Restore Your Smile

Materialize

After leaving the cafe, James did not know where to go. He was not ready to return home and confront his mother. His mother must have wondered why he had come home when it was still working hours. Therefore, he decided to ride his motorcycle without a destination.

James circled around the street in an erratic direction. It turns or straight across the path based only on the word of heart. Until unknowingly, James passed the church where he used to worship with his family.

Out of nowhere, James entered the churchyard and put his motorcycle in the parking lot. Then he took off his helmet and motorcycle jacket, and put it in the trunk of the motorcycle.

James continued his steps until he entered the prayer room. The atmosphere inside the church was so quiet. There's no one there. This is very reasonable, because at times like this there is no schedule of worship or church events held.

Slowly James approached the pulpit. His eyes were staring at the huge cross that was hanging in front of him. Only halfway through, gradually his steps slowed down, until he finally stopped and fell to his knees there.

Head bowed. Her tears are dripping. Feelings spilled. James complained to the Khalik, the despair that was afflicting him in unspeakable grievances. Only the screams sometimes escaped his lips. Shouts are like the roars of wounded animals.

Unbeknownst to James, his roar was heard by the priest Luke who was living there. There was a strange sound coming from the worship room that no one should be in. Pastor Lukas left his room and immediately went to check the prayer room.

He was silent to see a young man kneeling in tears on the road to the pulpit in the prayer hall. I don't know what the young man was going through until he cried that hard? He also chose to wait for the young man to finish pouring out his heart.

After a while, James seemed to be sitting in a doldrums. No more moans or roars could be heard. Only an occasional soft sobbing still slipped from his throat.

Luke slowly approached James, kneeling beside the young man. His hand thrust out a tissue box and said, "Son James, is there something you want to share with you?"

James looked at the priest who had educated him here since he was a child. I don't know since when Mr. Luke was here and saw him crying, James doesn't know. He had no intention of finding out and asking about it.

James took some tissue from the box and cleaned his face. No matter how troubled his face was now, he did not bother him too much.

Pastor Luke invites him to stand up and leads him to sit in one of the closest church chairs from their position. Like a sickly man who was not energetic, James obeyed the direction of the Pastor.

"Is there anything to tell? Maybe it can ease you?" The Reverend Luke asked again.

James remained silent. But after thinking for a moment, sooner or later he had to consult the Reverend according to his promise to marry Cindy.

"I ... want to confess my sin, Pastor ...." James begins his story.

"I had already desecrated a girl without me noticing, because I was drunk at the time. In fact, I already have a lover and am planning an engagement with him. Now, the girl's family holds me responsible for marrying her daughter. I was confused as to how to explain this to my parents and lover. I would definitely hurt them, "I'm James honestly.

Pastor Luke was silent to James' story. After a while, he asked, "If you may know, what is your decision on the demands of the girl's family?"

"I've agreed to take responsibility, Pastor. I will marry the girl, " replied James.

"Thank God, son, if you decide that. Let God bless your good faith. God has strengthened you so that you can explain your situation to your parents and your loved ones. Let them also be given magnanimity and comfort so that they may forgive your iniquities, "the Reverend Luke said.

James could only smile miserably and agree with the words of the Reverend.

"Father, you already know. But I was driven to remind. You know the consequences of Christian marriage, right? Whatever your reason for marrying that girl, there is no divorce in Christianity. You can't just marry her to just be responsible, then divorce her later in the day so you can marry your lover. You got it, right?" ask the Reverend Lukas.

"Yes. I understand, Sir. Very well understood, " James said in a bitter tone.

Pastor Luke smiled to see James defend his decision even though he knew it must have been a very difficult thing for the young man. How James must give up the future with his lover for the sake of responsibility. He patted James on the shoulder to comfort him.

"Related by that, sir .... How and what do I have to prepare to marry in this church, Pastor?" ask James suddenly.

"Of course you must follow the Pre-marital Catechism (guidance or pasture for wedding preparation) for 2-3 months. In addition there are some letters and documents that you must prepare, "reverend Luke replied.

"Okay, Pastor. I'll talk to my parents and the girl's family. I'm authorized to harass the Pastor for a while now" James said.

"No problem, son. I am glad to be able to help you, "Reverend Lukas replied with a smile.

"I'm saying goodbye, Pastor. Thank you for comforting me and strengthening me." James withdraws.

Then James went home.

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

James arrived home near lunch time.

"Go home, James?" mama Ratna asked as soon as she realized her son had arrived home.

At first he did not suspect anything. He thought James had come home early because teaching and learning activities had begun to be reduced considering that this was the end of the school year. But as soon as he saw James's face, he was stunned for a moment. He knew something was happening.

"Yes, Ma." James tried to act as usual and went straight into the bathroom before Mama Ratna could ask him anything.

After James came out of the bathroom, Mama Ratna was waiting for him to talk. "You why? Does it have anything to do with the camping event yesterday? Despite the fatigue, the look on your face will not be like this. What's up, son? Is there anything you can tell Mama?"

"She, Ma. But later tonight is the story, let's be papa. Sorry well, Ma .." said James with a sad tone and bowed face.

Mama Ratna just sighed looking at her son's decision. He let James return to his room without further questioning.

Until night comes. Papa Heru came home and the three of them enjoyed dinner together as usual. After eating, one by one personnel began to sit in the family room waiting for PKW time.

When everyone had gathered in the living room and the atmosphere felt relaxed, James immediately calmed down and prostrated until his head touched the floor.

"Papa, Mama .. sorry !" said.

Seeing James suddenly do things he never did, suddenly made these two old men shocked not dumbstruck and enveloped in a bad feeling.

"Why are you suddenly like this, James? Rise up! We're talking about it!" mama Ratna exclaimed while trying to raise James from his position to make him anxious.

James only dared to raise his head without daring to look at the faces of his parents. He also chose to keep his position.

"Why are you sorry for that to us? What mistakes have you made?" asked Papa Heru trying to be calm.

James took a deep breath and gathered his courage. Then he opened his mouth and started to tell.

Throughout James' story, Mama Ratna could only close her mouth so surprised. Finally, unable to hold back his feelings, a sobbing was released from his throat.

As for Papa Heru, it could only be silent with clenched hands holding back the emotions flowing in his chest. I don't know who he should vent those emotions to, he doesn't know.

"James is guilty of God. James is guilty of Papa-Mama. Forgive James for humiliating Papa-Mama!" james ended his story. He bowed until his head touched the floor.

Things become very quiet. Only the sobs of Mama Ratna's cries were sometimes heard. James did not dare to raise his head. He was waiting for a response from his parents.

Not long after, Papa Heru got up from his seat. Without saying a word, he left the living room and entered his room.

James only dared to raise his head after his back was patted by his mother. His heart was sliced to see the usually cheerful face of his mother now shed tears. It was even worse because he knew that he was the cause.

"I'm sorry James, Ma ...." James repeated his words. Unknowingly, tears had already dripped down her cheeks.

Mama Ratna could only be silent looking at her son's face. He knows, his son was not less hurt by this event. Gently, he patted his son's shoulder and said, "Give us time, son ...."

Then Mama Ratna stood up and followed the Husband into her room. Only James, who was still sitting, lamented his fate in the living room.

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