Not a Choice
04
...*****...
...“I have no right to hate your past. As dark as it is, the past has made you a tough woman. A woman who is able to make me feel so meaningful.”...
...--sandyakala---...
...*****...
“How was it at school?” Runa landed her body next to Khan who was struggling with colored pencils and picture books. His hand stroked the boy's straight hair.
“Tadi Khan can value 100 again, Bun.” Khan chatted with passion.
“oya? Pinter, dong. This Khan drew what?” Runa glanced at Khan's painting which made her heart tingle.
“Khan drawing resto. This is Khan, Dad, and Mommy sitting in front of the restaurant,” explained Khan without diverting his busy colorful incised on top of the picture book.
For a second Aruna was surprised to see a picture of Khan. For a kid his age, Khan's handstreaks are too perfect. Every detail of the lines that make up the resto building makes the image look real. While the picture of three people sitting in front of the restaurant made Runa's heart a little uneasy.
“Picture of Khan is great.” Runa praised Khan and gave the boy a warm hug.
“Tadi Bu Guru also said that. In fact, I give a gift to Khan, loh.”
“Oya, what's the prize?” runa asked, wondering about Khan's story.
“Besok Khan to be invited to timezone. Hooray ..” Khan laughed cheerfully while raising both of his hands.
...*****...
“What is it true Mas promises a gift of a walk to timezone for Khan?” aruna asked while Sandy was having lunch at the kitchen restaurant.
It was Sandy's habit to eat at the place even though she was the owner of the restaurant. What makes Sandy feel special is eating at the place served by the queen of her heart. Who else if not Runa. Beautiful, simple, and hardworking woman who for several years has always supported his efforts to enlarge the restaurant.
“Iya true. Tomorrow is Saturday to Jogya. I have a tourism business seminar there. We will spend last night and Sunday we take Khan to Timezone,” explained Sandy who still enjoys Runa cuisine.
“But, Mas. Sunday restaurant, you know. Honey, right, if we're off?”
“Who said it was a holiday? There's Mba Wati who can replace you. Anyway I see the stock of seasonings in the refrigerator seems enough for you to stay two days.” Sandy tries to convince Runa that everything will be fine.
Runa who at first did not like the kitchen affairs, suddenly changed direction into a chef restaurant. In an instant, everything changed the purpose of Runa's life. The woman learned from a slump until she finally found a way of life that can be a handle. The life lessons that Runa got not only came from formal education where he was required to be the best in various subjects. However, the education that Runa gets is from his life in society. The experience that made the woman survive the moral crisis that had made her almost lose her sanity. Sandy is one of the perfect mentors for Runa.
“Oya, tomorrow all Sunday pick up Grandma at tugu station.”
“Grandma will come?” lirih Runa stopped his activities for a moment. Between surprise and discomfort that suddenly engulfed his feelings.
“Hhmm ... You're not papa, are you?” Sandy asked a question she knew the answer to. “You just calm down. I'm not gonna let Grandma hurt you.”
“Iya, Mas. Runa is just scared.” They were silent and busy with their activities.
...*****...
The sun had not yet been revealed when Sandy helped Khan get into the car. Don't forget Sandy put a seatbelt on for the little guy and made sure to get back in position as comfortable as possible.
“Khan can be booby again. Later when it's up let Daddy wake upin.” Sandy enveloped Khan to escape the cold mountain air.
“Khan, don't forget souvenirs for grandma, yes. Same with Daddy Mother!” mira's message before Sandy closes the car door behind the wheel.
“Iya, Mother. Khan wants to bobok first. Still sleepy,” replied Khan briefly.
“Be careful, Run. You don't need much thought,” Mira's message that always makes Runa's heart warm. “Pak, slow down. No need to rush. Still early in the morning the road must be smooth. Titip them, yes, sir!” This time, Mira's message is for her family's driver.
“Iya, Mum.”
Sandy who was already sitting beside the wheel waved her hand towards the woman who had given birth to her. Slowly the car began to move across the still foggy road. The still quiet atmosphere of the road made their journey smooth. At six o'clock in the morning the car had entered the city of Yogyakarta. They immediately headed to the homestay that had been booked a few days ago. Sandy deliberately chose a homestay to make Khan more comfortable while waiting for him to attend the seminar.
In addition, the cost of homestay rental is much cheaper than the price of hotel room rental. Although for that Sandy must be a little walk to the location of the seminar, but for Sandy this is the best choice.
After breakfast with a menu available at the homestay, Sandy immediately left for the hotel where the seminar was held. While Runa accompanied Khan to play beside the fish pond in front of where they were staying.
“Mbak Runa, father permission to go out for a walk, yes. Later if there is anything, Mbak Runa just call,” say goodbye to Mr. Sarto—lelaki middle-aged who has long worked for the Sandy family.
“God, Sir. Enjoy it, all for fresh air,” replied Runa politely.
...*****...
Sandy arrived at their place to stay when it was late afternoon. The hot air of the city of Yogyakarta which is inversely proportional to the air of Dieng certainly makes them feel uncomfortable. Especially for a kid of Khan's age.
In the evening, they walked along Malioboro Street. The atmosphere is so crowded because of the weekend. Lots of tourists passing by, ranging from children to the elderly. Even travelers from outside Indonesia have been seen among the tourists although not as much as before.
They sat on concrete benches at zero kilometers while watching a show held by young people at the location. There are some students who dance, there is also a talent show that is held to attract the attention of tourists.
Sandy smiled seeing Runa and Khan so enjoying the atmosphere tonight. Moreover, Runa's smile looks so loose. Unlike her smile a few years ago when Sandy first met the woman.
“I don't know how dark your past is. I don't hate your past either. Precisely with the past, I know you more as a strong woman. And this is what makes me always feel comfortable being by your side.” Sandy said to her little heart when she saw Runa hugging Khan while laughing happily.
...*****...
In the morning, their schedule is to timezome to fulfill Sandy's promise to Khan. Four hours is a long time to try the rides. Although not all the rides that Khan enjoyed, but the boy was very satisfied. They then return to the homestay and get ready to check out. After everything was done, they immediately headed to Tugu station to pick up the grandmother.
On the way home, the atmosphere in the car felt a little awkward. Runa and Khan don't talk much. Only Grandma Sandy dominated the conversation within. About 5 hours of their journey. The streets were so crowded that they arrived home when it was late at night.
...***** ...
“Grandma see your relationship with the woman is getting closer, Sandy,” said Grandma on the porch of the Sandy family home.
“Runa, Mother. The woman's name is Runa,” errat Sandy who felt disliked by the title.
“Terusslah. Mau Runa, want Muna or something …. How far along is your relationship?” search Grandma with a face.
“In the near future Sandy will legalize Runa, Nek.”
“Is there no other woman more perfect than her? Granny think many women are willing to marry besides the woman,” said Grandma.
“According to Grandma, the perfection of a woman is seen from where? Runa is a kind, polite, intelligent woman. He can also quickly blend in with the surrounding environment. Mama just love Runa. So what makes Grandma not like Runa is what?” Sandy tries to hold back the emotions, because every time they meet only Runa's problem is discussed by her grandmother.
“He doesn't deserve you, Sandy. You're Grandma's favorite granddaughter. Grandma wants you to get a wife of choice.” Grandma still has her opinion.
“Granny's Choice, she means? Who wants to marry Sandy, Grandma. Not Grandma. So Sandy better knows who is the most appropriate to accompany Sandy.” Sandy got up and passed towards the resto. Leaving her grandmother alone who still enjoys Wonosobo hot tea.
...*****...
...To be continued...
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