Niel looked resignedly at the cell phone that contained a message between him and his sister. Intan, who was too demanding to buy an expensive bag, confused Niel. The reason was that there was only enough money left in his pocket for snacks. As a result, Intan did not want to be chatted or called as usual.
[Sis, lend me some money, please. Just 100 million.]
[No! What the hell is borrowing that much money? Not for business either. You're pretending to borrow such a large amount!]
Remembering her brother's stern words made Niel rethink. Her brother was right. Why did he have to spend that much money on something that wasn't important? Niel became ashamed of his brother who borrowed a lot of money for a promising business. Well, Niel, you're not even working yet and you're already thinking about buying branded goods for your girlfriend.
[Come on, Sis, I'll change next month,] Niel persuaded once again.
[Dih, what do you want to change money using? Using leaves? Just make something up when you say that. There's no borrowing! You haven't even replaced the first one!]
Yes, that's more or less the conversation between Niel and his brother, whom Niel already considers a walking ATM. He feels sad because he wants to fulfill his lover's expectations but is unable to because of economic constraints. So, he can only surrender to accept the situation.
I felt the friend next to Niel shaking Niel's arm to wake Niel up from his reverie. Moreover, he also called out repeatedly, "Niel, Niel, that girl of yours came. Didn't you find her?"
Niel gasped instantly. Long live, Intan. Just thinking about it, she had just appeared in front of Niel. The man immediately looked at the arrival of his beloved with a look of amazement.
"Uh, sweetheart. You're here. Come on, sit here," Niel greeted enthusiastically as he patted the bench beside him.
This was a rare sight that he could get during his dating life. Where usually it was Niel who chased, sought, and met her. This time it was the other way around. Maybe Intan was missing him. Unfortunately, the look on Intan's face was different from usual. If she was usually gentle, this time she showed a fierce face. In fact, Niel only said hello as usual. Was Niel considered to have made another mistake?
"No, you don't have to!" Intan refused sternly.
Niel was forced to get up from the chair and approach Intan. If Intan didn't mean to see him, why would she come here? There was no other guy Intan liked in this class except Niel. Niel's kindness and patience made the man want to grab Intan's hand. Unfortunately, Intan just threw him away.
"Honey, are you still angry with me?" asked Niel, recalling their time together that ended in a fight because Intan didn't buy Niel a fancy bag.
Intan stared fiercely as she said, "From now on, don't call me sweetheart anymore. Don't meet me again either."
"Why, darling?" asked Niel frantically.
Intan looked annoyed that Niel was calling her sweetheart again. "I told you not to call me 'sweetheart'! Because starting today we don't have a relationship anymore, aka we've broken up!"
Jeder!
Niel felt like he was struck by lightning when he heard his girlfriend's request that he was so afraid of. How could Intan dump him after spending all of Niel's pocket money, savings, and loans? Were all of Niel's gifts still not enough to make Intan realize how precious she was to Niel? But why did it still end like this after desperately holding back the pain in his heart?
Niel began to sob by himself without shame. His eyes were slightly teary even though he knew he was a man. Everything he heard felt unfair. Intan shouldn't have the right to behave like this after all she had given. But, did Niel have the right to hold Intan responsible just because he had given her everything she wanted? It felt like he had no self-respect anymore.
"Tan, why did you just break up with me like that? I love you, Tan," Niel said, sobbing.
The woman looked back with disgust. Of course she was embarrassed to have a weak boyfriend who couldn't do anything. In fact, she regretted accepting his love a few weeks ago.
With mocking eyes, Intan tried to show a domineering attitude, "Think for yourself. Who would want to stay by the side of a man like you anyway?"
After saying that, Intan walked away. Niel's tongue stuck out. It felt like there were dozens of boulders crushing his chest, making it difficult to breathe. Too tired to argue with a woman who clearly didn't want anything to do with him, Niel decided to leave to calm his heart.
***
Intan smiled to find the handsome man who looked even more dashing was busy studying. Her eyes continued to read the book until she didn't care about her fellow classmates who also admired Edward's good looks. All the women did not dare to approach the quiet Edward. Because only Intan knew Edward's flaws and dared to approach the man.
"Hi, Edward. May I sit down," Intan politely greeted and asked permission.
She had to show her image again as a gentle and loving woman in front of the man she had longed for. And it again succeeded in making Edward surprised until he was transfixed for a few seconds.
"Diamond? What are you here for again?" the man asked with an uncomfortable look.
Diamond smiled sweetly. "I missed you, Ward. So I'm here to see you," she said, looking optimistic.
In contrast to Edward who looked angry at Intan who was not bored and did not heed his warnings.
"Intan, didn't I tell you that I already have a wife? Besides, realize, Tan, that you have also become Niel's girlfriend. My own sister-in-law!" Edward said in a deep tone.
His face seemed to be holding back anger because Intan either didn't understand or pretended to forget.
"Take it easy, Ward. My relationship with Niel is over, really. You also married that woman because it was arranged, right? So why are you holding on to that marriage? Just come back to me."
Hearing these insolent words, Edward did not hesitate to show his anger. That woman had gone too far.
"Look, I don't care whether you have a partner or not. One thing is for sure, my arranged marriage didn't happen by force because I love her. So, I won't let my wife go and please leave me alone."
Edward walked away in disgust. Diamond was hurt by what she had heard. In her fiery hatred, Intan was determined that if it wasn't Edward she could win over, then she would make the woman who was with Edward leave on her own out of deep disappointment.
To summarize, Niel is too naive to be willing to be patient with a spoiled and matre woman for the sake of a girlfriend, while Intan is nothing more than a woman who is less grateful to waste a man who is more sincere in accepting just because he sees a man from a more promising past. In fact, Edward had already given a warning beforehand, that Edward was reluctant to turn to her again.