FOREIGN DESIRANT

Episode 17 Recalling the Wounds

"Alif filed ta'aruf with Kirana" Mr. Arif told Rehan that afternoon.

"It seems he doesn't know you and Kirana are ta'aruf."

Rehan only turned his head for a moment towards the teacher and his uncle.

"Kirana know?"

"Oh, obviously I haven't confirmed Alif's request."

Rehan's long silence makes his uncle suspicious if Rehan begins to doubt the process.

"When is the final exam done, Om?"

"I mean UNBK?" Rehan nodded. Uncle thought for a moment and then started guessing,

"Not two months from now, why?

Rehan took a slow breath...

"Bawa Rehan's meeting Kirana's parents tonight, Om. I'll marry her as soon as the exam is over."

reply Rehan steady.

Mr. Arif was surprised but still amazed by Rehan's assertiveness. He still remembers how the slump of Rehan was first left by his father and sister, since then Mr. Arif continued to be beside Rehan trying to raise his spirit. He thought that if Rehan's decision to marry could be the effect of Rehan's loneliness, he might find the right figure in Kirana, the one who would fill in

emptiness days. Initially, Mr. Arif was hesitant, but he was sure whatever Rehan's will must have gone through careful consideration. In terms of economic Rehan can, physically Rehan's age will soon be 20 years, although age may not necessarily be used as a benchmark for the maturity of one's thinking.

One thing that is unrelenting, Mr. Arif reminded Rehan, no matter what happens later Rehan should not despair and be separated from expecting God because of confidence and trust in all decisions

It is God who will help solve every problem and test that comes. Moreover, Rehan has decided to become a husband, a leader, the test must be there.

"Then Alif?" ask Mr. Arif.

***

The next morning Kirana was already standing by the river staring far into a single point even though the mind was drifting somewhere. The bike he used to use had since been left to fall on the grass. His eyes could not see

towards the stone structure of the former burning fish that Alif had made. Kirana still remembers the disappointment she felt when she first asked Kirana to accept Rehan. Kirana's heart ached for the first time.

His lips slowly moved saying something.

"You are stupid!" lirih Kirana said that. Kiara approached Kirana.

"Sister should have rejected Kak Rehan's proposal last night if he had not been able to declare Kak Alif!" exciting Kiara.

"Look at the condition of brother now, after knowing soon sister will be the mistress Rehan, instead brother came here, back to remember the memories of brother with Alif here, not fair to Brother Rehan, brother too

torturing yourself!" Kiara started to get emotional.

"It is precisely with my brother coming here, it will remind me how disappointed and devastated my brother was when Alif actually asked my brother to accept Rehan, here, in this place, in this place, brother still can't believe Alif asked like that when he himself liked brother. Why didn't he tell himself his feelings? Was he waiting for the big brother to declare it first? He's a fool. That's the reason big brother accepted Rehan, he was more honest and brave

saying feelings. Alif, the fool you like, is stupid for making things late."

"Too late?"

Suddenly Alif was there, he heard Kirana say. Slowly he approached the brother.

"So Rehan proposed to Kirana?" Her voice is depressed. Kiara who saw Alif so pity and sad, the story of Kirana, Alif and Rehan for him is too complicated. He decided to leave them both there, they needed time.

On the way, Kiara's thoughts drifted on her brother and Alif, hopefully they can solve this problem, Kiara hoped. He was not aware, a motorbike that was traveling at fast speed from the opposite direction made his bike a little olic, Kiara did not know, the motorcyclist was Rehan who was following Alif to the river. Then what should happen, man can only plan, God will decide.

***