Chapter 12: Truth Or Illusion?
The hour was quickly spent. Havi and Diana, having concluded their impromptu date, decided to head back home. Back to Havi's house, that is.
They made their way through the dense forest that Havi had previously pointed out to Diana. With a hint of courage, Diana asked Havi something.
"Ha.. Havi.. May I make a request of you?", Diana asked, her heart racing.
"What is it you would like to ask of me?", Havi replied, gazing into Diana's eyes.
The soft look in Havi's eyes made Diana feel a touch of comfort. With ease, Diana voiced her request.
"I would like to hold onto your arm. May I?", Diana asked, her face flushed with a hint of shyness.
Havi was taken aback by Diana's request. However, due to his promise to give her a chance, he nodded in agreement, a smile gracing his lips.
A wave of happiness washed over Diana as she took hold of Havi's muscular arm. At first, Diana was somewhat clueless, as Havi appeared just like any other young man from afar.
But as she grasped his arm, she realized there was more to him than meets the eye. His muscular physique was a testament to his strength and power.
Beyond his handsome looks, Diana's attention was drawn to Havi's athletic physique, which was finely sculpted with muscles that seemed to ripple just beneath his skin. It was a sight that left her both intrigued and impressed.
As she looked at Havi, Diana couldn't help but think to herself, 'He's handsome, smart, athletic, muscular, and broad-shouldered. He's perfect!". She stole a glimpse at Havi while walking alongside him, a smile playing on her lips.
Havi became aware of Diana's gaze and felt a pang of self-consciousness. If only he hadn't lived the life of a criminal in his previous life, perhaps he would have ended up living happily with this beautiful woman by his side.
"Don't forget to give the rubber latex of the perca to your uncle", Havi reminded.
The comment served as a gentle reminder to Diana about their previous visit to the rubber farm, where they had discovered the perca tree and the valuable rubber sap it produces.
Diana's response was filled with agreement as she said, "Of course, darling. I will definitely hand it over to my uncle".
However, in the heat of the moment, Diana unwittingly let slip the word, 'darling', a term of endearment that slipped past her lips as she remained captivated by Havi's perfections.
Havi couldn't help but tease Diana as he chuckled and exposed his perfectly white teeth. He asked with a touch of amusement, "Have you become so bold as to address me as 'darling' now?"
Diana's heart sank as she realized the implications of her words. Embarrassment washed over her, causing her to swiftly remove her hand from Havi's arm and cover her beautiful face with her palms in a vain attempt to hide her crimson cheeks.
Havi couldn't help but chuckle heartily at the sight of Diana's reddening cheeks. Throughout their journey, he continued to tease her with funny jokes, knowing they wouldn't hurt her feelings.
In fact, he only meant to add some playfulness to their interactions, all while keeping a romantic tone to their conversation.
Their stroll lasted for nearly thirty minutes, during which they passed through a large wetland teeming with perca trees.
Once again, Havi took the opportunity to remind Diana about the sample, urging her to remember to give it to her uncle.
This time, however, he added an extra bit of warmth to his words, as if he was reminding her to look after her "dear uncle".
As Diana heard Havi's repeated warnings, her curiosity piqued to such a degree that she simply had to ask him.
"Why do you keep reminding me about the sample I must give to my uncle. Is there something particularly significant about the sample?", Diana questioned, her curiosity mounting.
As she asked the question, her voice carried a hint of concern, betraying her growing interest in the matter. Was there something more to the sample than met the eye?
Havi let out a sigh as he spoke to Diana, acknowledging her intuition. "That's right, Diana. I am trying to get my hands on a substantial sum of money. I have a plan in mind to benefit Loban Village", he explained.
With each word, his tone carried a sense of seriousness and determination, as if the fate of the village was in his hands.
It was clear that he had a profound desire to make a significant contribution to the community, though the specific details of his plans remained unclear.
"What do you need the money for?", Diana asked, her curiosity piqued even more.
As she waited for his response, she couldn't help but feel a sense of intrigue and anticipation, wondering what his reasons for needing a large sum of money might be. Was it for a noble cause, or did he have more personal reasons in mind?
Havi's response was straightforward as he explained his plans for Loban Village,
"You're aware that our village doesn't have electricity from the government yet, right? I plan to establish a basic power generation system, and the main axis will be placed near Wira Waterfall. I want to see Loban illuminated at night, just like Wlahar Village", he said honestly.
"That's truly noble of you, Havi. Not every young man of your age possesses such foresight and altruistic thinking. Even I, myself, couldn't have thought of such an idea", Diana said, her admiration for Havi growing with each passing moment.
"Thank you... My immediate goal is to bring my plan to life", Havi replied.
As he spoke, there was a hint of determination in his voice, reflecting his unwavering resolve to turn his vision into a reality.
He was determined to make a positive change in his community, and nothing would stand in his way.
Diana's offer filled Havi's ears like a refreshing breeze, as if a ray of hope pierced through the fog of uncertainty.
But he couldn't help but feel a pang of hesitation, knowing the weight of her generous proposal.
"How much money do you need, Havi?", she inquired once more, her voice filled with genuine concern and a desire to help.
"I have some savings at the bank, and I'm willing to lend them to you. You can use them first, and just make sure to pay me back when you can", she added.
Havi's words were laced with gentle reassurance and a touch of regret.
"I apologize, Diana. I didn't mean to reject your offer, and I'm aware that you're saving up for your own business venture, aren't you?", he replied.
There was a hint of hesitation in his voice, as if he didn't want to burden her with his financial troubles.
But there was also a pang of gratitude, knowing that Diana was willing to sacrifice for his dream.
In his previous life, Diana had indeed shared her plans to start a small business with Havi.
However, just when her savings were finally ready to kickstart her first venture, she had reluctantly lent them to her best friend Ade Cynthia.
With a heavy heart, she had handed over each bill, not knowing it would prove to be a costly decision.
As it turned out, Ade's relentless pleading had finally worn down Diana's resolve. She had reluctantly handed over the 50 million rupiah that she had saved up with great difficulty.
Later on, Diana discovered that her money had not been used by Ade to salvage her family's struggling company.
Instead, Ade had recklessly splurged every last penny within a week's time, all on wasteful extravagance.
Diana, seething with anger, confronted Ade. A chaotic argument between the two ensued.
Long story short, since there was no written agreement or contract, Diana couldn't recover her money. Defeated and disillusioned, she watched as Ade eluded justice, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
That day forward, Diana became wary of those around her, no longer easily fooled by the seemingly kind words and promises they might offer.
Diana's question hung in the air, her surprise evident as she asked, "How do you know I plan to open a business?"
His response gave Diana a pause, as if Havi possessed some knowledge known only to himself. It made her wonder, 'Does he know something I don't?', she asked for herself.
Havi's voice carried a hint of remorse as he answered Diana's question. "I've already informed you before. In our previous life, I wronged you".
Havi's admission, spoken with a touch of innocence, added a layer of complexity to the situation.
It made Diana wonder, 'What could he possibly have done in our past life that still weighs so heavily upon us now?', she asked for herself again.
Diana's disbelief was clear in her tone as she exclaimed, "Havi... Don't joke around like that!".
Despite her skepticism, there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. The thought of him knowing her secret plans was both intriguing and unsettling.
Havi's words carried an air of gravitas as he spoke to Diana. "I would never joke about matters like this with you, Diana. Oh, by the way, if there's ever a friend called Ade Cynthia who asks to borrow money from you, claiming it's to save her family's company, you should turn her down immediately", he said emphatically.
Havi's words carried a sense of caution as he added, "If you truly can't turn her down, make a debt contract between you and your friend. It's just a precaution to make sure she can't escape the grasp of the law".
His advice was given with sincerity, born from his experience and a desire to protect Diana from a similar fate.
(Rumbled)
A shock ran through Diana's whole being as she listened intently to Havi's words. She was left bewildered, her mind racing to comprehend how Havi could know her friend's name, especially since it was only today that she had mustered the courage to visit his house.
The uncanny manner in which he spoke left Diana feeling a mixture of curiosity and unease, her thoughts swirling like a tempest in her mind.
Diana's mind was a whirl, consumed by a mix of confusion and disbelief. Only she and God knew about her plans for the small business start-up, yet here Havi was, seemingly privy to this intimate detail.
Her feelings for him, which she had silently harbored, stirred in her heart like a quiet storm as she tried to understand how he could possibly know.
As Diana sat there in silence, the weight of Havi's words hung heavily in the air. Her thoughts were consumed by a single question, 'Are all of his words true? Could Havi really back to this life? Truth or Illusion?'
Her own recollections of times past began to resurface, causing a medley of emotions to swirl within her heart.
Despite the burden it placed on her beliefs, Diana found herself confronted with the possibility of reincarnation.
It went against her very upbringing, as the idea of reincarnation was something she had always dismissed as improbable.
Yet here she was, faced with the notion that a young man named Havian Shahreza, the very man she loved, had been granted this miracle by God himself.
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