Rainbow At The End of Longing

8. The Saved Taste

Tonight Keinan and I laid our bodies on the bed, ready to go to sleep. And like the previous nights, Keinan again asked his father and said that he missed his father, Mas Awan.

"Mother," call Keinan who is in my arms.

"Yes, Brother."

"Why not go home yet? Big brother misses Papa," said Keinan.

I grieve in my heart. Almost every night getting questions like this from Keinan, but still my eyes must still be glazed.

But I also realized that I had to be strong. For the sake of Keinan, for the baby I am carrying right now, and also for the rest of my family. I took a deep breath before answering the question from Keinan.

"Mother also miss Papa, Brother. We're praying together, baby. May Allah Subhanahu wata'ala always protect Papa, wherever Papa is at this time. And hopefully Papa can come home soon and be reunited with all of us. Aamiin Ya robbal 'alamiin."

"Yes, Bun. Aamiin's."

"Udah yes. Brood brother first, it's malem."

"Yes, Bun. Good night Mother. Good night, adek," said Keinan while rubbing my stomach that has been squinting.

"Good night, dear sister Keinan."

Keinan kissed my cheek. I kissed Keinan back. Keinan then began to close his eyes and finally fell asleep.

🍁🍁🍁

"Sister Hamzah," call a girl.

Hamzah, who was sitting in a park chair in front of his faculty building while reading the book, raised his face. He saw that a girl was already standing in front of him at this moment.

"They?" asked Hamzah who was surprised because suddenly Chika came to him like this.

Yes, that girl is Chika, Bayu's younger sister. Chika and Hamzah are indeed one campus, although different majors. They are different generations too, because Hamzah's age is two years above Chika. Chika is one generation with Ayesha, although different majors as well.

"What's up, Chik? Tumben nyariin me?" asked Hamzah flatly.

"I want to apologize to you, Brother Hamzah," Chika replied regretfully.

Hamzah frowned.

"I'm sorry for what?" hamzah asked confusedly.

"Kak Shofi must have told you that yesterday I and Anggun Kak met with Kak Shofi at the hospital. Keep Anggun looking for the same problem Kak Shofi, as usual," said Chika began the story, still with a look of regretful face.

"Sister Shofi hasn't told me anything about that. Maybe not yet. So, why?" asked Hamzah who was also still in his flat tone.

"Therefore I would like to apologize to Brother Hamzah. Brother Hamzah should know that I did not follow Anggun to look for problems with Brother Shofi," replied Chika who began to fury.

"Sir Hamzah also knows for myself, I have never been bad with Brother Shofi. I've always been nice to Brother Shofi. Even now Brother Shofi is not my sister-in-law anymore" Chika continued.

"Certain why? What does that have to do with me?"

"Sir Hamzah don't pretend you don't know, dong. Hamzah knows it's true that I like big brother. I've been harboring this flavor for a long time to Brother Hamzah. That's why now I apologize and explain the problem that happened yesterday with Brother Hamzah. I don't want it until Kak Hamzah misunderstands me" Chika replied with emphasis.

Hamzah laughed at Chika's words.

"Chik, from the beginning I told you, I don't have any feelings for you. All this time I appreciate you because after all you used to be my sister-in-law. And you have also treated my brother well all this time. That's why I'm good with you. But if for the likes, sorry, from the beginning I've told you, I already have someone I really like and love," said Hamzah at length.

"But Brother, have you ever a little bit of Kak Hamzah's heart melted with the earnestness of my feelings? All this time my race is always stored and always awake for Kak Hamzah," said Chika pleaded.

"Chika, that liking is not a compromise. And I reiterate once again, I don't like you. Until I can never repay your love. There's another woman who's got my heart in this moment. And I love him so much. So please, don't waste your time anymore to keep that feeling. I will never be able to repay him" Hamzah said.

"Sir Hamzah," Chika said with teary eyes.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Brother Hamzah," Ayesha greeted as she walked over to Hamzah.

"Wa'alaikumsalam," Hamzah replied in a soft voice, very different from the tone Hamzah spoke to Chika earlier.

Hamzah smiled then extended his right hand. Ayesha immediately welcomed Hamzah's hand. Hamzah then pulled Ayesha to sit next to him.

Chika clenched her hands together seeing how Hamzah treated Ayesha so gently like that. Chika is jealous that Hamzah can be that gentle to Ayesha. Chika envies Ayesha, because Hamzah is very cold, very different from Hamzah's treatment of Ayesha.

"Sorry, my sister waited a long time. My class has just finished" Ayesha said after sitting next to Hamzah.

"Yes, not pa-pa really, baby," Hamzah replied, deliberately calling Ayesha 'honey'.

"Sir Hamzah is evil," jolted Chika who then immediately turned her body and ran away leaving the lovers.

"Eh, Chika," call Ayesha.

Unfortunately, too late, Chika has already gone away.

"Udah, justin," said Hamzah.

"Cieee, who likes girls equally," said Ayesha teasing Hamzah.

"Ck, don't start yet" muttered Hamzah with a peck of annoyance.

"Hehe, I'm sorry" Ayesha said later.

"But you've heard everything Chika said?"

"I'm sorry, but not everything."

"Thank God. It's as if you don't have to explain anything to you."

"Unfortunately, Brother Hamzah would like to explain is it the same as me? Without Kak Hamzah there is nothing I believe in Kak Hamzah" said Ayesha, surely.

"Isn't he?" ask Hamza who doesn't believe.

"Yes. I know exactly what Hamzah's favorite is. And that Chika is not the kind of girl that Hamzah likes. So there is no way Kak Hamzah will like him," replied Ayesha pongah.

"Oh yeah? Why are you so sure? Do you know what kind of girl your sister likes?"

"Tau dong" answered Ayesha with confidence.

"What do you try?" ask Hamzah again.

"The type of girl that Hamzah's sister likes is the one who thinks I'm gini. That could be a spoiled girl, but it could also be an independent girl as well. And most importantly, he is unyielding like I am gini" Ayesha replied with pride.

Hamzah laughed at the behavior of his lover who deliberately made the hilarious.

"You can do this, you can" said Hamzah while ruining Ayesha's hair.

"Yes dong. I wouldn't be able to be Kak Hamzah's girlfriend if not PeDe and never give up kayak gini" Ayesha said.

"Yes-yes. Duh, really great girlfriend this sister," praise Hamzah who then pulled Ayesha's body to embrace.

"Who's boyfriend was he? His girlfriend is Kak Hamzah" Ayesha said, leaning her head against Hamzah's shoulder.

The lovers then laughed together.

Not far from Hamzah and Ayesha's seat, it turns out that Chika is hiding herself behind a tree. Observe the lovers secretly.

"Sister Hamzah is really outrageous. What the hell is my lack of Ayesha's? All this time I keep and always keep my taste of this tribe to Kak Hamzah. But why has Hamzah never wanted to look at me?" chika grumbled softly by clenching both her hands tightly, restraining her own emotions.