Episode 13

Chapter 13

Ana and Vendra arrived at Tower Bridge, one of London's tourist attractions. The shape of the tower is iconic, classic, combined with the architecture of the bridge which has a closing-opening system when ships pass by. Currently, London's Tower Bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, it is a romantic, classic, and historic tourist spot in London.

Vendra and Ana sat on the grass, the wind blowing Ana's face until her long hair covered her sweet face. Vendra watched Ana's beautiful face. The view in front of him was beautiful compared to the view of Tower Bridge.

"I think I'll be back in Indo soon, Ven."

Vendra seemed surprised by Ana's statement, his forehead wrinkled indicating that he was confused by the sentence Ana had just uttered.

"Huh? You really want to go back to Indo?"

Ana smiled and turned to her friend, "I'm serious Ven. I'm going to graduate soon. But, before that I want to ask for prayers from my parents. I also really miss my friends there."

Breathing sounds very heavy, "I also miss Viko. Three years here without going back to Indonesia and without him, I feel like there's something missing between us."

"Do you like Viko?"

"I like him. I really do. It's just that I can't say it or I can't express what I felt at the time."

"I like you too, An." said Vendra.

Ana turned to Vendra, "I like you too."

"Wait, what do you mean, An?" didn't Ana just say that she liked Viko. Why did Ana say that she also liked Vendra?

"I said, I like you and I like Viko. I like both of you. You're my best friend Ven."

Deg. So, all this time Ana only considered Vendra as a friend.

"But, I LOVE YOU, AN! I LOVE YOU. Not as a friend. Like a man who loves a woman. I consider you a woman, Ana."

Ana was dumbfounded by Vendra's confession. Ana remained silent for a few minutes while digesting what was happening now. Ana did not expect that Vendra would reveal his feelings here.

"Honestly, I was shocked by your confession. I was really shocked. And I just realised now that you've been really good to me. I'm also really grateful to you, Novendra. I honestly don't know how to respond to this." Ana was silent for a while, she took a deep breath before continuing her words.

"Is it time for me to open my heart again? Haha, I don't know what I want Ven."

Neither Ana nor Vendra dared to open their mouths. They just silently stared at the people passing by. Until finally the slightly dusky pink lips opened, "I'm just expressing what I feel to you, An. I don't need a reply to my feelings right now. If you're not ready to open your heart. I'm still loyal to wait for you until whenever it is."

"I've been trying to open my heart, Ven. But I can't."

Vendra quickly replied to what Ana said, "Not yet! It's not that you can't. You haven't been able to open your heart to me."

"But your heart must hurt, Novendra. Mine hurts too." Ana's tears broke instantly.

Vendra hugged Ana and patted her lightly on the shoulder, hoping that her sadness would lessen.

"I'm not sick, An. I'm fine as long as you're fine. Trust me."

Vendra tried to calm Ana down until her crying stopped. After ten minutes had passed Ana was able to calm down and fix her face which was full of residual tears.

"Let's go home, it's late afternoon. But, stop by to eat first." Vendra asked.

Ana nodded her head, indicating that she agreed. Because after crying, she became hungry. Her composure was drained to release the tears.

They stopped at a famous restaurant in London. Ana chose an outdoor restaurant on top of a hotel. The place is very interesting because you can see the beauty of the City of London. The restaurant itself adopts an open bar concept with a retro glamour theme. Even so, there are not many excessive knick-knacks here, instead it seems simple. And don't forget the quality of the food that cannot be doubted. In addition, the wines are of number one quality.

"Wow, your choices never disappoint, Ana." Vendra was amazed by this restaurant. Ana was indeed a good girl when it came to choosing a place. Ana smiled slightly at Vendra's praise.

After ordering their food, they saw the beautiful view of London. The sun had begun to descend and the sky turned orange. Ah, it's so nice to enjoy the city with someone you love. Isn't it?

"Ana. I'm going back to America later tonight."

Suddenly Ana was surprised, "Why? We just met a few hours ago, Ven. How soon can you go back? Usually it takes a few days."

"I have to finish my work, An. Actually, I only came here to meet you. I probably won't be able to drop you off or pick you up back in Indo. I'll be really busy this month. And maybe even the next few months." Vendra took Ana's hand.

"You have to try your heart, An. If you open your heart and it turns out that I'm not the one. We'll still be friends like before. Nothing will change. I'll take care of this. You just have to know what I feel when I love you." Vendra emphasised his words of love to Ana.

Unbeknownst to both of them, there was a tall man observing them both behind his sunglasses. The man was sitting 2 tables away from them which meant he heard all the conversation between the two lovebirds. The man then drew a thin line on his lips. His hand reached for the wine glass in front of him and took a small sip. He tapped his finger on the glass for a few seconds and then put the glass down on the table. The man stood up and turned around, put his hands in his pockets and hurriedly left the two of them.

Ana glanced out of the tail of her eyes, she saw that someone had noticed her blatantly and then left. However, she did not recognise him, maybe it was just her feelings.

Drrtt drrrt drrt

Ana's mobile phone vibrated indicating an incoming message, Ana looked at the message. Her forehead wrinkled.

081283929xxx

January 10, 2024

I got u, babe <3

We'll see each other again soon. I love you, Diana.

Shit! Who would dare speak to Ana in such a presumptuous manner. This is not a Londoner's number of course, it's an Indonesian number. Wait a minute, it looks like Ana has seen this number before. Ah! This is the number that contacted her when she was in high school. The number that said that he missed her. Ana remembers it now. Who the hell sends strange messages like this? Moreover, he called her Diana. That's a nickname for family and... Him.