The Price of Sainthood
Butterflies and flower gardens

Sitting leisurely in a small chair, the woman, clad in a dark brown tunic, threw a handful of fish food into the small pond. Instantly the calm water roiled boisterously because the fish in it scrambled to eat it. He smiled faintly as he threw the next fish food again several times.

Only these fish are the most potent diversion from the loneliness that afflicts them. Mini flower garden in the back area with a small pond inhabited by dozens of koi became the most favorite place in the two-story house. A luxurious house that some time ago was presented by the ex-husband as a guilt-redeemer. Think of it as this luxury he received in exchange for his daughter who is now changing custody to the father. Hope that one day her daughter's life will be more worthy and happy.

Was she evil as a mother? I don't know. What Wanda had in mind at that time was only the future of Alisha and the future of Alisha. It was he who insisted on forcing Alisha to be treated by her father. Wanda did not even bother if later he had to live alone as long as Alisha had enough. The girl deserves to be happy, considering her whole life Alisha can only taste lara and the weight of the struggle of life rose from poverty. Where, not having a penny and the pain of holding hunger has become common to them.

Getting rich papa in one night apparently does not immediately make Alisha dark eyes. He put forward some conditions to approve the papa's invitation and Narendra granted it. Even without Alisha asking Narendra to design everything. One of them is to glorify Wanda and raise her degree.

A sense of love that is still hidden makes Narendra not want Wanda lonely. He bought a beautiful residence for the comfort of the former, complete with facilities and managers. Even freeing the princess to come to the mother at any time.

"Mother ...!"

A cheerful call that he has rarely heard lately now greets the eardrum. Wanda hurriedly turned to the source of the voice and smilingly found her daughter standing there.

"Alisha?" He smiled, then put the fish food in his hand on the table and spread his hand to get a warm embrace Alisha.

"Alisha kangen, ma'am." The girl was like whining and spoiling in her mother's arms. He closed his eyes, letting Wanda rub his head affectionately.

"Mother too. But I'm sure, surely you are very busy until the last few days did not have time to come here. Right no?"

Alisha nodded. Suddenly there was someone following them, walking with a polite smile as it approached. Wanda scrunched her forehead. He thought Alisha had come alone as usual, but apparently there was a friend and the girl just kept quiet.

"Dante?" Wanda parsed her embrace on Alisha, then looked at the girl as if she was making sure. Alisha gave a sign with a small nod if the one who came with her was indeed Dante.

"How are you, Auntie?" greet Dante. He stretched out his hand to shake. And Wanda warmly welcomed him. At once his heart rippled in pain, like reminiscing about that time, a time where he always accompanied Alisha every time. Really, he missed that time.

"Aunty's good news, Dante. As you can see. How are you doing yourself?"

"Neither Bi."

"Thank God."

The two were silent for a moment with their gazes clashing against each other. Both pay attention to the interlocutor in silence after some time never again meet.

In Wanda's eyes, Dante is now indeed amazing. It was much different from the state of that young man a while ago. He never thought that Dante was born into a wealthy family. Thankfully, at that time he still received the young man well even though he did not know his origin. For Dante's current life, he knew a little bit from Alisha who had had time to pour out feelings about Dante several times.

While in the eyes of Dante, Wanda who is now much healthier and fresher than before. The beauty of the middle-aged woman is increasingly radiating at an age that is no longer young. Of course a much more decent life affected him greatly. Honestly, he was happy for them.

The pleasantry chat did not last long as Dante chose to leave afterwards. The young man looked at Alisha for a moment before actually passing from there. Alisha just smiled kindly in response. Do not forget the sincere thanks from his heart.

"Mom, this is a flower for me." Alisha gives the bouquet after Dante leaves.

Wanda received it with a happy twinkle. "Thank you, honey. The flowers are so pretty," he said.

"Em, anu." Alisha was a little misbehaved. "Dante bought it for Mom."

"really?" Wanda flabbergasted. He looked at the flower again and smiled meaningfully. "Dante's taste is good too. I like it."

Alisha smiled with relief. "Thank God."

"Dancing, Alisha. Sit down." Wanda pulled her daughter's hand and took her daughter to sit on a sofa. "Mom wants to talk to you about something."

"Speak what, Mom?" Seeing the mother's serious expression, Alisha's mind became erratic.

"It's nothing, honey. Just a small matter." Wanda calms Alisha down from seeing the anxiety on her daughter's face. Then he continued talking. "Mom just wanted to say something. I'm asking you not to be offended, yes."

"How could Dante bring you here. Who told you to? Or maybe Alisha herself asked Dante?"

"Not Alisha, Ma. But Papa forced it."

Wanda nodded understandingly. He caressed Alisha's hand which slightly raised the tone of speech.

"You still love Dante?"

Wanda's question then made Alisha's tongue feel faint. The girl just looked into her mother's eyes without being able to answer anything. No matter how hard he lies, the door of heaven will know his true feelings.

"Darling ...." Wanda called her daughter very carefully. She is the mother of Alisha. He knew very well how his daughter was now trying to endure the pain of the wound. Seen from a pair of clear eyes that began to glaze.

"Mom knows, love never comes to the wrong person. Love comes by itself, without being held back or asked for. But, didn't you know that Dante was Lara's future fiancee?" Wanda clasped Alisha's fingers and looked at her young daughter pleading. "Mother please, son, don't be shy and ruin their relationship. Understand your limits, honey. Trying random. If Dante is your soul mate, he will come to you by himself and according to God's plan. Hold yourself and don't go ahead of him. Be a good woman that you may be glorified. Don't let yourself be branded as the snatch of people's lovers, dear."

"Mom–" Alisha returned her mother's hand. He inched closer and tried to convince. "Alisha knows what Alisha is doing. Alisha couldn't have ruined their relationship even if Alisha's love for Dante was so great. This all happened at Papa's request, ma'am. After all, Dante ngantar Alisha had to. Trust me, the thing you're afraid of will never happen. Alisha's gonna try to stay away from Dante."

"You are indeed the daughter of a noble hearted Mother, son. You are willing to sacrifice happiness for brother." Wanda rubbed her daughter's cheek.

Alisha could only smile bitterly.

"Alisha, I want to say one more thing."

Alisha stared at her mother's bead and waited for the woman to speak.

"Do you like butterflies?"

The girl nodded.

Wanda smiled before continuing. "The way to get a butterfly is not to catch it."

"Then?"

"Take care of your flower garden. Then all the beautiful butterflies will come by themselves. You understand what Mom means?"

Hearing his mother's wise words made Alisha's eyes again show her binaries. The girl smiled then nodded in understanding. "Alisha knows, Mom. Thanks." Thanks." Both of them hugged warmly.

However, could it be that Alisha could really avoid Dante? I don't know. What is clear, in the afternoon when he was preparing to return to the residence of the father, the doorbell of the house sounded a sign of a guest coming.

"There's a guest, Mom. Who yeah? Did you have an appointment with someone?" Alisha stopped her activities, stared at the door for a bit, then turned to Wanda.

Wanda chuckles. "This mother is old, Alisha. Who wants to meet Mom, heum?"

"Who knows, Mom. If it was an online taxi driver like impossible. Alisha just ordered."

"Sana, open the door. Let's be clear who's coming."

Alisha moved from her place, walking lightly towards the door to open. While Wanda was sitting on the long sofa, watching her daughter quietly. Both of them were surprised to find who had come.

"Dante?" pekik Alisha doesn't believe it. "Why did you come here?"

Instead of answering Alisha's questions, Dante greets Wanda.

"Sore, Aunt. I'm here to pick up Alisha on Om Narendra's orders."