Not a Choice
54 (End)
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...“Every good will always bear sweet fruit, whether when the fruit will be harvested, the important thing is to do good.”...
...~Author~...
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Camelia flowers and white roses that became Runa's favorite, appear to decorate the wedding decorations of Runa and Sandy. The wedding reception was simple. Not many guests were invited. There were only close relatives, neighbors, and some friends who appeared to be present at the reception.
The bride looks stunning with simple makeup, but makes it even more graceful. Modern kebaya baby pink looks fitting wrapped slim body. Netra Sandy has never been separated from the beautiful face of his wife.
“Don't look on!”
“Conscious wife self time can not?” sandy said with a funny smile.
“Too, Mas.”
“Why should be ashamed?” Sandy's eyebrows shot up next door. He did not understand why Runa was embarrassed. “I'm lucky to have you, Run. You and Khan are a complement to my life. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your life and Khan.”
“I and the lucky Khan, Mas. You are a good man, but you want to accept me with my past that is arguably not good. Thank you,” said Runa with a sincere smile that framed her lips.
The sparkler never goes out of Sandy's heart or eyes. After all these years, her love story finally ended happily. “I love you so much, Run. Then, now, and forever. Only you are able to make my heart pounding so hard, until I myself am overwhelmed to manage its thump while at your side.”
Runa's face instantly blushed at Sandy's confession of love, and Sandy enjoyed it. “I love you too, Mas. I will try to be a good wife and mother to our children later.”
Sandy kissed Runa. Just as the romantic scene had begun, Khan suddenly appeared in the middle of Sandy and Runa. “Don't kiss Mother, Daddy! Khan also wants to be kissed,” protests Khan.
Khan's behavior no doubt makes Runa and Sandy anxious, until Sandy and Runa kissed Khan repeatedly. Khan chuckles. He's happy. Her dream of having a full family has been achieved. All the families who watched Khan, Sandy, and Runa smiled happily.
The warm and familial atmosphere was created because the event was held outdoors in the front yard of Runa's house. Sandy and Khan are no less charming. The whispers of the neighbors began to be heard in the ears. The adoration for the two brides never ceases to be heard.
“They're a matching couple, yes, Jeng?” RT's mother who was present looked at the bride and groom with a twinkle full of admiration.
“Iya. This is called a superior seed, Jeng. A handsome man, a beautiful woman. His brother Khan will definitely not lose saucy from his brother.” Mothers of red bergamis chimed in.
Ata who had just been present also heard the whispers. He can only smile. He is still learning to be sincere, because Runa –the woman he loves wholeheartedly –that is not his soul mate. Perhaps it was time for her to give up all the love she had in her heart for Runa. The love that grows so fertile is forced to prune it out. Although heavy, he will try.
Ata walked over to a couple who were smiling happily. Khan –his son –pun no less happy. All of that was so clear from the look on their faces full of laughter.
“Hai.” Ata's voice shifted their attention.
“Congratulations, yes.” Ata reached out and was warmly welcomed by Sandy.
“Still ready to attend this simple event.” Sandy hugged Ata by patting her on the back.
Ata smiled, “I tipped Runa and Khan. Please please happy them. They deserve to be happy.”
“I'll do everything I can.”
Ata nodded. Now her gaze turned to Runa who looked very beautiful in her eyes.
“Karma it really happened, huh, Run? In the past, I forced you to let go of the love that was in your heart. And now, I feel it, Run. It hurts. Stuffy. Even breathing is difficult. I'm sorry, Run. Now I can only wish you the best. At least I'm grateful to have and love a great woman like you. Now I accept, if I am not your heart's choice,” Inner Ata.
“Om?” Khan's call awakened Ata from her daydream.
“Hay, Boy.” Ata lowered her head, aligning her height with Khan.
“Do not cry, yes! Mother let father be. There is still a beautiful aunt Alea there,” Khan said as he pointed to Alea sitting alone.
“Om promise will not cry, but there are conditions.”
“What?”
“Khan want to call dad, no?”
Khan silence. He looked up, saw his mother and father. Runa and Sandy nodded, agreeing.
“Dad Khan is one, Father Sandy.”
Ata fell silent. It is hard to break the heart of his own son. “Good. Om get it.” Ata gently rubbed Khan's head, “so good boy, yes!” Ata got up, her net found the guilt-ridden Netra Runa.
“Slow-slow, yes, Ta,” pinta Runa.
“Still," reply Runa.
Ata was just about to step in when Khan's voice interrupted his intention. “But Khan can call papa even though he can't call dad.” Ata's body froze in place.
He convinced himself that he had not heard wrong. One second, two seconds, until the count of ten, Khan's voice was heard again. “Papa,” call him.
Ata turned and hugged Khan tightly. Her tears cannot be blocked. Ata hugged Khan.
“Still, Dear. Thanks though. Papa loves Khan. Papa dear Khan,” he said many times.
“Khan knows, Papa.”
The atmosphere of haru instantly enveloped. Runa did not have the power to hold back her tears. Sandy who saw Runa crying immediately held her in an embrace.
***
Ata took Khan for a walk. The more days his relationship with the son the better, until Khan's request today makes Ata dead flea. He was confused how to behave. Alea was also present between him and Khan. It was all at Khan's request.
“Papa should be as happy as mother and father. Aunt Al pretty, you know, Pa. Aunty wants to, right, so Khan's mom?” pinta the little boy.
Alea just smiled at Khan's request, while Ata was wide in disbelief.
“Why are you adults so complicated? Love to cry, when happy is easy.” Khan glanced at Ata and Alea who were silent in silence. “You are not happy. Khan went home. I was invited by Mother. Bye, Pa, Aunt Al.” Khan briefly peeked ata and Alea's cheeks, then ran towards the mother who had picked her up outside the cafe. Leaving Ata and Alea who were unable to speak.
***
Ata and Alea were back close from that day. They decided to be friends again. Alea seemed to be the medicine for the wound in Ata's heart. His presence is able to divert the mind of Ata who sometimes still thinks of Runa. The cheerful carrying of Alea was in fact a separate entertainment for Ata.
“Lusa want to go with me to Wonosobo?” ask Ata.
“I don't think you can, Ta.”
“More work, yes?” ask Ata.
“Not really, anyway. Just do not promise to get permission from father aja.”
“Om is still very angry, yes?”
Alea raised her shoulders. He himself does not know.
“It is hard to ask for this blessing again,” Ooze Ata, but it can still be heard by Alea.
“You mean?”
Ata took a deep breath before making her point. “Al, this may seem bad to you, but I hope you want to give me a chance. I want to restart our relationship. I know, I'm a jerk, but trust me. This time I just want to be with you, Al. You want to give me a chance?”
Alea silence. He was confused as to what to answer. If he obeyed his heart, he wanted to give a chance to Ata. His heart was still filled with the name Ata. Only, he was afraid of being disappointed to say hello again.
“Al?”
“I'm afraid, Ta.”
“What are you afraid of?”
“I'm afraid you'll leave me again" said Alea.
“This time I promise, Al. I will not leave you. I hope you believe.” Ata clasped Alea's hand tightly, “please, give me a chance.”
Either demons or angels were possessing Alea. His head nodded just like that and it made Ata smile happily. “Still, Al. I promise this time I won't let you down.”
“Do not promise, Ta. I want proof,” Alea asserted.
“Definitely, Al. I'll prove it.” This time Ata answered steadily. Made Alea smile on her thin lips.
Alea fully realized, every human being must have made a mistake, and every human being deserves to be given the opportunity to prove themselves for the better. Alea resigned to the fate that had been outlined for him, because life was a choice. He believes that every good will always bear sweet fruit, whether when the fruit will be harvested, the important thing is to do good.
...~Happy Ending~...
...Ending, man friend. Thanks, yes, for being together until the novel is finished. Sorry if I have not given satisfactory reading. We are still learning and learning. May you still be faithful waiting for our next work 🤗...
...Warm regards team Eska'er 🙏🥰...
