Part 16
Dora sat down after her work was done.
"Ma, Dora want to talk, can I?"
"Speak dear, mama is ready to listen to you." Mom said while hugging Dora.
Dora told everything to mama. Dora is always open with her mother. There's nothing to hide when talking to mom.
"Why did Dora have to go through it twice Mom?" asked Dora at the end of the story.
Mama stroked Dora's hair, Dora replied by hugging her tighter.
"It seems Malik is not like Ridho, Ra, at least not now." Answer mom. Dora looked at her mother's face, Mama smiled looking at her too.
"Not understand yet?" asked mom. Dora nodded, Mama smiled again.
"Ridho, from the start, you knew he had a friend, and from the start he was more concerned with his best friend. Well, Malik, you just found out today that he has a girl friend too. And you don't know whether Malik will be more concerned with his girlfriend or not. That's right, right? ?" asked mom.
Again Dora nodded trying to digest all the words of her mother.
"Give him a chance to explain, later Dora can say all the objections Dora feels. Earlier she came here, Mom saw her very worried face."
"Really Ma, what time is it?" asked Dora in surprise.
"Around 11 or so if I'm not mistaken." Answer mom.
"That wasn't long after Dora ran away which means Ma."
"So give him a chance to explain everything?"
"And what about his best friend playing hugs?" asked Dora.
"That's what Dora can say to her about Dora's objections when she finishes explaining to Dora. Got it?" Dora nodded, mom smiled.
"Now activate your cellphone, answer the message. If you want you can discuss it here." Dora took her cell phone in her room, then activated it.
Dozens of notification messages from Malik immediately filled the screen of his cellphone. Maybe Malik knew Dora's cell phone was active because she didn't take long to call.
"Dora, thank God. Where is Dora?" asked Malik.
"Assalamualaikum."
"Ehh Waalaikumsalam, sorry, Ra, I forgot."
"Hmm."
"Where are you, Dora?"
"At home"
"At home, may i meet you there? I want to explain everything, Ra. Mau I?"
"Yes."
"Thank you Ra, I go there now. Assalamualaikum"
"Waalaikumsalam." Malik was relieved that Dora would take the call.
Even though she still answered in a flat voice, at least Dora would listen to her explanation later.
"He's coming here?" asked mom. Dora nodded.
"Talk about it later. Don't get emotional, okay?" Mom's message to Dora.
"Yes Mom."
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They had been sitting in silence for more than 5 minutes. Dora waited for Malik to start the conversation first. But it seems Malik is only looking at Dora. His eyes were filled with regret.
"Ra, I'm sorry Ra."
"Hmm,"
"Ra, she's my old friend. All this time she lived in America and now she's back here because her parents moved back to Indonesia for work."
"Continue?"
"How come Ra, what do you mean?" Malik asked confused.
"So what do you want brother?"
"I don't want us to break up, Ra. I really love Dora."
"Forgiving is easy, after that?"
"After that? I don't understand Ra."
"After that, you are still going out with Dora. But you are free to hug your best friend. Because Dora can't be hugged. So priorities change, friends are more important than girlfriend. Because she's new here, she still needs to be accompanied everywhere. Dora has to be patient and understanding with your friendship. Isn't that right?" Malik stared at Dora intently, trying to digest Dora's words.
After a long silence, Malik smiled meaningfully at Dora.
"I'm not like Ridho Ra, for me, you are my priority."
"Then this afternoon why did you just enjoy being hugged by Alisa, instead enjoying it like that. After all, Bayu is also a friend. Why is he only hugging his brother. Also, what do you mean by beibs?"
"I'm sorry Ra, it's been a habit from the past, actually my brother has refused earlier, my brother has pulled his hand from his embrace. But he doesn't want to let go of his hand. Trust me, Ra, brother is more willing to lose a friend than to lose you."
"No need to flirt, it's stale, you know?"
"I'm no longer seducing Ra, I'm just expressing what's in my heart. So I asked Dora to give me a chance. I promise I won't disappoint Dora again."
"How's Ra?" Malik continued because Dora never answered.
"But on condition that there are no more hugs and bullies, okay?"
"Insha Allah you will always remember."
Dora nodded even though she still had some doubts. But like Mama said earlier, Dora must give Malik a chance to prove that he is not the same as Ridho either.
"So Dora wants to give brother a chance, right, Ra?"
"Yes Bang." Dora replied.
"Alhamdulillah, thank you Ra. Brother promises to maintain the trust that Dora has given once again."
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In the morning Malik picked up Dora as usual, although there was a bit of awkwardness Dora believed that Malik would keep his promise. Arriving at campus, Alisa was waiting in the parking lot. The first test, Dora thought.
"Morning beibs, I called you since last night why didn't you pick up?" Alisa spoke in her fake American accent.
Dora who had gotten off the motorbike looked at Malik who was also looking at her. Malik apologized silently.
"Alisa, we can talk for a while, in the park it seems suitable. Come on, Ra, you accompany my brother!"
"What's wrong beibs, looks serious?" Alisa asked but continued to follow Dora and Malik who had gone first.
"Look Sa, I'm sorry if my words disappoint you. I know we've been friends for a long time. But from now on I ask you to just call my name, don't use beibs, okay. Also please don't hug me or anyone named a boy." Malik explained at length.
"Why, aren't we used to that?" asked Alisa. Malik looked at Alisa, then looked at Dora with a smile.
"Because I want to protect my girlfriend's feelings. You know what the word mean, right, Sa?" Malik asked Alisa.
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See you next part