Aera sits on a park bench near a shady tree. The evening breeze accompanied her who was waiting for someone's presence. Someone who fills her entire heart, so there isn't the slightest gap for another heart. A person whose name is still lodged in her heart and mind for the past 5 years. Not a second passed without thinking about that person.

"Hey, has it been long?" Someone tapped Aera's shoulder lightly.

Aera shook her head lightly while closing her eyes, feeling the warm touch of someone's hand that she had been waiting for a long time. A feeling of relief enveloped her heart when she saw that the person she loved was still the same as before. Aera opened her eyes and smiled.

"Jungkook......." said Aera softly. Jungkook heart warmed to hear Aera's voice mentioning his name. The voice he had missed so much for the past 5 years. 5 years were tough for both of them, because they had to be separated by large distances to pursue their respective dreams.

"How are you?" Asked Aera after a while.

"Fine, how are you too?" Asked Jungkook back.

"I'm also good. Are you a doctor now?" Aera jokes ending their awkwardness.

"Yeah, now I have been given responsibility for taking care of my father's hospital. You too, are you a career woman for sure?" Asked Jungkook with a chuckle.

"Yes, it's quite acceptable in the company I want" replied Aera with a smile.

Happiness clearly radiates from the gaze of these two human beings. The feeling of longing clearly dominated all around them. Moreover, the golden orange rays that radiated from the afternoon sun added to the warmth between them. However, that happiness did not last long when Jungkook's eyes began to dim. This did not escape Aera's view in front of Jungkook. Aera could see sadness radiating from Jungkook's eyes.

"Why?" Aera asked softly when she saw Jungkook lowered his head.

Hearing Aera's question, made Jungkook look up and their eyes met. It was then that Aera could see that something was wrong, because Jungkook's eyes were shining with sadness and disappointment. Aera immediately shifted her gaze to another direction. She could not bear to see the sadness in Jungkook's eyes any longer.

"What's the matter? Does this have anything to do with us?" Asked Aera. As much as possible she strengthened her heart to look calm. She's scared. She was afraid what she had been afraid of had happened. She was afraid to remember the fact that 5 years was not a short time. And in 5 years, that doesn't mean everything is going the way she wants.

"Sorry." Said Jungkook quietly.

Aera's heart became increasingly restless when she heard Jungkook's words. She keeps thinking positive and gets rid of bad thoughts that start hanging around her brain.

"What for?" Asked Aera.

"Sorry. I can't continue our relationship Aera ..." said Jungkook quietly.

At that instant, Aera's heart stopped beating. What she was afraid of had been proven. The nightmare that had been haunting her had really happened. Her imagination started roaming in her brain, thinking about the possible causes for all this.

"Five years ago, you asked me to wait for you. You asked me to always keep my heart completely for you. I filled it all up. Then after five years, you casually said you couldn't. Is this because your heart has moved to another heart?" Slurp Aera. Even though her tone was relaxed, it could not be denied that bitterness was implied in her words.

"I'm sorry Ae, I've never loved anyone other than you. I can't possibly forget you, but it's beyond my control"

"What do you mean?" Aera asked confused.

If he loves me, why can't he continue this relationship? Aera thought.

"I was arranged, Aera. I was forced by my parents to accept the matchmaking. I--"

"What? Are you arranged?" Cut Aera in surprise.

Jungkook nodded weakly. Aera is getting messed up. If Jungkook loves someone else, she might be angry with Jungkook. However, this is the request of Jungkook's parents. It's against his will. She couldn't do anything. Aera, who lost the figure of her parents when she was still a teenager, is certainly very concerned about this issue. She could not possibly oppose the wishes of Jungkook's parents. Because she had enough regrets, when her parents were gone and she couldn't give them happiness. Aera doesn't want to ruin the happiness of Jungkook's parents.

Aera sighed softly. Maybe this is the way the power has set. She can only accept gracefully. Maybe Jungkook is not a mate sent by God for her. She had decided.

Hope this is the best. Inner Aera.

"I understand" said Aera quietly. She grasped Jungkook's hand slowly. A sincere smile appeared on her face, although it did not cover the disappointment in her eyes.

"Follow the wishes of your parents. They will want the best for you"

A tear fell on Jungkook's eyelids. He was proud to love the very right person. However, he was also sad because he had to leave someone as sincere as Aera.

"Hey, why are you crying? I'm the one who was left behind, why are you crying? What a cry!" Joking Aera tried to cover the wound in her heart.

"If I take you to my parents first, they will definitely not match me. It's my fault, it's all my fault" Jungkook chided as he tightened Aera's grip.

Aera shook her head weakly, she wiped Jungkook's tears. "There's nothing wrong. Everything has been arranged. Maybe we don't have to be together. But I'm happy to have been yours."

"I'm sorry Aera. I hope you also get your happiness" Jungkook prayed, kissing Aera's soft grip.

...***...

Afternoon has turned to night. After Jungkook's departure, Aera had not yet moved from the park bench. She looked up at the sky and closed her eyes. The crystal grains that she had been enduring so long ago finally came out of her eyes. No sobs came out of her mouth. Only tears continued to flow without bothering to wipe them off. She tried to strengthen herself. Accept the destiny that must be lived. However, no matter how hard she strengthened herself, there were still parts that she could not restore to its original state.

Her heart. Her heart was broken with Jungkook's departure. There is no more heart left, because she has given all her heart to Jungkook. She couldn't put the pieces of her heart together. She doubted whether she could still live this life without Jungkook. Jungkook is her breath. Accompaniment of life. However, fate said otherwise. Fate does not want them together.

"Five years is not a short time to wait and be left out," someone said.

Aera opened her eyes and turned to her side to hear the chirp. A woman she estimated to be in her fifties sat next to her.

"Sorry, I heard your conversation earlier" said the woman again.

Aera smiled slightly and looked straight ahead. There is only darkness there. Dark her heart. "No problem" she said simply.

"Do you really love him?" Asked the woman quietly.

"Why do you ask like that?" Asked Aera looking at the woman.

"No, I don't mean to interfere with your business. But shouldn't you if you love him, you have to keep him?" The woman replied clumsily.

Aera smiled faintly. "Sometimes loving doesn't have to always be together. It's enough to do something that makes him happy. His happiness is mine too. Whatever his choice I will support, even if I sacrifice my own heart. Because I think loving him is seeing him happy" said Aera firmly. There was no doubt in her words.

The woman smiled. She immediately took Aera into her arms.

"My son didn't wrong to choose you" whispered the woman. The confused Aera could only be silent and digest the woman's words.

My son? Who chose me? Who is this woman? Aera's mind was confused.

"Congratulations" said the woman after releasing her hug. The woman stood up and took a few steps away from Aera. Aera frowned. She was confused by her treatment.

Suddenly, the garden lights that were around her lit up sequentially and brightened the darkness of the garden. Colorful balloons scattered around her. Aera looked even more confused at the woman. The woman just smiled and pointed in front of Aera.

Even confused, Aera looked towards the front.

It was then that she stared in shock. A man in a black shirt was standing not far in front of her.

"Jungkook...." muttered Aera softly. Didn't he leave? Confused Aera.

Jungkook walked closer to Aera. When he was right in front of Aera, Jungkook bent one knee and took out a small box from his shirt pocket.

"Jungkook? Why? How come?" Confused Aera.

"Yes, it's me. Aera, will you marry me?" Asked Jungkook and opened a small box which turned out to contain a white ring.

"Huh? Aren't you being matched? How come now?"

"There is no matchmaking. There are you and me. Once again I ask. Aera, will you marry me?" Jungkook pressed.

"But what do you say? I'm confused Jungkook. Actually, what happened?" Aera is frustrated.

Jungkook sighed roughly. "Mom, Dad, explain this to Aera! Because of you, it failed," said Jungkoom annoyed at the couple near them.

What? Wasn't there just that woman? How come there are men now. It looks like they are husband and wife. What was Jungkook calling earlier? Mom, Dad? Aera's mind was getting confused.

The person who was summoned just chuckled. The couple drew closer to Aera. The woman patted Aera's shoulder lightly and explained everything. "So this is ...

»»Flashback««

"Where are you going?" Asked mom when she saw Jungkook out of the room with a pretty neat suit.

"Want to propose my future wife" Jungkook replied ignorantly while tidying up his appearance.

"What? Future Wife?" Startled Dad who was sitting on the sofa.

"Yes. Mom, Dad, can I get married?"

"Yes, of course. But how come you didn't introduce to us first. Mom feels you have never seen with a women before?"

"Mom who doesn't know. I miss her Mom, it's been five years we haven't met .." Jungkook sighed softly. Jungkook's eyes sparkled as he told his longing and his parents knew that their son was really in love.

"Huu, it's no wonder you want to hurry back here. Evidently..," said Jungkook's Mom.

"Haven't seen you that long, are you sure she's still waiting for you?" Challenge Jungkook's Dad.

"Be sure" Jungkook replied firmly.

"Where are you sure?" Ask Dad again.

"Because we love each other" replied Jungkook casually. Although his tone was relaxed, there was clear confidence in his answer. There was no doubt in his eyes.

"Really? We will follow, please. I want to see my future mother-in-law. Did she pass the mom's criteria or not?"

"No, you can't! Later, Mom and Dad will make a mess. No, Jungkook doesn't want to" Jungkook refused.

"I don't want to know, just Mom and Dad are coming. Let's go!" Firmly, Mom spirit. Jungkook just sighed and shook his head slowly. His mother cannot be denied.

*

"So the one sitting alone is mom's mother-in-law?" Asked Jungkook's Mom excitedly, pointing to the woman sitting alone on a park bench.

Jungkoom nodded firmly. It turns out that five years has not changed his girl, even now the girl is even more charming. Ah, Jungkook can't wait to change the word 'girl' to be his 'wife'.

"She is beautiful, you are very smart at choosing a partner" said Mom.

"Of course i am." Jungkook proud.

"Ah, but is it true that she does love you? Maybe...." Dad deliberately hung his sentence to test Jungkook mentally.

"Do you want to know whether she loves you or not? Mom knows how. Come here ..." whispered Mom.

»»Flashback end««

"So this is your Mom plan? To prove my love for you?" Asked Aera.

Jungkook nodded and smiled. Aera shook her head slowly. Still in disbelief with the incident she had just experienced.

"So all this time, you still have doubts about my love?" Asked Aera sadly.

"Eh, that's - that's not it Ae. I trust you. Mom, responsibility now!?" point Jungkook to his Mom.

"Yes, this is Mom's idea Ae. Jungkook is just following it" defended Jungkook's Mom.

"Yes. So, will you marry me?" Jungkook repeated the third time.

"No. I can't...." Aera whispered.

"WHAT?!" Shocked Jungkook, his Mom and Dad.

"I can't Jungkook." said Aera again.

"Bu-Bu But isn't you...." Jungkook stuttered. He did not think that everything would fail like this.

"Aera, this is Jungkook's Mother plan. Jungkook is only following his mother's wishes. This is not Jungkook's fault, Aera" explained Jungkook's Father. He could not bear to see his son's face turn gloomy.

Aera shook her head. Instantly Jungkook felt pain in his chest. The tightness spread and filled to the point that it was difficult for him to breathe.

"I CAN'T DENY YOU JUNGKOOK!" shouted Aera cheerfully.

Time seemed to stop for a moment. Silence enveloped them. Jungkook, who was just digesting Aera's words, immediately raised his head, which had bowed quickly.

"What do you say?!" Asked Jungkook hesitantly that answered by Aera with her sweet smile.

Without warning, Jungkook immediately lunged at Aera into his arms. Aera, who was still surprised, couldn't keep her balance so they fell hugging on the garden grass.

"I'm crowded, Jungkook..." moaned Aera because Jungkook held her too tightly.

"You scare me Ae.. ." whispered Jungkook in Aera's ear and tightened her hug even more.

Because Jungkook did not seem to want to let her go, Aera just grinned and returned Jungkook's hug, "You also teased me earlier." Aera replied with a chuckle.

Jungkook kissed Aera's forehead for a long time. Channel the feelings that are buried. Bring warmth to Aera's heart. Forgetting that there is another couple near them.

"Ehem, you two aren't officially yet ..." teased Jungkook's Mom.

Jungkook just chuckled and let go of his hug. He pulled Aera's hand and put the Ring on her ring finger. Smiles did not fade from their faces. Jungkook's mother and father who saw it also felt their happiness.

"I Love You" said Jungkook.

"Love you too" replied Aera.

...• THE END •...

Hello guys, if you see this story that's mean if you read this already. I hope you're like my work. This is short and i think you're will like it.

Please give your support to my work.

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Greetings with love by your pretty author,

~ALICE ALEXIA~

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