Black Swan's
The Reunion (Eighty One)
Aciel arrived home at half-four in the afternoon. Just as he opened his car door, Eden was walking out of the house carrying Louise in his arms. Then beside her, Ciara was seen following Eden while holding the end of the dangling Eden dress.
“Daddy.” shouted Ciara loudly welcoming his arrival. Ciara then released her hand on the end of the Eden dress and ran to her father who seemed to wait near the car while stretching his hands wide.
“Ciara, be careful dear.” Eden's thoughts while watching Ciara's every move with misgivings. The little girl sometimes does recklessness when running like that. Several times Eden got a report from school teacher Ciara if her little girl fell while playing with her friends in
school. Eden so must always pay attention to the behavior of Ciara beside he noticed Louise every time she was at home.
“Daddy, earlier Ciara played a doll with Louise and mommy.” Ciara story enthusiastically in the deck of Aciel. Eden glanced lazily at her husband and chose to go inside the house to avoid her husband. This afternoon she was determined to be more mature when her husband came home from work. But when Aciel came home, Eden actually re-acted childishly by inhabiting her husband without wanting to welcome the arrival of Aciel warmly as usual.
“Ed.”
Suddenly, Aciel touched Eden's shoulder slowly and followed Eden to sit on a long sofa in the living room. Ciara watched her parents intensely, but she was immersed again in her imaginary world as well as her Barbie doll.
“You're still mad at me?”
“No. I'm doing fine. I know that everything you do is for the good of all of us. It's okay, Ace. I told Summer this afternoon and apologized because I couldn't come to her wedding” Eden said at length trying to soften. Aciel lowered Ciara on the carpet and slightly shifted her body to get closer to Eden. Then he stroked the top of Louise's head fondly while looking at Eden's face meaningfully.
“Thanks for understanding, Ed.”
“No problem. You've changed for the better now, and I like you now Ace. Thanks for that too. And..” Eden hesitated a little to tell Aciel.
“What's up?” ask Aciel to demand. The look on Eden's face showed something unusual, and he knew that Eden was hiding something from him.
“Last noon Mr. Kim complained that he was not feeling well, and just Mary told me that Mr. Kim's condition was getting worse.”
“You've called the doctor?”
“Already, doctor Baron is on his way here.”
“I will see the situation.” said Aciel in a hurry to go to Mr. Kim's room in the building behind his mansion. Eden knew how worried Aciel was when Mr. Kim was sick because only the man who had always accompanied Aciel in times of trouble. Mr. Kim was diagnosed with heart disease two years ago by Baron's doctor after Mr. Kim collapsed near the garden due to chest pain that struck him suddenly.
“Doctor, you finally came.” Eden greeted the Baron doctor with relief and immediately escorted the Baron doctor to Mr. Kim's room in the back building.
“Did he complain of chest pain again?” the Baron's doctor asked Eden who was walking beside him. Quickly Eden shook her head. Today he did not get any reports other than Mr. Kim was ill and could not do anything because his body was hot and limp.
“Have long since his heart disease did not recur?”
“Emm... lately it seems so, there have never been any reports or complaints about his health condition. All the servants here pay attention to each other doctors, and Mr. Kim's condition also does not escape their supervision because they love Mr. Kim more than anything.”
When entering the room Mr. Kim turned out there were already many people who stood filled the dimly lit room. On the bed, Mr. Kim appeared to be lying weakly with Aciel sitting beside his thin body clasping Mr. Kim's wrinkled hands.
“Grandfather Kim...” whispered Ciara next to Eden. The young woman then gave a code to Ciara to be silent using her index finger because the Baron doctor will check the condition of Mr. Kim.
“What do you feel Mr Kim?” ask the gentle Baron doctor. The bespectacled doctor looked at the old Mr. Kim, noticed Mr. Kim's frail condition from head to toe, then began removing his doctor's equipment to check on Mr. Kim's condition.
“Give your best to Mr. Kim.” order Aciel before he steps aside and allow the Baron doctor to check the condition of his loyal servant. But Mr. Kim seemed unwilling to let go of Aciel's hand grip on his wrinkled hand. He held Aciel to stay by his side using his voice
the almost inaudible hoarse if Aciel did not really notice Mr. Kim's pale lips.
“You want to say something?” Aciel coded Baron's doctor to wait for a while because Mr. Kim seemed to want to whisper something to him.
“Ttu sir..” Mr. Kim's weak whispers sound stammered. And Eden felt unable to heal his tears when he saw the condition of Mr. Kim is very weak like that. The feeling of fear of loss made Eden's chest tight and sick. He was afraid that something bad would happen to Mr. Kim.
“Say Kim, what do you want?” Aciel patiently waited for Mr. Kim while still stroking the back of Mr. Kim's hand gently.
“Lord Aa Aciel.. merry christmas.”.
“Christmas is still a long time, but merry christmas is also for you.” reply Aciel slowly, trying to stay firm in the presence of all the servants who were currently gathered in Mr. Kim's room.
“Mr... Ssee actually I want to go home.” Pause. Mr. Kim's disjointed breathing made the old man difficult to continue his words. But he still tried to talk to Aciel who was still faithfully waiting beside him. “Ak I want to go home, na christmas this year I want to go home, hosh hosh..tta but bbu not to Italy, I want to go to Australia.”
Aciel frowned and seemed clueless at Mr. Kim's request. Mr. Kim is from Italy. The man was taken by his grandfather after a business trip to several countries in Europe, one of which is Italy because Mr. Kim was someone who helped his grandfather when almost robbed by street buskers there. And because Mr. Kim refused to be given money, Aciel's grandfather eventually gave Mr. Kim a job as a servant in his house which eventually continued until Aciel had his own family now.
“Who would like to go home to Australia?”
“To my wife's house.” replied Mr. Kim with a smile. Like getting a crushing blow, Aciel felt his hand cold right now. Even his chest also rumbled quickly along with the smile Mr. Kim showed him.
“Sydney... My wife is there.” continued Mr. Kim before finally releasing his hand on Aciel. Doctor Baron then walked over to Mr. Kim and began to check on Mr. Kim's weakened condition. While Aciel immediately left without saying a word to Eden who had given a questioning look towards him.
-00-
This instant also Aciel felt a deep fear envelop his heart. The words that Mr. Kim said three hours ago managed to scare Aciel away. Afraid that he would feel the loss for the fifth time even though he should not have to worry about it at the moment. Doctor Baron has given an infusion and medicine to Mr. Kim. He shouldn't have to worry about anything. Mr. Kim will definitely recover soon after a few days of intensive care by Baron's doctor. But somehow the words Mr. Kim spoke sounded like the last message for him.
“Ace, what are you doing here?”
Eden, who has seen her husband change since he was in Mr. Kim's room, decides to look for Aciel in the back garden after successfully putting her two children to a deep sleep. Since Aciel was seen silenced and reluctant to say anything to Eden, even Aciel tends to avoid Eden from any questions that the woman will be directed to him.
“The kids are asleep?” as if not paying attention to Eden's previous question, Aciel actually asked another thing with a sad look.
“Already, they're asleep. Now it's time for me to make you sleep like them.” Eden chuckled. He did not mean anything, just wanted to comfort Aciel who continued to show a grim face in front of him.
“You go first.”
“I can't sleep if you don't hug.” replied Eden with a smile. She stroked Aciel's back gently and decided to sit next to her husband.
“If you want to see Mr. Kim again, I will accompany you.”
“Hmm... I thought Kim would leave me.”
“Why do you think so?” asked Eden with a frown. Aciel was only silent with the question that Eden was asking, he just looked up his head, towards the black sky without stars that look as gray as his heart.
“His wife is Australian, and his wife was buried in Australia when she died.”
“You have told me about the death of Mr. Kim's wife ten years ago.”
“Kim doesn't want to spend Christmas in Italy, Ed.” sighs Aciel heavily. Now Eden can begin to understand the direction of Aciel's conversation that led to Mr. Kim's words this afternoon.
“So what does Mr Kim want from you?”
“No.”
“No?” re-eden Eden again was not finished thinking. Wasn't Mr Kim obviously whispering something to Aciel?
“He didn't ask anything from me Ed, he just said if he wanted to spend Christmas in Australia.”
“Is this related to my words asking him to take an early leave so he can spend Christmas with his family?”
“Maybe. But he doesn't want to go back to Italy, he wants to go back to Australia.”
“Maybe Mr. Kim only misses his wife and he wants to go to his wife's grave at Christmas. Never mind Ace, don't think too badly. If Mr Kim really wants to go home to Australia, we can grant his wish by taking him to Australia on your private jet, hmm?”
Aciel clasped Eden's hand tightly, and he peeked at the fingers one by one to divert all the frustration that was currently hitting his heart. He is very grateful at the moment he has Eden by his side. The woman could always make her heart calmer as well as warm. The feeling of fear that surrounded his heart also slowly disappeared, replaced by a feeling of calm and confidence if he would never be alone in this world. He has Eden, Ciara, and Louise. His little family would never make him feel alone in this cruel world.
“I want to see Kim.” condition
Eden smiled softly next to Aciel, then clasped Aciel's hand and together walked towards Mr. Kim's room in the back building.
“You will never be alone Ace, you have me and the children.” whispered Eden when they had been in front of Mr. Kim's room. The atmosphere of the building was quiet because the servants had fallen asleep in their respective rooms made Eden can do anything, he said, including kissing her husband's cheek gently and guiding Aciel's hand to push the door of Mr. Kim's room that was not closed tightly in front of him.
“Kim..” call Aciel slowly. The dim atmosphere in Mr. Kim's room made the old man look even more terrible with an infusion hose stuck on the back of his hand.
“He's asleep.” whispered Eden reminding Aciel not to call Mr. Kim too hard. But when Eden felt that the hand of Aciel in his hand had turned into a grip, Eden began to realize that his condition was not okay at this time.
“No! Ed...”
With a stiff step Aciel walked over to master Kim and cried silently beside master Kim's stiff body. The man shed one tear over the wrinkled face of Mr. Kim who had been peacefully asleep for good.
“She's gone Ed.” whispered Aciela parau. Eden immediately sobbed softly next to Aciel while hugging her husband's body from the side. He had not expected that the servant who had devoted himself so many years with the Aciel family would leave so quickly. His dedication to the Lutheford family is truly great
so Eden felt that Mr. Kim had become more than just a servant in his house. Mr. Kim is a father figure to him, a grandfather to his children, and a savior to the fragile soul of Aciel who has repeatedly shaken when the world is not on his side.
“Call doctor Baron, now!”
-00-
This morning the Aciel residence was mourning the death of Mr. Kim. The senior servant who had fathered all the servants in the house of Aciel left with a peaceful smile that adorned his old face that had been filled with wrinkles. Eden who saw her husband was silent since last night became worried about the health condition of Aciel because since last night the man did not sleep at all. Eden knew when Aciel slipped out of their room after many times trying to close his eyes but to no avail, so in the end Aciel chose to go to his study. The man gulped down bottles of alcohol there until morning. Eden who saw it was only able to grimace bitterly because he himself felt helpless with the death of Mr. Kim. He also felt a great pain. It hurts more than being left by his own father because his time to live with Mr. Kim is much longer than his time with his father. Moreover, Mr. Kim has always been with him, protecting him from the former dictatorship of Aciel, and always positioning himself as a grandfather to Ciara and Louise. Eden felt she no longer knew what to do after Mr. Kim left her. The only person who is always there when he has a problem with Aciel is Mr. Kim.
“You don't want to go out and take a shower, hmm?” eden asked gently to Aciel who was daydreaming in his study. Since then the man realized that Eden had been in his study, but he was only reluctant to talk to anyone now. He was still shocked by Mr. Kim's swift departure when he still needed the man in his home.
“Ace... Everyone is waiting for you outside. You have to take Mr. Kim home to his wife.” said Eden again with a choked voice because of the many emotions that the woman wanted to release, but as hard as he could hold so that he did not worsen the condition of Aciel in front of him.
“Why did Kim have to leave so soon? He's even only eighty-three years old.”
“Nobody has ever known by the age that God has given, Ace.”
“My grandfather was even able to last up to ninety years, whereas my grandfather was not a good holy man. Why did God pick up Kim so well so quickly?!”
Eden knows that Aciel is currently being overcome with emotions due to the departure of Mr. Kim, so he could not blame Aciel's emotion-filled attitude which was now re-emerging as it once was.
“Because God loves Mr. Kim so much. God did not want Mr. Kim to suffer for too long with his illness. Ace, you'll only hinder Mr. Kim's journey to heaven if it's like this. Please welcome the departure of Mr. Kim.” said Eden gently with a light elusan at the top of the head of Aciel. The man turned to Eden and
hugging Eden's stomach tightly to hide her tears that spilled back. Gently Eden stroked the top of Aciel's head many times so that Aciel could be completely calm.
“Ed..”
Suddenly the door of Aciel's study opened, revealing the figure of Sian who was bowing his head with a grieving face that was no better than Aciel's face.
“The church attendant came and had brought a chest for Mr. Kim, I then told the church attendant that Mr. Kim's body would be taken to his wife's funeral in Australia.”
“Yes, give your best to Mr. Kim. After this I'll catch up with Aciel.”
Sian nodded in understanding and immediately walked out of Aciel's study. The man saw a visibly shattered Aciel in Eden's arms, and he could no longer hide his cries in front of Aciel's quiet workspace.
“Sayang...”.
Olivia hugged her husband as she saw her frail husband crying alone in front of Aciel's study. Although she did not know Mr. Kim well, she was convinced that the old man was a very valuable figure for her husband and her best friend.
“Master Kim has calmed down with God.”
-00-
Aciel had prepared in his room in mourning clothes that were all dominated by black. The man still feels heavy to go down and follow all the process of managing Mr. Kim's body which will be flown to Australia later in the afternoon. In his shadow Aciel considers Mr. Kim still healthy, still working at his home, and still joking with Ciara who often runs around in his vegetable garden. He knows that humans cannot live forever in this world, but Mr. Kim is the one he hopes will live longer to accompany him with his small family.
“Ace..”
Eden touched Aciel's soft shoulder and made the man immediately aware of his daydream.
“Kids of Mr. Kim put everything on us because they can't come here. Mr. Kim's eldest son is very grateful to you for granting his father's last wish.”
“Hmm... is everything ready?”
“Everything just stay waiting for you under.”
“You know, it's like dejavu.”
“Have you ever experienced anything worse than this?”
“When my parents split up and my mom crashes with her boyfriend.”
Aciel is like being thrown into the past, when he was for the first time abandoned by his mother. The woman who despite having incised wounds because of her affair, but also a woman who she will never hate at any time because her mother was never guilty of the affair.
Flashbacks
“Master, what are you doing here?”
“He's evil!”
Little Aciel stared hostilely at the man in black who was standing next to the chest containing the body of his mother who had been stiffened. Mr. Kim standing next to little Aciel could only sigh softly, feeling concerned about the condition of his young master who was further devastated after the tragic death of his mother.
“What has sir Carl done?”
“My father killer.” Little Aciel shouted with all the emotions he had. Luckily, they were in another corner of Carl Lutherford's magnificent palace. No one was aware of Aciel's existence there. Only Mr. Kim is aware of the existence of Aciel who has since chosen to avoid the crowd because the man hates his father who has been so busy receiving condolences from his business colleagues.
“Master doesn't want to join young master's father? Pay your last respects to your late mother.” refer Mr. Kim once again to little Aciel. But the young man remained unmoved in his place without even wanting to approach the father who seemed busy with his guests. Aciel knew from the beginning that it was his father who had caused his mother to leave with her first love. If only his father had not been authoritarian, if only his father had not been too busy to pile up his money, and if only his father had not been tempted by an ****, his mother would still be here. Accompany him until he gets old and has his own family.
“My father killed Kim, he made my mother unhappy with her marriage
my mom loves that jerk.” Aciel seems unwilling to give the frills of “ayah” to someone who has made it in this world. This was too painful for the little Aciel who had never known the cruelty of the world.
“Sometimes life is not easy, there are many obstacles that must be passed in order to get a happiness. And what you do now, it will greatly affect your future. Do you really not want to pay your last respects to your late mother? The last time before you will never be able to see her beautiful face again.” said Mr. Kim while stroking the top of the head dear Aciel. There really wasn't much that Mr. Kim expected from young Aciel. He only wished that his young master could survive in this chaotic family environment for as long as he could. Even Mr. Kim also hopes that later Aciel can find his own happiness with the people he loves. Then Aciel will have a happy family that has always wanted Aciel since his parents began to often shout at each other.
“I'll be there, for my mother's sake.” said Aciel slowly and immediately walked away leaving Mr. Kim who seemed to smile with relief beside the pillar. The man's prayers always accompany Aciel. Whenever and wherever, Mr. Kim always wishes him all the best for the life of Aciel.
-00-
Today is one week after the departure of Vero Lutherford, wife of Carl Lutherford who died in a car accident with his girlfriend. All
the news has broadcast the sad news, complete with the bad gossip that accompanied the departure of Vero Lutherford. Aciel felt so sick every time he saw the news on television, newspapers, even whispers of his classmates who were busy talking about his family. I want it to feel like Aciel sews sassy mouths that dare to mock his mother behind him. And the estuary of all that anger of Aciel was of course directed at his father. The only person who was the cause of the destruction of a happy family that he had been proud in front of his friends. At least that was before all the havoc destroyed his sweet family.
“Dad get a report from your school teacher if you beat up two of your senior so they have to be rushed to the hospital because his forehead is hurt quite badly, what the hell were you doing out there all along, huh? You want to be uneducated?!” maki's father is hard one morning when
Aciel was eating his breakfast in silence. Mr. Kim, who had just come to bring him a glass of milk, could only sigh with concern as he watched his young master again get angry from his father.
“Father's answer, Ace!” chanted Carl again. Aciel only glanced at his wrathful father, then casually he resumed his breakfast without wanting to issue the slightest defense.
Brak!
Carl's patience is over, though, he immediately kicked the table in front of him to make the white milk that had just been placed Mr. Kim slightly splashed towards the school uniform worn by Aciel.
“I hit him and banged his head against the table.” replied Aciel as is still with a flat face that made his father even more angry. Carl rests his hands on the table, looking at his son, but he himself realizes that his anger does not frighten him at all. His son
he hated him even more and gave him the label of the most evil father in the world.
“Why did you do that, explain to me, Ace.” infuriated Carl restrained. As much as possible Carl held back his emotions so that he did not scream in front of Aciel.
“They insulted my mother. And I don't like it when other people just keep talking about mom's death without ever knowing the truth behind it. Didn't mom go with her boyfriend because she was looking for him? Dad has another woman out there.” hiss Aciel full of anger. Carl looked glued to the spot. His tongue was suddenly twisted when he saw his son giving such a deep look of hatred to him because he had made a woman who was most dear to his son go away with so much ugliness that came with it.
“Your mother went with her lover.” Finally that was all Carl could say to cover up his own ugliness.
“Mother is like that because dad can't make mom happy. Every night I cry because I would rather ***** that than my own family. Selfish father!” aciel shouted furiously and immediately passed away from the dining table. From a distance, Mr. Kim felt sad to see the life of his young master that was changing more and more chaotic by the day. Fights, chores that were never done, truancy, all of that was done by Aciel after he no longer had a family that expected him. But Mr. Kim knew that Carl Lutherford loved his son very much. Evidently with the look of Carl's face that now turned pale along with the clash of Aciel to him a few seconds ago. The regret and pain of a father who failed to lead his family was clearly imprinted on the aristocratic face of Carl Lutherford who was now only able to peck in his place without being able to do anything to make his son look again as a father, not as an enemy.
-00-
“Kim, prepare!”
Mr. Kim who was making tea in the kitchen immediately frowned confused by the absolute orders of his young master who asked him to prepare. He then looked up, turning his attention to Aciel who was still standing at the end of the door while holding her. “Prepared for what, young master?”
“Today we move to grandpa's house.”
“You want to move to host Luciano?” ask Mr. Kim to make sure. A little confused because Aciel never got close to his grandfather. As a child, Aciel was never close to anyone but her mother.
“Yes, I no longer want to stay with that killer.”
“But I've even stayed here for a month. Mr. Luciano himself asked me to work here and take care of this house.”
“Now no longer. You're my servant, so you must follow my orders. Grandfather himself who specifically gave you to be my servant.” said Aciel ponggah. He was annoyed at Mr. Kim who asked too many questions.
“All right
if so, I will pack.” Finally no one can Mr. Kim
do other than obey the absolute wishes of his young master. There is no more now
which Aciel had other than himself, and he had sworn to himself
to always ensure the happiness of the young man.
“Kimmi... You won't leave me right?”
“Leave you?” mr. Kim frowned. “No sir.”
“You promise?” ask Aciel again more demanding.
“Ya I promise. Why are you suddenly asking like that?”
“Only want. But if you leave me, I will hate you forever.” said Aciel flat before he passed away leaving the kitchen.
Flashback end
Everything was like it happened yesterday. His conversation with Mr. Kim, his mischief, his rude attitude, it was like Aciel still could not believe that the old man had finally left him for good. Though all this time only Mr. Kim became his reinforcement when he experienced difficult times due to the destruction of his family.
“Ace.. I know you are devastated by Mr. Kim's death, but you cannot be like this. You have to think about Mr. Kim's feelings of not being able to leave
calmly as you keep holding him here.”
“Then I have to what Ed?” ask the weak Aciel. The first time Eden saw this weak Aciel. Even after the departure of her father, Aciel did not come to this extent. Perhaps Aciel was cheering at the time because the man he believed was the cause of his mother's death eventually also died to rot in hell.
“Let master Kim go. Let Mr. Kim meet the wife he loved so much in heaven.” This time Eden was forced to be a little hard on Aciel because he himself had run out of patience to face the attitude of Aciel like this. Aciel should have realized that he wasn't the only one who was sad here. Think of his condition feeling shaken because now he has to face the reality if he will be alone when they are fighting. Nothing else would calm him down while giving wise advice if he was in conflict with Aciel. And then his two children, this time they won't
have a grandfather figure again who will give wholehearted love to them.
“Come..You're right Ed, this isn't what Kim wants. He would be sad if I were like this.”
Eden gave a small nod as Aciel clasped her hand and invited her down. Everyone had been waiting for him there to pay one last tribute to Mr. Kim. Despite the weight, this time Aciel will try to recant his departure because he once promised the man one thing.
Sir, you'd hate me if I left you.”
“Yes, so never once leave me.”
“Then I want you to promise me.”
“What? What do I have to promise you?”
“Let me go when God has given my replacement to you?”
“Heh, don't joke Kim. God will never be that good to me. You're the best Kim.”
“Sometimes you will definitely get better people than me. So promise to let me go and never hold me back from always being with you, because I won't be forever like this.”
“Ck, fine, I will do. But I'm not sure.”
Now Aciel knew that God had really sent Mr. Kim's successor to him. Eden and her two children are the ones who will take the place of Mr. Kim to calm her down when she needs peace, even love.
