Not a Choice

02

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...~ If you are a memory, you are the most beautiful memories that color my life. But I hope that you will not only be a memory, but a hope that I can later stop. ~...

...Kalingga Byakta's...

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Ata still faithfully embrace the idol of the heart. He let Runa vent her grief. Perhaps, this was the last time he became a leaning ground for Runa. He also wanted to enjoy this moment.

There is no swearing outward from that sweet lips. Lips that always become opium for Ata. Lips that always say love with love. Ata gently stroked Runa's mane. The clear call also escaped the corner of his eye, but soon he ca.

“If when I return and have achieved my goals you are still alone, I promise to fight for you, Run. I'll make you my wife, mother of my children.” A promise that only Ata could deliver in her heart.

“You can maki-maki me, Run. Get out of all your disappointments. Don't just cry like gini. My heart hurts more see you like gini,” pinta Ata.

There was only a sobbing sound coming out of those tiny lips. Runa himself has difficulty to vent all the emotions that whack in the chest. It feels very sick, so that Runa is unable to describe.

Angry, disappointed, desperate, all struggling into one. Striking with her fragile heart. There is only a little hope left. Runa hoped, Ata changed her decision.

After being satisfied with crying, Runa broke away from Ata. Manik they meet. Dive into each wound through a sad highlight that looms.

“Ata,” Ogre Runa.

“Ya, Run.” Ata wiped away the remaining tears on Runa's cheeks.

“There is no hope for our relationship?”

Termangu. He shook weakly. “I'm sorry, Run.”

“Think once again, Ta. Four years we've always been together. Now all of a sudden we have to separate, live each other's lives. What do you think we can get through? If you could, would you not think of me? Can I do it without you?” Runa. Staring at Ata with a glance.

Ata cupped Runa's cheeks with both of her palms. He kissed that forehead for so long. “Once again forgive me, Run. I can't. We still have to end our relationship.”

Again, the clear grains back into the river. Moist eyes and wet cheeks are evidence of the pain that Runa experienced. “Really everything does not mean?” racau Runa's. He asked himself this question, but Ata responded.

“Not like that, Run. You mean so much to me.”

“Long!” refute Runa, “if I mean to you, you will not want to end our relationship.”

Silent. Ata could no longer deny. Runa threw Ata's still loyal hand around her cheek. Back Runa wiped away the coarse tears that faithfully flowed.

Runa and Ata were both bowed. Staring at the green grass that swung following the direction of the baby. The grass is always faithful without ever asking where the baby is going. It was as if mocking the two of them who were being overwhelmed with grief.

Now Runa won't be caving anymore. It was enough that he knew what he meant to Ata. He is no more important to Ata's own ambitions.

“Good, if that's what you want.”

Ata raised her head, turning towards Runa who was still faithful to see the grass.

“I let you go. Go then! I'm no longer a nobody to you. Let's just say what we've been through together yesterday is just a meaningless game.”

“Run?” Spicy words spoken by Runa were able to shake the corner of Ata's heart. Like a dagger that slices to make him grimace.

“From now on remove the name Runa in your heart, mind, and mouth, so as not to burden your steps. May you succeed in achieving your goals.” Runa got up from sitting without intending to see Ata's face for the last time. “Goodbye, Byakta Kalingga.”

With steady steps, Runa left the dumbstruck Ata. The crystal fell back from the corner of Ata's eye. Tightness squeezes the heart, until it feels Ata can not get through. Ata stared at Runa's small back which was getting away until it was lost from sight.

“I'm sorry, Run. Really forgive me,” shriek in a million regrets. He cupped his own face to hide the tears that were still faithfully dripping.

“You are the happiest memory I have ever made in my life. You are the color that can bring the story in my stride. I don't even know if I'm without you what I would be, because you're the beat in my veins. I'm gonna miss you so much, Run. Wait for me back.”

...***...

“Honey, why so long?” The voice greeted Runa's sense of hearing after she approached her family members.

“Mbak Runa is crying?” runi asked after looking through Rina's puffy eyes.

Father and mother also memicing Runa. “There's something wrong, son?”

“Nothing, Dad. Was sad because of the same goodbye just,” kilah Runa, “so much food, Ma?” Runa tried to distract. He did not want his family to be more suspicious of his condition. A sweet smile was presented to cover the remains.

“Involuntarily mom pesen much, let you fatten little.”

“Only am I less fat?” Runa took a spoonful of her favorite sweet sour squid for her to put on her plate.

“You look really skinny, you know, Ma'am. Different from the same you who look more contained,” explained the mother.

“Golden reunion, yes, Ma?” Runi which is said to contain by the mother also watched his body to invite the smile of the father.

“You are not fat but bohay, Dek,” taunted Runa.

“Is ... Runa Maam. Biarin Runi bohay, from Mbak Runa skinny flat. One slam instantly broke all, tuh, his bones.”

The mockery between brother and sister continued until the lunch was over. They all look happy. Other people can certainly guess if they are a harmonious family. Lina and Lukman are so proud to have beautiful and smart daughters like Runa and Runi.

...***...

“Everything is set up, Son?” Maya approaches the boy who is packing.

“Already, Ma.”

Without feeling it today was the day of his departure. Ata wanted to see Runa one last time, but unfortunately, since her last meeting on campus, Runa could no longer be contacted. Ata has tried to contact Runa's closest friend, but nil because Ayu – close friends Runa –have returned to his hometown after graduation and did not know about Runa.

“Ayo departing!” take Hasan.

Ata took a long breath. Dismissed her hopes of meeting Runa. All are unforgettable memories. Ata just hopes, someday he can meet Runa back to start everything again from the beginning.

The black Inova, driven by Ata and her family, arrived at Juanda Airport on time. Hasan and Maya release their only son with haru. A little girl who was there was also moved.

“Tante and Om titip Ata, yes, Al.” Maya rubs gently on the shoulder of a girl she calls Al.

The girl smiled sweetly, “Tante same Om just calm down. Al will take good care of Mas Ata during Al there.”

“How long is the holiday there, Al?” ask Hasan.

“Amonth, Om. While waiting to enter college.”

“Greet your oma, yes.”

“Good, Om. Later Al will tell the same oma."

Ata just silently watched the interaction of his parents with the girl he knew her name was Alea. A little girl who accompanied him on his way to the land of Queen Elizabeth.

Just a month ago Ata knew the girl through her budenya when asked by the bude to take her to the official event. To Ata, Alea was a fun girl. Her tenderness made Ata admire Alea's figure. He said, beautiful in appearance, his body is a complete package that can attract the sympathy of the adam without bother.

...***...

After a week of self-soothing, Runa tried to rise from the slump. Once again he will try to prevent Ata's departure from her life. He is not sure he can get through his day without Ata.

Many times Runa tried to contact Ata's number, but never connected until he contacted David –sahabat Ata. Runa calmed down when he heard from David. A word he regrets. Be late. His ata has gone.

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...To be Continued .... ...

...Don't forget to leave a trace. 🤗...