MY FOSTER SON

Guilt

Kalingga looked up, looking at the young coconut fruit that was still hanging firmly at the top of the tree. Just looking at him from below, Kalingga's legs were already trembling. Why are beach coconut trees this tall?

"Andra, isn't anyone around here selling young coconuts?" ask Kalingga.

"Sorry, Brother. All your needs are provided in the villa, but for young coconuts it seems to have to climb directly on the tree" explained Andra.

Kalingga gulps down rough spit, let alone climbs a coconut tree whose trunk is long and slippery, climbs a mango tree only he never.

"Darling, should I climb it?" ask Jojo Kalingga. He hesitates to be able to do this.

"If you can't, it's okay, honey. I'll drink some water" Jojo replied. The woman was a little disappointed, but would not force Kalingga to do what the man could not.

But the face bent with his wife's pouting lips left Kalingga with no choice. Isn't his wife's wish simple? Then he should try it first and not give up so easily.

"Andra, do you know the benefits of young coconut water for young pregnant women?" Kalingga throws a question at Andra, hoping the boy has another way to get fruit without climbing the tree.

"Young coconut water is very good for pregnant women to consume in moderation. The content of natural vitamins and minerals is very good because it can help pregnant women avoid dehydration when experiencing nausea and vomiting" replied Andra.

"Wow, seriously? You answered it well," complimented Jojo. He was amazed because Andra could have knowledge about it.

"Now the boy looks even smarter than me," Kalingga's inner self. He regretted asking.

"Hmm, okay. I'll climb it, honey," said Kalingga, taking a deep breath. The man began to hold on to the trunk of the coconut tree, little by little, he raised his feet and flanked the trunk tightly.

Kalingga looked very difficult to climb a tree, he could not even climb more than a meter above the ground, it made Jojo and Andra silently stare a smile. It is clear that climbing is not a skill of the man.

Once twice tried, Kalingga could not go higher. He had not even reached a quarter of the height of the tree.

"Alright, Honey. It's okay, I can drink water" said Jojo. He felt sorry because Kalingga looked so exhausted.

"really? But you look like you really want to drink that coconut water, honey," said Kalingga.

"We'll buy it if we go back to town. I can hold myself back." Jojo smiled and acted as if he did not want the coconut fruit. After all, he was already too thirsty and could not wait.

Kalingga invites Jojo to sit down to enjoy the breeze under the coconut tree while waiting for Andra to take mineral water for them.

Despite saying that if he could hold back and buy coconuts when they returned to the city tomorrow, Jojo still repeatedly looked at the fruit hanging high at the top of the tree.

The villa stands sturdy with a modern home model but the walls and all the architecture using this wood look beautiful and comfortable. Jojo feels he can breathe fresh air well because air like this is very difficult to feel in urban areas.

"Good day, Mr and Mrs. Lunch is ready" said a middle-aged lami, aged fifty-five. He is Mr. Danu, the father of Andra and the person in charge of taking care of this villa.

"My name is Kalingga, sir. This is my wife, Jojo. Just call our names to make it more comfortable" Kalingga said.

"Okay, of course."

Kalingga asks Jojo to take a shower and change clothes to be more comfortable first. That way, his wife can be refreshed and can enjoy lunch calmly.

Ten minutes later, Jojo was out of his room. Kalingga took the woman after Mr. Danu to where they were going to have lunch.

Although far from the settlement, this island is very comfortable to be used as a place to live. What's more, all electronic equipment uses electricity obtained from solar power. Kalingga and Jojo did not mind despite the difficulty of contacting their three brothers at home because of the signal loss.

While heading to the food that has been prepared, Jojo and Kalingga look around. The whole building is made of wood, this villa is quite large. In the back area there is also a medium-sized swimming pool and a fish pond with an artificial fountain.

In the back garden, there are many flower plants. A forty-five-year-old woman was preparing food on a wooden table and smilingly greeted her two guests.

"Good day, please enjoy" he said. He introduced himself as Bu Ani, the wife of Mr. Danu and the person who helped them while on this island.

Jojo and Kalingga sat side by side while looking at all the neatly arranged menus on the table. A variety of seafood dishes are available, making Jojo impatient to eat them.

Grilled fish, squid, sauteed shells to seaweed ice look very tempting to eat.

"Do we have no coconut ice?" jojo asked with a slight whisper to Bu Ani.

"Ah, sorry, Madam. I can ask Andra or Mr. Danu to pick it if you want" replied Ms. Ani.

"No, Mom, there's no need. I'm just asking. Oh, ja. Just call me Jojo, yes, ma'am." Jojo nodded and smiled, not bothering anyone because of his desire.

The guilt of not being able to fulfill his wife's wishes made Kalinga uncomfortable, he felt that he was a bad husband just because he could not climb a coconut tree for his wife.

"If I can't climb the tree, wouldn't it be easier to knock it down?" inner Kalingga.

🖤🖤🖤