Heart Thief

Rein's Request

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Rein momentarily fell silent just to wait for Aska's response. However, the man remained silent while looking at his face.

Finally Rein again uttered his words, "If I may, I have a request, Mas. Before you go to jail, please allow this child to be born into the world first. Allow me to hug him just once. Because after that, I'll give this boy to you. Please take good care of her, don't tell her I'm her mother. Let him know if his mother is dead, because I don't want him to know, if his mother ever goes to jail." It was as if hundreds of needles were piercing Rein's heart. It felt like it hurt when Rein said that.

Aska squinted her eyes. Both of his hands clenched tightly hearing Rein say that. However, he took a deep breath before exhaling it slowly.

"You don't have to be that dramatic! Everything will go as it should. I will allow you to give birth here, and of course I will take good care of my son as well" Aska exclaimed trying to restrain herself from emotions.

"False, Mas. I can relax now." Rein rubbed his tears violently. It was enough to see his son grow up well. Living with the Aska family is the right choice for the future of his son later.

"I'm sorry to go out, Mom. I want to see Bian. I miss him." Rein rose to his feet, passing through Aska's body that was still unmoved in place.

"Wait!" Aska blocked Rein's hand when she was just a step past her body.

Rein turned his body towards Aska. Both of his eyes looked at Aska's hand that was coiled around his arm. There was a strange sigh that spread in the woman's body that made her longing even more excited.

"Have you ever miss me?" Aska's question made Rein raise his gaze. Staring in Aska's dark bead of eyes. She wanted to say, "Yes, I miss you so much. But I don't deserve to do that."

However, those words were only able to be spoken in Rein's heart. His lips tightened until Aska let go of his hand.

"Go!" Aska drove Rein away. Disappointment took over his heart. The woman refused to answer, meaning that she did not feel the longing that Aska felt. However, instead willing to let himself go to prison, when he knew Daren was dead.

*****

"Tante Rein."

When Rein came out of the room, Abian immediately ran over the woman's body. Hugged him tightly, as if not willing to part with his aunt-in-law again.

"Bian, bend it don't be tight. Later dede baby tight," said Rein while rubbing Abian's head. Her lips held a smile. The words earlier were just a light joke so that the atmosphere was no longer tense.

"Eh, I'm sorry Bian, Aunt." Abian breaks his arms, then kisses Rein's stomach, "excuse Om Bian, yes, baby Dedek. Cepet out, dong. Let Om Bian play."

Rein smiled at Abian's behavior that invited his son to chat. As if he understood, the child in Rein's womb also gave a reaction. Rein's stomach was pulsating like something was kicking from the inside. Abian nodded and kept his face away from Rein's stomach.

"The baby's moving, Auntie. Is he beating up Bian?"

Rein nodded in agreement. Abian widened a smile, then kissed Rein's stomach again. His sad heart had changed with joy. Abian was so happy to see Rein again. Ranti, Bahar, and Asti smile at Abian's happiness.

All of this does not escape someone's sight. Aska was standing in the doorway of the room. His body rested on the door frame, while folding his hands in front of his chest. Observing Abian's cheer when interacting with his son.

Rein stared one by one at the faces of the good people before him. A kind family that has saved his life, even forgives his mistakes. They also provide capital for their efforts. Rein was very grateful to them.

Rein's gaze stopped on Asti's face. A gentle and kind woman who loves her own husband. Somehow he felt hurt, when he saw the woman standing next to Ranti. Aska has brought Asti to this house. That means, Rein's position has been replaced. Asti has won the love of her husband.

*****

When the sky shows an orange color on the western horizon, the sign of twilight is approaching. Rein was done packing his clothes into a backpack. The woman went into Aska's room, while her husband was taking a bath. He intends to leave.

"Where are you going?" Rein gasped as his body just reached the door of the room. Aska, who was done with the bathing ritual, managed to catch Rein who wanted to come out. His gaze was fixed on the large backpack that Rein had in hand. Aska is sure that Rein will run away from her again.

"You want to run away again, huh?" ask Aska while blocking Rein's hand a little stronger.

"Ssssh .. No, Mas. I just want to move in Abah's food stall. I'm not gonna run away from you anymore." Rein hissed in pain, but Aska was unconscious. His emotions were always inflamed given that Rein always tried to run away when he met him.

"lik! You always did that before, Rein. This time I won't believe in you anymore."

"I'm already pregnant with a big gini, where I can run away again, Mas," concluded Rein, trying to release the hand checks Aska.

"Yes naon ieu, tea, noisily?"

(What's this, noisily?)

Bahar's voice caught Rein and Aska's attention. Ranti who also heard the commotion was standing next to her husband.

"This, Abah. Rein wants to run away again. Now, right, he's in Aska's custody, so Aska won't let him escape again."

"No, no, Abah, Ambu. Rein had no intention of escaping. Rein just wanted to move in for a while. Rein was going to sleep while there, while Mas Aska was home. The room here is, right, full of all," Rein argued as if asking for help from her in-laws. Rein took the initiative like that, because usually Aska went home for only a short time. His duties as a state servant did not allow the man to take too long a vacation.

"Diem, you! I will not let you go anywhere. Who says I live here only for a while. I got a mutated letter of duty transfer to this town. So from now on, I'll stay here until my job is done."

"Huh? Really?"

Rein was surprised of course. Both of his eyes were perfectly rounded.

"Aska, if you intend to stay here for a long time, why do you not want Asti? Will he stay here long? You don't have any plans for Asti's wedding, do you, Aska?" Ranti followed their conversation. The thought suddenly rose in his mind, for the first time Aska brought a woman home to them.

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...to be continued...