LOVE THE EXPATRIATE
21. In Your Face I see the Moon
A month after Edward went to Medan and discussed with Sarah about Muslim women, the man made a very important decision in his life. The decision that was taken after this one month he thought carefully. This morning Edward had asked Purnomo for his opinion, and tonight he was going to meet Mikaila.
Hey Jude, don’t make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
…
Hits old Hey Jude belonging to the legendary band The Beatles sung acoustic band welcome Edward's arrival at the Khayangan Club. The man found Mikaila sitting at one of the tables by the glass window as his eyes looked out, into the buildings along the Sudirman area . Last afternoon he had made an appointment to meet her at this place.
He approached the woman who tonight was wearing a black turtleneck and cream-colored trousers.
“Good night, Mikaila. Sorry, have you waited a long time?” greet Edward while pulling the chair in front of the woman.
“Goodnight too, Ed.” said he turned his head then looked at the watch on his left hand.
“New ten minutes ago. Not yet ordered a drink.”
“Then I want to impress what?” edward asked as his hand waved to the servant.
“As far as you are, Ed.” said Mikaila lazily.
Edward saw the woman's face a little pale tonight. The man thought he might be exhausted from work. Before long, the waiter came while carrying a menu book. Edward started trying to stop drinking alcohol, so tonight he's just going to have a cup of coffee. Seeing the man ordering hot espresso, Mikaila ordered hot creamy latex.
“See you're less excited. Your face looks pale and tired, Mikaila. Are you okay?”
“I think I'm fine, Ed. But it's been a week that my waist hurts. My feet are also sometimes wrinkled.”
“Have you checked with a doctor?” edward asked with a worried face.
“It seems unnecessary.” replied Mikaila briefly.
“Don't be that bad! You've been working late at night.”
“I'm all right, Ed? Maybe because I was standing in the cold lab for too long.” The woman gave up.
“Oh yes, you said there is something you want to talk to me about, what is Ed?” the woman tried to distract Edward.
“Before I wanted to ask you first, Mikaila.”
“Ya, what?”
“Do you believe that humans can change?”
“Of course you can!" mikaila smiled at the man before her.
"Look at you, Ed. You changed tonight. Usually you always order vodka or whiskey if you go to this place. But tonight you only order coffee.”
“Atmosphere here also changed. Look at them.” said Mikaila while inviting Edward to turn to the corner of the room.
Edward also said. There was a small stage in the corner of the room. Some of the men were playing acoustic music there. The melodious voice of the vocalist was heard bringing the old hits Another Day in the Paradise owned by Phill Colins. Looks like tonight's theme is golden memories. Because of their presence, the atmosphere of Khayangan Club feels more alive. Previously only music played from mp3 was heard by visitors.
“Many changes I met tonight.” said the woman turned back to Edward.
“Yes, you're right Mikaila. What remains in this life is change.” said the man philosophizing while his eyes were still focused on the stage.
“But do you believe that humans can change for the better?”
Now Edward looked at the woman.
“That's to say, Ed?” asked Mikaila frowned.
“Man who has always done what God dislikes, drunkenness, gambling, or adultery. Can he be good?”
"Ed, in fact all human beings are born to be good. When he goes through life, there are things that make him bad. So I believe if there are bad people can turn out to be good.”
“Why are you asking that? What exactly are you trying to say, Ed?”
“I want to turn into a better human being, Mikaila.”
Mikaila was flabbergasted by Edward's statement. The woman thought in her heart, what sin did the man commit until he wanted to repent well?
“What have you done, Ed? Changes like you mean?”
“Today I've wasted my life. I'm busy chasing money, career, having fun with many women regardless that I have God, I have family in my life.”
“Then what do you want now, Ed? You want to resign from your job and settle into a convent to become a priest? So?” cerca Mikaila's.
The woman is a little emotional, because the story that the man presents is also his life story.
“I want to get married, Mikaila. I want to have a child with a woman and build a small family Anderson.”
Mikaila just fell silent. He rubbed his face with both hands.
“Then, you will marry your model?” ask Mikaila.
“Not with him!” his rebuttal was quick after he knew what the woman meant was Anjani.
“Then who is that woman, Ed?” asked Mikaila in a hoarse voice.
I'm definitely not the woman you chose. In Mikaila's heart answered her own question. Suddenly there was a strange feeling, which he had never felt. A strange feeling that made his chest feel tight.
“The girl is named Siti Sarah. He's one of Zafora's best staff from Medan.” Edward said.
Suddenly Mikaila felt, the strange feeling that made her chest tight earlier, now turned into a drizzle in her heart.
“Will he accept your call?”
“I haven't even proposed to him.”
“Why, Ed?”
“I'm afraid he's turned it down.”
“Beautiful is she Ed? so it still rejects a man as handsome and as successful as you?”
“He is very beautiful and special, Mikaila. But there is a big thing that will be a barrier.”
“What is it, Ed?”
“He was a devout Muslim girl. And she will only marry a Muslim man too.”
“So it means..?” Mikaila guessing.
“Yes, maybe I will become a Muslim, Mikaila.” said Edward understood what the woman suspected.
“I can't believe all this. You're not the Edward I know. An Edward who doesn't want to bond with a woman.
“But human nature can change right? And I want to change for the better.”
“What has possessed you, Ed? Until you're willing to change the path of life just for the sake of a woman you just met.”
“I told you he was special. After all, all this time I have also wasted the way of life that God has given me.”
A moment of silence as they both were both drowning with their respective minds.
“So when are you going to propose to him?”
“Besok morning I'm going to Medan using the first flight to meet him. So tonight I invite you to meet here.”
“Even you took the time to meet me first. How important am I to you, Ed?” mikaila smiled wryly.
“You're my friend Mikaila. I want to share a story with you.”, said Edward.
“After tonight, I hope we will remain friends forever. But not a friend to let go of passion.”
Mikaila just fell silent. From Edward's words, he knew that the man wanted to end the relationship without the bond they had been living.
“As your friend, I want you to be happy, Mikaila. Try to move on from the shadows of your past. From now on open your heart to a man. Marry the one you love.”
Edward got up from his seat.
“It is very sad if in the old days, our lives are lonely in solitude."
"I said goodbye, Mikaila.”
“Will you sleep in my apartment tonight, Ed. For the last time.” said Mikaila expectantly while reaching for the hand of Edward who had stood up.
Edward smiled at Mikaila's invitation. Clutching the woman's fingers, Edward said.
"Sorry Mikaila, I can't. I have promised myself not to do that again to you.” he said while taking off the woman's hand.
“ Hopefully you are happy with the path of life that you take later, Ed.” said Mikaila turned her face like unwillingness.
“Thank you, Mikaila. Good night.”
Mikaila looked at the back of the man walking away from her with a sad feeling. A drop of tears fell on the woman's lap. Many men have come in his life, but only Edward who he cried his departure. He also doesn't know why he's crying. Happy or sad?
He should be happy to see that Edward has found a better way in life. But why does it feel like his heart is sad, because it will no longer be possible to be with the man?
An old song by Muhtar Embut sung by the vocalist accompanied Edward's departure from the place.
On your face I see the moon
Hiding in the corner
Sadarkah sir you were stared at by human beings
the thirsty shall caress
On your face I see the moon
Who lurked in the corner of the clink
Don't let my ‘ be friends
I wait for you sir
