Chapter 178 The Laughter That Had Once Been Lost

Chapter 178 The Laughter That Had Once Been Lost
Honestly, Mr. Aditya’s words about Claretta’s fragility kept disturbing my peace of mind. I kept guessing in my heart, how was she doing now? Was she living her life well?

However, every time my fingers were about to open that letter, various anxieties appeared and paralyzed me in my inability to face another surprise besides the truth about who Reno was.

I suppressed the sudden ache that crept into my chest, then bit my lower lip hesitantly. “I’m sorry, Dara. I …,” I wiped my lips several times while glancing toward the letter. My sitting position grew restless. “I mean, I just feel—”

“Enough, Frel. That’s enough. You don’t need to apologize. I should be the one apologizing for not being sensitive to your feelings,” Dara cut in gently.

“I’m sorry, Dara. I’m not ready yet,” I said while looking at her with watery eyes. “I should be reading that letter now, but I’m really not ready.”

Dara shook her head firmly. “No, it’s okay! It’s very natural that you’re not ready yet. I’m the one at fault for asking without thinking it through,” Dara replied. “Sometimes, the life problems we consider heavy need to be left alone for a while until we’re ready to face them. So, just keep it and open it later when you feel ready to read it. How about that?”

I fell silent for a moment before finally nodding in agreement. “Thank you for always understanding me, Dara.”

“Well then, it’s time for us to—ouch!”

I jolted when Dara suddenly cried out in pain while holding the back of her head. We both turned at the same time.

“Damn it!” Dara shouted. “What did you throw at me? Why does it hurt so much?”

Rian was leaning against the wall beside the door with a wide grin. He showed the fruit in his hand with a playful expression.

“Three or four longan fruits, if I’m not mistaken,” Rian replied while raising and lowering his eyebrows.

Dara glared fiercely. “You—”

“It’s just that I’m amused seeing my little sister growing up. The way she talks is getting wiser too,” Rian cut in while smiling at Dara. “Since when did you learn to arrange such poetic words?”

“Dara is indeed amazing! Where else can you find a girl as perfect as me? Already beautiful, sweet, kind, not arro—”

“Okay, okay … whatever you say.”

I smiled in amusement hearing Rian cut off Dara’s words in a reluctant manner while walking toward us. Meanwhile, Dara’s expression turned furious, as if she wanted to eat someone alive.

After returning from the hospital, I was indeed forced by Dara, Rian, Mr. Dira, and Mrs. Nita to stay with them. They did not want the same incident to happen again. Even though I had promised that I would never try to commit suicide again, they still insisted.

“We just want to take care of you, Frel. Don’t see this as a burden,” Mrs. Nita said at that time.

There were only two choices. Staying with Dara’s family or following Mr. Aditya. Clearly, I chose the first option. Besides often staying here since I was little, I also knew this family very well. Even though Mr. Aditya and Grandma begged me to go with them, after considering many things, I was forced to refuse.

So, here I am now. Sharing a room with Dara that is four times bigger than my old room.

“So, are you two ready to leave?” Rian asked while putting his arms around our shoulders.

“Not yet!” Dara replied curtly. “Frel’s powder seems to have faded and needs fixing. You go ahead first.”

“You girls are always slow when it comes to makeup,” Rian grumbled.

Rian chuckled when he saw Dara’s sulking face. “Don’t sulk like that, or you’ll look ugly. And your boyfriend will realize how ugly you actually are,” Rian joked, which was then answered by Dara with a hard punch.

Rian burst into laughter, and I joined in, even if only for a moment.

Rian turned to me, then touched the tip of my nose affectionately. “I’m happy to see you laughing. It feels like it’s been such a long time since I last saw you laugh, Frel.”

I had no other answer except to grin awkwardly. Rian stared at me intensely, as if he were evaluating my appearance.

I glanced at the dress I was wearing, the dress I had bought yesterday with Dara and Mrs. Nita. It was white, with one shoulder bare and the other covered by a flowing patterned design. I also did my makeup as naturally as possible and let my hair fall loose. I grew restless while waiting for Rian’s response.

“Say something, Rian. Does this dress look strange on me?” I urged.

“Amazing. I’m sure your prince this time will be mesmerized when he sees you, Frel. Like a fish, he’ll be flopping at your feet, begging to be taken home,” Rian continued, beyond my expectations.

“You’re so exaggerated, you playboy!” Dara shouted while mercilessly pulling Rian’s hair.

“Ouch! Let go, Dara! I’m just telling the truth!” Rian cried out in pain.

I laughed out loud seeing Rian’s miserable expression in Dara’s grip. My tears even fell. However, I was confused when I found them suddenly falling silent while staring at me.

“What’s wrong with you two?” I asked in confusion.

They remained silent. Not long after, Rian was the first to answer with a gentle smile.

“We’re very relieved to see you laugh so freely,” he said. “From now on, you have to laugh more often and be as cheerful as before, okay? That’s all I want.”

“I promise I’ll try,” I replied, my voice trembling.

I blinked. I realized that my laughter was truly free. I couldn’t even remember when the last time was that I laughed like that.

I lowered my head. How embarrassed and happy I was that there were still so many people around me who cared about me.

I should be grateful for this blessing, shouldn’t I?

....................................