My Handsome Uncle, Please Be Mine!

13 || Clara’s Cry ||

After hearing that Clara is in the hospital, Joe immediately ends his lunch event. He cancels all his work schedules for the day, concerned about Clara, especially since she hasn’t contacted him for three weeks.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Although worried, Joe is confident that Clara will be okay. “Postpone the meeting with the important client and meet with some companies offering collaboration,” Joe instructs Fadli, his loyal secretary.

“Alright, Sir,” Fadli responds.

Joe swiftly leaves the cafe, driving to the hospital at full speed. Arriving at the parking area, he walks towards Clara’s room.

The door opens, revealing Mario and Nadia sitting. Worry is evident on both of their faces. Joe inquires, walking forward and observing Nadia and Mario alternately.

“What happened to Clara?” Joe probes, looking at Nadia and Mario.

“Clara fell while rock climbing, Uncle,” Nadia responds. She steals a glance at Joe. Handsome, it’s understandable why Clara liked him even after being rejected; she couldn’t forget him.

“Is she still unconscious?” Joe asks, looking at Clara. There are scratches on her cheek, and a bandage covers her eyelid.

“She woke up earlier, Uncle, but now she’s sleeping, probably due to the effects of anesthesia,” Nadia replies.

“Have you two eaten?”

Joe is sure that the teenagers haven’t had lunch, too preoccupied with worrying about Clara.

“Not yet,” Nadia rubs her growling stomach. Meanwhile, Mario remains cool, not too concerned about the offer from the man in front of him.

“Have something to eat!”

Joe takes out five red bills from his wallet.

“Take this!”

He insists, forcing Nadia to accept.

“Okay, Uncle,” Nadia replies.

“Come on, Mario, let’s eat!”

Joe invites Mario, who is still sitting on the sofa.

“No, I’m not hungry. I’ll stay here and wait for Clara to wake up! I’m really worried about her!” Mario refuses. “Let’s go, Nadia, we’ll eat first!” he adds, ignoring Joe’s sharp gaze.

“Come on!” Nadia persuades, slightly forcing him. Fearful, she sees Joe’s gaze changing when he looks at Mario.

“Worry about yourself first before worrying about others!” Joe jokes.

Without much thought, Nadia grabs Mario’s hand and forces him to leave the room immediately.

Joe sits on the sofa previously occupied by Mario. His gaze is fixed on Clara, still deeply asleep. She looks thinner than three weeks ago. Her slender fingers and hands appear smaller than before.

Joe looks up, then sighs in frustration. It seems he has made a mistake with Clara.

Clara opens her eyes, waking up from her sleep. Her gaze sweeps across the room, then focuses on Joe sitting next to her. She blinks and pinches her cheek lightly, realizing that this is real.

“Uncle Joe, why are you here? What should I do?” Clara whispers.

“Are you awake, Clara?” Joe asks, very flat and maintaining the same expression, not letting his face show the relief he feels.

“Yes, Uncle,” Clara replies softly.

She tries to sit up, and Joe helps her. Now Clara and Joe are staring at each other, quite close, and getting closer.

Silence.

Joe looks at Clara, who ignores him, observing her longer and longer, but Clara still doesn’t turn her gaze towards him.

“Clara,” Joe calls.

“Yes, Uncle,” Clara whispered, choosing to lower her gaze instead of looking at the man. She felt embarrassed, awkward, and in pain. Yet, her heart and mind continued to adore him. His name was etched in Clara’s memory and couldn’t be easily replaced.

“Why didn’t you meet me?”

“Why didn’t you send a message to me?”

“Why didn’t you take your monthly allowance?”

Joe rambles on, not knowing how to express his anger towards himself for being too selfish. Clara has no one but him, and when he’s angry, Clara doesn’t dare to confront him. This hadn’t crossed Joe’s mind before.

Clara doesn’t answer. Tears start falling, wetting her cheeks, coinciding with the opening door. Nadia and Mario stand at the doorway, staring at Joe with scrutiny.

‘Why is Clara crying?’ Nadia wonders.

‘Why did you make Clara cry?’ Mario thinks.

Seeing Nadia and Mario’s arrival, Clara covers her face with both hands, revealing her vulnerability.

Nadia chooses to stay silent, not daring to speak. Accusing and questioning Joe would require more courage than she currently possesses. Mario, on the other hand, is different. His gaze sharp, he strides confidently towards Joe.

Now, their bodies face each other, although Joe’s stature is taller with a muscular build. Mario appears unfazed.

“What are you doing? Why is Clara crying? Can’t you, just not make her cry? You have no right to hurt her!” Mario says firmly in front of Joe.

“Enough, Mario! Uncle Joe is not at fault!” Clara interjects amid her sobs.

“Is your heart made of stone? Look! When you make her cry and sad for days, she still defends you!” Mario protests louder than before. He’s furious with Joe, who always makes Clara sad while he can’t do anything to comfort her.

“Quiet, Mario!” Clara shouts, wiping her tear-streaked face.

“Both of you, go home now! Let me handle this with Clara!” Joe orders, signaling Nadia to take Mario away.

Nadia steps forward, pulling Mario’s arm to leave Clara’s room.

“Let go!”

Mario roughly pushes Nadia aside and walks back towards Joe.

They face each other.

“Once again, I see Clara cry, just wait and see what I’ll do to you,” Mario boldly threatens.

Silence, a sharp stare exchanged between them.

“Take care of Clara tonight!” Mario instructs the older man.

“I will take care of Clara without you telling me, kid!” Joe retorts. He can’t remain silent when a teenager dictates to him without any respect.

“I entrust you to take care of Clara tonight! Apologize to Clara immediately, and promise that you won’t hurt her again!” Mario commands fearlessly.

Joe doesn’t respond. He observes, glaring at the teenager with a deadly gaze.

“I have to go now because Mama told me to come home!” Mario says while checking his watch, indicating it’s already five in the evening. Then he turns around, followed by Nadia, who waves to Clara, eager to return to the dorm. She closes the door behind them.

“Damn, kid!” Joe curses in his heart, frustrated with Mario’s attitude.

Now in the room, it’s just him and Clara. Joe steps closer to Clara, who is still crying.

To be continued