SR3. 41. Happy

Aryan's overprotective attitude made Laura both happy and annoyed. She was ecstatic because she felt deeply loved, but at the same time, she was frustrated by Aryan's constant restrictions. Like tonight, Aryan didn't allow her to do anything except go to the bathroom. He prepared a glass of water for her medication along with the prenatal milk they had bought at the mini-market. And, of course, he always accompanied her to the bathroom every time.

"Thank you, Honey, for all the happiness you've given me. I promise to be the best husband and father for you and our children," Aryan whispered while hugging Laura from behind. He nuzzled his face into the curve of Laura's neck, his right hand gently caressing her still-flat stomach.

"You're welcome, and thank you for all your love," Laura replied while stroking the back of Aryan's hand, which was wrapped around her belly. Laura couldn't believe that after all the pain she had endured, God had given her a perfect husband and two twins now nestled in her womb.

The next day, Laura was surprised to find that Aryan had already prepared everything for the graduation ceremony. Matching navy blue batik with the "parang kusumo" motif that Aryan had specially ordered from the Alfarizi family's favorite boutique was laid out on the bed, along with matching flat shoes, as she stepped out of the bathroom.

The choice of the "parang kusumo" motif itself was made by Liana and Aryan. Liana explained that the motif had a deep philosophy: life should be grounded in real struggle and effort to achieve physical and spiritual glory. Navy blue was Aryan's choice because it was Laura's favorite color.

So, at Laura and Arabella's perfect graduation ceremony, all the Alfarizi family members wore specially ordered batik according to their preferences and tastes. Andra and Arabella wore matching batik with "udan liris" motif, while Aryan's parents and Laura's family wore batik with "ceplok kasatrian" motif. Even Arabella's family wore a similar motif.

"Let's go," Aryan invited, extending his hand to Laura. He admired Laura's perfect appearance, wearing a lace dress combined with matching batik. In his eyes, his wife's beauty seemed to increase with each passing day.

"Where did you put the high heels I bought a few days ago? I want to wear them," Laura pouted playfully while slipping her arm into Aryan's.

"You're not allowed to wear high heels for now, besides, you don't really like wearing them, right?" Aryan replied, raising an eyebrow at Laura.

"But it's my special day, Honey," Laura whined, putting on puppy-dog eyes to try and melt Aryan's resolve.

"But..." Before Laura could finish her sentence, Aryan silenced her with a kiss.

"This time, I can't grant your wish, Darling," Aryan said after breaking their kiss and gently caressing Laura's belly.

Laura just sighed heavily and followed Aryan down the stairs.

In the living room, all the family members had gathered to leave for the graduation ceremony together. They departed in three cars, each with its own driver.

In less than 30 minutes, they arrived at the venue. Laura and Arabella immediately joined their fellow graduates from the same faculty, while the others sat in the guest seating area. Unbeknownst to Laura, Noval was observing her. She seemed engrossed in conversation with a friend next to her. Even though he had accepted Laura's happiness with her husband, he couldn't deny that his heart still longed for her. Memories of their beautiful past together resurfaced, and if he could turn back time, he would change everything and fight for their love.

Noval closed his eyes for a moment and then redirected his attention to the ongoing ceremony. He thought that by attending Shofia, his step-sister's graduation, his heartache would heal over time, but it hadn't. His love for Laura remained unchanged. He should have been the one standing by her side now, as her graduation companion and future husband, just as they had promised each other.

Seconds turned into minutes, and minutes passed as time ticked away. Noval got up from his seat and walked calmly toward the exit of the building, deciding to wait for his mother, stepfather, and Shofia in the parking lot to avoid any encounter with the girl he could no longer have.

Noval's steps came to an abrupt halt when he heard laughter, the sound he had missed so much. He reflexively turned toward the source of the sound and was instantly pierced with pain in his heart when he saw a man's hand possessively wrapped around Laura's slender waist. Noval clenched his fists tightly, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly and repeatedly to neutralize his emotions. He was confident that he could get through this alone, accept the fact that the one he loved was with someone else, and make peace with his heart.

"I congratulate you on your graduation, Laura," Noval said, extending his hand toward Laura. Laura froze for a moment before offering a sincere smile and shaking Noval's hand.

"Thank you," Aryan replied with a sardonic look, pulling Laura's outstretched hand back.

"Same to you," Noval replied curtly before quickly walking away.

"Aww... reunited with your ex, huh?" Aurora teased as she playfully nudged Laura's shoulder, deliberately trying to provoke Aryan, who was staring sharply at Noval as he walked away.

Laura glared at Aurora in warning, but Aurora continued to playfully taunt her.

After Noval's departure, Andra arrived with Arabella. Arabella looked exhausted with her swollen belly.

"Congratulations, Ara," Laura said, hugging Arabella tightly. Tears streamed down her face. All their struggles had borne fruit, and their promise to always be there for each other, in good times and bad, had been fulfilled.

"Congratulations to you too," Arabella replied, returning Laura's tight embrace.

Laura and Arabella took turns hugging their family members. The emotional atmosphere shifted when Aryan informed Andra about Laura's pregnancy, causing excitement and joy to fill the room. Della approached her daughter and hugged her tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Andra, my stomach hurts," Arabella suddenly cried out. Her moans turned the emotional atmosphere tense and panicked. Without saying much, Andra swiftly lifted Arabella and headed to the parking lot. Dodik, Arabella's personal driver who had been waiting, quickly opened the car door for his employer and sped off through the empty streets.

Liana and Andre hurried to Andra's house to retrieve the items they had prepared for the childbirth, while the rest of the family, including Laura, went home with their respective drivers. Aryan insisted that Laura rest at her parents' house first, and he wouldn't feel at ease until he was sure that Laura was being watched over.

"Darling, I'll join Andra at the hospital first, okay? You go home with Mom and Dad, get enough rest, don't forget to take your vitamins," Aryan said as he prepared to leave, receiving a nod of agreement from Laura before he kissed her forehead and got into the car, leaving the building's courtyard.

Aryan waited in front of the operating room alone, feeling restless and anxious. His mind wandered beyond the bounds of reason. Memories of the past kept replaying, and even the terrifying image of Laura's childbirth haunted him, intensifying his fear of loss.

He couldn't stop himself from saying prayers, attempting to control his thoughts. He tried to push away the negative thoughts, especially when he was in the hospital, particularly in the operating room, where he had experienced trauma.

Aryan rose from his seat and walked toward the hospital chapel. He prayed earnestly for his entire family, especially for his pregnant wife, asking for a smooth and safe delivery. He also prayed for his sister-in-law Arabella, who was risking her life for the sake of her child.

"Laura," Aryan said, dialing her number on his phone.

"Honey, how is Ara? Has she given birth? Is it a boy or a girl?" Laura bombarded him with questions through the phone.

"Not yet, Darling. I'll let you know, okay? I'm with Mom and Dad now," Aryan replied, then after exchanging greetings, he ended the call. At the same time, Andra emerged from the operating room with a radiant smile. Aryan, too, felt a wave of relief wash over him as he wiped his face and shared in their happiness.

Later that afternoon, Laura incessantly begged Aryan to take her to visit Arabella and her newborn baby, even though she had just spent half a day at the hospital with Andra. Resting for a while was her preferred option at the moment.

Frustrated because Aryan was lying face down with his eyes closed, Laura quickly changed her clothes, intending to go alone with the driver. "I'll take you tomorrow, Sweetie. Arabella already has her parents, Papa, and Mama there," Aryan said gently as he pulled Laura down to sit on the edge of the bed, circling his arms around her.

"Tomorrow morning, okay?" Laura pouted.

"Sure," Aryan replied briefly before pulling Laura into a lying position beside him.

"From now on, you shouldn't go anywhere alone. I don't want anything to happen to you or our baby," Aryan said seriously, staring into Laura's eyes. His hand lifted, gently caressing Laura's cheek with the back of his hand.

Laura nodded with teary eyes, then snuggled into Aryan's embrace. Breathing in Aryan's scent was her remedy for all her worries.