Gypsy Lover

The table was ready when Laili came together with some women who were her cousins to "chaperone" her that Alodia wanted to puke. As if Laili did not go to the man's condo in the middle of the night alone!

Laili was surprised to see her there together with Harman. It appeared that Flavie "missed" to tell her that significant information. But then, the other woman was very fast at recovery. She kissed Harman's cheeks like the usual greeting she does. It was months perhaps since they saw her last... after what happened in his condo that New Year's Eve.

And as usual, they ignored each other. But deep inside, she was affected by the other woman's presence among Harman's relatives. She seemed to be at home and was indeed very welcome there.

Alodia was beside him at the table the whole time during dinner. But when the time for dancing came, she was left behind as he danced to a popular manele song with his relatives. And the worst scenario she was seeing was that his relatives forced him to dance with Laili.

Right, they belong together. I have no place in this crowd. I'm completely an outsider! A gadzo! She was thinking, thousands of icy swords pierced her heart one at a time. She did not know if it would ever end. Maybe it was time to finish up her game after all. It was not fun anymore. Maybe it was time for her to move on. She had to leave the soonest possible time. By that, she would not be hurt so much, would she?

But it already hurt! Her heart was already complaining. It hurt because you already love Harman even though you want to deny it a million times! Her heart continued to scream at her. She tried to ignore it. But the burning pain was there. She went out to the foyer of the three-story mansion and cried outside... alone. However, she was wrong. She was not alone. Pali was there, smoking, while he was watching the blinking stars.

"Why are you crying, Alodia?" he asked like he was not himself and dropped the cigarette butt on the ground and crushed it with the heel of his shoe.

"N-nothing. I'm not crying!" denied and protested, turning her back to him. She sniffled and it was obvious to hear.

"Ah, it's because of Laili? Because she's here?" he guessed. There was a sick smile on his lips when she turned to look at him.

"Why would I cry if Laili's here? What's it for me?" She raised her chin at her boyfriend's chauffeur, the ex-pickpocket.

"I'm not that uncaring. I know my boss' story. It's not healthy to lose his family. Well... at least for him. But you can't say that he's going to be bad for you when the time comes that he's going to choose his family over you. If he's going to marry Laili, his sin is going to be forgiven and forgotten by the entire Gypsy clan... Well, both his and hers. And if he's going to marry Laili, he's got no more debt to pay the king. And most of all, Laili will be accepted again by her family because if you don't know anything about it, she's already a cast away by some of the Gypsies. Worst that could happen to her is that she can never marry as it is right now, and she will be shunned away forever. And while she's together with my boss right now, she has a chance to be accepted, as I have already mentioned, by her entire clan," Pali enlightened her.

The whole time he was speaking made her jaw hang open. "W-what do you mean by that?"

"If... you're going to leave my boss, he can keep all his money to himself and to his family. If he's going to marry you, then he'll have nothing. Meaning, he must pay the Gypsy king's family the dowry that was given to his family. And for that, he might have to become a singer, entertainer, a dancer or... a beggar on the streets. Simple as it is." Pali shrugged after he said it while looking at her in the face.

"Why does he have to pay back the king?" she asked, confused.

"You're really an outsider." He mocked her with a shake of his head. "You don't understand it. For us, once the woman's family gives the dowry, it would be three times if the promised couple won't marry in the end. I am not sure though how much in euros was the dowry for the engagement of Laili and my boss. And... my boss must pay for it," he answered like he was explaining to a kid.

She swallowed and stomped her foot. "But that's not fair! It was only the parents who agreed that the children marry! They were just two innocent children!" she protested. But she knew it was for naught. Their culture was different, and she would not understand it ever.

"But that's the Gypsy way. You have to understand that," Pali said and he turned away to leave her.

Her insides were in turmoil. She was more confused and in dilemma. What was she going to do now? Should she follow her heart? Or would she rather leave him as she originally planned? If she had a scapegoat or something, she had no idea. "Alodia? Why are you here? I've been looking all over for you." Harman came up behind her.

She cleared her throat before she answered. "A-ah... I just wanted to get some fresh air. There are... lots of people inside."

He smiled and put his arm around her shoulders and guided her back inside the mansion. Right now, she wanted to be free of him. And how to do that, she was trying to figure it out.

The next morning, she was the earliest to rise. And because she was not sleeping with Harman, she thought that it was good enough, knowing that his place was full of his relatives. Her night was disturbed because of some thoughts. And she had already decided what to do.

She did not wish to recall that she was crying herself to sleep once she had gathered her strength to do that decision she had in mind before she went to sleep. Yes, she was already guilty for loving him all this time, which she did not want to admit at all. And she had to accept her fate.

Alyanna, I'll never be like you. Yes, I'm hurt because of this so-called love for a man but I won't end up like you, she thought, pursing her lips.

You're strong, Alodia. I'm so proud of you, sister. She seemed to hear her sister's voice.

Her chest seemed to be crumpled because of it and her eyes stung. She had to drink some water and to stop herself from crying. But before she went out of Harman's room where she slept last night after the party, she looked at his picture frame that was on top of the dresser.

She blew a long sigh. He was really handsome even when he was younger. She knew she would have a crush on him if they met then. She was unsalvageable. Her heart would always be for Harman.

She quietly went out of the room after a few moments and went to the kitchen. She was surprised to see Laili there, drinking a cup of coffee with Fairuza, who obviously just finished preparing breakfast for everyone.

"Um... I just want a glass of water, Fairuza," she told the older woman.

The latter nodded and she went to the refrigerator to get the pitcher herself. She poured the water into a glass and drank from it slowly. However, Fairuza got up from the chair and excused herself to look for Flavie. It seemed that the older woman sensed that she and Laili had to talk something out alone.

"I want to talk to you," Laili started and gestured for her to sit down.

She sighed and sat down.

"Gadzo, you must know that-" Laili continued.

"I'm letting Harman go, Laili," she cut in what she was about to say. "All you have to do is marry him." She could see the surprise in her big round eyes.