Meeting Point

deliberation

Conversation is the chosen way to solve a problem in a good way. Aretha thought that serious talks would be held in her home or in Azka's house. At least a closed room that would not give the other party a chance to know, let alone interfere. But it turns out the assumption is wrong, compared to choosing a closed house, this meeting actually took place in one of the restaurants in Bandung, more precisely on the second floor of the restaurant. Where, the entire second floor had been rented and no one could enter it.

Not only the place that made Aretha surprised, but also the presence of Umi and Abi, and again the presence of mother and om Radi, further adding to Aretha's shock. He thought, those two people will not show themselves again, after last night's quarrel. But apparently, at Umi and Abi's persuasion, Oma and Opa finally relented. He said that mother and Om Radi had equal rights, even they had more rights to care for Aretha, than Oma and Opa who did not have any blood ties. Or the father of Bani, because Aretha was not the real daughter of his father.

"Everything has gathered, let this deliberation begin. Aretha, our meeting is here to talk about your future, and where you will live next. Of course, the decision you choose must be based on your own wishes. There is no compulsion and for all of you, you must accept whatever is the desire and choice of Aretha" Abi said.

"First, Oma and Opa want you to stay with them in Germany and continue your education there. Then, Rama wants you to stay behind the Board, along with him and his wife, continue your education there and study at Pesantren as you wish. And your father wants you to stay in Yogjakarta with his wife and continue your education there. And this, as you know, they are both your biological parents, they want you to come with them, and live with them and your sister in Tangerang. You could say, they want to make amends in the past" said Abi explained the purpose of this meeting.

"Aretha you are now 18 years old, you already have the right to determine your own life. Without coercion or anything, you have the right to choose who to stay with after this?" said Opa next.

"I...."

Aretha hesitated to say what she wanted, because she had never thought of this. During this time, he thought of settling in his homeland in Bandung together with Azka. Pursue his dreams and ideals in the land of Sunda. However, after Azka's departure, Aretha seemed to forget the direction and confused what to continue her life with.

It would not be a lie if Aretha was happy with all the love given to her, in the past, no one even wanted to stay with her. In the past he was thrown away, and there was only Azka who was always by his side.

So, right now, he was too confused by his circumstances. He was at a loss to respond to what this feeling of excessive affection would look like. Is he worthy? Does he deserve all this? Azka leaves without getting the love of her real father, om-Radi. So too brother Rama who will return to the Back of the Board, without having time to get love and affection from the mother. Does he deserve all this? While there are people who expect it, without having time to accept it.

"Alright, don't be too forced. How about we listen to what kind of reasons make them want you to stay with them" Abi said.

"Maybe it can start from Oma and Opa?"

Oma and Opa straightened up, staring at the clingy Aretha "we raised Aretha from her slump, until now. When many people abandoned him, he took various actions to end his own life. Me, my husband and Azka took care of him and always stayed by his side. Although we have no blood relation whatsoever to Aretha, but we want the best life for Aretha. Therefore, instead of leaving him alone here, I want to take him and take care of him in Germany. I will give him the freedom to choose the path of his life, whether pursuing his dream of becoming a psiocologist or not" Oma explained. The middle-aged woman, looking at Aretha fixedly accompanied by a genuine smile.

"As Oma said, you have no blood relation whatsoever. What makes you want to take care of Aretha, whereas you know that Aretha is the child born of my infidelity. Wouldn't it be appropriate if you hated him, because Lia, your daughter died because I was the father of Aretha" suddenly Om Radi asked a pretty sensitive question, the question that was able to slice through Aretha's heart slowly.

Oma looked at Radi annoyed "i'm not like you Radi!! And don't equate Aretha with you, she doesn't have any faults, she's not as bad as you two!!" Firm Oma emotion.

"Calm Oma" said brother Rama while rubbing Oma's shoulder slowly.

"We love Aretha as much as our own grandchildren. He is no different from our grandson Azka. For life, Lia and Azka never hated Aretha. Even at the end of the drift, Lia was still worried about Aretha living alone. How could we hate people who are loved so much by our children and grandchildren" Opa who initially sat in forgiveness, finally spoke up.

During knowing the figure of Aunt Lia, he was a good person who always accompanied Aretha like his own daughter. In fact, when he had a fight with Azka. Compared to defending Azka, Aunt Lia will always defend Aretha and end up berating Azka. Though at that time, maybe Lia's aunt already knew if Aretha was the child of her own husband's affair. But never once did Aunt Lia change or antagonize Aretha.

How could Om Radi cheat on a person as good as Aunt Lia, not only her beautiful face but her heart was also so beautiful and clean. Had Azka been alive, Aretha would have embraced her sister saying she was grateful to have a sister and aunt as good as them. Unfortunately, there is nothing that Aretha can do but pray for them, hopefully in the best place, namely Allah SWT.

Right now, all Aretha could do was repair herself, and plant goodness wherever her feet rested. So that good people like Aunt Lia and Azka never become extinct on earth. Because as maanusians, we must color the times, not be colored by the times.