Evening crept in, casting long shadows over the earth as the last golden rays of sunlight surrendered to the deepening twilight.
The once-magnificent glow of day faded, swallowed by the quiet embrace of night.
Havi lay still, his breathing steady yet unconscious.
Beside him, Nuriana Salim remained seated, her fingers gently entwined with his.
The warmth of his hand lingered in hers, an unfamiliar sensation that stirred a quiet unease within her.
She could not help but wonder, why had she done this for someone she barely knew?
It was true that she had erred before, but what of now? Never in her life had she allowed herself to grow close to a man.
Love had never been something she pursued, nor had she ever entertained the idea of romance.
And yet, here she was, her fingers locked with those of a boy still in his school years, one who was, by all likelihood, much younger than herself.
"So, does this mean that in the future, this boy will become my husband?" A wry smile ghosted across her lips, though the thought itself was absurd.
Outside, Havi's parents, Mr Ridho and Mrs Saras, hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the emergency room, having been granted permission by the attending nurse.
Following closely behind were Yono and Diana, their expressions unreadable as they entered the dimly lit space.
The sight that met them brought them to a halt.
Beyond the pale curtains of the treatment bay, Havi lay unmoving, his hand wrapped firmly around Nuriana's as though unwilling to let go.
Or was it she who refused to release him?
A flicker of something unspoken, perhaps resentment, perhaps jealousy, flashed across Diana's face.
The sight of the boy she cared for in such intimate proximity to another stirred a quiet fury within her, a slow-burning fire that threatened to consume reason itself.
"Ahem." Mr Ridho's voice cut through the silence, drawing Nuriana's startled gaze towards him.
Flustered, she attempted to withdraw her hand, only to find Havi's grip impossibly firm, as though bound by some unseen force.
"I… I beg your pardon, sir," she stammered, her voice tinged with unease. "Please don't misunderstand. His grip is… strong."
"Hey miss," Diana's voice was softer now, though laced with an edge of defiance. "Havi is… my boyfriend."
Though the words carried no weight of truth, Diana had long since decided, Havi belonged to her.
"Forgive me," Nuriana replied, her voice tinged with quiet restraint.
"But this was not of my own doing. Had I not held his hand, your beloved would have continued calling my name, whispering his thanks to me. I do not know why."
"Havi is calm now. You should be able to let go." Diana's voice wavered, her frustration slipping through.
"You see it yourself, don't you?" Nuriana's eyes met hers, unwavering. "His grip is too strong."
Mr Ridho, Mrs Saras, and Yono exchanged glances, watching the quiet storm unfold before them.
For Havi's parents, there was a trace of pride beneath their bemusement.
Their only son, caught in the silent rivalry of two young women, was it not a sign of something greater to come?
A smile played at their lips, the faintest thought forming, perhaps, within this tension, lay the first glimpse of their future daughter-in-law.
And for Yono, ever the outsider, there was only quiet envy.
"Lucky bastard," he muttered under his breath. "Two beautiful women… Hah, some people have all the luck."
He shook his head, exhaling sharply. There was no use dwelling on it.
A nurse, a woman with a composed yet authoritative presence, had been drawn to the disturbance emanating from the emergency ward where Havi lay.
Without hesitation, she approached, her expression firm but professional.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice quiet yet commanding.
"Would you kindly lower your voices? This is an emergency ward. Please be mindful."
With that, she turned away, resuming her post without further ado.
A wave of muted apologies followed her departure, and the room fell into an uneasy silence.
Mr Ridho exhaled softly before speaking, "It would be best if you went home now, miss. We will stay with him. As for what happened earlier, let's put it behind us."
Nuriana hesitated, "But, sir… your son's grip..."
"Allow me," Diana interjected, stepping forward. "I'll loosen it."
Her jealousy smouldered beneath her otherwise composed exterior, compelling her to act.
Yet, the moment she attempted to pry Havi's fingers from Nuriana's own, her confidence wavered.
His grip was unnaturally strong.
Nuriana smirked, her amusement barely concealed, "You see? I wasn't exaggerating."
"Let me," Yono cut in, rolling up his sleeves as though preparing for a feat of strength.
He took hold of Havi's fingers, determined to separate them.
Yet, like Diana, he found himself unable to do so.
"This is ridiculous," Yono muttered in frustration. "If he's this strong while unconscious, I dread to think what he's like when awake."
Mr Ridho and Mrs Saras exchanged glances, an unspoken question lingering between them. How is this possible?
Then, as though moved by an instinct beyond reason, Nuriana leaned closer to Havi, her breath warm against his ear.
"Havi… I'm going now. It's late, and you need to rest. I'll visit you again tomorrow," she murmured.
And as if responding to her words, though still lost in unconsciousness, Havi's grip slackened.
His fingers, once unrelenting, slipped away with startling ease.
A stunned silence followed.
Diana, her heart already burdened by jealousy, felt the weight of it grow heavier, a bitter heat rising in her chest.
But Nuriana merely smiled a small, knowing smile.
Without another word, she inclined her head in farewell to Havi's parents and walked away, disappearing into the corridor beyond.
"Havi, you fool! You actually obeyed her?!" Diana's voice rang out, edged with frustration and disbelief.
Before she could say more, the sharp clip of approaching footsteps signalled the return of the nurse.
She stood at the threshold, arms crossed, her gaze cold and unwavering.
"I have already warned you, this is an emergency ward. Your family is not the only one with a patient here. If you cannot control yourselves, I will have to ask you to leave immediately!"
Her voice, though not raised, carried the weight of authority, slicing through the tension in the room.
Diana faltered, her defiance wilting under the nurse's stern glare.
With a sheepish smile, she mumbled, "My apologies, Nurse."
But beneath the forced politeness, her thoughts seethed.
"That woman, this is all her fault! Damn her!"