Not a Choice

42

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..."No matter where we are, family will still be the safest home to go home to when we feel tired."...

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Time seemed to stop when Runa saw his father, mother, and sister who were at the door of his house. Three very important people in his life. What Ata said at that time really proved it.

"Run ...," call Lukman.

Runa who was called by her father still did not move from her place. He did not know what to do, after so many years he had not met since the last sentence that Lukman had spoken to him.

As for Lina, without waiting any longer she approached Runa and immediately hugged her. The longing embrace of a mother who has not seen her child for a long time. The longing due to his selfishness is more concerned with shame than having to take care of his biological child.

Lina's tight hug still hasn't gotten a reply from Runa. He was still in his position, even though his tears were flowing non-stop. Runa thinks he still doesn't deserve a hug from Lina. The sincere embrace of a mother who loves her child very much whatever mistakes have been made.

Runa remembers quite clearly when the tears of a mother flowed because of her actions. A mother she was very proud of, but she was humiliated by her foolish actions.

Runi who saw Runa's response immediately embraced her brother's body. "It's okay, Ma'am. We've forgiven you. We still love the same Ma'am," explained Runi with sobs.

In Runi and Lina's arms, Runa looked clearly at her father's teary eyes. Wanting Runa to define that it was a tear of longing that was stored as long as he left. However, he did not want to be that high as he hoped. Can a child like himself still get the longing of a father he has been ashamed of?

Uh! Foolish with his negative thoughts. Runa also returned Lina and Runi's embrace. He spilled out all the longing he had been enduring. Runa could not lie to herself that she still needed a mother figure as a reinforcement for her life, and advised her when she made a mistake.

"I'm sorry Runa, Ma, sorry," said Runa in her tears.

"Yes dear, Mama forgive Runa. Mama's sorry too, mama can't take care of you, son." Lina's hand stopped rubbing Runa's head. He was so grateful that finally his sense of regret was much greater than his prestige. He was able to suppress his ego to meet and hug his son.

Seeing the crying Runa in his wife's arms, Lukman makes him think how Runa lived his life all this time when there was no him and Lina? Giving birth to a child alone without someone accompanying you. How did she survive after giving birth? While in Wonosobo there is no one he knows.

Lukman felt very guilty for what he said last time. He regretted his decision. Shamed by the scorn and humiliation of the people, he preferred to drive away his son and not admit it.

Runa breaks down Lina and Runi's embrace plan. Now, he looked back at his father who was still smiling even though his eyes were watering. "Dad..," call Runa. He knew that his father was holding out not to let out his tears, to look strong in front of his children.

Runa approached Lukman. The awkward feeling he felt made him unable to hug the father. "Dad, Runa apologized, Runa was wrong," said Runa while looking down.

"Why, Son? Why not go home? Don't you miss your mom and dad?" tell Lukman while stroking Runa's hand.

"I'm sorry Runa, Dad. Runa thought, Daddy really doesn't want to see Runa anymore. Runa also did not want to add to the burden of Dad and Mama. Runa just humiliated Mom and Dad."

"What is the nature of such a father? At that time I was just bluffing you so that you have a sense of responsibility for the mistakes you made. I love my father's children. Forgive me for being so angry back then that I didn't think about what I said to you, son. I was too shocked when I heard about your pregnancy, making you a target for my anger. You must have been very sad when you heard Dad's words. Forgive your father, son," Lukman said, looking at Runa's face. He felt so guilty for his words that his son had to live a life like this.

"Dad, you're so innocent. Runa is guilty of doing things that Runa should not do, and Runa also deserves this in return for Runa's actions," explained Runa not less sad, said Runa, because he felt guilty for his father.

"That!" point Runa at Khan. A small man who looks innocent when he sees scenes of adults crying each other, without him knowing who they are.

"Khan, here, son!" pinta Runa's. While the little one immediately ran and hugged tightly Runa's legs.

"Bun, who are they?" ask Khan.

"Khan remember, Om Ata once invited Khan to Surabaya to meet with grandma and grandpa?" asked Runa, and Khan nodded. "Here they are, son. Khan's grandfather and grandmother were in Surabaya," explained Run slowly. He did not want his son to come back shocked and confused by the new reality he had to accept, after Ata's confession.

Speaking of Ata, he left them. He also invited Alea and David to leave Runa's house for a moment even if only in front of the house. He wanted to give time to Runa and his family to let go of his longing.

"Here, Khan!" bring Runi. He and Lina who are now standing next to Lukman smiled when they saw the little boy who hugged Runa.

"Tante has a gift for Khan. Wouldn't you?" tawar Runi's. He understood that Khan was still very hesitant to approach him, because he felt that they were strangers. How not to be considered like a stranger, when he never met them.

"That's what?" Despite his fear, Khan asked. For matters of toys, he will definitely be destroyed because it is indeed his weakness.

"Here, dong! Close to aunt."

Slowly, Khan walked over to Runi.

"More numbers, Khan!" runi said when he saw Khan still looked doubtful and he obeyed the request from Runi. "This," said Runi, handing over the gifts he had prepared for Khan.

Looking at his large container, Khan thought what was inside. "What cars? If the latto must be too big a container. What plane?" khan thought while opening the goddie bag, assisted by Runi.

"Huh? Very good Aunt," said Khan excited when he found out what the prize was. A large robot and a plane.

"Khan likes?" asked Runi, and Khan nodded.

"Khan, salim used to be the same grandma and grandpa," pinta Runa, but Khan shook his head. "Khan..," repeated Runa and still got no response from Khan.

"I'm sorry Khan, yeah, Dad, Ma. Perhaps because he had never met, Khan became cautious. Runa always taught her to be careful with the person she had just met. Later when you get used to it, Khan will easily be close to Dad and Mama," explained Runa

"Yes, Run, it's okay. It's natural that Khan is like that. He grew up healthy like this, his father and mother were already very happy. Sorry, yes, son, we couldn't be with you at the time" Lukman said. "You're happy, aren't you, son?" ask again.

"Alhamdulillah, Dad. Khan became the reason for Runa to survive. During having Khan, Runa was very happy."

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...To be continued...