Episode 3

Sunlight slipped gently through the gaps in the room's curtains. Arum woke up early, still feeling foreign in the large house. She glanced at the clock on the dressing table, then quickly put on simple clothes and tidied her hair. Her first day as a wife in the Argantara family was starting, and for some reason, her heart was beating a little faster than usual.

As she was about to leave the room, her steps faltered. A loud noise came from the next room, Reghan's room.

"Damn it! Shit!" The shout was accompanied by the sound of something falling. Arum panicked instantly, pressing her ear to the door. There was the sound of water flowing from the bathroom, then another heavy thud, followed by a stifled groan as if someone was in pain.

Without thinking, Arum turned the doorknob.

"Tuan Reghan?" (Mr. Reghan?)

There was no answer to Arum's call, she swallowed hard, then opened the door wider and entered. The sound of water became clearer, mixed with heavy breathing. From the bathroom, whose door was slightly open, Reghan's voice was heard again, full of frustration and anger.

"I'll do it myself!"

Arum held her breath, something in his voice sounded not just angry, but also hurt. She finally strode forward, opening the bathroom door without knocking.

Her first glimpse immediately silenced her. Reghan was lying face down on the wet marble floor, without a single thread on his body. The shower was still on, dripping artificial rain all over his back, which was covered in old scars. One of his hands was shaking as he tried to support his body, but it was weak.

"Get out!" he snapped hoarsely and sharply when he saw Arum standing in the bathroom doorway, trying to straighten himself but failing.

Water fell, wetting his black hair, covering part of his tense and angry face.

Arum stared at him for a moment, her heart pounding, but not because of embarrassment, only out of pity. She stepped in, took a large towel hanging nearby, then squatted beside Reghan.

"I said get out!" his voice grew louder, almost trembling with wounded ego. But Arum remained silent, carefully wrapping the towel around Reghan's body, then taking a deep breath. "Tuan will get cold if you stay like this, I'm just helping."

Reghan glared at her with sharp, fiery eyes, but his body was unable to resist as Arum helped him slowly into the wheelchair parked near the door. Every small touch from Arum's hand felt like a slap to his pride.

"Don't touch me again," he hissed softly but bitingly. "I don't need your pity. I know you're here only for the money."

Arum lowered her head, her lips trembling slightly, but she still helped Reghan put on his bathrobe with steady hands.

"If I'm here for the money," she said softly, "let that money work today to help Tuan stand."

Reghan was silent for a moment, then brushed Arum's hand away roughly.

"Get out!"

Arum looked at him for a moment - there was anger, there was sadness, but more than that, there was a deep exhaustion. She stood up slowly, bowing politely. "Yes, Tuan."

Her steps moved away, leaving the scent of soap and water still dripping on the floor.

When the door closed, Reghan stared at his reflection in the mirror, his right hand clenched tightly. Tears that shouldn't have fallen, dripped without him realizing it.

"Weak," he muttered bitterly. "Even to hate, I still need that woman's help."

Meanwhile, outside, Arum stood holding the doorknob, holding her breath. Her heart throbbed strangely, not because of fear, but because of pity for someone who so stubbornly refused tenderness, when all he needed most was to be understood.

Reghan stared blankly at the large mirror in his room. His clothes were still half open, water from his hair dripping onto his shoulders, down his tensed neck. His breathing had not stabilized between holding back anger and shame. All his pride seemed to crumble when his body fell on the marble floor earlier, unable to stand without a woman's help.

"Disgusting..." he hissed softly, his hands clenching in his lap, staring at his own face reflection that looked foreign.

"Even to stand I need to be pitied."

He turned his wheelchair slowly, facing the large window that was slightly open. Last night's rain still left dew on the leaves of the back garden. The air felt humid, quiet. He looked out, trying to calm down. However, the frustration in his chest did not subside.

Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Reghan didn't answer. The door opened slowly, revealing Arum who entered with cautious steps while carrying a steaming cup of tea. The scent of fresh ginger spread in the air. Arum approached without saying much, placing the cup on the bedside table next to Reghan's chair.

"Ginger tea," she said softly, her voice gentle but sounded steady.

"After being in cold water for too long, Tuan can catch a cold. Drink it while it's warm."

Reghan turned slowly, looking at the woman with a sharp gaze.

"I don't need your attention."

Arum smiled faintly, not offended. "I don't care whether Tuan needs it or not. I just don't want Oma to be angry if Tuan gets sick."

That sentence made Reghan snort softly, then turn his face away.

"Go away," he said flatly. "I can take care of myself."

But a moment later, something made Reghan fall silent. Arum had just bent down to take clean clothes from a small cupboard and unconsciously stood so close to him. Arum's body scent - a mixture of floral soap and the warmth of clean fabric - smelled faintly in the air, making Reghan's breath catch.

His body tensed, there was a strange sensation inside him, something that for a year he believed had died since the accident, since the doctor said the word he hated the most, which was impotent.

His eyes stared blankly at the floor, his heart beating a little faster than usual. No, he didn't even refuse to feel it. He only refused to believe that his body could still react to anyone, especially to a woman he married for money.

"I said go," he said again, this time softer but trembling. Arum looked at him for a moment, then patiently took a neatly folded shirt and helped Reghan put it on. Her movements were calm, full of care. Every time her fingers touched Reghan's skin, the man held his breath between anger and something difficult to admit. Once the last button was fastened, there was a knock on the door.

"Excuse me, Tuan Reghan," the servant's voice was heard from outside.

"Tuan's personal doctor has arrived for a routine checkup."

Arum turned towards the door, then answered calmly, "Please wait a moment, we're almost done."

"Yes, Nyonya," (Madam) the servant answered politely.

After the sound of footsteps faded away, Arum looked at Reghan.

"Tuan should get checked soon. The doctor must have been waiting since morning."

Reghan sighed deeply. "You interfere too much."

Arum lowered her head slightly, her voice almost a whisper.

"I'm just doing what a wife should do."

Reghan was silent, not replying. Only the sound of the clock ticking on the wall was heard, ticking softly between them.

A few seconds later, Arum walked towards the door, intending to go out and call the servant to invite the doctor in. But before she had a chance to open the door, Reghan's voice broke the silence behind her flatly, but this time calmer,

"Leave the tea."

Arum looked at him for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Yes, Tuan."

When the door closed, Reghan stared at the steaming cup. His hand reached out slowly, gripping the handle stiffly. He stared at the warm liquid inside, and for the first time in a long time, his body stopped shaking. Whether it was because of the tea, or because of the presence of a woman he didn't want but was secretly starting to disturb his heart.

'If this reacts to Arum, maybe it will react to other people too,' Reghan thought, staring at the door that was now slowly opening, the doctor entered with a stiff smile, greeting Reghan softly.

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