“Arghhh!”

Dimas hurled whatever was within reach across the room when he heard the latest news about Reisa. He collapsed onto the sofa, clutching his hair over and over. His phone rang again—it hadn’t stopped all hour.

“Yeah, Mom?”

“We’re going to the hospital. You’d better come quickly—we need to see Reisa,” said the voice on the other end.

“But I still have work, Ma.”

“Dimas! What’s wrong with you? Your fiancée has just had an accident.”

“You go ahead first, Ma. I’ll follow.”

He ended the call and stared at his desk. His mind was in chaos. Finally, he decided to leave the office and head for the hospital.

During the drive, Dimas barely noticed the road. He couldn’t believe any of this was happening. He’d even hired a private driver to protect Reisa, to drive her safely wherever she needed.

From what he’d been told, Reisa had slipped out that night without her father’s knowledge. That was what he regretted most. To make it worse, Andra had actually gone through with what he’d once threatened—to stand in the way of their marriage.

Dimas gripped the steering wheel tighter, pressing the accelerator toward the hospital. When he reached Reisa’s room, his hand trembled on the doorknob.

“Dimas,” said Sarah warmly, relieved to see him.

Since Reisa was admitted, the whole family had hoped Dimas would come to comfort her. But this was the first time he had shown up—two days after Reisa had been hospitalized.

“Auntie,” Dimas said quietly.

“Rei is still asleep. She just took her medication. You can see her if you like,” Sarah encouraged.

Dimas stepped toward the hospital bed. Reisa looked pale and fragile. Her beautiful face was drawn, her eyes swollen, an IV tube taped to her left arm.

“Reisa,” he whispered.

He brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. He loved this woman deeply, but his heart still ached with confusion.

“I’ll step out a moment,” Sarah said softly. “Stay with her.”

She closed the door quietly and went down to the cafeteria, glancing back to see what Dimas would do.

Earlier, Dimas’s family had come to visit Reisa. They too were crushed by her condition. Sarah had explained everything.

They never imagined Andra could do something like this—someone they trusted had betrayed them. Reisa was not the only one hurt. Wisnu had now been summoned by police for assault after striking Andra.

Andra’s relatives had retaliated by reporting Wisnu for battery. Sarah could only surrender to God’s will. She had promised her late sister to care for Reisa as her own.

Meanwhile, Andra lay in another hospital, badly injured.

They were waiting for things to calm down and preparing for the legal process ahead.

***

“Dimas.”

Reisa opened her eyes to find her fiancé at her bedside.

Dimas smiled faintly, brushing away the tears on her cheeks. With his other hand, he entwined his fingers with hers. His eyes glistened, holding back tears to appear strong, though inside he was breaking.

“You came,” she whispered.

“Yes, I came.”

Reisa wrapped her arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. The room was filled with quiet grief as the two embraced.

Dimas held her close and kissed her forehead gently, murmuring words meant to soothe.

“I’m tainted, Dimas,” she said hoarsely.

Dimas froze. What could he say? This pain was hers—and his as well.

At first, he had wanted to storm over and confront Andra. But his family had begged him to stay calm and let the law handle it.

“Let’s not talk about that now,” he said softly. “What matters is that you get better.”

“Will you still… accept me?”

Dimas averted his eyes. His thoughts spun—work pressures, this tragedy, the uncertainty of their wedding.

“Dimas, please answer me,” Reisa pleaded.

“I… I can’t talk about it right now.”

Tears streamed again as Reisa cried herself back to sleep.

***

Inah sat silently beside Andra’s hospital bed. Tarno had gone home earlier to collect some things.

“Oh God, why did it come to this,” she whispered in despair.

Two police officers had already visited to monitor Andra’s condition. Word was that the case would proceed once he was stable.

Inah wished she could see Reisa, but Andra’s family had instructed her to stay and look after him. Since his parents had passed, Andra had rarely stayed in touch with the rest of his relatives.

A knock broke her thoughts. Tarno entered carrying several paper bags and set them on the nightstand.

“Eat first, Inah. I got you some fried rice,” he said, pulling out a packet.

“I’m not hungry, Tarno. You eat.”

“You’ll get sick if you don’t. Who’ll take care of Master Andra then?”

Reluctantly, Inah opened the packet and spooned some rice onto a plate. Everything tasted bland—she had no appetite and a heavy cold.

“The doctor said Master Andra can go home tomorrow,” Tarno noted.

“Home? With police waiting?” she muttered, weary.

“Let’s just pray, Inah. Hope for the best. I’m troubled too. Mister Wisnu’s in trouble for beating him up.”

Silence hung between them as they ate.

“Reisa…”

A faint groan came from the bed. Andra clutched his pounding head. Pain radiated through his body as he tried to sit up.

“Don’t move yet, Sir,” Tarno urged, setting his plate aside and helping him.

“Reisa?” Andra rasped.

Tarno exchanged a glance with Inah, unsure what to say.

“She’s… she’s there,” Inah said softly, avoiding his eyes.

“Where is she? I need to see her.”

“Not now, Master Andra. Rest and recover first,” Tarno said quickly.

“I—”

“Master Andra, eat first. Hospital food was just delivered,” Tarno cut in.

He handed the tray to Inah, who unwrapped the meal and spooned it toward Andra.

Andra chewed slowly, and Inah’s tears fell as she remembered his childhood.

When he finished, Tarno helped him lie down again. They waited in heavy silence, each lost in thought, for Andra’s family to arrive and decide what to do next.