Restore Your Smile

Near but Far

This morning James woke up at 05:30. As usual, he immediately prepared to exit the room and head for the bathroom.

But, after he exited the room, a scene stopped his steps. Celine was in the kitchen helping her mama prepare breakfast.

The beautiful sight was soothing to his eyes and heart. Her fervor floated up hoping to see such a scene every day.

Celine, who realized that James was awake, was just standing at the door of the room, reprimanding him with a smile. "Morning, Bang James .... How do you just stand there? Still shirking yah?"

Being rebuked like that makes James's delusion crumble. With a reddish face, he immediately accelerated his pace.

"Morning, Lin .." he said in passing and immediately closed the bathroom door.

Mama Ratna was just stunned to see James's stingy demeanor on Celine. But now he chose to silence her first.

In the bathroom, James berated himself who was carried away. He has to admit, he still loves Celine. He was happy to see Celine return to this house. I could be close to Celine again.

But, one bitter reality made him realize the game of life. Celine's status has changed. Celine is now a director. And not only that, he is now an heir to a giant corporation. Someone far up there compared to him who was just a teacher. Should she be with Celine?

The feeling of inferiority hit him again. He immediately removed the thought from his brain. Right now he had no intention of thinking about it! Better get ready and go to work! With such a thought, he immediately poured cold water over his head, hoping to calm his mind.

After breakfast, James immediately got ready to change clothes. Then, it heats up the motor before it is worn.

James is no longer using the bus to go to the school where he teaches. After a year of teaching, James bought a motorcycle even in installments. And now, the bike has paid off with its own sweat.

"Go first, Ma, Lin .." he said after all was ready.

"Yes. Be careful, "answer the two women.

And without waiting for long, James immediately put forward the bike.

...****************...

Celine enjoys her days at home by sticking to Mama Ratna. While James, trying to avoid Celine under the pretext of preparing an extension event that is getting closer.

When he got home from work, James locked himself in his room. He just came out during dinner and PKW events. After the PKW disbanded, he returned to his room to rest.

So too tomorrow morning. James was just doing the routine as usual. Get up, take a shower, have breakfast, then go to work.

Seeing James' attitude like this, made Mama Ratna anxious and unkind to Celine. Celine herself could only accept that attitude with a wry smile. He felt James was still angry because he had disappeared.

James looks like he's hostile towards Celine. For some time Celine in this house, never seen James took the time to accompany Celine to walk somewhere, joking, or even just chatting. Their familiarity that used to seem like it never happened.

Mama Ratna felt she had to find the right time to talk to her son about this. Until finally the opportunity arrived when Celine was taking a bath. In a hurry he covered James's room.

"James, open the door! Mama's gonna talk to you for a minute."

The door was opened from the inside and Mama Ratna came in.

"What's up, Ma?" james asked astonished at the hasty attitude of his mother.

"We're fast, James. Celine's taking a shower. Why are you the same as Celine? You're still angry because he didn't tell you?" ask Mama Ratna directly.

"Ga, Ma .... Kan James uda said, again focus on preparing the extension event. It's tomorrow, "James replied.

"Don't lie to Mama! Mama knows you're not that busy! You're avoiding Celine! Answer honestly! Wh why? Don't you like Celine?" shoot Mama Ratna.

James's face turned red. "Ma-Mama knows? Do you know when?"

"You know mah, uda from the beginning! So now I'm just mending! You why? What do you think your attitude is like?" mama Ratna asked impatiently.

James's face was immediately gloomy. Head bowed.

"If you know how James feels, do you think James deserves to be with Celine? Celine's status is now way above ours, Ma .." I'm James.

Mama Ratna was silent. He did not expect his son to have thought until there, even though it was actually a very reasonable question. Many men are not confident if chasing women who are higher than him.

"But I don't think Celine thinks that, James .... Look at his attitude. We're still the same, aren't we?" entertain Mama Ratna.

"Yes. James believed Celine was not the one to distinguish status. But what about his family? Her neighborhood? How do you feel about Celine herself? If he doesn't like James, can he honestly say that? Wouldn't our relationship with her be bad? You know for yourself, don't you think Celine's feeling as sensitive as anything?" James gave his consideration.

Mama Ratna was silent. All of James's considerations are correct, especially in Celine's feelings section.

If Celine rejects James' love, the boy will definitely avoid this family. He may not even visit this city again. He must have felt bad to stay close to James for hurting his heart. And automatically, she must also feel bad for herself and her husband, as the parents of the man she had rejected. Moreover, Celine felt indebted to them.

That was if Celine dared to refuse. Lf it doesn't? Is Celine going to force herself to accept James' love? Isn't that even more untrue?

So, does this youngest child have to continue harboring his love? Pity too, right? Mama Ratna must admit this situation is complicated and confusing.

After sighing, Mama Ratna finally said, "Well, pray for James. May each be given wisdom to behave and walk in the right direction according to His will. The important thing for now, try to improve your attitude towards Celine. You made him misunderstand. Okay?"

"Yes, Ma ...." James answered listlessly.

Mama Ratna could only pat her son on the shoulder before he exited James' room. He knew James was at a loss as to how to determine Celine's attitude. But anyway, this is part of the life lessons that James has to go through. He could only pray that his youngest child could get through it well.

...****************...