My Lovely Cousin's

Chapter 48: The Last Request

Aunt Yumna hugged Zara's tiny body tightly as a result of the longing that had erupted. The middle-aged woman last met her niece when she was 14. Zara hugged her Aunt tightly, her father's sister reminded Zara of her mother who had passed away. Her tears suddenly fell in memory of her mother.

"Auntie, I miss you" said Zara Lirih.

"Yes son, we all miss. Strengthen yourself." Aunt Yumna replied as she gently stroked Zara's hair.

Ran, Saga and Tahira who were standing around them were also feeling sad. Because the three of them had never felt like Zara had.

After a while Zara was escorted by Tahira to the second floor to rest in the room that had been reserved for Zara. They walk while talking lightly.

"How was your trip?" ask Tahira.

"Fluent. You're on your own, since when are you here?"

"Since a week ago. You know, I postponed the lecture because mom suddenly told us to go home." Tahira said.

"Please be patient, you're going to college." Zara patted the girl's shoulder gently.

They arrived at the white door, which was Zara's temporary room.

"Then get some rest, I'll have Saga bring you some food and milk. You must be so tired, right?" Tahira.

Zara nodded slowly, hearing Tahira say milk made Zara remember that she had not drank the drink for a long time.

"Alright but if Saga doesn't mind. If he's busy let me go alone to the kitchen after rest."

"OKs. See you soon." Tahira waved his hand and then moved.

Zara laid her body on the bed, then closed her eyes. His tiredness had not disappeared and it seemed like he needed to rest until the afternoon.

"Actually I'd love to wander around, but there's no other choice, I need to rest. Huufft." he muttered inwardly.

Shortly afterwards there was a knock on the door, and the one who knocked was Saga. The girl shouted to tell the knocker to come in.

The door opened and Zara was shocked and twisted out of her sleep. It was not Saga who knocked on the door but Ran.

"Eat first and then rest" said Ran after saving the tray he carried.

"So why did you bring me food?" ask Zara wonder.

"Why? Don't you want me to see you again?" answered Ran so sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Ah, that's not what I meant." Zara shakes.

"Then?"

"So Tahira said Saga's sister will bring me food. Turns out it wasn't, which is why I asked." explains Zara.

"Oh like that." said Ran followed by a slow nod.

"When are we going to mom's grave?" ask Zara a few moments later.

"Tomorrow."

Zara leaned her body on the head of the bed while holding a glass of warm milk with Ran sitting in front of her.

"Rest, this afternoon the whole family will be together. So be prepared." said Ran.

"But I'm not sure if I'm sleeping now and I'll wake up before afternoon, because the problem is I'm too tired."

"I'll come to wake you up. Just relax."

After she finished eating and drinking her milk, Zara lay down. This time his eyes were tired. When traveling he could not sleep properly because he always felt anxious. Hitchhiking in someone else's car seems like a bad thing to do both times. Zara finally fell asleep.

...*****...

In the garden behind Aunt Yumna's house was an iron swing perched under a shady mango tree. The place has always been the most comfortable foothold for Saga and Tahira to enjoy their togetherness, just the two of them. When others are resting, they take advantage of the time to be together as a substitute for rest. Tahira was in Saga's arms that afternoon, and they sat on the swings comfortably.

"Earlier. And if that happens I will be very grateful. But unfortunately, we are indeed brothers." replied Saga who contained a little bit of bitterness.

"Sister, do you know what Mom's condition is right now?" Tahira stared at Saga's eyes.

"Yes I know. Then what do you want?"

"Never show this relationship or admit it in front of your mother. Enough of the four of us to know. I'm ashamed of my mother and also afraid to make things worse."

"I would never say this to my mother. I also know how she feels."

...*****...

The next day, Aunt Yumna, Saga, Tahira, Ran and Zara went to the family tomb not far from Yumna's aunt's residence. Zara set her foot toward a tomb whose soil looked brand new. He crouched down and stared at the gravestone bearing the name of his mother, Tamara Camelia Zulfa. Sniffing her mother's headstone while crying, Zara recalled the last time she met and talked to her 5 months ago at the dock.

He remembered that day when his mother had only returned home for a few hours, then returned to Yumna's aunt's residence. And unexpectedly, it was their last meeting. Zara shed tears. Closing his eyes deep. Grasping all the memories that were ever painted with his mother during his life.

Ran approached and grabbed Zara's body. Gives warmth and a sense of calm so that the girl does not dissolve so far. Aunt Yumna, Tahira and Saga crouched down in front of them. Just like Zara, the three of them were also staring with sadness at Zara's mother's tombstone.

'After your departure, I also feel that I will soon follow, Sister Tamara. Wait for me, and when the time has come, we will meet in a different world. I miss my brother too, Brother Albar. You must miss me too, right?' inner Aunt Yumna.

Finished from the 70th anniversary of the departure of Ms. Zara, they returned home. Arriving there, Aunt Yumna chose to go into her room because she felt her body instantly limp.

"Mom will rest in the room" aunt Yumna told Saga and Tahira.

The four of them sat on the living room sofa. Shortly afterwards, the sound of falling objects came from Aunt Yumna's room. Saga quickly got up and ran to the room, before long Tahira also got up. Seeing his two cousins so panicked, Zara also followed them. There is no sign for Ran, he also moved.

Once until Saga immediately rounded his eyes followed by fear. She saw her mother on the floor with a pale face but still with a smiling face.

"Sister, please help mom to lie down on the bed" said Aunt Yumna who sounded powerless.

"Mother, if you want something just call Saga. Don't do anything alone. I was worried that she would fall again." said Saga after laying her mother on the bed.

Now the four of them were in Aunt Yumna's room. Saga and Tahira sat on both sides of the mother holding her hand. While Ran and Zara stood at the end of the bed while staring sadly at the Aunt.

"Mother there is one request for Rara" said aunt Yumna who looked directly at Tahira.

"What request is mother?" ask Tahira.

"Mom wants you to get married before you leave."

The four men rounded their eyes to hear Aunt Yumna's words. Saga's heart immediately rumbled.

"Ah, mom. Don't talk like that. You're gonna get well, aren't you, sister?" Tahira looked at Saga.

"Yes ma'am, we'll always take care of you." Saga nodded.

"Mom just wants to see mom's daughter happy. Marry Rara, this is the mother's last wish." said Aunt Yumna who successfully broke Saga's heart.

If Tahira gets married then automatically they will end their forbidden relationship and will create a hole in the hearts of both. Saga is not ready to feel that, moreover, he has promised Tahira will continue to be by the girl's side forever.

Tahira thought for a moment, weighing his mother's words. I don't know why it feels so hard to accept the mother's last request. Accepting that request meant that he was ready to lose Saga. But if he refuses, he dares to defy his mother. Tahira looked at Saga expectantly, asking for an opinion so that he would not take the wrong step that would result in the destruction of their feelings. Saga resigned, did not know what to do.

"Who do you want to marry Rara to?" tanya Tahira, real prank. He just wanted to hear if his mother hadn't gotten a candidate, so there was still time for her to change her mind.

"Ran." said Aunt Yumna.

The atmosphere of the room turned tense. Both Ran and Zara instantly stared at each other.

"Mother has told this to Akira and she has agreed to it." continued Aunt Yumna.

Degg, the sound of the four men's hearts beating, the pain was now seeping in their hearts.

"What?" said Ran with a surprised tone.