DREAM OF THE SHADOW

CHAPTER 59

Joshua went back to his room. That night was his last night in the hospital. Tomorrow he will return to the apartment that Vanya has occupied while in Singapore. The apartment is right next to the hospital. He lay down while trying to move the tip of his toe. That's how Shua spends her nights now. Self-treatment while watching television. He looked up when the door of the room opened.

"Hi, Pa. When's coming?" Shua slightly straightened her body when she saw William.

"just now. Nih papa bawain pempek and lumpia your favorite." William opened the package he was carrying.

"Papa, you are the best. You know Shua is tired of food here. Next time bring batagor or siomay also yes Pa." Shua began to thrust her fork into the egg pempek.

"No need next time, already papa brought the frozen siomaynya. It's in the apartment." William sat on the long sofa next to Shua's bed.

"Ohuukk...Seriously Pa? Haha... I love you so much. Shua has really missed Indonesian cuisine. How Shua can spirit therapy if Shua just eat lazy." He swallowed his third pempek.

"It's just food that makes you excited, son?" william's lure makes Shua turn to him.

"Pa, for now, only papa understands Shua." Shua turned her glance to the door.

"Pa, look no more mama. Shua wants to ask for help. Can you find out where Yuna is?" ask him to William.

"Papa would like to ask, if Yuna wants to see you, do you want to?"

"Shua's ashamed Pa." he looked down.

"Why? Does your shame defeat your love?" Shua fell silent, trying to find the most appropriate answer.

"Do you feel like Yuna will leave you if you know you can't walk?"

"It can't be Pa, it can't be."

"Ok, can't walk yet. What then? Until when are you ready?"

"If Shua is ready, are you sure Yuna will accept Shua's situation...begini?" he asked while looking at his stiff feet.

"You still doubt his feelings?" Shua did not answer, not because she doubted Yuna, but she doubted she could make Yuna happy with her current condition. Shua was confident his legs could return to running, but there was still a 1% failure that was bound to be there.

Door opens. Nissa appeared while carrying an empty large bag.

"Kok you guys are so surprised? Mama bother?" The two men were silent.

"Mom bring a bag to settle your things here." Nissa looked at William and Shua's strange gawk.

"You guys are weird?" ask again.

"What the hell is Ma? Papa just asked Shua what else to eat? Later Papa bring if next week comes again" said William. Shua was still silent with a myriad of questions in her.

"Shua sleep first, Ma. Sleepy. Papa's still here tomorrow right?"

"still. Go sleep. Papa wants to talk to your mama outside."

Shua turned her body towards the open window of the room, revealing the dark night sky. His father was right, Shua's fear was not fundamental. Yuna was not a woman who would leave her just because of her temporarily deformed legs. Just temporarily. In fact, Shua did not care much about what her mother thought of Yuna. Especially Vanya. It's just that from a long time ago, Shua had always been firm about her feelings for Yuna. And Vanya should have understood that.

William took his wife's hand to the park.

"Ma, thank you Mama for accepting Yuna."

"What the hell is Pa? Mama who thanks Papa for giving Mama a chance to apologize to Yuna. All this time Mama felt guilty for separating her from Shua. But what's Mama's mind now, Vanya how's Pa?"

"What is how? We will take care of her Ma, her son will be our grandchild too. Papa's sure Vanya won't mind. I care a lot about the journalist. He was no longer an artist either."

"Yes the Pa. Hopefully Shua gets healthy soon."

"Papa's mind can be the same as Mama's huh? Mama thought so too. But Mama's afraid Shua's mad at Mama."

"Mama handkerchief with Papa. If Shua gets angry, let Papa take responsibility."

*****

Yuna is alone touring Chinatown. He had chosen a fried kwetiau for his dinner. Tasteless. Maybe because he couldn't enjoy it. Last night he dreamed of having dinner with Shua, talking to her, holding her hand, encouraging her. It turns out it was just a dream. Yuna laughed at herself when she saw the reflection of the moonlight that formed a shadow of her walking alone. Suddenly a message came in for him.

"Yuna, Om and Aunt wait for you in the hotel lobby." At that instant he turned his body and headed straight for the exit.

Along the way he wondered what Shua's parents would say. Good news or bad? But the bad news is what else he's afraid of. Yuna felt mentally trained enough to receive any bad news.

"Sorry to wait for Om, Auntie." Yuna gasped for a little while after running down from the online taxi that drove her.

"It's okay. Have you eaten?" ask Nissa.

"Aunty, just now."

"I'm sorry, we were supposed to take you to dinner last night." Nissa held Yuna's hand gently.

"How about we eat together tomorrow? Lunch in the apartment. With Shua." said William with a smile.

"Tomorrow with Shua?" Yuna was confused by what she heard.

"Yeah Yuna, we both agreed. You'll meet Shua tomorrow."

"Shua knows that Yuna is here?"

"No, we'll give him a surprise tomorrow. You want to, right?"

"certain..Sure Om." Yuna could not believe the news. Tomorrow he will meet Shua. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, for sure he'll be able to deal with it.

*****

Yuna felt deeply troubled by Vanya's sharp gaze. He was preparing for lunch with Nissa to welcome the return of Shua who was being picked up by William. Yuna was stirring a mixture of potatoes and sop leaves to make parchment, while Nissa was making sour vegetables.

Vanya saw the scenery in front of him. Yuna with mom Nissa. Huhhhhh...It felt like the world had suddenly collapsed when Nissa told him last night that Yuna was in Singapore. And Nissa apologized to Vanya because she had changed her mind. Nissa could not force her son Shua to marry her. Vanya understands even though it is heavy. He is quite self-conscious about his current status. In fact, he should be grateful to have been taken care of by mother Nissa and Om William. Actually this made her a little relieved because ever since Nissa asked Shua to marry her, Shua seemed to change her attitude towards her. It made Vanya sad and hurt. Slowly he was sure he could accept Yuna as his sister-in-law. Looks like Yuna is a pretty good woman.

"Do you need help, Ma?" tanyakanya.

"no need. You just rest. Yesterday your stomach hurt." said Nissa. Yuna looked at the already quite large content.

"How many months has Van been?" yuna asked trying to be friendly.

"Almost seven months" he answered.

"Do you know her gender?"

"Sister" replied Vanya briefly. Actually he wanted to answer further, but it still felt a little awkward.

"Oh." And Yuna too. He wanted to get closer to Vanya, but he didn't know what else to ask.

Lunch is ready. Sour vegetables, potato parchment, eggplant balado, and fried chicken galangal. Everything is a request of Shua, a typical Indonesian food. Yuna was a little nervous when William said they were on their way to the apartment. Five more minutes. Yuna's heart was pounding. His cold hands he folded while praying.

'Please describe our path, O Lord.' he asked.

*****