SR3. 37. Aryan Promised

One week after the surgery, Laura had already started to resume her usual activities. During that week, Aryan had been constantly by Laura's side, handling all his office matters while Andra and Jefri took care of them. Even if there were documents requiring his signature, Jefri would bring them home, allowing Aryan to stay close to Laura and attend to her. Aryan could still manage to check on Jefri's work and reply to emails from his colleagues at home.

He did all of this solely for Laura's recovery. Laura often urged him to go to the office, but Aryan refused to budge. He wanted to focus on taking care of Laura until she was completely healed. Arabella and Aurora, as their best friends, always provided their support. Additionally, Nancy and Ricard came to the house to deliver Laura's favorite dishes, prepared by her mother, Della. Many of their classmates also visited Laura at home.

"Look, Honey, two weeks at home, and my body is getting all soft. How can I resist your mother's delicious food?" Aryan grumbled while looking at his body, clad only in boxer shorts. He sadly realized that since moving back to his parents' house, he had rarely exercised. Combined with his workload at the office, he had forgotten to work out regularly.

"Later, I'll accompany you to the gym, okay?" Laura offered without taking her eyes off her phone.

"If we work out together in the bedroom, how about that? I've been fasting for three weeks now," Aryan replied with a mischievous grin.

Laura remained still, pretending not to understand Aryan's statement. She didn't refuse to entertain her husband, but she still feared that the post-surgery wound might cause pain during their activities. Annoyed by Aryan's lack of response, she climbed onto the bed and tried to snatch her phone back from Aryan's hand.

"You're bothering me," Laura protested while attempting to retrieve her phone. Now, their gazes locked, sparks flying as their eyes met. Laura found herself drawn into the calm yet mesmerizing depths of Aryan's hazel eyes. Aryan slowly lifted his hand, his fingers tracing the contours of Laura's face, stopping at her tempting lips. He gently caressed her lips, repeating the gesture several times, and soon their lips met in a soft, demanding kiss, matching the rhythm of their racing hearts.

"I'm afraid it will hurt, Honey," Laura whispered in a husky voice when Aryan had stripped off all her clothes. Unexpectedly, Aryan got up and walked toward the bedroom door.

"Lock it first," Aryan said, then returned to pin Laura down on the bed. Laura laughed when she heard this; Aryan was right, Liana had caught them kissing several times since Laura came back from the hospital. The risk of living with their parents was that they couldn't be as carefree as they were when they were alone in their apartment. Every corner of their apartment had become a witness to their passionate love.

"I promise it won't hurt," Aryan whispered, then gently kissed Laura's lips, his hands not idle, exploring every inch of her body. Since Laura had returned from the hospital, Liana often checked on her in her room. The Aryan family's possessive attitude made Laura feel shy, but at the same time, her heart swelled with happiness at being loved by her husband's family. Liana and Andre never played favorites among their children and in-laws; everyone received equal love and care.

A soft sigh escaped from Laura's lips as Aryan's lips attacked her neck, leaving red marks in their wake. Aryan's desire was now undeniable, and just as things were heating up, a knock on the door interrupted their intimate activities.

"Laura, you have a guest," Liana's voice made Aryan groan in frustration.

"Yeah, Mom, Laura will be down in 5 minutes," Aryan replied reluctantly. Laura glared because Aryan had covered her mouth when she was about to respond to his mother's call.

"Make it quick; your friend is waiting," Liana continued before they heard her footsteps receding from the bedroom door.

Aryan immediately kissed Laura before she could protest. Unable to resist any longer, Laura surrendered herself to Aryan's intoxicating advances. Exactly five minutes later, Aryan was done, and he let his body collapse onto the bed while wearing a satisfied grin, watching Laura hurriedly put her clothes back on.

"Honey," Aryan called out, causing Laura to halt her movements as she reached for the door handle.

"What?" Laura replied, feigning annoyance. She tried to guess what Aryan was thinking.

"Oh my god, I forgot," Laura said, slapping her forehead and then walking over to the dressing table to grab.

Aryan laughed and playfully raised an eyebrow, then buried his face in the pillow. "Have a beautiful afternoon," he whispered, closing his eyes.

Laura's face instantly lit up when she saw Arabella and her KKN teammates in the living room. She quickly greeted all her friends and thanked them for making time in the midst of their final exams to visit her. They engaged in lively conversation for nearly an hour, with coffee, fruit juice, and snacks adding to their enjoyment. Then, Aryan entered the room, wearing shorts and a white singlet, with Baby Azka in his arms, causing all the girls to be captivated by him.

"I swear, La, your husband is so handsome. Do you have a single younger brother?" one of Laura's female friends remarked.

"Huuu..." The male friends protested, feeling left out and neglected.

"Sorry, Ara, he's here looking for Baby Azka," Aryan said, feeling a bit uncomfortable for interrupting their fun, then he quickly went back inside the house after making sure Baby Azka was with her mother, greeting Laura's friends warmly.

Once Aryan left, Laura's friends got even more excited. They had just met Andra, who was no less handsome than his older brother.

"Seriously, this family is so good-looking," another friend commented.

Not long after, Andra arrived, which immediately silenced them. Who didn't know the handsome and aloof lecturer, whose smile could make anyone's day on campus? But this time, they almost melted when Andra greeted Laura's fellow students warmly while taking Baby Azka from Arabella's arms, and then he entered the house.

"Wow, his smile is rare and precious," Laura's friends said in admiration. Laura and Arabella could only laugh at their friends' reactions. Dino, the team leader who was known for his humor and high sense of humor, always managed to lighten the tension among his team members, who often had different arguments. Coming from different faculties, they had different ways of thinking, and Dino could always find a middle ground for the sake of their team's unity.

A little later, they excused themselves as the clock in the living room stopped at exactly 3 p.m. Laura's female friends eagerly hugged and pinched Baby Azka with adoration as she ran to Arabella.

"Ara, I'm willing to wait for Baby Azka to grow up," one of Arabella's friends said, immediately receiving a playful hit on the head from another friend.

Everyone burst into laughter, and the male friends could only shake their heads at the antics of the women. Andra and Arabella decided to go home after that.

With his possessive attitude, Aryan grabbed Laura's slim waist and led her up the stairs to their room.

"Uh, where are we going?" Laura asked in confusion when Aryan carried her past the bed and into the bathroom.

"A little shower action, Honey," Aryan replied, setting Laura down beneath the shower. Laura laughed and crossed her arms behind Aryan's head, allowing him to satisfy her.

"Earlier, Mom called. Dr. Rahma gave Laura the third spot in line, so after dinner, you two should hurry and go," Liana said as they had dinner together.

"Laura, you have guests," Liana's voice successfully made Aryan groan in frustration.

"Yeah, Mom, Laura will be down in 5 minutes," Aryan replied casually. Laura glared as Aryan covered her mouth when she was about to answer her mother's call.

"Hurry up, your friend is waiting," Liana continued, and then footsteps were heard moving away from their bedroom door.

Aryan immediately kissed Laura's lips before Laura could protest. Unable to resist any longer, Laura surrendered and enjoyed Aryan's intoxicating behavior. Exactly 5 minutes later, Aryan satisfied his desires. Still panting, he lay on the bed with a satisfied grin, watching Laura hurriedly put on her clothes.

"Honey," Aryan called out, stopping Laura in her tracks as she reached for the door handle.

"What is it?" Laura replied, sulking. Laura became more puzzled when Aryan merely raised his eyebrows, trying to guess what he was up to.

"Oh, my God, I forgot," Laura said, hitting her forehead with her hand and then walking towards the makeup table to get her instant hijab.

Aryan laughed, forming a kiss goodbye with his hand before burying his face in the pillow. "Have a beautiful afternoon," he muttered, closing his eyes.

Laura's face lit up when she saw Arabella and her KKN (Community Service Program) team members in the living room. She quickly greeted all her friends and thanked them for taking the time to visit her amidst their final exams. They got lost in lively conversation for almost an hour, with coffee, fruit juice, and snacks adding to the enjoyment. Then Aryan came in, wearing shorts and a white tank top with Baby Azka in his arms, causing all the girls to be captivated by his charm.

"Seriously, La, your husband is so handsome. Do you have a younger brother I can marry?" one of Laura's female KKN friends quipped.

"Huuu..." The male friends protested because they felt left out.

"Sorry, Ara, Baby Azka was looking for this," Aryan said apologetically for interrupting their fun, then went back inside the house after making sure Baby Azka was with her mother and greeted Laura's friends warmly.

After Aryan's departure, they became even more excited because that was the moment they met Andra, who was no less handsome than his older brother.

"Seriously, this family is full of handsome men," another one remarked.

Shortly after, Andra arrived and immediately silenced them. Who didn't know the handsome and aloof lecturer? The whole campus knew how valuable his smile was. But this time, they were almost melting as Andra greeted the students warmly while taking Baby Azka from Arabella's lap and then went inside the house.

"Wow, he's so considerate. Here's the handsome single guy," their KKN team leader said, earning teasing remarks from the others. Laura and Arabella just laughed at their friends who had been a part of their team for a month now. Dino, the goofy and humor-loving team leader, always managed to lighten the tension among his team members, who often had differing opinions due to coming from different faculties. The most common argument within their team was between science and language students, but Dino always found a middle ground to maintain their unity.

After a while, they bid farewell when the clock in the living room stopped at exactly 3 in the afternoon. Arabella's female friends competed to kiss and pinch Baby Azka with affection as she ran towards Arabella.

"Ara, I'm willing to wait for Baby Azka to grow up," one of Arabella's friends quipped, immediately receiving a playful smack on the head from another friend.

Everyone laughed, and the guys could only shake their heads at the women's behavior. After that, Andra and Arabella decided to head home.

With his possessive demeanor, Aryan grabbed Laura's slender waist and led her up the stairs to their bedroom.

"Uh, where are we going?" Laura asked in surprise when Aryan carried her past the bed and into the bathroom.

"A little shower time, darling," Aryan replied, lowering Laura under the shower. Laura laughed and wrapped her arms around Aryan's neck, letting him satisfy her desires.

"Mom called earlier, Laura. Dr. Rahma gave you appointment number 3, so after dinner, you guys should hurry and go," Liana said while they were having dinner together.

"Yes, Mom, thank you," Laura replied with a friendly smile.

*****

Laura's final check-up schedule after the surgery successfully alleviated her concerns about her pregnancy issues. Dr. Rahma confirmed that Laura was free from cysts, but she was advised to have a check-up every six months to ensure the cyst didn't return. Unlike Laura, who appeared relieved, Aryan remained calm and entrusted everything to God. Even if God didn't grant them children, there were many orphans in need of his love and care. Especially after Dr. Rahma explained that both Laura and Aryan were healthy, they believed there was still plenty of time for them to try, pray, and wait for God's will.

Aryan silently promised to become a better person, striving to be the best husband for Laura. He knew that his past sins were not easy to erase, but he would work on strengthening his faith and improving his neglected prayers. For him, Laura's forgiveness and love were already more than enough.

"Shall we go on a date?" Aryan suggested, steering the car towards Yogyakarta's bustling streets.

"Sure, it must be crowded on a Sunday night like this," Laura replied with enthusiasm, as she hadn't hung out in Yogyakarta's bustling streets at night for a long time.

"Let's go to my favorite place with Dion when we were still students," Aryan explained with a smile, reminiscing about his time with Dion from high school in Kediri to their college days in Yogyakarta.

Aryan parked the car in an available spot and got out first, opening the door for Laura. "Put on your jacket, it's chilly," Aryan said, putting his jacket on Laura, who blushed with a warm smile.

"Let's go." Ignoring the passersby, Aryan wrapped his left arm tightly around Laura's waist.

"Pendopo Lawas," Laura muttered. She had been to this place twice with Noval. Thinking of Noval, Laura felt nothing. The gentle feeling she once had when she thought of him was now gone. Although she couldn't easily forget the sweet memories she had with Noval, her heart was now filled with the name of the man holding her.

"Let's go in, there's still one empty table over there," Aryan pointed to the recently vacated spot.

This outdoor restaurant concept never lacks visitors, and its romantic ambiance with yellow balloon lights adds to the romantic atmosphere of the place. Although suitable for all age groups, teenage couples dominate the scene. University students are also seen hanging out here with friends, enjoying free Wi-Fi, and indulging in the affordable and delicious street food menu, making it a popular spot. The menu offerings are typical of street food, including various types of satay, stir-fried dishes, hot and cold drinks, and various traditional snacks.

Aryan ordered a cup of white coffee for himself and a glass of hot chocolate for Laura, along with some mild snacks. For the time being, Laura had to avoid spicy food, and Aryan, who used to love spicy dishes, now followed Laura's healthy menu recommended by Dr. Rahma.

At 20:25, a group of street musicians, commonly known as street buskers, prepared to entertain the visitors in the alon-alon. These musicians consisted of a gathering of music and art-loving students who were accustomed to entertaining the visitors for voluntary contributions. The vocal quality of the two singers was unquestionable, and their YouTube channel already had millions of followers.

Slowly, the gentle music echoed, and the song by Fiersa Besari was beautifully performed by the two vocalists. Their collaboration captivated the audience.

"Honey, it's getting late; let's go home," Aryan suggested, rubbing Laura's cold hands.

"Sure, it's getting colder at night," Laura agreed, even though she secretly wanted to stay longer.

Aryan got up and held Laura's hand as they headed to the cashier to pay their bill before leaving in a hurry.

"Thank you, Honey, for the lovely date," Laura said as their car sliced through the crowded streets.

"We will go on dates more often from now on," Aryan replied, then reached for Laura's hand and kissed it.

"My only goal now is to live and go to heaven with you," Aryan said, gazing at Laura intensely as the traffic lights turned red.

"Cheesy!" Laura replied briefly, turning her face toward the car window to hide her blushing cheeks.

She was just an ordinary girl who would definitely melt and feel elated if a man said such sweet words, especially when that man was someone she deeply loved.

Aryan laughed and affectionately rubbed the top of Laura's head. Aryan admitted that he had become a true "bucin" (someone deeply in love) just like his brother, Andra.