Not a Choice
44
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..."I won't even hesitate to give my life for my son."...
...~Arunika Pramesti~...
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Heart-to-heart talks between the Runa and Ata families in the afternoon ended up fruitless. However, Ata is determined not to give up at all in breaking the heart of Runa and her son—Khan, to invite her back to Surabaya.
After the conversation, Ata's family decided to go back to the hotel, because the day had begun at night. They all decide to return the next day to meet Khan, their adorable grandson, whom they never knew existed. After one by one the Ata family said goodbye to Runa and his family. Now comes the time for Ata to say goodbye to Runa.
“I'm home first, Run. Later I will come back again,” Ata said when dealing with Runa, but Runa only flinch and does not show any response. Made Ata choose to go towards Khan and align their height.
“Khan,” call Ata so that makes Khan look into his eyes.
“Iya, Om,” Khan replied.
“Please don't call me Om, Khan. Please call me dad, yeah! I am your father,” obviously Ata begged the son. However, Khan shook his head and started to infiltrate the back of Runa's body. Make Ata's heart feel sliced because of the attitude of the son who was still unable to accept him as a father.
“Please don't force him, Ta!” please Runa with a soft voice and a clear gaze. Makes Ata nod weakly.
“Alright, Run, I will not force it, now I will go home,” said Ata lirih then looked back at her son.
“OK, Boy, dad go home first. I'll be back later.” After saying that and rubbing the head of his son, Ata went after his family to return to the hotel in downtown Wonosobo, followed by David and Alea behind him.
Arriving at the hotel, Ata and her family continued to eat dinner together at a restaurant that had been provided by the hotel. There they eat in a calm atmosphere. No one starts the conversation until the meal is over.
After dinner, Hasan began a conversation with Ata and was heard by everyone there including David and Alea.
“So what do you think, Ta? Runa had clearly rejected our offer and both of his parents, to return home to Surabaya. Are you going to give up now, and come back to Alea?” hasan asked Ata who immediately made Ata raise her head.
“What Papa means? Ata won't give up, Pa. Ata would stick to Ata's stance to get Runa's heart and Ata's son back," Ata's circus made Alea bow down miserably. Because Alea still very much hopes Ata can return to him.
“Ata, keep your voice down! Don't make Alea sad because of your words!” hardik Maya with a sharp eye highlight. Maya had pity on Alea whose eyes had started to accumulate clear liquid.
“Alea will remain patiently waiting for Ata and accept all the consequences, Auntie,” continued Alea again with a face that remains decorated with a smile, even though that smile is the saddest smile ever. Makes Maya, Hasan, and David feel sorry for the girl. However, not with Ata who actually pretended not to hear the girl's words.
“Just Ata will try, Dad. Whatever happens,” said Ata then left the table where previously he and his family were enjoying their dinner. It made everyone who was there exhale violently, because Ata's attitude was really stubborn.
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A few days had passed Hasan and Maya in Wonosobo City, until the time came where they were none other than, Hasan, Maya, Ata, Alea, Alea, and David will return to their hometown of Surabaya.
While in Wonosobo, Hasan and Maya are quite happy because they can always be close to Khan, their favorite grandson. Khan's cute, funny, adorable face reminds them of Ata's childhood.
“Runa dear, tomorrow morning om, aunt, and Ata will return home to Surabaya. Om and aunt still hope that you will come with us back there. Om and Aunty still want you to be om's son-in-law. So that Ata can always take care of you and Khan,” Hasan said with great hope.
“Sorry to You, Aunt. But Runa still can't. Now the house of Runa is here, and here is the source of life and happiness of Runa.” Runa answered Hasan's request confidently. He really didn't want to leave the city.
“You can't be selfish, Runa. If you choose to stay here, it's just like you want to separate me and my son!” ata shouted loudly enough to make everyone who was there surprised. Ata felt very upset, because her efforts to persuade Runa for several days ended in vain.
“I've never been selfish, Ta. Here you are selfish. You always impose all your will, without ever thinking about how we feel. The feelings of me and Khan,” shouted Runa no less.
“I'll keep Khan with me, Run.” Ata tried to threaten Runa.
“I will never let you take Khan away from my side, Ta.” Runa started to grow furious and started clenching her hands.
“If you want I don't take Khan away by force from you. I want you to come with us to Surabaya, here is not your home, not where you should be. The place where you should be is in Surabaya, and by my side. I don't want Khan to live without me. I want to take her and continue living with her,” Ata stressed. However, the words of Ata sontak make Runa angry.
“What right do you have to take Khan away from me. Do you know how we are all this time? Do you know how I was when I was pregnant with Khan?” yelled Runa,
“I often become the material of gossip people. Even my own parents were willing to throw me away, just because of a stupidity I had done with you. I fought alone for Khan's life in the womb. I work as a waiter from one restaurant to another in order to buy food. To keep my baby getting enough nutrition. But I was wrong, no matter how hard I work and make money, the results are still nil. At that time I was not even able to give it enough nutrition. Not to mention the inner pressure and burden of thought that I had been harboring, so Khan had to be born prematurely, he said,
"At that time no one was looking for me, hugging me, or even just encouraging me. They all just insulted, reviled, even said I was a cheap woman just like my own family said. So, if you dare to take Khan from me, I will really be angry, I will not even hesitate to give my life for my son," said Runa. It was like pouring all his anger in front of Ata. It was as if the pain buried in his heart was all sticking out.
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...To be continued...
