Not a Choice

33

...*******...

...Sorry is not enough. The harshest punishment for the carelessness that led to the destruction of a family was the rejection of those he loved so much....

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Ata was still staring at the green-colored door that was full of regret. He remembered Runa. In the past, the girl was the pride of her parents. Runa loves her family very much. Every time Runa told me about her mother, her eyes always sparkled. He always flattered the woman who had given birth to him. Even Runa had a dream to do umrah worship with his father, mother, and also his sister. However, it seems that the dream must be dashed before it becomes a reality and the cause of the problems that occur in the Runa family is himself, a Byakta Kalingga.

"Sorry, who are you?" The voice of a young woman who saw the expulsion returned Ata from a daydream about Runa.

Ata wiped away the trace of tears on her cheeks before she turned her head towards the owner of the voice. "Rune."

Runi frowned when she felt her name being called. "You know my name? Who are you really?"

Ata got up and reached out to Runi. "I'm Byakta Kalingga. Someone who was once the closest person to Runa. We used to meet when Runa and I picked you up at school."

Feeling that Runi did not return his hand, Ata pulled him back. Moreover, seeing the gaze of Runi's eyes that were so sharp, made Ata feel even more guilty.

"Can we talk for a second? Please give me a little time to tell me about Runa's current state. Runa is in Wonosobo." Ata pleaded with the girl.

"Where do you know Ms Runa was in Wonosobo?" Runi did not want to believe it just like that. Moreover, Ata was a stranger in the eyes of Runi.

"Today I met Runa in the Dieng tourist area. If you don't believe me, look at this!" Ata pulled out the phone from inside her pocket and looked for something to convince Runi. Not long after, Ata shows a photo of Runa hugging a grade-school-age boy in a school yard.

The beautiful eyes were shocked after seeing the photo shown by Ata. There is a lot of longing and sadness there. The chest of Runi roared violently. He could hardly control himself. Inhaling as much as possible, Runi tried to master the heart that was hit by the tightness.

“Follow me! We talk outside.” Runi left the green house and followed Ata behind.

The girl headed to an ice cream shop not far from her home. Because it is not a holiday, Runi can order at the store quickly. They sit in a corner of the park enjoying the ice cream that is currently going viral everywhere.

“Sorry if I bring you here. My father and mother are too sensitive when it comes to Runa's name. We can't possibly talk about this matter in front of them.” Runa plays her spoon on the ice cream that has been served. Sometimes he put cold food in his mouth. “What do you want to talk about my sister?”

“Khan? Who is he?” Runi wanted to make sure the premonition that had been plaguing her earlier. The girl really misses Runa. However, the ego of both his parents is too big to make the girl can not do anything. “Is he the one in the photo?”

Ata nodded weakly. He did not dare to look into the eyes of his interlocutor so sharply. Highlight the eyes that Ata felt like killing herself.

“Is Khan Mbak Runa's son?” Runi's anger became more and more apparent in her eyes as Ata nodded weakly answering her question. “So you are the cause of all the suffering Mbak Runa has suffered so far?”

The sound of the chair legs rubbing against the garden floor sounded very rough as Runi got up from her seat. Of course, that made Ata surprised. Similarly, some visitors who sit not far from them. Runi's hands clenched firmly. Anger has taken hold of him.

Plaque.

One hard slap landed on Ata's cheek. The distance of those who are only limited by a small table is very possible for Runi to throw the slap. Some people looked at them in whispers. Realizing himself to be the center of attention, Runi sat back down. Although the anger in her chest had not been extinguished, but the girl tried her hardest to control herself.

“I deserve all of this. Even at that time I really hope Runa does the same.” No more words I said from Ata's mouth. He looked at the girl in front of him. In the corner of the beautiful eye was a clear sparkle that could slide at any moment on his cheek.

The silence again enveloped the two restless stricken people. In their minds, there was too much emotional overflow that they had been holding back from a long time ago. Especially Runny. For seven years the girl pretended to be strong. Though every second that he went through in his life is a sense of worry about the state of his brother. Runi sure, actually both his parents are also the same as him. However, mentioning the name of Runa in their midst will only worsen the situation. Runi does not want his father to fall ill again due to hypertension he suffered since the incident seven years ago.

“Do you know how Mbak Runa left home that time?” said Runi after he could control himself. “Dad kicked him out because Mbak Runa couldn't bring the man who should be in charge of him. Dad is emotional. He said that Mbak Runa is no longer his daughter until Mbak Runa can bring the man before the father.”

Ata was so sick to hear Runi's words. The girl was silent again. Her clasped hands several times wiping away the tears flowing down her cheeks. “Times that Mbak Runa's stomach looks enlarged. Towards the time of Isya, Ms. Runa left home only carrying a wallet and a mobile phone. I knew at that time Runa didn't have any money. Because after graduation, Runa did not work. My father was so angry that he expelled Mbak Runa. Since that night, I've been sickly. We fell and lost the spirit of life. Runa used to be like a lantern in our family. Mbak Runa can always liven up the atmosphere and is good at making parents happy. However, it turns out that Runa was also the one who ended up turning off the smile on their faces. It's all because of you!”

Ungoverned, Ata's tears flowed. He could imagine how devastated Runa was then. Really, regret is excruciating. Ata found it difficult to breathe. He never imagined if he was the cause of the destruction of a family that had seemed fine. The regret came when Runa was no longer by his side. And Runa's rejection felt as a severe punishment for Ata's past deeds.

...******...

...to be continued...

Sorry if the first update is not this one 🙏. I mis uploaded chapter 😭😭