CURTAINS OF THE PAST

THE DUKES OF ARAYAN

“Pappaa..” A little girl ran up to Toni from inside the Arayan residence. And deftly, the burly arms of the young man greeted his little daughter. He incessantly rained down on the girl's head

with kiss. Everyone looked not so foreign to them.

They knew the relationship between the boy and the young man, except Iffah and the little girl herself.

Yes, the little girl clearly did not know what relationship was established between her and someone she called papa. All he knew was that the man was very fond of him. And he was also taught to call it papa.

Different from Iffah. Although he was confused and astonished, but not a single bit of bad thoughts seeped into his mind until he obtained an explanation from someone.

Iffah did not blink to see the closeness between the man who would make himself his wife and boss in the office with the little girl named Milka. He even followed closely listening to the babbling coming out of the pretty mouth of the little girl.

Not bad either, not married but already seen once a father's soul in him.~ Inner Iffah while smiling thinly.

“Hei Ton, already from earlier?.” A man came holding the hand of his wife who looked young pregnant. Her stomach wasn't too pinched at the time. They were none other than Kemil's cousin Toni and Kamelia, the mother of his little Milka.

“Not really, just came.” Saut Toni stops her chat with Milka.

“Ibuuu, ayaaah..” Milka came down from Toni's lap and ran towards Kamelia and Kemil.

Oh, so that's his parents?. Iffah brushed his smile at his cousin Toni and his wife.

“Grandma, how is granny?.” Kamelia and Kemil took turns to greet his Grandmother Toni and Chellin, Bobi and Iffah who also visited that night.

“Alhamdulillah, Grandma Baik. How about yourself? Her sister Milka candidate, healthy?.” Grandma stroked Kamelia's stomach slowly.

“Alhamdulillah Grandma. Kamel and healthy baby candidates.” Sahut Kamelia kept her smile.

“Oh Yes Kemil, brother Id and sister Maya mana.” Chellin slightly raised his head in a wry search for the whereabouts of Kemil's parents.

“Mama and papa haven't returned from Villa, Bi. At most in a moment. Thank God the percentage footage we received was very busy for the villagers, and they were very happy about it. I'm so proud of you, Ton. Kamelia only brings a little traditional impression in the inauguration of our Villa later, the children here also have a lot of talent that must be developed. So the show might take a long time tomorrow.” Kemil.

“Alhamdulillah, Shine. All these are also ideas from Iffah.” Toni's point leads to Iffah who had only been a good listener among them.

“Offah?. Is he the same Iffah you said back then, Ton?.” Kamelia looked sparkling at Iffah. Iffah only showed a face of confusion hearing Kamelia's question.

Toni just smiles at Kamelia's question that has been seen forgetting her past with Toni.

Me? Why me? Antoni told them what about me?.~ Many questions lodged in Iffah's mind instantly.

“Om sure. Toni has told us a little, we are just waiting for the invitation.”  Kemil seemed to understand the purpose of Bobi who wanted to tease his cousin.

Although not understanding, but Iffah's face also flushed because of it. They seemed to be in the middle of the people who were bullying them all out that night.

*****

Although Milka had fallen asleep in her arms, Toni seemed reluctant to let go of the little girl. He was still standing behind the court of his mother's father's house. Sometimes he kissed the body part of his little girl that can be reached by his lips.

That night after eating with his omnipresent extended family, Toni picks up Milka and lulls her into his chest just after they have spent a long conversation with the talkative girl like a chirping magpie.

“Did he sleep?.” Kemil came to disturb his fear.

“Already, but let me for a moment let go of my longing with Milka, Kemil.” Lirih.

Kemil smiled while aligning his body with Toni. “Did you ever think to bring Milka from us, Ton?.” His face was worried about asking what Toni was difficult to answer.

“If I can be honest, I would like to have a whole Milka, Kemil. About Milka, I can be greedy.” Kemil did not show the anger that began to grow in his heart. He knew he had become wiser than he had been for a long time.

“I just don't want to add much chaos to my selfishness. Letting Milka stay with you was the right decision for me. Besides I can still visit her, I still have family by her too. I was just afraid to start where I should tell Milka to Iffah. Will he be just like you who still want to accept Kamelia even though you know..” Toni slid her head slightly to Milka's head that was sleeping on her shoulder. He no longer wanted to continue his words.

“It seems, Kamelia was right. Iffah nice girl, she'll definitely accept you for who you are, Ton. Even Milka. As long as you are not too late to admit it. Women are sometimes so wise, if she

understand from beginning to end. But on the contrary, he would be so hard-pressed to accept it if he only knew a little of the truth seen and heard by him. If you do not want to regret, tell me everything when you are still here, let everything be clearly seen by him.” Says Kemil wisely. I don't know when he was like that. But he really became Toni's wisest cousin ever since she married the woman who had impregnated Toni.

Toni was silent to Kemil's words. He hesitated to dig back memories he felt were buried deep by Kamelia. He was afraid at that time, because of his importance, Kamelia had to be disturbed again.

“I'll think about it, Kemil. Thank you for your advice, you are truly my good cousin.” Toni brushed off her smile and was greeted with a soothing clap from Kemil on her shoulder.

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