Praise At Night

Lunar cleared her throat, then drank the water provided for her. Just a little to sweep dry lips. The glass is placed back on the table. She was sitting in an awkward position and was being glared at ever since.

"So, how long have you been living in the apartment?"

"Lunar, I don't want to regret it for the second time. For me it is very painful to receive all this punishment."

"What are you talking about? I don't understand at all."

"I love you, Lunar."

Lunar's eyes widened. "W-we don't need to live in a lie anymore, Arkan. Everything was over a long time ago."

"How do I make you believe that I really love you?"

Lunar could not properly digest the declaration of love. At this time her heart and mind filled with anxiety. She had just come home after being away for so long. During which time she kept busy to distract herself.

After she managed to reorganize herself, instead Arkan came without warning before her. Let alone hearing the declaration of love that she had hoped for, now this man could easily destroy the self-organization she had painstakingly built.

Lunar get up from her seat. “T-this...”

Seeing Lunar having a hard time after hearing a sudden declaration of love, Arkan immediately caught both shoulders. "I wasn't lying when I said I loved you. I love you. Even after we're no longer together."

"I-I...."

"I will give you time to think. Just say 'yes' or 'no' when you have made a decision later. This time I am very serious about you. If necessary, I will come to your family today and marry you today too. Maybe that way can make you believe that I really want to live with you."

"You know what you're talking about now, don't you? How can you say that as if marriage were something easy."

Lunar couldn't stop thinking about Arkan's attitude. She rushed out of the apartment. Eerything is like a dream and very unreal. How can she face all that?

While Arkan sat on the sofa with a languid approach. It was as if all his energy had been sucked out after successfully expressing the feelings he had been harboring for so long. His heart was relieved, but his mind was getting more and more complicated.

He was too happy just now to not think about Lunar's current life. This is so messed up! What if Lunar already has a life of its own? Then isn't he walking the path to destroy a family? Destroy Lunar happiness? Even though he really wanted to live with Lunar, but he also didn't want to be so selfish.

***

It had been two weeks since they met at the apartment. Arkan still hasn't received any news regarding Lunar's decision. What was that woman really thinking? He could not wait any longer than this.

Arkan took the first step again this time. He worked up the courage to contact Lunar. A message that essentially asks news. Unfortunately, no reply at all even though it has been read.

A few minutes later he finally decided to call. No answer. Even after calling repeatedly, the call was rejected. This frustrated him even more.

Arkan took the car keys, then put on his jacket. He rushed downstairs to meet the woman in person. Today he must get an answer. It is up to him whether good news or bad news he will receive. Surely it can get him out of the noose that is uncertain.

Upon arrival in front of Lunar's house, he sent a message saying his whereabouts. There was still no answer so he forced himself to barge in. Putting aside any doubts, he knocked on the door.

Not long after, the door of the house opened revealing an unexpected figure. Sora came out of the house and closed the door tightly. Arkan was not at all close to sister Lunar, but he was taken away from the front of the house. They talk in the car.

"Haven't seen you in a very long time." Sora gave a hug. "You must want to meet Lunar."

He nodded his head quickly. He did want to meet Lunar. Better not to wait long so they can meet as soon as possible.

"You can't meet her. Our parents are not in good condition right now. Your presence will only make the situation worse. Better start the car engine and accompany me out for a while. Go!"

"Go?"

"Buy me the most delicious beef steak. I haven't had dinner because of the bad situation that happened in the house. At the same time...." Sora blinked her eyes repeatedly. "We can do a candle light dinner."

"But, Lunar...."

"You can meet her sometime. Now, let's have dinner first. Come on!"

Just about to turn the car key, Arkan was saved from a situation that forced him to leave. He picked up the phone call from Lunar and his smile immediately widened.

"Arkan, what are you waiting for? Quickly start the car engine."

Sora who was already very annoyed because the car was not moving, intended to change their seats. She touched Arkan so they could switch. "Don't worry. I'll pay for it later."

"Do not come close!" Arkan screamed so that he would no longer be touched. Sora had gone mad from touching his carelessly. "Fine. I'll buy it. So sit tight."

Arkan was able to be safe because Sora listened to him. His phone with Lunar no longer connects. Annoyed him even more because it was difficult to talk to Lunar. Turn to call, there is a bad incident like now.

Suddenly a loud tapping sound on the window was heard nearby. Sora looked annoyed and asked Arkan to start the car even though her sister had asked him to get out.

After going through various processes that took quite a long time, Sora finally gave up on one condition. Arkan had to give all the money in his wallet as a cover so that the meeting would not be leaked to their parents.

Now only Arkan and Lunar are in the car. they both did not expect that they would meet in a very embarrassing way. Until now, Lunar was still cursing in her heart because of her sister's that made them have to meet, because she heard Sora's voice when she called earlier.

"I will reimburse the money that Sora took from you."

"You don't have to think about that."

Lunar saw where Arkan's eyes were looking. She immediately removed the towel wrapped around her hair. The situation was truly disgraceful. Sora had to pay for everything.

"Ah, sorry. I was in the bathroom earlier, so I didn't have time to reply to your message."

She covered her tangled hair by letting the towel remain on head. "I came in a hurry when I heard my sister's voice. I shouldn't have walked out with a towel like this. By the way, where did you get my number?"

"I should have done it a long time ago. The apartment has your number, because they need to arrange a transfer of ownership."

"Ah, I see. It must have been your dad."

"You still call dad?"

Luna smiled awkwardly. "Yes."

"I waited for you for so long and looked for you everywhere, but father didn't help me at all to meet you, even though he knew where you were."

Arkan regretted, then glanced at Lunar who didn't look at him much. He pulled the towel on the head so that it fell back showing how the hair as a whole. The moist face glistened under the street light. He could see that the current Lunar was extremely shining.

"You are very beautiful."

Slowly her sparkling face turned red. Lunar looked away so she could find where the doorknob was. "We'd better find a suitable time to talk. I'll call you back later."

"Lunar." Arkan held back.

Lunar looked at the hand gripping the wrist. "Arkan, I need time."

Arkan let go unwillingly. He was putting too much pressure on Lunar and should put some distance for their sudden encounter. "All right," he said.