Grandpa's Choice Man

Sekar The Critical Child

"Blow candles. Blow candle. Blow the candle right now. Now either. Now too" hummed the crowd at Rama's 29th birthday celebration.

The event was only attended by Rama's nuclear family, namely Bu Ina, Rama's two brothers (Rio and Rissa), Rama's two brothers-in-law (Dimas and Kartika), Rama's three nephews (Anjani, Mahesa, and Sekar), and special this time was already with Tiara as well. In addition to family, there is also Bi Siti, Pak Rahmat, Bayu, and Susan who have been subscribed to be invited guests at the event.

Rama's birthday is celebrated in the garden behind the spacious house even though only the Japanese grass and colorful flowers around it. There is a ready table with a large birthday cake, various snacks, fruit, meat and frozen food for the barbeque, and several portable stoves complete with grill pan.

Rama accompanied by Bu Ina and Tiara in front also closed his eyes to pray prayers. Then, open your eyes and blow out a candle full of hope about tomorrow and a better person. Not to forget, he offered prayers for Tiara and his newly built household.

After the wax procession, Rama cut a chocolate cake made by Bu Ina and Rissa. The first piece of course he gave to his beloved mother and his only parents. Ms. Ina received it full of novelty. Ms. Ina immediately kissed the right and left cheeks of her youngest son with tear-strewn tears.

"Good age, dear Mama. Now that you are married, be a good priest and be more mature. You already have a big responsibility, take care and protect him. Thank you for giving a good daughter-in-law, beautiful, and loving Mama. Mama's happiness is perfect now" said Bu Ina patting Rama on the back and looking at her son who was holding back tears.

Then, the second piece was certainly given to Tiara. Tiara who had sulked also accepted with a shy blush. Wanting to hug Rama but he was sad because there were many people there, especially there were three minors as well.

"Thanks, Brother. Happy milad yes. May the age of brother be blessed. Blessed also in all matters" said Tiara, shaking Rama's hand and kissing him. Yeah, that's the only way he can do it.

Tiara's attitude that is very self-preserving in front of the Rama family, certainly makes Rama more affectionate and anxious to him. In stark contrast to Selvi who once dared to stick and wrestle spoiled in his arms without caring about any family or small children in front of them. Not comparing, but that is how it is.

"Yes together, Pearl," said Rama as he rubbed his wife's crown full of love and infinite gratitude.

"Om, usually the second one for Anjani," Anjani protested sneering.

"Yes, now Om Rama has Aunt Tiara. Kan Aunty Tiara is his wife. Try, if Papa's birthday is the one given first new Mama Anjani, right? It's like that also Om Rama," said Kartika trying to give understanding to his daughter.

"Means Om Rama has not loved Anjani anymore dong because there is already a Aunt Tiara?" ask Anjani jealous.

Rama also approached Anjani while carrying his third piece of cake. Anjani also turned his face not to accept the gift of Rama.

"Who said Om did not love Anjani? If not dear, why buy this," Rama seduced while showing a paper bag that read Dior.

Anjani suddenly turned his head and his eyes sparkled when he saw the paper bag that Rama brought. Anjani's smile immediately widened and hugged Rama with his potency. Rama had expected Anjani who would be jealous of Tiara's presence so he bought his nephew's dream shoes which were estimated to cost around twelve millions.

"Anjani, listen to Om yes. Whether there is Aunt Tiara or not, dear Om to Anjani will always be the same. Aunt Tiara is a good person, will not make Om so not dear to Anjani. These are the shoes that Aunt Tiara bought. Say thank you there the same, Auntie," said Rama lying but there is no other way because Anjani easily difficult.

Moreover, Anjani is the first nephew and once lived at home so he was very close and spoiled with Rama. Anjani is easily jealous of any woman who is close to Rama for fear of Rama's affection diminishing to him.

Embarrassed, Anjani took off Rama's embrace and walked towards Tiara who was still flabbergasted by Rama's lies spoken without burden. Anjani also greeted Tiara with a sincere and very honest smile.

"Thank you, Auntie," said Anjani suddenly wriggling spoiled in Tiara's arms.

Tiara's tension subsides as she feels Anjani's warm attitude towards her. Tiara rubbed Anjani's hand that was on her arm.

"Together, Anjani. Hope you like yes" said Tiara confused herself and did not know what was in the paper bag.

Everyone at the party was very relieved when they saw Anjani had melted away and was willing to accept Tiara. In fact, so spoiled to him.

...****************...

While Rama was grilling slice beef and his friends, Sekar suddenly approached Rama with a piece of paper containing a picture of a child-style scarecrow.

"Oms. This is a picture of itself. This is for Om yes," said Sekar gave a piece of paper on the lap of Rama.

"This is Sekar selamin ya," added Sekar while pointing at the pictures one by one with his index finger, "This is Oma, this is Dad, this is Mom, this is Sekar, This is Om Rama, this is Aunt Tiara."

"Thank you very much, Om Rama. But, um want to ask this. How come Aunt Tiara's only half her head?" rama smiled funnyly.

"So you forget there is no Aunt Tiara, Om Rama is too marginal so the image of Aunt is only half aja. Hihi," replied Sekar giggled himself.

"Om, what's that husband and wife?" tanya Sekar innocently made everyone in the park speechless because her voice was quite loud.

Rama scratched his head and smirked confusedly to answer how.

"Yes, if you are married, his name is husband and wife" replied Rama as if.

"But, why did Om Rama and Aunt Tiara not change their names to husband and wife?" tiara asked

Rama doesn't know how to explain it.

"Worky, husband and wife are like Father and Mother. Dad is a husband and Mom is a wife. Well if Om Rama is a husband like Dad and Aunt Tiara is a wife like Mom," said Rissa spoke up.

"Oh. Like Mom and Dad, who's Sekar like?" tanya Sekar increasingly critical make Rama kelu himself.

"Yes later if Om Rama already has a grandpa, well it's like Sekar," said Rissa patiently even while arranging food at the table.

"Oh. When is there a Dedek Om Rama? Let there be something like Sekar" asked Sekar very curious.

Rama and Tiara were choking together while listening to the plain question of his nephew who was really cool. Everyone at the event chuckled at Sekar's plain speech, except for Tiara and Rama who were at a loss how to respond to his young nephew's question.

"Om don't have a grandpa yet because Aunt Tiara is still in school" replied Rama trying to relax.

"Oh Aunt is still in school. But, you're married, Om?" cecar Sekar did not run out of questions.

"Udah. Therefore Aunt Tiara became Om's wife and became Sekar's aunt," said Rama Iwalahan to tell Bayu to take over his duties for the meat grill.

"Some was still in school. Means Sekar also can already marry dong like Aunt Tiara?" cetus Sekar made the people at the event laugh to the head.

"Not yet, dear. Aunt Tiara is already big. It's still small. Where can children get married," said Rama began a crime.

"Oh so. What's married, Om?" said Sekar increasingly curious to make Rama more fierce.

"Sister Rissa! Please, help me!" whinek Rama has run out of answers for a child as small as Sekar.

Rissa also smiled as she approached Rama who was struggling to answer Sekar's question. He knelt on his knees with Sekar's high fingers and looked at his daughter full of tenderness.

"Marriage is a promise like Sekar promise with Sekar's friend. But, unlike the promise of Sekar with a friend who a day or two is also a hope, right? If married it is a promise until old age, until grandparents like Oma and Opa," said Rissa trying to respond with simple language.

"Oh yes, Mother," said Sekar nodding his head like an adult.

"Yes already. Let's help Mom prepare the food. Let Om Rama grill the meat for us to eat yes," asked Rissa to turn Sekar's attention to anticipate more complicated Daughter questions.

"Well! Go, Mommy!" timpal Sekar was very excited, then turned to Rama and said, "Om, this picture is saved yes. Don't throw!" tell Sekar with his cute.

"Ready, Little Miss!" sahut Rama while respecting Sekar with a breath that returned relieved.

After Sekar left from the front, Rama walked towards Tiara who was eating roasted sausage with Mahesa and Anjani. He sat down beside Tiara, looking back at the backalang, but brought his head closer to Tiara.

"Well ask me where the grandpa is?" rama's whispers made Tiara swerve fiercely at him.

Then, Rama took the half-living sausage in Tiara's hands and ate it while passing back to Bayu.

...****************...