Nala is always busy. Her life is always filled with schedules and deadlines. Whether it is work, personal projects or the competition that she joined in. As if that is not enough, she also has to face many deadlines in her life that is often become the talk of people around her.
If her life is likened to the tempo like those in a piano course that she has takan before, the tempo of her life is Allegro. This tempo is used to express playing the music at a running speed. Nala feels her life is exactly like that tempo, keep running to meet the deadlines.
All of those things that keep Nala busy is to keep her running from unwanted things in her life. Running from the fact that her family is dysfunctioning, from her abusive and disloyal father, from relatives that competing to show off their success both at romance and at work, and last but not least, from her coworkers who love to flirt with her because of her body shape. Nala is done with those things. At least she can get away from those shameless people by writing and having a full schedule for herself.
Today is just like any other day where Mirna's third pregnancy is announced her cousins. Mirna is her cousin from her Mother's side and she is already married for quite long. Her womb is eight weeks old.
Nala just keeps silent and staring at Mirna and sipping her chrysanthemum tea when everyone is flattering Mirna. She knows that it is about time Mirna will attack her with questions about her partner. Nala knows the female snake very well. The sweeter her smile is, the more vicious is the bite. It is better to escape while she can.
"Mirna, congratulations on your pregnancy. I am very sorry, but I cannot stay longer. I have an urgent business to attend to," said Nala in an apologetic way. She hurriedly goes before Mirna started to ask about her partner or anything about her work.
"Thanks God I am able to avoid them tonight, " Nala thought in relief. She hurriedly go back to continue her work and to bring her to her own world. She can heal herself while writing and sinking herself into a new world. The world is full of deadlines but it brings her peace.
***
Several months has passed since her successful escape from Mirna's party. Nala's newest work is up for printing and she is now focusing on one of her newest webnovels. Nala managed to get back on her track. She forgot about Mirna and her other cousins already. Their special days laid forgotten on the back of her mind.
Nala almost missed Mirna's daughter's celebration if her mother didn't remind and force her to socialize.
"Nala, you didn't go to Mirna's party today? Her daughter just turned a month today and tonight is the celebration. You should join and socialize with the other cousins. Who know you might met a guy you like there," said Mala, Nala's mother scolded her.
Nala just stared at her mother's body. It is full of bruises caused by some ungrateful and insecure man who happened to be her own father. Nala just managed to hold herself from blurting out what she wanted to say.
"Is there any guarantee that the guy I like will be different from Dad?" Nala asked herself and keep that question buried inside her heart. She lost her mood to write the new part for her webnovel.
"I better get ready now. The traffic is horrible," said Nala to her mum. She better gets ready and goes to that snake's party to please her own mum.
Nala didn't want her mum to remember painful memories. She just feels lucky that she can freely goes out because her father is spending time with one of his collection. She normally avoided going to Mirna's place as it is such a twisted place.
"Never mind. I can do my writing today at the restaurant's restroom or balcony, or at the cafe near Mirna's house," Nala mumbled to herself. She is getting ready for the party with a plan formed inside her head.
"This looks like a wedding reception of some big shots' children in the country and not the party for a one-month-old baby," said Nala in a whisper while making certain she got the right time and address. Nala didn't expect the party that Mirna held today is greater than usual. Usually it is being held at a restaurant or Mirna's own house. However tonight it is being held at Mirna's in-laws and inviting many relatives both from Mirna and her husband's side. Nala felt so lost at this great party. She just felt lucky she is sensible enough to put on a dress and spent time to pick the gift for her niece.
Nala entered Mirna's in-laws' house while looking around with her eyes for a place to hide and finish her writing also to escape silently from the party. At least until she eat the meals and greet Mirna and her in-laws.
Nala walked and looked at the rooms around the ballroom where the party is being held. She looked for bathroom, library, and any rooms that she can possibly for writing. She entered the ballroom after finding a library at the end of the corridor.
"Congratulations for your baby, Mirna. Maya is so beautiful and cute," said Nala greeting Mirna and her family before enjoying the party. Nala also tried some of the food at the urging of Mirna's friendly in-laws.
Nala didn't see Mirna glared at her annoyingly. Mirna try to contain herself while burning with anger inside. It is already two times she tried to bring Nala down on the parties that she held, but she failed to do so on both parties. At the party several months ago she failed because Nala beat her to it by escaping first from the party. Now she must refrain herself from doing that directly because her in-laws disliked doing any evil things toward others. If she dared to do so, she must kiss goodbye to her comfortable life and her façade as a kind, friendly and smart daughter-in-law will be exposed.
Mirna had a vexed look when she saw Nala easily slipped away from the ballroom.
"That woman must plan to escape silently as usual," said Mirna. She is very frustrated about Nala. Mirna hurriedly follow Nala from afar.... Tonight she must not let her prey go away.