Divided Heart

I understand how a mother feels when her child is sick, especially since Luna is an only child. However, I admire Riana; she is able to do her best for Luna, even without a husband. She is even willing to leave her job, which is even more important.

"So, how is she now?" I asked worriedly.

"Thankfully, her condition is stable now," Riana replied, and unintentionally, she leaned on my shoulder.

That gesture surprised me, but I remained silent and pretended not to notice. I understand that Riana needs support right now.

I realize that all of this is my fault. All this time, I didn't know how much Luna loved me. I thought she only saw me as an older brother or a friend. That's why I didn't take her feelings seriously.

Until I found out how disappointed Luna was when she saw me hugging and kissing Floryn. I think it's better if no one knows what really happened between us. Not even Riana.

Riana received many important calls from her employees. I feel sorry for her. At the same time, she is thinking about Luna's condition and her work.

"If you want to go back to the restaurant, it's okay. I'll take care of Luna here. I see your restaurant is very busy with customers. I just don't want the work there to be neglected," I suggested.

"But aren't you busy today?" Riana asked me.

"I can take a leave from college. What's important now is Luna's recovery and the smooth running of your business, Riana. I'm fine. Let me take care of her here," I insisted.

"Alright, Andra. I'll be back soon. Thank you so much. This means a lot to me," Riana replied, and I nodded.

"Of course, no problem," I said with a smile.

Riana left, and I took a deep breath before sitting on the chair next to the bed.

"Luna, I'm sorry," I whispered while holding Luna's hand.

Her hand was cold and damp. It made my heart race again. I hate seeing her like this. And I still blame myself for all of this.

I spent quite a lot of time sitting here with her. I kept telling her how sorry I was. I told her how much I love her and that I never meant to hurt her feelings.

Then, after hours, I heard someone entering the room. It turned out to be my mother, carrying a basket of food.

"Riana just told me about Luna's condition. How is she now?" my mother asked anxiously.

"She's still unconscious," I replied softly, looking at Luna with a sad face.

"Oh my, Luna," my mother said, then started crying. She approached the bed and gently stroked Luna's hair with her fingers.

"It's okay, Mom. She's stable now," I reassured her, forcing a sad smile.

"She's a good girl, Andra. I know she loves you very much."

"Yes, Mom. I know," I replied, but I still felt guilty.

When the doctor arrived, I stood next to my mother while waiting. He checked Luna's vital signs, listened to her breathing, and wrote some things on his clipboard.

"How is she, Doctor? Is she okay? Will she recover?" I asked anxiously.

"Her condition has improved, thankfully," the doctor replied while reviewing her medical records. "But she needs to stay here for a few more days to regain her strength and health."

"Alright, thank you, Doctor," I sighed in relief.

At least we know that Luna will be okay.

***

Two hours later, Luna finally regained consciousness. She was still drowsy, and when she opened her eyes, she saw me sitting beside her bed. We looked at each other and smiled faintly.

"Hi, Andra," Luna greeted me shyly.

"Hello, sweetheart. How are you feeling?" I smiled at her.

"Where am I?" she asked weakly.

"You're in the hospital."

"Why?" she asked, confused, blinking slowly a few times.

"Because the doctor wanted to check your health. The doctor said your fever was very high," I replied.

Luna looked confused. She glanced around the room.

"Don't worry. What's important is that you're healthy now. Don't think about anything, okay?" I said while stroking her soft brown hair.

She nodded. I gave her a bottle of water, and she drank almost half of it before lying back down and closing her eyes again. As she fell asleep, I kissed her forehead.

I looked at my watch and realized I still had an hour or two to spare. So I decided to call Riana and let her know that Luna had woken up.

"Hello, Andra. What's wrong? Did something happen to Luna?" Riana asked hurriedly as soon as she picked up the phone.

"No, nothing happened. I just wanted to update you on Luna's condition. She just woke up a few minutes ago."

"Thank goodness. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Riana. Thank you."

"I'll make you some food. It's okay, right, if you wait a bit?"

"No need, Riana. Don't bother, thank you."

In the middle of our phone conversation, someone knocked on the door. At first, I thought it was a doctor or nurse coming to check on Luna. But it turned out to be Floryn. She opened the door slowly and looked at me.

"Riana, I'll hang up now. There's a doctor coming to check on Luna," I said goodbye to Riana.

"Alright, Andra," she replied, then hung up.

I stood up from my seat. Meanwhile, Luna also suddenly woke up and stared at Floryn seriously.

"Floryn?" I asked in surprise.

"Riana told me that her daughter, Luna, is in the hospital and apologized for not being able to attend my wedding tonight. And that you're the one taking care of Luna here," Floryn explained as she stepped closer to me.

"Yes, that's right. And I'm sorry too. It seems I won't be able to attend your wedding either. Luna really needs me right now."

Floryn chuckled and said, "Even if she needs you forever, that's okay too. Don't worry, I'm fine."

"It's okay, sweetheart. I won't hug or kiss Andra anymore. I'm married now. He's all yours," Floryn said softly as she approached Luna.

I just realized that Floryn was carrying a long blue and pink gift box, about 30 centimeters in length, as she approached Luna's bed.

"I have something for you. I'm sure you'll like it," Floryn said gently as she handed the gift to Luna.

Luna slowly sat up and accepted the gift.

"Can I open it now?" Luna asked with a bright smile.

"Sure, let's see what's inside."

Carefully, Luna opened the gift box and took out its contents. It was an expensive and beautiful baby doll.

"Aww, it's so cute! Thank you, Floryn," Luna said happily.

"You're welcome, sweetheart," Floryn smiled and hugged Luna.

"But I want you to promise me something," Floryn said, raising her pinky finger.

"Sure, what is it?" Luna asked with her sweetest smile.

"As long as Andra is yours, take good care of him, okay? He's a good man. There's no better man than him," Floryn replied, but her eyes were teary.

"I swear to God, I'll take care of him," Luna replied confidently. Then she linked her pinky finger with Floryn's.

"Good girl," Floryn said as she gently stroked Luna's hair.

I stood by, watching them carefully. I was truly happy to see them together. They were the sweetest pair. After a while, Floryn approached me.

"And you, Andra, don't leave her like you left me before. She loves you so much, Andra. She even swore on it."

"Of course not, I won't leave her," I said firmly.

"But be careful in the future. It seems like Riana is starting to like you too. I can tell from the way she talks about you. She really cares for you. What I'm afraid of is, when Riana starts opening her heart to you, what will happen to Luna, who also loves you?" Floryn explained, making me think for a moment.

"I'm sure it will get complicated. Because later, when Luna starts to grow up, she will begin to understand the meaning of love. So, the deeper you plant love and affection in her, the greater her love for you will be. And that's when Riana will start limiting your time with her. That's where the complexity lies, Andra," Floryn continued.

I listened carefully to her words. There was some truth to it. It was as if she was showing me my future with Riana's small family. Meanwhile, I can't love two people at once. Especially when they are a mother and daughter. This is completely unreasonable.

But I can't just leave their lives. How selfish of me if I did that. They need me. But I still don't know how to face all of this. I guess I'll figure it out as things unfold.

"But don't worry, Andra. I'll always be here for you when you need someone to talk to. Good luck," Floryn smiled at me, then left the room.

I understand that she's hurt because of me. I could see it when she gave the gift to Luna. It was as if she had given up on all of this. I saw tears welling up in her eyes. But she still managed to smile at me and Luna.

"Andra? Are you okay?" Luna asked curiously, as I had just been standing there, watching Floryn until she left the room.