Pursuing Love in the Past

Alfian Pantun

On top of the nesting bird tree

Go for a moment to eat

It's been a long time, dear brother

What new power can apply

Alfian tried to string the pantun to encourage Ayunda who had looked gloomy.

"Where did my honey learn?"

"just now. While on the road to get here, remember Adrian's wedding party filled with lots of pantuns. That's why I've been trying to string a few words together, hopefully it's not bad."

"Obviously it's not bad for a beginner" Ayunda replied with a smile.

"Finally my honey smiled as well" said Alfian who felt happy when he saw the smile on Ayunda's face.

"It's not good to be alone for too long if it's not muhrim. Later after you get married can do whatever you want" said the father reminded Alfian and Ayunda.

"Okay, Dad", Alfian and Ayunda answered almost simultaneously.

Then Alfian said goodbye to the whole family of Ayunda.

"Son Alfian is still here?" ask the mother when she just entered the house.

Alfian felt awkward hearing the words of his future mother-in-law. "Sorry, Mom. I want to go home" he answered a little nervously.

"It's awkward to go home. Better to have dinner here", invite the Mother.

"Actually I want to enjoy Mother's famous delicious cuisine. But I can't keep up with Mom's call for today because I've been leaving Zahra at home with her nanny."

"Owh, so yes. Next time we can eat together" said the Mother kindly.

"Then I say goodbye, sir, Mom and all" Alfian said politely,. Then he walked to the exit.

Ayunda could only look at Alfian's departure with a deep longing. After waiting for a long time, he finally came back to me. Say Ayunda in his heart.

After Alfian's car left their yard, the Mother rushed to ask Adrian to close the gate of their house.

"Mother don't be so scared. Those who are looking for us will think we are weak. So we have to look relaxed on the outside, yet alert on the inside."

"Okay, Father", said the Mother with a languid bow.

"Mother... I want to eat squid saos oysters. Mommy can make it?" ask the father to distract the mother.

"Yes, Mommy make it now, Dad."

"Thank you, Mother" said the father with a friendly smile.

"Together Father", replied the Mother by moving from her standing position and walking towards the kitchen.

...---...

In Alfian's apartment, there was an unusual crowd. With a feeling of worry Alfian accelerated his pace.

"What's wrong?" alfian asked one of the men standing by the door.

"Sir Alfian owns this apartment, right?" asked the man back who was replied with a nod by Alfian. "Thank God you came in time. That look", point it at someone who's inside.

"Fra... Why you, baby?"

Zahra ran while crying over to Alfian. "Papa... Brother!" he said with a sob.

"Why with my sister?"

Zahra could not continue with her words. He could only point while crying. Alfian rushed towards Zahra's finger. He was surprised to see the condition of the nanny. Then she rushed him outside and asked the man she was talking to to help her.

"Sorry, we didn't dare to go in and touch anything. You're lucky to have a smart daughter like her" he points to Zahra.

"alright. Come on, let's go", said the man. They walked to the elevator door.

...---...

In a room, Ayunda was restless walking back and forth while playing a mobile phone in her hand.

"Why not pick up the phone yet?" his tanya clucked in annoyance while throwing the origin of his phone on the bed. Then he walked back and forth while thinking about the possibility that happened to Alfian.

Geck. Geck.

"Yunda.." call the Mother from behind the door of Ayunda's room.

"Yes, Bun", said Ayunda as he opened the door.

"Why haven't you eaten yet?" ask the Mother who did not see Ayunda gathered at the dining table.

"A little while, Bun. After all Yunda still often felt pain when swallowing food."

"Mother has prepared porridge for you. Come on, let's eat first. Health is more important than your job" urged the Mother.

"Alright, Mother", answered Ayunda lethargicly. Then he followed the steps of the Mother to the dining table.

...---...

Behind the bars one awaits the news restlessly. Suddenly a dark-clothed person came up to him and gave him a piece of paper in his hand.

The man opened a piece of paper in his hand and read it. Your granddaughter has survived the danger, but her nanny got wretched. The man directly tore the paper into a very small piece.

After getting clear news from his man, he finally felt calm. He leisurely walked towards the bare-bottomed narrow bed, then laid his body there.

"After coming out of this gloomy place, I will snatch it from your hands" he muttered. Without warning his eyes were closed to forget for a moment the hatred that had made him want to come out immediately.

...---...

The night seemed not to want to pass, the body tired after the activity that drained the energy and the mind made Ayunda not want to rise from his sleep position.

But a moment later he remembered someone. "My honey" he said with glaring eyes. In a hurry he searched for the phone he had thrown on the bed. His eyes opened wide, when he saw dozens of missed calls from Alfian.

"Why didn't I hear it?" ask her by checking her phone voice. "In silent", he said. His finger moved opening a message from Alfian. "Owh, it turns out he's in the hospital "

Ayunda called Alfian. The phone call was connected, but Ayunda had to wait a little patiently for Alfian to pick her up.

"Assalamualaikum.." said Alfian's voice from the other end of the phone.

"Waalaikumsalam. Is Zahra's nanny okay?"

"Today, his condition is stable. He only fainted when he saw some people barging in with sharp weapons. But something's weird."

"What's so weird?" ask Ayunda impatiently.

"The people who barged in seemed to be divided into 2 groups. They attack each other, but 1 group protects Zahra."

"Don't it be Mr. Benny's man, Siska's father."

"Let's find out who did it. Now we change the subject" Alfian said in a lethargic tone.

"Okay honey. Is honey having breakfast?"

"not honey. No one brought me food, how could I have breakfast", he said in a soft tone.

"Well, I'll wrap your Mother's breakfast and take her there."

"No need for honey. I'm just teasing you. I will be downstairs soon to buy breakfast. Better honey get enough rest, because 2 more weeks is our wedding."

"Okay honey", Ayunda replied with a smile, although Alfian did not see her smile.

Then they ended the phone call.