"What time are you going to the boarding house, Zie?" Dad asked, dropping himself onto the sofa. His hand grabbed the television remote control on the table and turned it on. My father switched channels and stopped at a channel that was broadcasting news.

"Soon, okay."

"Already eaten?" Dad asked, looking at me.

"Not yet, Dad."

"Go ahead, eat first!" Dad orders.

"Yes, eat first, dear. I don't want my favorite daughter to be sick,"

"Ah, my mom is lazy, okay?"

"Eh, how stupid is this? Mom is caring, you know," mom and dad burst out laughing.

"Soon, you will be someone else's wife, so you have to take good care of yourself. Don't let you get sick because you don't eat to take care of your body. Harsya will like it if you get a little fat."

For them, I am still their favorite child who must pampered even though I will be married in the next few months. I couldn't help but pout, which made them laugh even more.

I immediately shuffled over to the dining table and enjoyed my mother's very delicious stir-fried kale with a side dish of fried chicken cooked with love, hahaha.

An hour later, I said goodbye to mom and dad.

"Be careful on the road," said Dad.

"No one's missing, right?" Mom asked as she hugged me.

"Eh..." I immediately remembered that my cell phone was still in the room because it was still charging.

I immediately went to my room, took my cellphone and charger and put it in my bag. While leaving the room, I heard the sound of a car stopping in front of the house. Suddenly I felt my chest pounding.

***

From the author:

Can you guess who's coming? Ali or Harsya or who else????