The Unforgettable Story
Section 65

With one hand holding Kirana's hand, Miles used his other hand to push their trolley in front of him. After checking in, Kirana was not surprised to learn that they were sitting next to each other on the plane. While waiting for his departure, Miles takes him to dinner at one of the restaurants.

“You've been quiet since we got here. What's up?” miles asked as he wiped his lips with a tissue. Kirana raised her head and looked at him.

“Nothing.” He tried to smile and failed. Miles touched his hand on the table. Kirana refrained from turning her mouth and returned her grasp.

“There is always something wrong with your no-there-nothing. Tell me.” urges Miles.

Maybe this is better. Say it now instead of waiting until their plane lands in Jakarta. Whenever he gave the answer, Miles would still protest. Then, what's the difference? He was only delaying the big fight that was already certain to happen.

“About your application,” Kirana started. Miles' eyes turned sad. “My answer is no.”

“Reacted right. My charm is gone. I can't even get the heart of the woman I want.” said Miles disappointed.

“I'm sorry.”

“There is nothing I can do to change your decision? I beg?” ask Miles to beg him.

“There's nothing more you can do, Miles. It was the final decision.” he said regretfully.

Miles stood up and lowered his body. The table that became a barrier between them was not enough to prevent him from bringing their faces closer. Kirana who was unprepared, was not fast enough to dodge from him. The man kissed her lips. There was pain pressing down on Kirana's chest. There's nothing Miles needs to do to prove he's capable of making it melt at every kiss and touch. But for the good of both of them, he had to leave.

“Why, Kirana? Why are you lying to me? What can I not read here? You returned my kiss, didn't stop wanting to know everything about me. You can't stop touching me either. Tell me, what makes you so afraid of me?” Miles wiped the tears off the woman's face. “I love you, Kirana, I won't hurt you. I promise.”

“Sorry, I have to go to the toilet.” Kirana suddenly stood up. “I'll be back soon.”

He tried to calm himself in a room. Just futile. Her tears did not stop flowing down her cheeks. He's already given his answer to Miles' proposal. Why can't she stop crying? What makes it this sad? Isn't this what he wanted? If he himself could not determine the attitude, how could Miles believe that he really did not want any more connection between them?

When he came out of the toilet, he found Miles standing in front of him. The man smiled and extended his hand. Without a word, Miles led him to the waiting room. As long as they sat there, the man wrapped one of his hands around Kirana's shoulder, while the other hand squeezed the woman's hands over her own thighs. Kirana knew the man wasn't saying goodbye. He was giving her a signal that she did not want them to separate.

On the plane, Miles still holds one of Kirana's hands. Every now and then he just stared at the window looking at the scene outside. Every now and then she touched Kirana's chin and twisted the woman's face until her eyes looked into those blue eyes. He caressed her cheek and Kirana could not hold back her tears from falling down her cheek. The man wiped his cheek with his hand. It was not uncommon for the man to kiss her, making Kirana's chest even more tight.

“I love you, Kirana. Please, I beg you. Tell me what should I do to change your decision?” Miles twitched his thumb at Kirana's cheek. The woman closed her eyes.

“Nothing, Miles. You can't do anything to change my decision. Please don't do this to me. I know it's hard for you. It's also heavy for me.” She trembled with restraint so that her cries would not break.

“Nothing is easy in our relationship.” protest Kirana. Miles nodded slowly.

“You're still mad because I didn't tell you I was married?” ask Miles again. Kirana shook her head.

“It's not about that.” replied Kirana honestly.

“Then what is it about?” push Miles again.

Kirana closed her lips. He turned his eyes away and did not answer the man's question. When her tears fell, Kirana quickly wiped them with her hands. He prayed inside that the plane would land immediately. He could not hold back his tears any longer. The crying can explode at any time.

They head to the immigration department as soon as they arrive at their destination airport. Miles clasped his hands as they headed for the baggage claim and exited the arrival terminal. Kirana saw Miles' car was waiting. He pulled his hand from the man's grasp. Miles looked towards him.

“Welcome back, Sir.” Markus greets him before Miles can say anything to Kirana. Miles smiled at his driver.

“Mark, please put my suitcase in the trunk. Wait for me in the car.” said Miles. The man complied by taking his master's suitcase from the trolley. Miles turned towards Kirana. “I'll drive home.”

“No. We better split up here. I'll take a taxi.” reject Kirana.

“What's up, Kirana? You answered no to my proposal, then? We stop getting to know each other? What's wrong with me driving you home?”

Kirana framed Miles' face with her hands, tiptoed, and kissed him. The man wrapped his hands around his waist. Kirana's tears rolled down her cheeks again, drenching Miles' cheeks. He doesn't care about the people around him. Both of his hands he circled around the neck of the man deepened their kiss. Then he let go of his embrace. Miles tightened his embrace and still kissed his lips. But Kirana no longer kissed him.

“No. No, Kirana. Don't do this to me.” Miles protest. He leaned his forehead on Kirana's forehead and held her hand tightly.

“Goodbye, Miles.” Kirana pulled her hand from Miles' grasp. The man looked at her for a long time. Seeing that Kirana was still fixed on her stance, she did not protest anymore and let go of her hand.

“So, I only deserve to be with you while in Singapore but not to be a part of your life?” ask Miles slowly.

“I'm so grateful for everything, Miles. Really am. But we can't be together. You won't understand this now. Someday you will understand. It's best for both of us.” Kirana tried to explain. Miles took a step back while raising one of his hands, asking Kirana to stop talking.

“Do not try to dictate what is best for me. There's enough one woman I've let dictate my life as I please for ten years. If you think parting is best, it only applies to you. Not me.” Miles said firmly. Kirana nodded slowly.