VANIA'S DECISION

"Let's finish your food, Vania. You have to take care of your health," said Hayam softly.

Vania nodded. She lifted the spoon and began to enjoy the food again so as not to get an ulcer.

After eating, Hayam asked Vania to go shopping. The man brought the groceries that used to be very liked by Vania.

"This is for you, right?" asked Vania to make sure. She was awkward with Hayam at the supermarket.

"This is for you, Vania," said Hayam. "I see you are getting thinner from the last time we met. You definitely don't stock up on groceries at home and only buy food online. Right?"

Vania could only be silent. Hayam's guess wasn't wrong. She rarely stocked up on food because he was busy at work. Plus now Vania was being bullied by Rosa. Rosa always gave all the difficult and impossible jobs for Vania.

"Buying food online is faster and doesn't take time to cook," said Vania. "I really don't have time for kitchen work. You should reconsider your decision if you want to marry me." Vania smiled her triumphant smile. Now she felt she had a reason to refuse Hayam's offer.

"In my house there are two cooks," said Hayam. "You can still work all day. When you get home, the food is already on the table. Fun is not it?"

Vania sneered at Hayam. "You are very good at giving reasons," said Vania with a sullen face.

"I just want to take your heart only," said Hayam honestly. "Vania, I am serious about this offer. You should seriously consider it."

Vania took a deep breath. "I don't know, I can't think properly," said Vania honestly. "The truth we know that our relationship is difficult to run smoothly. The media will find out about my past. Your good name could be affected."

This time Vania gave Hayam a serious and worried look. She knew Hayam must be serious about running for the regent election. She didn't want to be a hindrance to Hayam.

"I will try to make you a good person in public," Hayam promised.

Vania gave a small smile. "Thank You. You are always good at making me not feel anxious," said Vania. She praised Hayam.

"Then you will agree to accept me?" replied Hayam. He wanted a real reassurance from Vania.

"Give me some time to think," said Vania.

"One week. Is that enough?" asked Hayam. "I can't wait for you too long."

"Yes, I can," answered Vania without much reason.

Talking to a grown man like Hayam was very simple. The man just wanted a definite answer. There was no small talk between them. Because of that, Vania tried not to complicate her current position.

She tried to accept Hayam's offer and thought about it. Hayam paid for Vania's groceries. He bought Vania toasted steamed buns which were popular among youngest.

"This is for you," said Hayam. "Eat when you get home."

"Thank You. I troubled you a lot," Vania accepted all of Hayam's gifts.

She couldn't refuse because Hayam never wanted to accept a rejection. Hayam took Vania home. Now the man knew where Vania's house was.

"Can I come in and see your house?" asked Hayam. He was curious as to what the inside of Vania's house looked like.

"My house is narrow," said Vania.

"It does not matter. We both still fit in it," joked Hayam with a faint smile.

Vania laughed a little too. She invited Hayam into her house.

They did a house tour of about 15 minutes. Hayam was amazed because Vania did show a lot of changes.

"You really are an adult and independent," said Hayam. "I can understand why you rejected me."

"Does this count as a compliment?" said Vania half jokingly.

"You can take it as a compliment if you like it," said Hayam. "I am happy to praise you, Vania. Moreover, you are not just beautiful. You are smart and hard working. I hope that I can marry you later."

Vania just gave a small smile. In the end, Hayam continued to tease and provoke Vania to accept him.

"You have to wait for an answer from me in one more week," said Vania. She glanced at the clock on the wall in the living room. "It's night already. You can go home. Don't let the media see you enter my house. This could be negative news for you."

"You think highly of my reputation. But, you never mentioned yourself, Vania. Don't you feel lost too?" replied Hayam surprised.

"I'm used to getting negative views. Even now I am shunned by my office friends. I don't think it's a problem if you receive something bad again," explained Vania. She spoke in a sad tone.

Hayam ruffled Vania's hair. Vania was shocked because of Hayam's behavior.

"You are precious, Vania. Even though you've made mistakes, it doesn't mean that people can do bad things to you, "explained Hayam. "As long as you are on the right path, you deserve an award from the people around you."

Vania's heart was touched listening to Hayam's words. The sentence sounded simple. However, the meaning was extraordinary. It had been a long time since Vania had heard a sentence like that in her life.

"Thank you for being nice to me like that," Vania replied with a curve of her sincere smile.

Hayam also said goodbye to Vania. Vania took Hayam to the terrace of the house. After that, Vania returned to the room.

She quickly took a shower and got ready for bed. Just then, she saw a box of steamed cakes from Hayam.

Vania decided to taste two of them and put the rest in the refrigerator. Vania's cell phone rings. She picked it up and received a call coming from Dio.

"What's up?" she asked. She took a drinking glass and took a sip.

"Vania, how are you? Can I visit your house tomorrow?" asked God. "I'll bring you medicine and food."

"No need, Dio," said Vania. "I'm still not feeling well. Besides, I think we should break up."

Dio gasped in surprise after hearing Vania's answer. "Wait a minute. Didn't you promise to wait for me one more year?" replied Dio as fast as lightning.

"I think I can wait for you, Dio. However, since your mother was furious with me at the hospital, I was sure that I was not the woman your mother wanted to be your daughter-in-law," explained Vania. "I'm tired, Dio. I just want a romantic and simple relationship. I don't want to conflict with anyone. Please let me go okay?"

"Vania, please? I still love you," Dio begged. He could not accept Vania's decision.

Unfortunately, Vania's mind was already leaning towards Hayam. When compared logically, Hayam was much more suited to Vania. Hayam and Vania were both single. No one would be against their relationship. Besides, Vania had known Hayam longer than Dio. Hayam was also not a liar like Dio.

"You lied to me, Dio. I think I'm stupid if I want to be in a relationship with you again," said Vania honestly. "Dio, we've finished all this emotional drama. I will find another man who understands me better."

"You already like someone else?" asked God. He tried to guess the contents of Vania's mind.

Vania chuckled. "There is a man who is approaching me now," said Vania. "I used to like that guy. We have loved each other in the past."

"Wh-who is he?" asked Dio in a trembling voice. He did not expect that he would actually be rejected like this by Vania. In fact, he was sure that Vania would still want to be in a relationship with him.

"You don't need to know who he is, Dio. He is a good man and I am thinking of a serious relationship with him," said Vania. "Now you stop seeing me, okay? You go back to Rosa. You should apologize to her because you tried to cheat her."

Vania turned off the phone. She put the phone on the table and laid down on her bed.

Vania's gaze wandered to the ceiling of the room. She wasn't really sure about her feelings for Hayam. However, she thought that by being with Hayam, she could make Dio stepped back.

"Hayam loves me too. We could try dating for a year or two. If he doesn't like me, I can find another man," Vania muttered. "Yes, that's how the life of a single person is. I just need to enjoy the plot and not have to worry about it."

Vania closed her eyes. She tried to calm herself down and drifted off into a sweet dream.

Two days later, Vania was assigned to cover Hayam's activities. This time it was the opening of a textile factory.

The owner of the factory was Annida Cahyadi. She was Rosa's mama who invested in the television station company where Vania worked.

Vania wore loose and closed clothes. She also wears a mouth mask. She didn't want herself to be so obvious that Annida would see her.

Vania was afraid that Annida would embarrass herself in public. Vania took the place of the interview at the back.

There was indeed a seminar after the factory tour. Hayam was by Annida's side because he also invested in Annida's textile factory.

During the interview session, there was one journalist who asked a personal question. A question that had absolutely nothing to do with business.

"Are Mrs. Annida and Mr. Hayam dating? You are both single and successful," said one journalist.

Vania was surprised to hear the question. Her eyes immediately looked worriedly at Hayam who was sitting by Annida's side. Vania's heart hoped that Hayam would not accept the reporter's question.