Not a Choice

32

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...“My regret may not have brought things back the way they were, but trust me my determination to make you happy is a fact I will strive for.”...

...~Byakta Kalingga~...

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Silent. Runa and Alea were silent to each other. They are busy with their own thoughts. Alea realized, what Runa said was indeed true. His love for Ata made him forget the happiness of others. He wanted Ata. Selfish indeed, so he recklessly wanted to take Khan from Runa. The shortcut he took, in fact, only added to Runa's wound was increasingly gaping.

"Go home, Al! Don't bother my life and Khan anymore. Don't make the burden of my mind increase with your stupid intentions. Go, Alea! Sorry, I had to kick you out. I don't want Khan to see our debate!” runa firmly full of emphasis.

Runa managed to disperse the reverie of Alea. “I'm sorry, Run!” he said with regret. Not wanting to mince words anymore, Alea immediately left Runa's house.

***

David is again upset by Ata. The reason, it has been three days ata asked David to accompany her to find the address of Runa's new parents' house. Runa's house that Ata once came to, it turns out that now it has been occupied by others. Ata also tried to ask the person about the whereabouts of Runa's parents. But they seem reluctant to tell.

"Sorry, Sir. Do you know where Mr Lukman's family lives now?" Ata tried to find information to a base motorcycle taxi driver. People who usually hang out in front of the alley of Runa's house, and always take Runa first during college.

“Sorry, who is this Mas? Why look for the whereabouts of Mr Lukman?” ask the taxi driver curiously.

“I am Runa's college friend first. Coincidentally we lost communication because I continued studying abroad,” explained Ata politely. Making the biker of mangosteen. Believe in his words.

"Sorry, Mas. But I don't know. As I recall, Mr. Lukman moved suddenly too, Mas. So do not have time to say goodbye to residents here.”

Ata grunting. His face looked pias with the reply of the carpenter. “Alright then. Thanks for the time, yes, Mr.”

The taxi driver nodded and saw Ata walking towards his car. Ata restores her coarse hair when she gets back in the car. He let out a heavy breath expelling his frustration.

"Vid, how? There's no info yet from the other teams. I need to see Runa's parents as soon as possible, Vid. Don't let that man really take Runa and Khan away from me." Ata frustrations. The shadow of the lost Runa and Khan dancing in the eye crackers. It irritated him half to death.

"Runa, you have to come back to me. This time I will fight for you. I won't waste you and Khan anymore. You're my only goal now, "inner Ata.

David could only sigh after seeing the behavior of his best friend. There is a sense of disappointment that rolls the heart for his best friend. David never thought his best friend could be this asshole. Leaving Alea to pursue her past, but David could not comment more, because he did not feel ata's position.

"Ta, are you sure of your decision? Have you really forgotten Alea? Poor him, think again! Runa is happy, Ta. As for Alea, you know for yourself how much she's like you. Open your eyes, Ta!" david said as he drove back to his car. He tries to revive his friend who returned blind to his love for Runa.

"Don't say much about you, Vid. You don't know what it's like to be me. So don't patronize me," circus Ata, “if you mind helping me, I can do it myself.”

Not wanting to argue anymore, David chose to stay silent and focus on driving his car. There is no way he left his best friend and left Ata alone to face all the problems of life that are now suffering from it.

***

After several days of searching for information about the whereabouts of Runa's parents, it seemed like this time Ata could breathe a sigh of relief. He has got the address of Runa's parents' house, from one of the teacher's friends who used to teach at the same school as Lina–ibu Runa's birth.

"Related, would you like to go alone?" david asked as they both had breakfast at David's apartment.

"Of course, this is my business, Vid. You just calm down. Just pray, hopefully after this my path to get Runa and Khan will be easier" Ata replied with a smile full of enthusiasm.

"All right," said David.

"Even though I don't agree with your decision at all, I only wish you all the best" said David. He still could not imagine how fate Alea would be, if Ata really returned with Runa.

Not that David does not care about Runa, it's just that according to David, Ata's decision to disturb Runa's life is not true. In fact, Ata and Runa now have a new life together. But, this is life, perhaps this is indeed a test of love for Alea.

***

Ata has arrived in front of Runa's parents' house. After about thirty minutes, he drove his car. Not wanting to waste time, Ata immediately got out of the car. The house is dominated by green paint, making it look so fresh. There was a slight smile of relief from Ata's lips. He hopes that after his meeting with Runa's parents, his relationship with Khan and Runa will have a bright spot.

"Assynolajet. Excuse me.” Ata knocked on the door politely.

"Getishalight." A middle-aged woman who still looked beautiful was behind the door. The woman slightly frowned, as if she was remembering something.

"Good morning, Mom. I'm sorry I came so early in the morning to interrupt. Introduce me Ata, college friend of Mother's daughter." Ata reached out her hand introducing herself.

"Who, Ma?" ask a man who is none other than Runa's father. Hearing that someone was visiting, Lukman, who had been in the living room, rushed to the living room.

"This is his college friend, Runi, Well,” Lina said with a friendly smile.

"Sorry, Mom, I'm Runa's friend not Runi." Ata tried to explain.

Lina and Lukman looked cold. Lukman clenched his hands to contain the emotional turmoil that rumbled in his chest. After a long time they remove the name Runa in his new house, only this time the name was again called. Indeed, there is a longing in the hearts of both.

However, each time Runa remembered the fatal mistake, it froze their hearts.

"Sorry, young man. Our only daughter is Runi. You seem to have the wrong address. You better get out of here. We don't know the person you just mentioned."

Ata budging. There's no way he's wrong. It was clearly still recorded in his memory, that the figure standing before him was that of Runa's parents.

“But I remember very well that you guys are Runa's parents. I beg you, there is something I want to talk about Runa. Yesterday I met Runa in Wonosobo and I intend to propose to Runa to you,” explained Ata.

Like a fire doused with gasoline. Lukman's anger was further ignited, although he did not deny a million yearnings entrenched in the corner of his heart for his eldest daughter.

“I said go!” lukman was resolute with his voice blaring. He pushed Ata away from the door, then closed the door.

Ata fell on the porch of the house. His eyes looked at the door that had been tightly closed.

“What is this that you mean that I didn't know anything all this time, Run? Have you been driven out of your own house because of what I did? Even your own parents won't admit you anymore.”

Instantly the tightness hit his chest. It was ironic that Runa was lucky. She had to go through her pregnancy alone. Without him, too, his family. Somehow Runa survived that time. Stuffy. Ata's chest grew increasingly claustrophobic thinking about the worst possible eventuality. Ata hoped that what she was thinking was not real.

“My regret may not be to restore the situation as before, but trust me my determination to make you happy is a fact that I will strive,” muttered Ata. The clear details managed to break through its defenses until it seeped out of its nest. Ata deeply regretted her actions.

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...To be continued...

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