Home For My Soul

145|Reply for Kindness

“Wow! This is a house or apartment building!?” my words are mesmerized.

We passed the road with trees on his right and left sides before arriving in front of a very large three-story house in the shape of an L. From the front, there was a tree at the back of the house. The front yard was wide, I can't wait to see the back.

“I can't take you around. This land is too vast.” He's approaching the door.

“Welcome, Sir,” welcome a man who opened the door. It was like in old English movies!

I was welcome to enter first and the front room was very spacious with a shiny marble floor, walls decorated with various paintings that must have been expensive, and crystal lamps hanging from the ceiling. A great place to have a dance party.

He took me to the side and I was amazed to see the flower garden that must have been beautiful in spring. Unfortunately, it is already near autumn, so the color of the leaves and plants begins to turn yellow. Then he took me to the back of the house. As I thought, the page was very large. There was a two-story house on the left for the servants' quarters.

We entered a sitting room and the fragrant aroma of tea and delicious cakes greeted us. I sat on the chair opposite her with the table between us. There is a fireplace near us that would be romantic if burning wood at night.

“My wife.” He looked at the top of the fireplace. I looked in the same direction. There was a painting of a woman with this old man when she was young. “He just died. Everything to me. Therefore, I claimed to have nothing left when I met you guys.”

“I'm sorry. If I knew—”

“My family doesn't care, what are you going to do?”

“At least, me and Theo will be better off to you.”

“No need. I like you guys for being honest.” He's laughing a little. “I laughed the first time since he left was with you. People are nice to me because they know who I am. You're not. I miss being treated like a normal human being.”

“Then why do people as rich as you need me to promote your famous restaurant food across the continent?” many confused.

“I'm just looking for an excuse to keep coming to my place of business. That's how I thank you for your kindness to me. I can get through my grief thanks to your help.” He smiled very sincerely.

“Thank you for enough.” I blushed. “I'm sorry if we were too hard on you.”

I listened to him tell me about his wife and family. He did not even hesitate to share the secret of his success. I was concerned to hear that her children died at such a young age. One was due to a school shooting and another was overdosed.

He and his wife set their sights entirely on their restaurant business. To have another child, they can't feel lost anymore. They have many foster children who some remember their services, some no longer care.

Poor old man. He had everything, but experienced many great losses in his life. What I experienced was nothing compared to him. I just lost the identity that drove me to be with my family again. He lost his wife and children forever.

“Do you believe now?” goda.

“This can't be trusted.” I clucked slowly. “You have everything, but want to die.”

Sayup-sayup sounding dog salakan from the front of the house. “Ah, that must be Buddy. She just got back from the salon to cut her hair.”

The front door opened and the dog I saw in the cabin ran in. He approached Antonio and asked to be eluted. Realizing there was another smell, he turned his head and approached me. “She must be reminded of the sausage I gave her.” We laughed together.

I was so grateful for the meeting, because Antonio was willing to give me all the information I needed for my thesis. So, I do not need to submit proposals to various companies to do research. There are people ready for that.

My weekend was fun too. I always go to the restaurant on Sundays. Sometimes I meet Antonio and Buddy, sometimes I don't. Although there is no Theo, I have a new family in this foreign land.

“Hai, Brother!” hercules with a happy face.

“Ciiee, who is an undergraduate,” my god, saw he was already wearing his toga. “Congratulations, sister. Hope today's event goes well, yes.”

“Thank you, Brother. Too bad Brother is not here.” She's pouting.

“Yes, I also just had a midterm exam, it is impossible to go home,” I regret.

We chatted just before Mama took over and monopolized the conversation. We made a video call on the weekend. I just listened to him complain about Papa and Hercules being so difficult to photograph together before leaving.

Time goes by so fast. Matt and Hercules have become alumni of the campus, I will soon finish my studies. I can't wait to go home and start all my plans for Chika, Nisa, and Rahma. They must have lived a quiet life, not remembering to have made a big mistake.

“After months of seeing a nutritionist doctor and no development yet, I am very happy today, Amarylis!” Meghan hugged me tightly.

I just came and he approached me to say that. “What's up?”

“Didn't you see anything different?” He let go of his embrace and twisted his body.

“Wow, Meghan. Your weight is reduced?” much fun. He nodded quickly.

“Since the physical exercise with your instructor, I lost five kilos!” He jumped happy. “We can't be late for training later. So, don't discuss for too long. I was happy to see Clara's surprised face this morning. She can't believe my efforts finally worked out too!”

I am happy to see my best friend happy. Five kilos is pretty much for three months since we practiced martial arts together. She also looks more beautiful because her confidence is recovering. Although she was not blond and blue-eyed like her brother, brown hair and gray eyes were no less beautiful.

Theo is overrated. Not all my friends are the wrong people. Until this moment, I did not choose Sonata and Meghan wrong. They're good in front of me, too behind me. We also support each other in everything, both our studies and our ideals going forward.

Considering Theo, I can't stand waiting anymore. Let us be found out by his mother or his father. I'm so worried I didn't hear anything from him. Matt didn't help at all. She always dodged me if I started to mention her brother.

Bizarrely. Until the ring runs out, Theo doesn't answer my calls. I tried again and this time, checked the screen. It turns out the app shows the number is not connected. Why is Theo's phone inactive? To be sure, I called using an international connection.

“The number you are heading to is off or out of range.” The words the tape spoke surprised me.

Theo never turned off his number, except in flight. He wouldn't go home without telling me. Why is his phone number inactive? Has something happened? Oh, dearGod. I hope I'm wrong.

I'll call Matt right away. He answered for a long time, but I was relieved to see his face. He looked at me with his eyes without light. “Hai, Brother.”

“Matt? What's wrong with you? Are you sick?” manyworry. I never saw her face like that every time we made a video call.

“Please, don't dodge anymore. I-I tried calling Theo and the number was off. Is she okay? Did she and the woman get married, so she won't talk to me anymore?” ask me without covering up my panic.

“I'm sorry, Brother. I didn't say anything because we were also in a state of uncertainty.” He rubbed his face with his hands. “There is bad news and I hope Brother sits down first.”

My heart almost stopped hearing it. Any bad news? Oh, dearGod. My whole body trembled and I painstakingly complied with her request to sit down. What happened to Theo?