A is for Ara
Darkened

I regret yesterday coming home at 10 pm just to avoid the figure of Aiba-level sister visiting the house. Now with my morning shift schedule, I'm still very sleepy. I need caffeine.

"For you."

Starbucks coffee greeted me as soon as I walked into my study. I need to make sure twice if I don't go wrong in the room. And I didn't go wrong in the room.

"You don't want to ask why I'm here?"

"Isn't it clear enough?"

Ali frowned, a sign that he did not understand what I meant. I exhaled while taking the coffee in his hand. As usual, I left the door open a little.

"You stay away from Naira" I said after sitting down and sipping a coffee.

"Wrong," he replied in a serious tone.

"..."

"Naira is pregnant, I don't want to burden her with my presence. And also, it will take an hour from his house to here. Her husband, I mean my sister, he can't always drive her."

I ignored all those words. I know the regret he feels right now. The woman who had chased after him and promised to always be by his side, was now at his sister's side. Rather than regretting it now, it would be better if he focused on himself.

"You're ignoring me?" tanyanya while sitting in the front seat. He pulled out his phone and handed it to me. I took her cell phone reluctantly.

An e-mail sent by Abi to Uncle Fatah is seen on the screen. Abi hopes to make a natural match between me and Ali. I don't think there will be a natural matchup once Ali finds out about this e-mail.

"Natural matchmaking?" askaku.

"Our family will pretend to be together, leave us alone, and make us slowly create a sense" she said.

"As happened between your sister and Naira?"

My question made Ali speechless. He sipped back his coffee. My question is a fact he just found out. At least he should know if it is his family who wants Naira to marry his sister.

"Want to?" tanyanya while crossing her legs, making her look arrogant.

"You alone?" reply while putting the phone back on the table.

Silence is enough of an answer for me.

"Let it go, sooner or later it will go away on its own," I said at last ending the session staring at each other.

I don't want to think about something so trivial like this. Abi will not be able to force me, even if Abi forces me, he will still not be able to get me married to Ali if Ali himself refuses. For now it would be better to be on the same side as Ali.

"What if I say I prefer Brother Lunna?"

The question that managed to make me look hard at his face. Looking at the emphasis on the tone, I think it is related to Kak Lunna. It is quite strange to see abi directly propose important things like this matchmaking that requires a lot of discussion without meeting in person and only via text instead of phone.

"His end?"

"He also hid Athina, I can't trace Athina's whereabouts. Your sister, I don't think she's the innocent woman we all know."

I've known a long time ago that Sister Lunna is not an innocent person. Many ruse he made, either intentionally or unintentionally. If I wasn't a cautious person, I would have fallen into his trap.

The thing that surprised me even more was Ali who also sent someone to track down Athina's whereabouts. I need to be more careful about this. A slight misstep would let him know about me.

"I will take care of it" he said again followed by footsteps near the door.

"Ba.ba..how?" ask me with a wave.

"As I said. I'd say I'd prefer Brother Lunna."

"If you know that Lunna is not an innocent woman, she already knows the reason why you mentioned her name. The thing you did by entering my current study, you're sure Kak Lunna doesn't know?" my reply made Ali rethink.

Ali exhaled with annoyance. He took his cell phone and his fingers were already playing on the screen. Regardless of what he saw, his face instantly went from being annoyed to normal.

"Aiba, I just need to say I like Aiba better," the words that were suddenly thrown from his mouth made me almost choke.

"Aiba is getting married, right? Yesterday I went to your house to ask Uncle to approve my mutation to the central hospital. I met a man who I thought would be your brother-in-law. My brother would never force me to marry someone I didn't love. Problem solved," he continued, raising his shoulders.

I stared at him flatly. The next second I nodded and asked him to leave my room. The solution Ali gave was not bad but lying was also not a good solution, especially if it involved someone else who in this case was Aiba. But, I can't do much for the time being, just agreeing to his plans that I can do so that he doesn't suspect me.

"Ah...I will be sending you other files about your family this week," he continued, letting his back slowly disappear from my reach.

I really can't get Aiba involved. I was afraid just by saying his name would cause a domino effect or worse cause a butterfly effect that later I would not be able to control. Variables that I never thought of, I had to eliminate.

The information Ali brought today, I expected it to happen. Abi won't let me stay single, the maximum limit I can stay single is when I turn 30. I've been making plans for the next 2 years and I've also considered marrying Ali. But now with the new variable, I have to change my original plan to marry her. Seeing how he is also against this, it will be difficult for us to live together.

I picked up my phone and immediately contacted Aisya, asking her to come to my room. I have to get rid of this variable as soon as Ali tells her family. I'm sure Ali will tell his family today.

Tok..

"Lake in."

"Is this a matchmaking matter with Doctor Ali?" asked Aisya to make me shut my mouth again.

"You know?"

"I've known from the moment the e-mail was sent but since the marriage with Doctor Ali went into Miss's plan, I felt the sooner the better."

"I also thought that," I retorted softly, making Aisya frown at her forehead for not hearing clearly what I said.

"Miss wants to cancel? Why?"

"Ali doesn't want a match with me."

"Miss had also expected that and was confident that she could change her stance."

"He'll drag Aiba as an excuse."

"..."

"Aiba's relationship with his elder sister is it certain?"

Aisya just shook her head.

"Not to mention marriage at all?" many surprised.

"No, Miss. All I get is a regular chat, like a friend who's been to another friend's house."

"Then Ali's speech will only be a disaster."

"Should I submit a report on the acquisition of the company and also the debt that is being borne by the Fatah Family?"

"Enough debt report. Abi will immediately know the condition of the Fatah Family."

"Good."

"..."

"Miss, may I ask you one thing?"

"..."

"What do you think, Mister really does not know about the condition of the Fatah Family?"

"They sold most of their shares abroad. Their condition from the outside still shows success. For us to know if their company is being destroyed, it is difficult and requires struggle. Abi, he's not a typical person who likes to observe secretly."

"Then, by giving a report to Mister, wouldn't it make Tuan help the Fatah Family?"

"..."

"Aisya, my abi is a person who is easy to read at once difficult to guess. His decision always depends on his emotions. If it wasn't for Uncle Salman who took part in the company's affairs then the Azhar Family would have been destroyed decades ago. It's not Abi we should be wary of but Uncle Salman."

"So soon Ali's out of our plans. Right now, he is also not a pawn that can help us. The rationality that used to be on him, is now disappearing."

"Doctor Ara!!! Doctor Ara!!!"

Shouts of someone I know very well. I sign with my head, asking Aisya to leave the room immediately. Just as Aisya opened the door, Nurse Nisa directly entered the room.

"Ethics?" I asked so sure Aisya was gone.

"Sorry, but it's an emergency."

"..."

"Does the Doctor also have a specialist degree in internal medicine?" tanyanya excitedly.

"Where did you hear that joke?"

"From the other nurses. The source is from the koas that Dr. Dian guided. Rumors circulating say if the Doctor joined the research team and the contribution of the Doctor is very large in it. Starting from the right diagnosis, can persuade patients to participate in research on rare diseases, provide a lot of funding for research, and many others. Most importantly, doctors abroad also try to contact the Doctor but always the Doctor refused, the nickname Doctor is a broken wing angel. Doctor, is that all true?" tanyanya panting with sparkling eyes.

"Breathe."

"Dokkkk!!!!"

I gestured with my eyes, asking him to sit down. I was amazed at the social skills he had. There hasn't been a day since his move and he's been getting rumors about me. At least it's not gossip about my failed marriage.

"Angel broken wing?" my question finally got him back excited.

"Doctors uphold the vows and ethics of medicine, attach importance to patients, make patients comfortable, and dedicate life to patients because it is called an angel. The broken wing of being obstructed with the identity of the Doctor as a psychiatrist caused the Doctor to be unable to fly to reach more patients," he replied once again with a gasp.

"Good stuff."

"Oh? So that's a lie?" nurse Nisa's reply was full of disappointment.

"Taking an internal medicine specialist and a mental specialist, am I that smart?"

Nisa's nurse nodded quickly, leaving me speechless. I stood up from where I sat to get a drink. I put 1 bottle of mineral water in front of Nisa.

"Nurse Nisa, I'm not a person who likes to complain about what I like. When I like something, I will pursue it even if I have to let go of something I currently like. To become a mental health specialist, I gave up my internal medicine specialist education."

"So, isn't it a doctor?" tanyanya made sure once again.

I nodded while showing a serious face. Nisa's nurse exhaled, showing signs of disappointment. I don't understand how this might disappoint him.

"Doctors don't forget that at 9 the control schedule begins" he said, flaggingly before asking for permission to leave the room.

I immediately contacted Aisya as soon as I made sure there was no one near the room. I asked Aisya to send me a report about Dian over the past few months. I am not too confused if Dian betrayed me because it is certain that the data he tried to send to others will not be sent. Only information about myself in the past will others get. Seeing that there was no direct report on him, it made me even more certain that he did not meet directly with the person who wanted my information. I just need proof he did betray me to take my hand off of him.

E-mail from Aisya in. As I thought, he sent me information about me who has 2 specialist degrees. It was quite surprising to know the name of the recipient of the e-mail he was trying to send, ceisyalaiba@gbox.com.

The clock shows at 08:45, there is still time for 15 minutes before my practice schedule starts. I started looking for Dian's practice schedule on the computer. Same with me, he'll start at 9. I quickly walked out of the room into his room.

"Fuck? I don't know if you're coming back, "an opening sentence filled with panic as if he knew the purpose of my arrival.

"If you knew, you'd get rid of all the gossip about me?"

As soon as the words came out of my mouth, he immediately asked the koas who were discussing with him to come out. When there were only the two of us in this 4x4 meter room, he immediately closed the door with curtains. He invited me to sit with a worried face.

"What does Aiba want from me?"

My question managed to make the book in his hand fall. Along with the fall of his book, his body also fell to the floor. His body trembled but it did not make me stop giving a sharp look to him.

"I'm forced. Ara, I have the dependents of my two sisters. I have no choice..."

"You have a choice" cut me firmly, making him stare in fear at me.

"When you decide to work with me, then all your dependents become my dependents."

"I'm..."

"Don't I tell you, you are loyal to me I will repay you a thousand times and when you betray me I will also repay you many times."

"..."

"Thousand folds by many folds, isn't the difference between the two very far away?" my many.

"Ara, I'm really min..."

"Tell me what Aiba wants," cut me off for the umpteenth time. I don't want to hear an apology coming out of his mouth. I'm afraid I'll forgive him.

"I really don't know, Ra," she retorted in despair.

Silent. Only the sound of the ticking clock filled this room. Some people have started to walk in the hallway, making me very sure that Nisa is currently confused looking for me.

"Ah.. Aiba said on the phone if the information was for Kak Lunna. He also had time to mention the rivalry between you and Brother Lunna. I guess, Brother Lunna also wants to get a hospital and is making sure of you...."

"Enough."

I don't want him to continue what he has in mind. I want to erase his memory of all this. Competition between families that look harmonious on the outside, people will like this.

Tok.dok..

"Sorry Doctor Dian, is Doctor Ara with the Doctor?"

The voice I know again. I moved from where I was sitting to Dian. He still looked at me full of fear.

"Keep being an informant for him. Make sure the gossip about my two specialist titles goes away today as well" I said followed by a nod of fear from him.

"Doctor???" call Nurse Nisa louder.

I walked towards the door, not wanting Nurse Nisa to make a furore. Dian had also stood up, even though his body was still trembling in fear. I held the door knob, made me think of something.

"I'm going to get off the research team. Funding I will still give with the timeline I set. This will be the first reprimand, the second reprimand will be a nightmare for you."

"Ra," she called him slowly.

"..."

"If Aiba calls me again, I'll tell you."

Tok..

I immediately opened the door, making Nurse Nisa scream in surprise. I gave a sharp look and nod to her, making her realize the truth of the rumors circulating and also the fear that Dian felt. Without needing to warn me back, he immediately walked away towards my practice room.

"Don't do that. I let them have you."

"Ra??" call him desperate.

I walked away leaving Dian who was still petrified. He knows nothing about my plan. He only knew about my two specialist degrees, a title that one of them wanted me to cover. He was a very loyal person, even Aisya admitted it. If he were to do this, the nominal that Aiba offered or the threat he received must have been very large. No matter how much loyalty he had, he still betrayed me and I was afraid that a second betrayal would happen if I didn't cut my turn from him.

My footsteps came to a halt just as my eyes saw two male figures that I thought I would never meet again, now standing in front of my practice room. Slowly, I walked into my practice by occasionally giving smiles to waiting patients. Including him, Aiden Athhar Hamza.

...-----...