AMONG HIM
The Shape of My Heart
Ricchi covered his son's body with a Balinese sarong he took from a closet, thankfully their family-owned resort was on a safe land from people walking on the beach behind his residence. Shadow's body was not exposed to mischievous eyes, it was important for him as a father to protect his son.
"Papa, Shadow is wearing sunblock." The brown-skinned girl grouse revealed an orange-colored bali glove from her body.
"Later you'll blacken, Shadow. Not exotic anymore, son." Ricchi could only shake his head at his son who continued his sunbathing session. Even the former bikini has been printed in clear contrast to the sunburned skin of the island of Bali on the body of Shadow.
Ricchi sat down in the recliner next to his son and continued writing mystery novels that have been his favorite genre for the past 5 years.
"Everyone hasn't come back yet, pa ?" Asked Shadow who was on his stomach then held his chin with two hands
"Yes, they said they were just out looking for groceries, but papa sangsi seems like those people are enjoying Bali, Shadow."
The girl in black bikini got up from her bed, again reaching for the abstract patterned scabbard to cover her body.
He exhales heavily and suffocates, but Shadow chooses to stay at the resort rather than join his father, mother, Sunshine and Richard.
Yes, his best friend did not reject Liam's invitation at Shadow's graduation a week ago. And since their arrival yesterday in Bali, Richard has become more friendly with Sunshine. Tragically again, among his three parents, no one knows if the pain squeezed Shadow's heart to see the togetherness of Richard and Sunshine.
Shadow was about to celebrate the success of completing education by relaxing in Bali, but the reality he saw every day was Richard's affection with Sunshine. If his parents do not participate, of course Shadow has moved to Lombok or to other islands in Indonesia.
A week ago he probably still adored Richard, the man who took his first kiss in their second year of college. And their kiss was not just once, but Richard never told her love. That makes Shadow think questionably until they graduate college, he still waited in vain.
"Pa." said Shadow fixing the location of his rayap
Ricchi cleared his throat without looking at his son who was asking for attention.
"Pa.. Why aren't you looking for a new mom?" Asked Shadow who was not good enough to ask his father the same thing so many times. Yes, maybe since he knew the relationship of his parents who are beyond common sense in general.
"How many times have you explained, Shadow?" Gumam Ricchi put his ipad in his lap
Shadow grunted softly looking at his grim papa "But papa must be lonely, unlike father and mother. That is to say that*** is important pa."
The middle-aged man knitted his eyebrows with a serious face "Papa's son is getting older, well. You two from an early age have been teaching about sex education, but if now want to discuss life **** your father's a taboo, Shadow."
Shadow thumped his lips "But Shadow pityes papa."
Ricchi took a deep breath and then rubbed his son's cheek "No one can change your mother's position in your heart, son. Dee can't be compared to any woman, Shadow. Your mother is papa's true love." His words were full of love, even his children had grown up the feeling to Dee did not fade in the slightest.
Shadow grabbed the glass filled with orange juice and sipped it, now that he had gained the attention of his papa.
"Is mother the first love, papa?"
"Of course not, Shadow." added Ricchi quickly
"What is the difference between first love and true love?"
Ricchi stared at her son's angel-like face, Shadow who originally had pure white skin, growing up to be an exotic skinned girl with sunburn.
"First love is the moment or person that makes you know love, first falling in heart, first breaking heart, everything is first. While true love is a love that will not be strung out until anytime it is. Not much first love is true love for someone, but it's not absolute, Shadow. Sometimes there are stories like papa, Dee your mother is not first love but true love even though it is not together in the sense of not being united in marriage, but your mother loves papa. The love story of different people."
Shadow grimaces may be upset given the uncertainty of his relationship with Richard who hung him for 3 years.
"Papa's explanation confused me." Shadow reasoned in order to cover up the pain that was ambushing his heart.
"It's love, it's confusing everyone." Sahut Ricchi returned to his iPad.
"Pa!" Sunshine's exuberant exclaim made Shadow and Ricchi turn their heads, the figure of an Asian-skinned girl moving gontai towards where her family was relaxing.
Shadow smiled broadly at his sister, but threw away his face after seeing Richard walking by the Sunshine side.
"I'm going to go swimming, pa." Shadow stood up as Sunshine and Richard were about to take a seat.
Ricchi shook his head at a glance after seeing his son continue walking on the white sand.
"Where are you guys from? Mom and Dad are home too?" Ricchi asked the girl who was directly sitting on her thigh
Sunshine told Ricchi a long story, while Richard was fixated on the figure of Shadow, a woman who had a beautiful body even from behind. The shadow that could never escape his thoughts, now seemed to be moving away.
...
"Rare you sure you're going down here?" Liam asked Shadow, his daughter who asked for a car to stop in the Legian area, while others agreed to spend time in a shopping center in the Kuta area.
"Shadow wants a walk here, yeah. Meet the soul mate." The candanya that made his three parents laugh, as well as Sunshine, not Richard. The man stared flatly at Shadow.
"Alright, take care of yourself. If you can request, the soul mate is not an Australian. I don't want your daughter to be carried to the Aussie there, further away from L. A." said Liam turned around to look at Shadow's dimpled cheeks
"Mom, pray for Shadow." The girl with black eyes kissed Dee's cheeks, and her mother got out of the car
"Listen to your father's request, son." Dee made her firstborn giggle at the shoulder of the road.
Shadow waved as the luxury car passed, turning his back in the opposite direction, looking for a place that could reconcile his heart.
His attention was focused on nail care outlets, Shadow also steadied his heart into a place that looks empty of visitors.
For 60 minutes Shadow let two salon employees work on his fingernails and feet, he deliberately asked for the red color of tomatoes on his latest nail polish. It is very tempting even though he does not know where to spread the charm.
After paying for the manicure package, the pedicure and gave tips to two female employees who made him cluck satisfied with the color of his nails. Shadow chose to walk through the crowded area of foreign tourists, where this time he will look for a typical Balinese lunch menu to fill his stomach that began to rumble.
The girl with beautiful eyes blinked in disbelief that Richard had been nearby. It wasn't that the man was staying in the car, inseparable by Sunshine.
"Remove your hand, Rich" protested Shadow pulling his hand, but his best friend's man clasped him tighter
Richard's eyes glittered and sharp, his jaw hardened staring at Shadow "You know, no, almost an hour I walked through this area and didn't find you. Your phone is not active."
"Actively, it's just that I'm using my local phone, not the one in L. A.." said Shadow, annoyed, he could not speak sweetly to Richard, after the wound in his heart widened
"Why are you like this, Shadow ? Did I do something that irritated you?"
You kissed me and now you're approaching my sister, you son of a bitch !
"Get your hands off, I want to eat." Shadow's speech used his left hand to help open Richard's powerful grasp.
"I'm hungry too." Richard's unravelling hand was replaced by an embrace on Shadow's shoulder
"Let go!" Whisper Shadow with anger and try to smile at the Indonesian restaurant staff who stand at the entrance
"No, Shadow. I'm not letting you go."
Shadow closed his eyes while cursing in his heart. He was weak, even when his heart was so riled up with pain, the man remained domineering.
"I'll order the same menu with him." Richard spoke kindly to the waiter who was about to turn the menu book over to him.
The young man left Richard and Shadow after writing and making sure there was no mistake on their order.
"Why are you avoiding me, Shadow?" Richard asked the beautiful girl who did not look at him but was glued to her phone
"Shadow, please, I'm in front of you. Can you see me, I'm talking to you."
Shadow grimaced his eyes flashed at the heartless man before him, Richard pretending nothing had happened between him and Sunshine.
"Don't you realize that I don't want your presence? You're a disturber of tranquility, Rich." Shadow's murmur did not allow himself to fall into the shade of Richard's eyes
"I'm looking for you, Shadow. Since arriving in Bali, you have absolutely no time to walk with me."
Hearing Richard's words, it felt like Shadow threw a blaze at the man's body.
Men have no feelings ! It's not that Richard can't be separated from Sunshine.
Rejecting the intense pain in his chest Shadow filled the rice into his plate, his eyes bowed holding back the tears that were about to decay.
"I'm going to the toilet." His hurried words did not show his face to Richard. Shadow wiped the tears on his cheek after the fifth step from where he was sitting.
He continued to curse, even the hunger that was present had evaporated somewhere. Shadow stared pushyly at the reflection of the girl's face inside the mirror, the girl who never dared to express her feelings clearly. He should have said honestly to Richard, all the things that hit him.
Cowardly ! But should he be honest while his sister Sunshine looks so happy next to Richard?
Back his eyes blurred, Shadow bit his lips to the point of nearing injury.
Surviving Shadow, this hellish holiday will soon be over.
...
3 Years ago, on a campus park bench, Shadow sat down to relax with Imelda, his classmate.
"Where's your boyfriend, baby ?" Asked Imelda the Filipino American fusion girl, chuckling as she elbowed her
"Who do you mean ? Richard ? Please babe, how many times have I said, if Rich is my best friend, a friend just like me and you.. Forever will be, we're just friends." Shadow's voice lied, her heart beating beautifully pronounced the name of the man who taught her to kiss, exactly two weeks ago
Shadow's words were loud enough to sound at the man who stopped his steps, Richard turned around with a wounded heart. It should be later that night he will express his feelings towards Shadow, the girl who made him fall in love at first sight.
Although he was a man, even Richard's heart was like a flower that should have expanded not withered before his time.
Ah Shadow, don't you know that your light words have hurt me ?
###
alo darling ☔
Jogja is drizzling..
what about your town ?
stay healthy all, avoid leaving the house that is not important 😊
[the novel's characters haven't appeared yet, baby]
Love, though,
D 😘
