The Shackles of Love

"I never thought they'd all end up tragically like this…" Renata said.

Trisya looked at her best friend. She still seemed very shocked by the news she received a few hours ago.

The house was quiet, no one else was there besides them.

"I was hurt by some of what my aunt and her children said, but I never thought they would leave me like this."

"I bought some food… surely everyone hasn't had a chance to eat, right?" Robby came up to them.

"I'm not hungry," Renata refused.

"Eat, Re…"

"I did say some pretty harsh things about them, but not to lose them like this…" Renata sobbed.

"I'll feed you?" Trisya offered.

"You haven't eaten either, Trisya?" Robby asked.

Trisya shook her head.

"Eat… you might get sick if you don't eat."

"You haven't eaten, Sya?" Renata asked.

"I'll eat if you eat."

"Trisya…" Renata immediately hugged Trisya.

"Or what do you want to eat? Let Ardi find it," Richard offered.

"No need, Uncle. I'll just eat what Robby bought," Renata wiped her tears.

"Dad and Ardi haven't eaten either," Trisya said.

"Come on, let's all eat on the floor here," Richard suggested.

A while later…

"Dad and Ardi, sit outside, okay?"

"Do you want me to make coffee, Dad?"

"Sure," Richard walked out followed by Ardi.

"I'll go to the back, you keep Rena company…" Trisya walked towards the kitchen.

"Why are you spacing out again?" Robby asked.

"I still can't believe this is all happening," Renata cried again. "Now I'm truly alone, Rob…"

"We're all here to keep you company and look after you."

Renata's sobs grew louder.

Robby slowly reached out and put his hand on Renata's shoulder.

Suddenly, Renata cried and fell into Robby's arms, releasing her tears on the man's chest.

Trisya walked into the room, seeing Renata still crying in Robby's arms.

Robby looked at Trisya, who was staring coldly. He tried to release Renata's hug, but she held him even tighter.

Trisya walked out, meeting Richard and Ardi.

"Sorry, Dad… there's no sugar. I can't make coffee."

"It's okay."

"I'll get my bag first, it's very late. Mom must be waiting for Dad at home."

"You're going home?"

"Yes, I need to rest. I have class tomorrow morning."

"Dad thought you'd stay here and keep Rena company."

"Robby is here, he can definitely take better care of Rena."

Trisya went inside without waiting for Richard's answer.

"Your daughter doesn't seem to be doing well, sir" Ardi reminded him.

"I'm going home," Trisya said goodbye.

"What, you're not staying with Rena?" Robby asked, releasing Renata's hug.

"You stay."

"What about me? What will people say?"

"You're friends, right? I'll come here tomorrow, Re, sorry I have to go home tonight. I still have work to finish. I have to go to campus tomorrow morning… If anything happens, just call, okay?"

"Sya…"

"Bye…" Trisya walked out of the room.

"Trisya might feel uncomfortable seeing me hugging you. I'm sorry, Rob…"

"It's okay, I'll talk to her."

"Go home. I feel better now."

"Okay…" Robby quickly went out.

He saw Richard's car had already left Renata's yard.

He immediately got on his motorbike and drove towards Trisya's house.

Richard's car was still in the yard of Trisya's house.

Robby rushed to Trisya, who was just getting out of the car, and pulled her arm.

"Why are you here?" Trisya asked. "Let go!"

"Sir, can I talk to Trisya for a minute… just a minute," Robby asked. "I promise nothing will happen. I won't dare do anything while you're here."

Richard just smiled thinly.

"Okay, five minutes."

"Thank you, sir… Come on," Robby pulled Trisya with him.

They stopped under a tree not far from where Richard parked his car.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!"

"Angry? Jealous?"

"Who do you think you are that I should be angry and jealous?"

"Your boyfriend!" Robby answered quickly.

Trisya laughed.

"Boyfriend? When did I say we were dating?"

"What?"

"It's late!"

"But you said you wanted me to come and propose to you?"

"I was just kidding!"

"I'm not kidding, Trisya!"

"Whatever."

"Trisya!" Robby pulled Trisya's arm.

"Let go! Dad will beat you up if you're rough with me!"

"I won't be rough with you."

"Go home!" Trisya shooed him away.

"I'm not doing anything with Renata. She's just a friend."

"It's okay if you like her too…"

"Hey, don't be like this! Don't play games with me! You're really confusing me, so indifferent, then so affectionate, then cold. I can't figure you out!"

"It's been five minutes, Dad only gave you five minutes!"

"I don't care! Even in a game, there's extra time when it's a draw."

"Game? You think I'm a game?"

"You started it, Miss! You invited me to play, so I have to win!"

Suddenly, Robby pulled Trisya and, unexpectedly, he kissed her.

Trisya pushed Robby away.

"You're crazy!" Trisya said. "You know Dad and his colleague are still here."

"I'm going to propose to you, watch…" Robby took out a small box.

"What's this?"

Robby opened the box, showing the ring inside.

"Wow…"

"Do you like it? Can I put it on you?"

Trisya nodded.

Robby took Trisya's finger and put the ring on her ring finger.

"It's not an expensive ring, but I hope it can convince you that I, who's salary might not even be as high as yours, am serious about wanting to be your partner in life."

"Hey… it's been more than five minutes!" Richard called. "It's been fifteen minutes!"

"Dad must be angry."

"He's not angry, you can see that he let time go by longer than he gave us."

"You're crazy!"

"Come on," Robby pulled Trisya towards Richard's car.

"Dad…" Trisya showed the ring on her finger. "Robby gave me this ring."

"Get in, Trisya. It's late."

"I'm not a child… Bang Ardi, look. Isn't it beautiful?"

Ardi just smiled thinly.

"We'll talk tomorrow. Trisya, get in!"

"Get in…" Robby said.

Trisya waved before walking towards the terrace.

"You go home, Rob!" Richard said.

"Yes…"

"I'll watch you go home before I leave this place."

"My future father-in-law is so strict…" Robby joked. "Okay, I'm going home. See you tomorrow, future father-in-law…"

Robby quickly drove his motorbike away from the place.

"He's so bold, flirting with my daughter in front of me?"

Richard looked at Trisya, who was standing on the terrace.

"Why are you coming out again? Get in, Dad's going home…" Richard said goodbye.

"Dad…" Trisya called, walking towards Richard's car.

"What's wrong?"

"Can I go home with Mom?" Trisya asked.

"Go home with Mom?"

"Yes. Tonight, I want to sleep at Mom's house."

"Really?"

"Can't I?"

"Get in."

"Thank you…" Trisya immediately got in the car.

Trisya looked at Ardi.

"Sorry. I wasted your time by talking to Robby."

"It's okay."

Trisya smiled.

"You're handsome."

Ardi smiled thinly.

"Thank you."

"Dad, wake me up when I get home, okay?"

"Yes."

Ardi saw Trisya closing her eyes in the rearview mirror. He smiled before returning to seriously looking at the road.