Love Wrapped Nista

Invitation of dinner

After yesterday failed to visit Panti, today Zahra decided to go to the place where he grew up.

The arrival of Zahra was warmly welcomed by Bu Nurma who still looks healthy at her age.

They also chatted warmly while sipping green tea in the backyard Panti.

Not many of the children of the orphanage that Zahra recognized now, because almost all the children of the orphanage that used to grow up with him, already have their own lives. Some are adopted by others and some have come out of the Panti because they feel mature and want to live independently.

One of the independent children is Dito, a boy who used to tease Zahra and Ken, surely he is also an adult now.

According to Bu Nurma's story, Dito had worked in a paper factory as a production foreman. That made him decide to leave Panti, s

In addition to not want to burden Panti, Dito also feels independent and can finance his own life. Dito also often gives some of his provisions to share with the children of Panti.

The only child still living in the orphanage is Cira, who has now grown into a 16-year-old teenage girl. Cira is classified as an introverted girl and Zahra feels Cira is the same as herself in the past.

"Cira ... still remember Big Brother, don't you?" Zahra greeted Cira, the teenager turned and shook his head slowly towards Zahra.

Cira used to be the smallest child among the other orphanage children, she has been cared for from a baby since being found in the yard. His fate is almost the same as Zahra who suffered a similar fate. In a way, Zahra knows Cira's feelings that eventually close themselves to many people and does not want to be adopted.

"Cira, Brother's name, Zahra. Brother used to live in this place when Cira was a child. Cira used to call Big Brother with the call 'Kak Hana', remember not?" Zahra smiled gently at Cira who still looked quiet from a long time ago.

The teenage girl also seemed to think hard, sometimes her forehead shriveled and the next minute she immediately smiled like a finger.

"Sir Hana .." said Cira at last.

"You remember the same brother?"

Cira nodded her head. Zahra hugged the teenage girl as a form of release of his longing, Cira like his little sister who since baby he had timang-timang when he was still very young.

Zahra also remembered, if he used to teach Cira reading, writing, counting and teaching.

"Sister Hana, I heard that big brother went to college in a place that jauuuhh..." Cira spread out both her hands as a long-distance signal like the one in her shadow.

Zahra nodded. "Yes, Cira. But now Brother has come home and will settle in this city" he replied.

Cira nodded enthusiastically, then they talked about the daily activities of the teenage girl.

It turns out Cira had just entered private High School, she said that there she did not have many friends. Zahra also smiled, this conversation made him remember his High School and Cira's speech was like telling him first-who also had no friends. The only friend she is familiar with is Lala, her best friend.

Ah, how's Lala doing now, huh?

Suddenly, Zahra remembered her colleague, whom she had never known since she had been studying in the other country.

And one more thing, Zahra also remembered Ken. The man who had unwittingly become his friend and accidentally met him yesterday afternoon.

Zahra hurriedly turned her mind about Ken, not wanting to dissolve in imagining the man, because she was afraid that the feelings that were difficult to explain first returned again at this time. He continued to listen to Cira's story carefully.

Until finally, Zahra's phone rang and Frans' name appeared on it. Inevitably, Cira's story must stop, because Zahra has asked permission to receive the voice call.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Ra ..."

"Wa'alaikumsalam, what's up Frans?" ask Zahra.

"I just want to let you know if I've arrived home, in Indonesia."

Zahra just remembered that Frans today will leave for their home country. Maybe he forgot about it.

"Oh, yes ... Alhamdulillah .." said Zahra at last.

"What are you doing, Ra? Have you been to work today?"

"It just so happens not yet, maybe tomorrow, because today I'm visiting Panti. It's okay, right?"

There was a little laugh from Frans across the street. "Of course, Ra. You come in early next month is okay too" he replied.

Zahra chuckled. "Yes, I was immediately fired disrespectfully because of the length of time off," he said.

Long enough they threw a crisp conversation that was accompanied by that familiarity laugh. Until suddenly Frans speech again resuscitated Zahra about an offer that he has not decided to this day.

"Where is my proposal, Ra? Do you have the answer now?"

Zahra is actually comfortable with Frans, only he considers Frans as his boss and even more, just an ordinary friend.

"Frans, it seems like I can't accept that proposal," Zahra replied softly.

___

"Frans, it seems like I can't accept that proposal," Zahra replied softly.

Frans let out a long sigh for a moment, why did Zahra reject him too quickly? He would even wait for Zahra's answer another month or year if necessary, provided that the girl's answer would match what he expected.

"Why, Ra?" Finally Frans asked back with a choked tone of voice, for some reason he had to feel claustrophobic with Zahra's rejection, when he could have gotten a girl who was much prettier than a simple girl like Zahra.

"Because I think you're just a friend of mine, Frans."

"Didn't all relationships start from friendship, if we both feel comfortable, I don't think it's difficult to establish a relationship to a more serious level" he explained.

"I know, I know that very well, Frans. Sorry if this rejection disappointed you. But I don't think marriage is a joke. Marriage is the longest of all other worship."

Frans was silent, a little bit of Zahra's words were true, but here he did not want to play a marriage bond and he sincerely wanted to marry this girl.

"Can't you think about it anymore, Ra? Who knows in the future your answer today could change ..."

"Sorry, Frans ..." That's all Zahra said without going anywhere, even though Frans needed an explanation from the girl, which part of her was less interesting until Zahra rejected her like this?

But, Frans appreciates enough the decision of a Zahra, he tries to accept this, in other words, will again persuade Zahra as time goes by.

Frans hoped Zahra's decision would change later and now he tries not to impose his will. He wanted everything to flow just like that even though his heart would not give up.

"Okay, I accept your decision. But we're still friends, right?"

"Of course, Frans. I'm glad you're this mature to accept my decision."

Hopefully your decision will change! Because behind this friendship that I offer, I will try more and more to take your heart, Zahra! - Inner Frans.

"Yes, Ra. Um, then ... What if we had dinner tonight?"

"Two?" zahra asked in a tone quite surprised to be sure.

"If I told you both, would you like to?" frans Kekeh.

"Em, I ...." Zahra sounded hesitant from across the street and Frans realized that such a thing would be rejected again by Zahra.

"No, really, Ra! We had dinner with my family. Consider it an invitation to dinner together, in order to welcome my return to this country," Frans said hurriedly explaining before Zahra again refused.

"But, won't your family have any problems with my presence?"

"No way, Ra ... My dad even wants to know you!"

"Well, where's the dinner?"

"Can I pick you up?"

"No, I'll be there by taxi."

Frans again sighed in disappointment, Zahra did not give access to him so that he could freely approach the girl.

Not wanting to argue, Frans finally relented.

"Well, I'll send you the location, yeah, Ra."

"alright... Assalamu'alaikum."

"Thank you, Ra. Wa'alaikumsalam."

...Connect ......