CLBK (Long Love Hasn't Been Long)

The Birthday Surprise

Two Weeks Later.

"The surprise.....!!" Atala, Vita, Fathir and Joana shout inside Mess Lita and Astrid as Lita opens the mess door and turns on the lights. Previously Astrid and the Lita brothers had planned a surprise Birthday for Lita.

"Happy birthday dear..." Vita kisses Lita's cheek. Lita still can't believe what she's going through right now.

"Happy Birthday and my Twin..." Lita kissed Vita's cheek.

The present one smiled.

"Lita's... Brother and Sister can't accept you playing around like this." Ketus Atala and Fathir by putting up non-wearing mimic. Joana and Vita looked down in horror.

Astrid immediately went inside feeling bad. It's a family affair.

"Bang Fathir and Atala?!" Lita was confused because of the attitude of her two brothers who suddenly changed.

"Don't you think we're your brothers anymore?!" Bentak Fathir's.

"I don't know what Bang Fathir said? I was just surprised by this birthday celebration. Now what's the matter, I don't know. My brother and sister are angry." Lita was provoked by her emotions.

"You said you've moved on from Vero. But why are you still in touch with Vero! Vero's your best friend's husband, Diah!" Bentak Atala's.

"Yahhhhh!!!" Lita gaped in disbelief. "Who is back with Vero?! I never met you! Never mind meeting, all his contacts and social accounts have been blocked.' Lita was very upset.

"Then, Who is He?!" Fathir and Atala turned to Astrid who was holding Arby. Astrid the grin of horses. Arby smiled longingly.

"Sister Arby!!" Lita glares.

"Happy Birthday, Honey..." Arby was about to hug Lita, but...

"Eeeiiittsss.... Not muhrim. Play a hug!" Ketus Vita's.

Arby chuckled in shame, scratching his non-itchy nape. "Sorry Brother-in-law." Canda Arby's.

Lita hits Arby's arm. "What the hell is Brother?!" Lita pursed her lips.

"Lohs... So who is she if not your lover?! He confessed to your lover..." Ask Atala.

"I.... I'm...." Lita nervous.

"I what? The obvious one." Hardik Fathir.

"I can't accept it yet. But I'm trying so hard." Lita.

"Is it because his face looks like Vero?!" Ask Joana.

Lita shook her head quickly. "That's what I'm afraid of. If I love him because of Vero's face." Lita. "I'm sorry Brother Arby."

Arby just smiled. "I understand." Arby said softly.

"Have dong her theatrics. Laper's on." Astrid suddenly interrupted.

"Hooahhh!!" Lita looked up and glared at her brothers as well as Astrid. No exception Arby.

"I'm not following along. I was just told Astrid today Your Birthday, so I'll book a ticket to this country." Clearly Arby answered Lita's cynical gaze.

"Iissshh... My return is so sad...." Vita Goda.

"You too Vit, why follow along. It's our Birthday too." Lita pursed her lips.

"I'm trying to be a good wife. What does Husband say." Canda Vita as she rolled her eyes towards Atala.

"Huuuhh... You're a nasty Strid." Accuse Lita.

"Haha... Excuse me. I just want you and Brother Arby to be happy." Astrid raised her two fingers.

"Sudaahh... Let's eat some. Pity the worms in Astrid's stomach have revolted." Canda Fathir who immediately embraced Lita's shoulder.

"Mirhana ..." Everyone present laughed. Astrid covered her face in embarrassment.

"So, Brother Arham is not coming, brother?" Ask Lita.

On the sidelines of dinner, they were joking. Fathir asked Arby a lot. She's very possessive of Lita.

"So you really don't have anyone else, other than Astrid and Arham?!" Ask Atala.

Arby nodded. "So I died of illness. Not long after my Ami followed. Ami can't afford to be left behind by Abah." Arby.

Fathir rubbed Arby's shoulder. "You must be strong. If you're weak, I'll be the first to oppose your relationship with my sister."

Arby nodded. While Lita has repeatedly wiped her tears feeling touched to hear Arby's life story.

Astrid rubbed Lita's shoulder.

"How's this? My family already knows Arby. My heart has not accepted it at all. I just feel sorry for her." Inner Lita while wiping her tears.

"Iawang... You all right?" Ask Arby attentively.

Lita raised her face looking towards Arby and nodded.

"Don't put it in the heart. It's all been going on for a long time. I'm willing to let go of my parents." Arby.

Lita was silent. Astrid continued to rub Lita's back gently.

____________________________________

This two weeks Leo is licensed from the Campus and Hospital for accompanying the Papa who is being treated.

Lita and Astrid visited Alex several times but never met Leo.

Leo was very curious about his Papa's helper and always visited her when she was returning to the apartment.

Today Leo moved to the Papa's house. He had thought of accompanying the Papa.

Atala's advice went into her brain not to leave the Papa. His father also began to study Islam. At the beginning of his life Alex was very hard to accept lessons. To say two sentences of shahadah only, Alex came out in cold sweat and had to drop.

Leo asked Papa to stop learning about Islam. He was very afraid to see the reaction of the shivering Papa when he said two sentences of shahadah.

But because of his affection and love for the Wife, Alex asks Leo to contact Atala again to see him at the Hospital.

"Pa... It was so scary that sentence. I'm afraid Papa's why." Leo said as He accompanied Papa in the ward.

Alex smiles. "Well, it's okay, honey. Perhaps God is angry with Papa for turning away from your mother." Said Alex.

Leo just sighed. Leo knew very well the hardness of the Papa's heart. If his wish is A, it must be A and it must be followed.

"You know, son. At first, Papa was very tortured. But the more often Papa faces this punishment and continues to call the Sentence, There is peace in Papa's heart." Obviously Alex.

"Is Papa happy?" Ask Leo.

Alex nodded. "Papa can't wait to see your Mama. But Papa has to be ready for everything. It's a test for Papa."

"But What Mr. Atala does not matter. It's gonna interfere with Pa's work." Ask Leo.

Alex shakes. "He's a good man, son. All his life Papa had only met sincere people like Atala and Ustadz Joey. In business alone, Ustadz Joey is very honest. Papa is very happy to work with him. And so did Atala. He is very thorough in his work. Don't want the slightest mistake. Teaching Papa the religion of Islam is also very patient. It was fortunate that her parents had a son like Atala." Alex shed tears. He regretted never providing religious lessons to his children. Although his children grow up to be good people but less based on religious science.

Leo rubbed the Papa's shoulder. "Mr Atala has replied to my message Pa. Today he can't come because he's making a surprise event for his sister who's studying here." Said Leo.

"Is her sister a girl?" Ask Alex.

"I don't know Pa. Indeed why?" Leo asked confusedly.

"If her sister is a girl, Papa would love for her to introduce her sister to you. Must be her sister's as sincere as she is." Alex Kanda.

"Papa's just been around. It can't be. Leo loves someone. Don't want anything else." Firm Leo.

"May she be a good woman, son." Alex hopes.

"Aamiin...." Answer Leo.