Chapter 146 - Freedom

"This is Aruna.. Not Anantha or Alia who is easier to express their feelings". The mother supported her daughter.

Bang. Bang. (outside the room)

"Aruna..".

"Sir, you can't make a fuss. This is a hospital". (A hospital staff)

"Hendra, enough! You'll be given a chance.. She won't leave you?! Calm down?!". Surya was already holding this frantic man.

"You can go. I'll take care of him". Surya confirmed to the hospital staff.

_Turns out that you really love my sister.. I didn't expect it'd go this far_ Anantha was stunned.

In the room.

"We've also had fights. They're a married couple. Ups and downs are bound to happen. You have to learn to understand each other before you decide on something bigger". Lesmana advised his youngest daughter.

Aruna's father always tried to make wise decisions. There was a hint of pride in Aruna. Last night she risked herself for the honor of her father.

As the door opened and his wife's parents came out, Hendra was so worried about what happened to Aruna's health and the hidden family conversation.

He was confused about how to apologize. Hugging? Holding her hand? Or kneeling in front of her?? This girl was quite important to him. If he had to kneel, it wouldn't be a problem.

"I don't know how to apologize.. I also don't know how strong I can keep my promise.. But really, I don't want you to leave me".

"I'll obey everything.. Everything you want!". This man approached his wife, trembling while holding Aruna's hand.

Meanwhile, his girl found the injured hand that was ignored.

"Did something happen until you didn't open the bathroom door for me?".

"I regret.. Really. I didn't mean to?".

"Things like this won't happen again. Believe me". He begged.

"Get me a wet tissue!". Aruna noticed the dry blood on the blue-eyed's hand. She cleaned it slowly.

"Don't.. Don't do this". The man hid his hand, the wound on the palm to be exact.

"You used to leave me after bandaging my wound". Hendra was a little traumatized by what happened before their marriage. This girl once asked for her marriage to be stopped in this hospital.

"You don't want me to go, right?? Give me your hand!". The words of this little woman were like an irresistible order.

"What happened?". She asked. Aruna needed a solid reason about why her husband didn't have the heart to open the bathroom door until the morning had passed.

"I fell".

"Where?"

"Hmm..". Hendra tried to compose words.

"You're still lying.. Even at times like this. Don't think that I don't know that you often lied to me to hide things".

"Fine. Fine.. I won't lie again". Hendra hesitated a little.

The woman who bandaged his hands looked deeper. The blue-eyed was trembling. He made up his mind.

"I beat Juan because he betrayed me".

His hand that was held by his wife was released suddenly.

"What?? Then how is he?".

"He's still alive. I'm sure he's received treatment".

"Hendra, you…??". She hasn't finished the expression of disappointment yet.

"Yes! I'm a man like this.. Rude and acting as I want. I don't know how to change my true nature. Such things happen spontaneously. I don't want to be like this either?!". Those regrets mixed together.

This man even forgot whether he or Aruna who made a mistake. The important thing was his woman was willing to stay for him. That was enough. Her heart was given to another man, it was okay. As long as Aruna gave him a chance and she could be hugged every night. Those were enough.

"That's not the problem.. No matter how bad you are or I am, little by little, we both know each other. I'm sure that I also learn to accept you indirectly and so do you." She bandaged Mahendra's hand again.

"I just need a little freedom if you still want me to stay".

"Freedom?". He frowned.

"Yes!". This woman touched the blue-eyed's face to melt his heart.

"Did you forget how many weeks I've been absent from college? I'm not even allowed to come to the Magic Letter when my friends need me". Aruna's words were met with disapproving eyes.

"I'm not an object, Hendra! I'm a human..".

"But.. What if something happens to you?!".

"You said you'd fulfill all my wishes?". Aruna hugged him. A reflex to calm the blue-eyed and a way to win him over.

_If this doesn't work, I'm not sure I can keep this marriage_

"Hendra".

"Hmm…". This man was still enjoying the hug that relieved his heart. Something unexpected happened. This was the other side of Aruna that made him crazy. Good kid, just two words to describe the girl. No matter how big the problems they faced, she still obeyed her father: 'You must learn to understand each other before deciding on something bigger'.

"So when can I return to my activities?".

"I'll try as soon as possible".

_Raka's team should've been ready, but I don't know. Lately, there have been many obstacles_

"I need a clear answer, Hendra?!".

There was a heavy sigh from the blue-eyed.

"Honestly, I can't answer it now. I'll try to be able to decide the day after tomorrow".

The uncertain words made Aruna let go of her hug.

"It'll be faster if you allow the bodyguards to accompany you everywhere like Grandma Sukma". Hendra hurriedly canceled his statement so that his wife wouldn't be disappointed.

"Alright! I'll try to compromise with your family traditions". Aruna's words made the man in front of her happy.

"Thank you for giving me a chance". Slowly, the blue-eyed understood the meaning of thank you. Once again, it came from the girl in front of him.

"Thank my father. He asked me to understand you".

"Looks like I need to apologize to him because last night I said bad words about him".

"It's okay. You didn't mean it. We were both emotional".

"Next time, don't see him again". Hendra was talking about someone.

"Actually I really don't want to talk about him when we just reconciled. But you started it". Aruna turned her gaze in another direction and she saw the Wenceslas family were already outside.

"Hendra, open the door. Looks like our family is gathering together".

Hendra traced his wife's gaze. They were seen through a gap from the glass in the door. This man was standing up when the tiny hand grabbed his shirt.

"What's wrong?".

Aruna asked him to lower his head. There was a small movement on his head. His wife was slowly fixing his hair and his shirt. The advice was even spoken by the tiny red lips: "Remember the point that I once asked. We have to respect each other's family. Loosen your stiff muscles. Smile a lot. You are tens of times more handsome with those dimples".

The blue-eyed nodded. "If they ask what happened to you, what should we answer?".

Her girl's eyes rolled, looking for a solution. "Just tell that I'm tired and passed out. Okay?".

"Okay, fine". Mahendra stood more upright. He approached the door and saw his grandfather walking leading the others into his wife's room.

He paused for a moment. "Meet me after this. There's something you must be responsible for!". His voice was low. A code only for two people.

***

"How's your condition? Are you already fine?".

"Yes, Grandma". Aruna was smiling, hiding her unhealthy condition. Hendra tried to be as close as possible to his wife. He stood, holding Aruna's shoulder which leaned against him. He was full of regret.

Fortunately, this girl was quite good at hiding many things, including the way she leaned. That gesture indirectly helped the blue-eyed free from Aruna's mother's worried gaze.

"Have you eaten? Look! Grandma brought a lot of food for you. I'm sure the food here won't be as good as my cooking". Grandma Sukma began to open a lot of extra supplies with the help of Ms. Gayatri.

In another corner, on a soft bright-colored sofa, the men from the Lesmana family and the elder Wenceslas were seen talking. Hendra didn't know where to be and what to do. This man was too unfamiliar with this kind of interaction. Hanging out with family and interacting naturally was a rare and difficult experience. He felt safe around a tiny girl named Aruna. This kid really made a lot of changes.

Previously, when he was sick, the one who'd accompany him was only his personal secretary. At best, his grandfather who came in anger or his grandmother who put on a pathetic face, cried, made a noise, and was immediately kicked out. Those two troublesome grandparents.

"Hendra". Aruna called, asking this man to lower his head for a moment.

"Get me some food that your grandmother brought. I'm still lazy to eat". (We both knew she was going to give too much). This clumsy man complied. His behavior made his grandmother and mother curious. He could also care and was willing to do this kind of thing.

There were bright sparkling eyes that could be seen from this elegant woman. Her eyes seemed to say: 'My grandson has changed a lot'.