The afternoon was coming. They did not speak much, but ushered in the darkness that would become long nights. Edward himself could only stare at the food he was stir-frying while his mind wandered everywhere. Especially after Intan had come back to him innocently.
Actually, for a long time, Edward was the dream man of the students at his school. His handsome face, muscular physique, polite behavior, smart brain, and the wealth of his parents that helped Edward become independent at a young age had made everyone admire him.
Not to be arrogant, but almost all the girls in his school did like Edward. Only a few ambitious women who thought about education didn't really care about Edward. Meanwhile, Intan was one of the women who openly dared to pursue him.
Moreover, she was famous as the belle of the school thanks to her beauty. Automatically, the woman feels appropriate and confidently pursues Edward in various ways. Although Edward remains a quiet figure and does not want to bother. Until one day, Edward was surprised by a call from an unfamiliar number in the middle of self-study.
"Hello, good afternoon," greeted Edward trying to be polite with someone he didn't know who and how old.
The call was answered with a nervous voice that said, "hello. Is this really Edward?"
It sounded like a mother's voice. Moreover, the woman called him 'son'.
"Yes, myself."
"Hmm. Thank goodness for Nak Edward. I am Intan's mother, son. I would like to ask Nak Edward a favor, may I?" the woman asked in a low tone.
Intan's mother? How did she know Edward's number? Edward was confused, especially since she also wanted to ask him for a favor. Should Edward be forced to agree? She was an adult. Of course Edward was reluctant not to continue their conversation.
"What do you want, ma'am?" asked Edward, unable to refuse.
"Well, my aunt's daughter, Intan actually has a history of stage two brain cancer. She's been fainting more often lately. Meanwhile, her dream has always been only one; to have you. If I may ask for a favor, I would like Edward to make Intan happy for a short time by being Intan's lover until the last moment, son."
That request, Edward was speechless to hear such a heavy request. Edward was confused, but decided that he wanted to see Intan's condition who was hospitalized at a nearby hospital. When Edward arrived, Intan was indeed lying with her eyes closed while IVs ran through her hands. Tante said that Intan had regained consciousness so Edward could talk to her.
"Intan," Edward called softly as he looked compassionately at Intan's figure.
Intan woke up with weak eyes. Edward was confused, should he realize this dream?
The only person Edward loves is Dali. However, if Intan did need a few years' worth of stuff, maybe Edward could survive. When asked like that, Intan nodded weakly. Edward couldn't bear it. As a man who was taught to respect women, seeing the woman who loved him in pain was not comfortable.
"Then, let's go out. I will accompany you through your days."
In the end, Edward's conscience could not refuse Intan's parents' request. He felt too sorry for her. From then on, Edward accompanied Intan patiently and helped her fulfill all her wishes, whether it was to travel or buy something. One thing Edward couldn't make happen: Intan's figure asked for a physical relationship beyond hand-holding. Edward really couldn't fulfill that because there was only Dali in her head and only Dali could kiss her.
During the relationship, Intan's condition was quite severe. She fainted so many times that Edward had to go to great lengths to carry her and nurse her back to consciousness. Until 5 months passed, Edward also treated Intan patiently. At that time, Edward intended to say goodbye home and crossed paths with Intan's friend who wanted to visit. Actually, Edward did not want to interfere. However, Edward realized that Edward's wallet had fallen. So, Edward was forced to return to Intan's house and heard something that really astonished him.
"How? What did you get today from your fainting act?" asked the woman with loose hair.
"Hahaha. You can see the paper bag there. That was just bought. Not to mention, all the collections you see above, they're all from Edward. That guy is really cool, isn't he? Besides being handsome and rich, he's also generous."
Hearing Intan's shocking statement, the friend commented, "dih, you're crazy, Tan! You're still playing around with diseases to cheat people."
"Hahaha. It's okay. Besides, Edward never complains if I ask for anything, you guys are so bothered. It's good to know we have a financial source that can give us anything. So, all we have to do is act a little and we get it," Intan replied, sounding proud.
"It's really good to be you, Tan. I want to be like you," replied a friend whose hair was tied up.
"At least you have to be pretty first. If you're not beautiful, how would a guy treat you like a queen? Instead, they'll treat you like a babu. Even if you beg, he won't care."
"Hiks, yes too. You're right," replied my friend with loose hair, looking rather sad.
Although in reality the world was cruel because it more often favored beautiful women and handsome men, but honestly Edward was very disappointed with Intan's shallow thinking. She was deliberately using her beauty to get what she wanted. Edward just wanted to treat all the women around him with courtesy.
Without further ado, Edward went straight to Intan who immediately stiffened realizing that Edward had not fully returned home. Edward deliberately did not say much. However, with a bit of a sharp and disappointed look, Intan seemed to realize her mistake. So, in front of his friends that he was proud of, Edward without hesitation broke up with her.
After that day, Edward felt like a fool who had been deceived by Intan's mother and her two best friends. Edward was so hurt that he never wanted to see the materialistic and cruel Intan again even though she apologized many times. Besides, Edward's love for Dali was still intact.
Every time he remembers these memories, Edward hates the figure of Intan who dares to deceive to the point of involving his parents. How could his parents be willing to conspire to deceive Edward in order to get a small portion of his wealth. In addition, they also dared to play around with fake illnesses as if they were not afraid that what they were doing might come true. That was why, when he met Intan again, he was disgusted to the point of not wanting to admit to knowing each other.
"Hi, Ward. What are you cooking?"
Dali's greeting instantly restored Edward's self-awareness.
The man immediately turned to look at the beautiful woman he had always missed. He was indeed a little horrified to have been caught in Intan's deception. However, he was lucky, in the end Edward could still be united with the woman Edward truly loved.
Edward put his arm around Dali's waist as he stroked Dali's hair. In his eyes, she was beautiful.
"Miss is home? I miss her very much."
Hearing Edward's sudden confession made Dali laugh. These two people seemed to be getting closer while it could not be denied that Dali was getting more comfortable with Edward's treatment of him.