72: C72 Chapter 72

C72 Chapter 72

ILANA2

After the family gathering today, I decided to stay in my mother's house. The event was just over. I directly got into my room in the second floor. I had my own bedroom in this house my mother provided every time I visited her on weekends or break from my routines.

Turning off the light, I tried to sleep. It was not easy to get my eyes shut. The proposal from Reyhan I received this afternoon still flashed in my memory and kept me awake though I had been on the bed since an hour ago. Physically, Raeyhan was attractive with his good-looking face. His subtle dark eyes were captivating, pulling you into his mysterious world. His sweet smile shone the girls' day. Most importantly, he was a pious man, the most mattered character of a man you had to prioritize before deciding to marry him. That was what my mother taught and assured me. With this concept, I accepted his proposal today.

We might not have met before but I was pretty sure he was a good man. The way he spoke politely to my family and the way he looked at me with respect confirmed his good demeanor. I heard wisdom through the words he said. I witnessed kindness when he referred to me. He was a quiet but friendly guy. There was no reason for me to reject him. He had all the girls craved for from a man. However, every time I took a glance at him, it would remind me of my longing for someone I would not see for the rest of my life. For many years, I had dismissed him, unlocking the place he once had in the corner of my heart. It ended up failing. I wish this man could replace him and bring me to the phase where I could forget my past.

Rolling right and left on the bad did not help me doze off. Contrary, it made my eyes wide open. The time had ticked to the next number. It took an hour later for me to be able to slumber.

Half-sleeping, my ears caught the knock on my door. Someone's soft voice mentioned my name outside. Removing my blanket, I unlocked the door. My mother was standing and smiling at the door.

"The breakfast is ready. We are waiting for you to have breakfast together."

"I'll be there in five minutes," I promised, smiling back at her.

Washing my face and changing my pajama into a long dress, I went downstairs. My parents and my aunt have been sitting facing the food the housemaid had prepared. They looked so happy, chatting about something.

"Good morning," I greeted them that quickly turned their head to me.

"Good morning, Ilana.” They answered almost together. I sat next to my aunt.

"Reyhan asks you out today if you have time." I did not know why my mother's words made me startled. There was an urge inside me to refuse his invitation. However, I didn't want to let him down as he was too kind. Let alone, it was Monday, I had no an excuse to say no. "Ilana, if you agree, he will pick you up at 7 tonight. Ilana, are you listening to me?"

"Yes, Mom. I... I'll go," I fluttered.

"Going out with him can help you know him better. You can learn about his character. As far as we know he is a religious and intelligent man. He never miss praying and fasting during a holy Ramadhan month. He never drinks alcohol. Besides, He just graduated from one of universities in Egypt." My father advised me. He had very good personality yet I did not. He was clueless about my dark side. What if one day he or his parents found out about my past that I was not a biological daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ujang and I came from a poor family? Would they still accept me when they knew the fact that my biological father was a drunkard and a gambler? Would it still be okay with them once they had discovered that my biological parents lived in poverty?

"Ilana, you should listen to your father," my mother said.

"Sure, Mom."

When the breakfast time was over, I got upstairs and prepared for my date. It was not a date, just a meeting. Reyhan would pick me up at ten. After getting freshened and wearing a simple Tosca dress with dark scarf, I looked at my reflection on the mirror. My light makeup beautified my appearance.

Reyhan arrived fifteen minutes before ten. He was not alone; his sister was coming with him. Her name was Shefa. Having my father's permit, we got into car. He gently opened the door for me. The car drove off and carried us to a shopping center. Shefa was talkative but considerate. She interrogated whether or not I had breakfast. She told me the best restaurant she knew to have lunch together. She also persuaded his brother to take me to a movie to spend time together. I felt relieved that Reyhan disagreed.

Shefa was a modern girl who liked hanging out. She was easygoing person, easy to socialize with other people. She could effortlessly blend in our conversation. Arriving at the Mall, Shefa took us to the food corner. We were talking about many things while waiting for our food. Shefa dominated the talk. She revealed how his brother had spent his senior school and got a undergraduate and graduate scholarship in Egypt, how his brother was too shy if he had to interact with girls. He never had a romantic relationship before. Overall, she uncovered his good side. That made his face blush.

In the middle of our conversation, my eyes caught a girl who was so familiar. The girl did not change much; she looked mature in a gray blazer and dark pants. She was walking out with a cute kid holding her hand.

"Vera..." I muttered. That made Reyhan and Shefa moved their eyes at me in wonder.

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