Chapter 61 - Dian's Advice

Dian and Rere continued walking until they reached the lake and the artificial forest. Dian invited her to sit near the lake. Coincidentally, there are some chairs provided around the area for guests to relax. The cranes fly over the lake, looking for fish to prey on.

"Why are you still angry when people tease you with Dino?"

"I'm not angry, sister." Rere lied. "Sis, I'm so sorry that because of us, you gave birth prematurely." Rere regretted her actions. She was angry because Dian knew the identity of Leon's biological father and interfered with her personal matters.

"Never mind. Let bygones be bygones. We're okay."

"I really regret my action."

"There's no need to talk about it. We need to talk about your and Dino's marriage." Dian patted the chair next to her so Rere could sit beside her.

Despite her doubts, Rere still sat beside Dian.

"I know you were forced to marry Dino. Precisely forced by Bara." Dian spoke.

Dian took Rere for a walk around the resort. They stood on the bridge connecting the lake and the resort. Rere was shaking and nervous. Curious what the mother of four children would talk about. Dian has just given birth. But, unlike a woman who has just given birth, her body is still sexy and charming. When she was pregnant, only her stomach bulged, there was no change in her body parts.

"What do you want to talk about?" Rere said after she composes herself. She felt guilty for her and Bara's action shocked Dian to inflict Dian's early labor. Rere realized what Dian was doing everything for her own good.

"You know why I wanted to protect you?" Dian says as she smiled sweetly at Rere.

"No," Rere said, shaking his head.

"It's all because of Bara." Dian sighed as she smiled and averted her eyes to Rere.

"He loves you like his real sister. Bara is an only child. He doesn't have a sibling. When your parents are married, he was elated. Finally, he has a sister and I have a competitor. Bara loved me like a sister once. I was happy to be his sister. I know my feelings are wrong as I started to love him as a man. I was happy that it was my past. I really love my husband now. Your accusation to me is not true. Actually, I've known for a long time who Leon's father is. Maybe I was the first person to realize that you were pregnant. You found out you were pregnant when you were six months, but I knew three months in advance."

"You're keeping too much secret from me." Rere shrugs her shoulders.

"Remember who helped you get out of the forest? You see Prince Ahmed's men's bodies are lying around, right? Do you know who did that?" That was me. I killed them to save you," said Dian calmly. Picking flowers around the lake and then putting them in her ear.

"What?" Rere was shocked. She never thought that it was Dian who helped her. Rere truly regrets her action that hurt Dian's heart now. "Did you shoot them from the apartment?" Rere tried to confirm. "Not Uncle Mutu?"

"I did it. I killed them. Uncle Mutu was just a go-between. I did the rest."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Rere grabbed Dian's arm. Rere now feels guilty for being mean and slandering Dian.

"For what? I did it for Bara. You are one of Bara's happiness. You are like his own blood sister. I just want to make him happy. Actually, I came to KL for a meeting with a client. But Bara asked me to check your condition. His hunch was right. It turned out that your life was in danger. Uncle Mutu picked me up and we went to the apartment. I was shocked when I saw Prince Ahmed's men searching the apartment and carrying weapons. I cleaned them up. I'm used to holding guns and killing people." 

Rere got goosebumps and shuddered to hear Dian's story. So far, Rere doesn't know who Dian really is. She didn't expect Dian to be so deadly and scary. Rere believed Dian because she heard the screams of Prince Ahmed's men when they were shot. Their corpses even lay in the forest.

"What did you do to their bodies?" 

"I burned them," Dian answered in a carefree manner. She was talking like she was just killing rats and not people.

"Aren't you afraid?"

"I feel numb since I was raped. I'm not afraid of anything."

Rere almost faints knowing Dian's past history. When women are hurt they will become strong and cruel. 

"The point of our conversation this morning is not Bara but Dino." Dian changed the subject.

"What do you want to say then?"

"Never hate Dino. I know if you were forced to marry him because of Bara. I know you can't refuse Bara's wish, But, never let Dino go. If Bara believes him, then Dino is a good man. Bara is never wrong. He only wants the best for you."

"I don't know how to describe it, but I am confused. Everything is too weird for me."

"Weird?"

"Yes. Very weird. I never thought that I would be in this kind of situation."

"Why were you never honest from the start?"

"Be honest about what?"

"When Angga came to the house? Why don't you refute what he said? Why are you keeping silent when he claims to be Leon's father?"

"I have reasons for that."

"What is the reason? Everything gets complicated. If Bara's memory doesn't return, the whereabouts of Leon's biological father will be a mystery forever. You are luckier than me."

"Lucky? My miserable life seems lucky to you?"

"No. You are luckier than me. When I was fifteen years old. I was kidnapped and raped. I was made a sex slave. I was traumatized and had a mental breakdown. I got pregnant because of the rape. I was 16 years old when the child was born. I don't acknowledge the child's existence. The child looked so much like the rapist that made me hate him so much. But, you and Dino are different. Both of you did that because you want it. No coercion. You are strong. You're not mentally disturbed."

"Sister." Rere touched Dian's shoulder. It turned out that Dian's life was more tragic than hers.

"I am alright. Don't worry. It's all in the past. That bitter incident made me a strong woman. We can't be weak and give in to the situation."

"I admire you for that."

"No need to admire me. I'm not that good, Re. never let Dino go. He is sincere to you. Even though love doesn't exist yet, he tries to give the best for you, Re. When we become a mother, the main priority in our lives is our children. Our children's happiness is above all. You guys must hold hands raising Leon and Hanin. This is still the beginning of your relationship. It's not easy being a wife and mother but I'm sure you can do it."

"I still can't get over my grudge against Dino," Rere told the truth. It's useless to lie, she can't lie to Dian.

"Never hold grudges. It is not good to hold a grudge against someone who messed up our lives. Frankly, I keep hating my rapist. I've been hurt for years. Vengeance is a disease that corrupts my mind. My life is far from peaceful, if you keep on remembering it, you will only damage your minds." Dian took Rere's hand and asked her to pick some flowers. Dian put the flower in Rere's ear. "Beautiful." Dian praised Rere's beauty and continued, "I know you are hurt by Dino's words at that time. The words may still be ringing in your ears, but I hope you will try to forget Dino's words. He made a mistake. The man you hate has become your husband, the father of your child, Re. It really is a thin line between love and hate. Don't hate too much, for you might love what you hate. Dino just says it because he felt like he was being played with that night. He was wrong but he regrets what he did." 

"I just need time. I still can't accept this."

"Learn to love Dino. I advise you because I have treated you like a sister. I will love what Bara loves. I knew who Leon's father was. I respect your decision to hide Leon's father's identity. I secretly investigated Dino. He's a good man. You can take his love for triplets like his own child as proof. He respects his mother very much. We can see the man's value from how he treats his mother."

"I understand, Sis," said Rere slowly.

After a heart-to-heart talk, they reunited with the others. They serve food to men. Rere tried to smile at everyone.

From afar Bara looked at Dino and Rere. The man had already made a plan to bring them closer.