Love Sheila

Keep Fighting Ken

"We stopped by the nearest mosque, sir," Ken ordered to Pak Wanto, the office driver who drove him and Santi meeting this time.

"Well sir," replied Mr. Wanto obediently.

Santi continued to be silent while looking out the window. Not a word has been said since they left the restaurant until now. Ken tried to understand and give him time.

Not long after the car stopped in the parking lot of a mosque.

"We pray Dzuhur first yuk San," asked Ken.

Santi turned towards Ken, then nodded his head slowly. Ken, Santi, and Mr. Wanto got out of the car. After taking his third wudhu then pray Dzuhur congregated with Ken as his priest.

The changes that happened to Steven and Danny finally felt Ken too. Slowly but surely Ken is now also starting a five-time prayer routine again. Even Ken was already not as awkward acting as a priest as he was today.

Who else if not Santi the initial reason that made Ken turn into what he is today. Making Ken determined to change himself for the better, to be able to be worthy to get Santi.

After praying and praying, Mr. Wanto left Ken and Santi first, as if he knew that his two superiors needed time to talk.

"Are you okay?" ken asked Santi who was about to wear his shoes on the terrace of the mosque.

Santi raised his face, looked at Ken, then smiled slightly and nodded his head. A smile that didn't reach his eyes, Ken knew that. Ken sat down next to Santi.

"You have seen me at my worst, accompanied me, even comforted me with your magic-like words. Your words back then were like an oasis, taking away all the fret and sadness I felt back then."

Santi was silent at Ken's every word.

"And now, please allow me, at least with you, to get through your current bad state" Ken said.

Santi again smiled and nodded his head.

"Thank you... Mas," Santi replied, ending with a call 'Mas' to Ken, as Ken had asked when he drove him home that night, after the Thanksgiving at Steven's house.

Ken's smile broke, his heart bursting happily, finally Santi was willing to change the call to himself outside the office. A significant advance.

"Mas Ken?" call Santi confused to see Ken who continues to be silent.

"Ah, yes," Ken retorted from his daydream.

"What's wrong?" ask Santi.

"No. I just felt disbelief because you were finally willing to call me 'Mas'. I'm so happy," Ken replied, not covering up his happiness in the slightest.

Santi smiled back. This time the smile was so sincere, so beautiful in Ken's eyes.

"From that moment you kept quiet, Mas became confused," Ken began to change the call to himself, following Santi's call to himself.

"I'm sorry" Santi said.

Ken smiled and gently damaged Santi's head. The reflex movement that Ken was unaware of was able to make Santi, even Ken himself, blush and misbehave.

Momentary silence.

"You still love him?" ask Ken carefully.

Santi smiled slightly while shaking his head.

"Then?" ken asked confusedly.

"Suddenly the disappointment and heartache appeared again, along with the memory of the events of that time," replied Santi.

"It must have been really bad?" ask Ken again with concern.

"Indeed. But thankfully I had the support of those who loved me sincerely, so that I could get up and go through it all" replied Santi, glaring back to the times when he had fallen.

"And for that reason have you not been able to accept me?"

"Sorry Mas" Santi regretted for the umpteenth time.

Ken smiled gently before answering.

"It's okay. I'll prove that Mas and his family are different. We're not like them" Ken replied so steadily.

"Please don't. I don't deserve that" Santi refused to feel inferior.

"No Santi, you deserve to be, you deserve to be" Ken said.

...

Sheila's seven-month pregnancy thanksgiving program went well. Currently everyone is enjoying a meal while chatting in the garden behind Ricko's residence.

Santi is distributing balloons to the orphanage children.

"Tante is beautiful, Kiara wants the balloon too," Kiara's pinta who suddenly approached Santi.

"Oh, of course, baby. Here it is, a balloon for the beautiful Kiara" Santi said as she crouched down giving a balloon to Kiara.

Santi laughed at Kiara's funny behavior. Santi even confirmed the location of Kiara's hijab which was slightly tilted then rubbed her head full of affection.

"Snorts are very dear?" tanya Kania who walked over to Santi and Kiara.

"Mommy, look at Kiara dapet balloon from pretty Auntie," said Kiara showing off the balloon in her hand.

"Well, the balloons are funny, baby, shape your heart" Kania replied in response to Kiara's chant.

Santi immediately stands up to greet Kania, who turns out to be not alone, but alone with Jihan, Kania's mother and Ken.

"Doctor Kania, doctor Jihan," said Santi politely.

"Don't be so formal as San, just call the other kayak sister, yes," Kania said.

"Ah, yes sis," Santi replied with a smile.

"Sama Aunty also yes San, do not use the frills of all doctors," said Jihan.

"Good Aunt," Santi replied as well.

"You are so cool that San handles so many orphanage children" Kania praised.

"It's been used to brother from the first often help Ummi with Abi ngurusin the sisters of the home. Santi also still often stop by if there is free time, well itung-itung return the kindness of Ummi and Abi by helping them occasionally sis," replied Santi.

"Tante really salute you San. You can still spend time helping in the orphanage on the sidelines of your busy life which is definitely great," Jihan praised as well.

"It's normal for aunty, don't overdo it," Santi felt bad.

"Oh yes San, said Sheila you are cooking pinter huh?" ask Kania.

"No pinter-pinter really, brother, yes just can aja," replied Santi lowly.

"Tomorrow Sunday, you come to the house of Auntie ya San, we cook together. Mumpung Aunty and Kania are also off," Jihan asked suddenly.

Santi until shocked and misbehaved, confused what to answer.

"But Tan, Santi is not feeling well when he suddenly comes to Auntie's house," said Santi trying to refuse.

"Auntie does not accept rejection. Anyway, tomorrow morning you are ready, let Ken pick you up to your apartment," said Jihan did not want to be denied.

"But,,,"

"Udah San, after all, this sister's mother is the most indisputable person anyway," said Kania along with the pumping.

"Fix, tomorrow morning you're ready for San. At nine Aunty tell Ken to pick you up," break up Jihan.

"Ba-good Tan," said Santi finally relented.

"Yeay tomorrow beautiful Aunt plays to Kiara's house," Kiara cheered happily.

"Tuh San, Kiara is as happy as that you want to come," said Kania.

Santi could only smile, a little awkward actually with the sudden invitation of Jihan and Kania. But seeing the look of happiness on Kiara's face made Santi finally happy too.

At a table not far from where Santi , Jihan, Kania, and Kiara were chatting, Ken sat down with Steven, Danny, Andika, Max, Leon, Jery and also Toni. They sat together as one because the women were also busy with their respective affairs.

"Great also Lo Bro, not the responsibility of PDKT Lo," said Danny.

"Dare I swear, I really don't know about the idea of mamih," Ken replied.

"Obviously you don't know, Kania was the one who immediately pumped mamih until finally the idea was sparked," said Jery.

"Basar brother," muttered Ken.

"All right, don't muna deh Lo. Lo also seneng kan aided PDKT the same nyokap and brother Lo," said Toni.

"Hehe, obviously Bro. You know for yourself how the story of Santi sama Ryo's past, that's why I'm very grateful because my family also likes Santi and do not mind the background and origin of Santi, at all," ken smiled triumphantly.

"But Lo's struggle is not over until Santi is willing to open his heart and accept Lo Bro's feelings. So, keep fighting," Steven reminded.

"Well, you're really Steve. I still have to convince Santi about the seriousness of my feelings for him" Ken said.

"Spirit Bro. I'm sure Lo can certainly, especially with the full support of the entire Lo family," Leon cheered.

"Surely Yon," replied Ken steadily.

"Hopefully successful Bro," the others also cheered.

Ken smiled, feeling lucky to have friends who always supported and encouraged him.

"Thanks guys. Do'ain aja yes, hopefully my struggle will soon succeed," said Ken who was immediately guaranteed by his other friends.