Chapter 20: Plans and Memories That Return
20.1 Cindy's Request
Liza's Room
Cindy sat on Liza's bed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
➤ "Eh, are you done, Liza?" she asked with a wide smile.
Liza put down the book she had been holding, even though she hadn't actually been reading it at all.
➤ "Oh yeah, I'm satisfied now," she replied with a small laugh.
Cindy grinned. "Alright, now it's my turn to talk. Just listen first, okay?"
➤ Liza looked at Cindy curiously. "Okay, I'm listening."
Cindy took a deep breath before starting her story. She explained everything that had happened between Nabila and Rizky, from the beginning to her plan to make Nabila jealous by mentioning Liza's name.
"So, my goal was just to make Nabila a little jealous. That way, she'll realize her feelings for Rizky. That's all, Liza," Cindy explained confidently.
Liza let out a long sigh and rubbed her forehead in frustration.
➤ "Oh my gosh, Cindy, you and your ideas. Why did you have to involve me?" she complained, half annoyed.
Cindy chuckled. "But you saw it, right? It worked!" she said triumphantly.
➤ "Yeah, it worked. But I became the victim, Cindy! You went too far," Liza replied, squinting her eyes at Cindy.
"Eh, it's okay for you to sacrifice a little. When they get married, I'll tell them it was all part of the plan. You'll be the hero of their love story!" Cindy teased.
Liza could only shake her head, taking a deep breath. "I don't know what to say, Cindy. Your ideas are insane."
Cindy smiled mischievously and moved closer to Liza.
➤ "Now, I have another plan," she whispered.
Liza immediately tensed up. "What crazy plan do you have this time?" she asked warily.
Cindy's eyes sparkled even more. "Rizky and his friends will be coming here soon. I need you to get a little close to Rizky. I want you to be… a bit wild, flirty, you know, like… seductive."
Liza, who was naturally innocent, froze for a moment. She thought hard, trying to understand Cindy's words.
(Seductive: Acting in a way that is playful or overly flirtatious, sometimes in an inappropriate manner.)
➤ "I don't understand what that means, Cindy," she said with a confused expression.
But then, her tone became more serious. "This won't embarrass the kingdom, right?" she asked firmly.
Cindy hesitated for a moment, searching for the right answer.
➤ "Oh… no, it won't," she finally said.
But Liza wasn't satisfied with that answer. "It won't shame women and the Malay people, right?" she asked again, her face serious.
Cindy became even more flustered. "Just a little," she admitted quietly.
➤ "Eh, I don't want to do this, Cindy. I won't do anything that brings shame to the Malay people," Liza said firmly.
Cindy quickly tried to reassure her. "No, no, it's not that bad. Just a little bit. Besides, what you're doing has a lot of good in it."
Liza narrowed her eyes. "Really?" she asked suspiciously.
Cindy nodded quickly. "Yes! Bringing two people together in an arranged marriage is a noble deed."
Liza was still thinking, but Cindy kept persuading her.
"This is for the greater good, Liza. I just need Nabila to be completely attached to Rizky. After that, your job is done!" Cindy said in a hopeful tone.
But Liza furrowed her brows.
➤ "But I still don't understand. What exactly do you mean by 'seductive'? You just say things so carelessly!" Liza started to feel uncomfortable with Cindy's choice of words.
Cindy chuckled softly, trying to calm Liza down. "Don't worry about it. I'll guide you when the time comes. Please, Liza. I really want my best friend, Nabila, to become my sister too. Please, help me," she pleaded.
Liza fell silent.
On one hand, she saw nothing wrong with helping unite two people who were destined for each other.
But on the other hand, she was worried about the consequences of this plan—especially since the royal environment highly valued proper etiquette and tradition.
Seeing Liza still lost in thought, Cindy moved even closer and looked at her with hopeful eyes.
"Come on, Liza. You're already close to Rizky, so it won't be hard for you to be a little wild. This is all for Nabila's future," Cindy spoke in a coaxing tone.
Liza let out a deep sigh.
In her heart, she still felt hesitant. But seeing Cindy's sincerity, she finally nodded slowly.
➤ "Fine, I'll try. But don't expect me to do anything too weird!" she warned, still sounding unsure.
➤ "Yes! You're the best friend ever!" Cindy cheered happily and immediately hugged Liza tightly.
But deep down, Liza still felt uneasy.
➤ What if this plan fails?
Would her efforts bring happiness… or disaster?
20.2: Childhood Memories
Nabila's Palace Room
Cindy hurried toward Nabila's room. After knocking on the door, she slowly pushed it open.
➤ "Nab?" she called out, but the room was empty.
She stepped closer to Nabila's bedroom door, about to knock, when her phone suddenly vibrated.
A message popped up on the screen.
➤ Rizky: "I'm already on my way to the royal complex."
Seeing the message, Cindy paused for a moment.
She abandoned her plan to knock on Nabila's door and decided to leave the area, heading toward Mutia's room instead.
Mutia's Palace Room
Upon arriving at Mutia's room, Cindy asked the guard at the door.
➤ "Is Kak Mutia inside?"
"Yes, she is, Kak," the guard answered politely.
➤ "Oh, I'll go in then," Cindy said with a smile.
"Please, go ahead, Kak."
Cindy walked in, making her way toward Mutia's bedroom.
She gestured to a female attendant to announce her arrival.
The attendant entered the room and delivered the message.
➤ "Your Highness, Cindy is outside and wishes to meet you."
➤ "Let her in," Mutia replied gently.
The attendant returned to the door, knocked lightly, and invited Cindy inside.
Mutia's Bedroom
"Kak, Rizky is almost at the reception hall," Cindy said excitedly.
➤ "Oh, really? Let's go welcome him," Mutia responded with a warm smile.
They quickly left the room.
Before the attendants could follow, Mutia turned and said,
➤ "No need, I'll go by myself."
The attendants bowed in unison. "As you wish, Your Highness."
Palace Hallway
Cindy and Mutia walked side by side toward the guest reception hall, holding hands as they chatted.
➤ "How is Rizky now?" Mutia asked curiously.
"He's all grown up, Kak," Cindy teased.
➤ "Well, that much I know. It's not like people shrink over time," Mutia replied, making them both laugh.
"Definitely stronger and more handsome," Cindy added playfully.
Mutia smiled softly, reminiscing about the past.
➤ "It's been so long since I last saw Rizky. I wonder if he still remembers me."
"I'm not sure, Kak. He can be a bit forgetful," Cindy replied, giving her a mischievous side-eye, making Mutia chuckle.
Palace Lobby
Moments later, the guests' transport arrived.
Rizky and his friends stepped out, visibly impressed by the grandeur of the palace.
➤ "Hey, guys! Welcome to Brunei! Come, come!" Cindy called out cheerfully, waving her hand.
Rizky, who had been observing Mutia, finally asked,
➤ "This is Mutia, right?"
His friends, who were already in awe of the palace, now looked even more confused.
At first, they were amazed by the surroundings; now, they were puzzled by how Rizky seemed to know Mutia.
Cindy froze for a moment, remembering how convinced she had been that Rizky wouldn't remember.
Mutia glanced at Cindy with a knowing smile.
➤ "See? He remembers," Mutia said softly.
"Hey, you! Earlier, you were so sure he wouldn't, and now he does!" Cindy teased, making Mutia laugh.
➤ "She's different. She's my friend and family. How could I forget my own kin?" Rizky replied casually.
Palace Hallway
➤ "Come on, let's go to the rooms prepared for you," Mutia invited, leading the way.
As they walked, they chatted casually, recalling childhood memories filled with joy.
Laughter and smiles brightened the palace halls, rekindling the familial warmth that had once existed.
For Mutia, this meeting wasn't just about welcoming guests.
It was a precious moment to weave back the memories that had once been left behind.