My Super Cool Boss's

Peace with the past.

Author's PoV

This breakfast event is still sponsored by the cuisine of Mama Kaina made as simple as possible, but still make the child and prospective daughter-in-law eat voraciously. Homemade chicken porridge and beef gulai with potluck spices.

After the meal, Kaina and Rayshaka sat in the living room. Kayla came out for a while to take her friend's stitching shirt that she had finished working on. While Kaina's mom is busy cleaning up old albums of family photos.

"Ray, come here. Aunt showing Kaina a photo as a child. You must not have thought that he was not as feminine now."

"Ih mama .. don't open my disgrace. Shameful to Ray," protested Kaina did not agree and wanted to seize the photo album, but Ray had more quickly darted moving towards his future mother-in-law.

"Nih ... used to be in SD, most do not like long hair. It must always be cut short like this."

Rayshaka laughs at little Kaina with her short hair. His 'welcome' bangs made his face even more chubby at ten years old. The skin is brown brown, but it has become his trademark since childhood.

"What's the photo again, Auntie?" Ray pointed at the photo as Kaina held the trophy while sitting on the floor.

"Oh that, he won the short story writing race. It was so good that he was at the time. Is that right, baby?"

"Oh? Can small people write you? I want to be a journalist."

Kaina smiled at Ray's praise. Moreover, the man did not forget to put an expression of love in the form of a pinch on the cheek.

"Well if this one, fitting him and Kayla in the same papa strap because the scramble crayon until the cry."

"Aah, cook anyway, Ma? Where is there ... take a look!" Kaina checks the truth her mother told her. Uh, sure enough, it's a photo of him and his sister having a fight because no one wants to budge on colored pencils. Both of them wear crayons.

"Funny yes, Kaina and Kayla as children. Kaina's nose looked like a big aunt," Ray muttered.

"He-em .. if Kayla is more to papa."

They looked at more photos. Kaina and her mother repeat each story behind each photo and Ray is so enthusiastic about hearing it that Kaina's hand turns over one sheet of the album and shows a photo that seems familiar to him.

"Eh, this photo .. how can it be here?"

"Eh?" Kaina and her mother follow Ray's index finger.

In the photo that means Ray there is himself and his mother when he was a teenager, with two people he just knew were Kaina's parents. He also found the photo in his mother's file and knew a little about the background of the photo. If the two are Kaina's parents, then ...?

"You ... know who these women and children are?" Kaina raised her eyes, hoping that Ray would shake his head.

"That ... I .. and mama ..."

Kaina spontaneously straightened herself while covering her mouth with both hands. In line with that, Kaina's mother was also surprised as she looked at Ray as if asking for an explanation.

"What .... man ... dying ... that time... was ... Papa you?" rayshaka's voice shook with fear.

Kaina's tears slid unconsciously. He was still in shock on the spot.

"Ray .. so .. the teenage boy who used to be with the woman .. is ... you?" Mama Kaina asked.

Rayshaka and Kaina still clashed as if sharing a shock. Ray seemed to know what was in his lover's mind at this time.

"Kaina .. I .. just found out ...."

"It seems .. a. .. I .. will not go to Bandung," Kaina said quickly and then ran to her room.

Rayshaka rubbed her face slowly. It happened too fast until he could not think at all.

Her future mother-in-law also fell silent, nailing her gaze at the photo she feared would be the source of trouble between Kaina and Ray.

Beyond the estimate, Ray picked up his phone, then called one of the contacts there.

"Ma .. Has it reached Bandung? Oh... Where is papa? Oh so. Ma, it seems like Ray's plan is for Kaina to come home, back off a little. There's a problem, can't go home today. Hm. Okay ma. Later delivered. Bye ..."

As Ray closed his phone, he immediately approached his future father-in-law who was still glued with a blank look.

"Tante .." he said, grabbing the middle-aged woman's hands, and looking at her with pity, "forgive me ..."

The woman's tears fell on the back of Ray's hand.

"I don't mean to reopen the family wound. I apologize, Auntie," Ray's tears unwittingly spilled. He kissed the back of the wet woman's hand.

"I wouldn't have known this at all if it wasn't for looking at the photo, Auntie ..."

Still quiet, quiet...

After that, suddenly Kaina's mother's hand moved to release Ray's grasp. Made the man lift his face, pounding with what would happen next.

The woman rubbed Ray's wet face. He could see the sadness emanating from the young boy's eyeballs. The fear he felt was the same as Ray's fear. They were both worried about Kaina.

"It's okay, son. We're all just surprised. Auntie knows you're a good boy."

Ray was crying again. He dropped his head on the woman's lap. She was so scared that she had to lose Kaina.

"Maybe God has indeed addressed you as a replacement for his late father Kaina. No matter what the past is, we have to make peace with it. Auntie's sure Kaina will understand."

"Thank you, Aunt." Ray burst out hugging the tiny body of the strong woman in front of him. Kaina was really lucky since childhood she was educated and raised by this kind of tough woman, Ray's inner self.

*****

Kaina's PoV

How could I possibly spend the rest of my life with the son of someone who had already caused papa's death?

God, why would Ray? Why should it be like this?

I ignored the sound of knocking on the door of the room for the second time. Mama and Ray took turns to call me softly. But my heart can somehow be as hard as steel. I don't want to be persuaded. Even if it was my mom.

*****

Author's PoV

It's one o'clock in the afternoon. Rayshaka was still standing in the doorway of Kaina's room.

Kayla who already knew the incident coaxed Kayla with her gentle mane.

Without them noticing, Kaina was fast asleep inside. Tired of crying because they feel the burden alone.

*****

Rayshaka sits on the porch of the house breathing the night air. His slightly swollen eyes felt sore from the wind.

Seven o'clock nights ... Kaina did not come out of her room. Luckily this afternoon the girl texted Kayla, telling them not to tease her. So Ray knows if he's okay in there. Though dozens of Ray's chats were not read at all.

He apologized in the chat he sent. He did not know that Kaina was the daughter of a man who had been mobbed because of her mother. Ray doesn't know that at all. But Ray still blames himself for their past.

Ray's shoulder was patted slowly. Mama Kaina was already standing next to him.

"Kaina hasn't replied to your chat?"

"Yet, Aunt ..."

Ray lowered his head. Sighs slowly.

"Yes aunt. Ready." Ray resigned. What could he do? Break down the room door? He's not that disengaged. He knows Kaina. The girl does not like to be disturbed if she is not feeling well.

"You calm down. Auntie sure you're already God's destined soul mate to be together."

"Yes aunt. Hopefully ...."

The silent dinner. There is no Kaina. No one is talking. Even the sound of a spoon that collides with the plate is so minimized so as not to make a fuss.

*****

Ten o'clock night ... Ray sat back in the chair on the terrace. He doesn't feel right in the room. He shook his heart and head. Moreover, her guest room is next to Kaina's room.

Ray looked at his phone again. The message was read by the girl. But not willing to pay it back.

Ray shaking. What if Kaina isn't willing to talk to him until tomorrow? Does he have to go back to Bandung alone?

Ray ventured to call Kaina's phone.

Without her guessing, Kaina picked up her phone! Ray's heart suddenly beat violently.

But silent. Kaina won't talk.

"Here .. I'm on the porch," Ray rules slowly.

"You're the only one here. The door is not locked."

"God ..."

Ray turned off his phone, then breathed a sigh of relief. Kaina finally wants to talk.

Ray went inside the house, then locked the door. Checking curtains. After everything is safe, she knocks on Kaina's room. The girl let in.

Ray didn't close the door. She still knows the limits even though she is very anxious to be alone with her lover.

Kaina sat down while hugging her knees on the bed. He watches Ray's approaching steps, then sits next to him.

His eyes caught Ray's eyes. Making the girl feel guilty already made her so.

Ray sat on the side of his bed. I looked at it so deeply, so full of sadness.

Kaina's hand stretched out, touching the man's cheek.

"I'm sorry .." whispered slowly. Tears of guilt were shed again. Slicing Ray's heart as hard as he could.

The man grabbed Kaina's hand and kissed her many times.

"I'm too selfish to have wronged you" Kaina continued sobbing softly.

Ray couldn't take it anymore. Everything Kaina has to do has always made her sentimental. Her tears did not shyly come out along with a slow-sounding whim.

Kaina really didn't expect Ray to be that sentimental. Is he that bad?

He pulled Ray's hand and asked him to come closer. The man complies. Really weak now.

Kaina hugged him tightly, full of love. It felt so regretful that it made the man have to shed tears because of it.

"I'm sorry," Kaina apologized once again. Cheeked Ray deeply.

Ray returned his embrace, stroking his head gently, full of affection.

"I, who should be apologizing, have opened your old wounds. I'm sorry ...."

Kaina took off her embrace. Withdraw. He cupped his hands together on the man's cheeks. His thumb moved to clean the tears that were still left there.

"I love you ..."

"I love you more, baby."

"I'm sorry, it's been making you sad all day."

"It's been .. nothing," Ray rubbed Kaina's hair. Kissed her forehead again.

They return to anchor each other in their arms. Forgive each other, make peace with each other.

After all this time...

"Tante must be glad you're better ..."

"Ah yes .. I have to go to my mother's room. Mama must be confused with my attitude."

Ray nodded. "Do you want me to be with you?"

Kaina shakes. "Thank you dear. Just wait for me in the viewing room."

Ray nodded for sure. He'll wait for Kaina to finish talking to her mother. After all, he was still not satisfied to release his longing to the girl who had disappeared for one day.

*****

About twenty minutes, Kaina and her mother came out of the room. Together, side by side. Seeing him Ray smiled happily.

"Son Ray .. he said Kaina was hungry. Aunty wants to cook fried rice. Would you like some masakin?"

"Well, bother auntie ..."

"No. Masakin one portion or two portions of the stove fire is the same. It makes no difference."

"Oh .. I'll do it then, Tan. Hehe..." Ray smiled faintly, revealing all his white teeth.

"OKAY. Just a minute, yeah. You guys just talk to me."

After Kaina's mother left for the kitchen, Kaina sat next to Ray. Gawked at his lover's arm and swung spoiled.

"I miss you ..." Ray poked his nose.

"Kiss dong ..." Kaina asked courageously.

"There's aunty loh ..."

"It won't get caught. Ayoo ..." Kaina thrusts her reddened lips. Very aggressive.

Ray watched the surroundings for a moment, then pressed his lips over the girl's lips.

Even though it was just a moment, the kiss managed to make the hearts of both of them vibrate and return to flowery.

*****