Sense of Sense

Take Off and Release

“I hope Mom really won't make the same mistake. I will also try to be sincere so from now on not only Mom who tries to get closer. But please don't be offended if I can't be so familiar with Mother.”

It was Safira's selfish request that was the most relieving Sari had ever heard. However, hearing it made tear-spreads fall onto the cheeks, arcing a smile and lifting all the weight on the woman's shoulders. And when Sapphira passed and disappeared behind the elevator door, the woman's voice could still be heard.

“Bu!” exclaim Edi approached Sari who was sitting on the floor of the hotel corridor. And how shocked Edi was once he saw Sari's condition. “Astaghfirullah! What's up, Mom? How, cry?”

Sari grew sobbing every time Edi asked the same question. The woman's tears could not be dammed soaking the brown veil and cheeks that had been polished by makeup even though she tried to hold back the cries to make it as unwilling as possible.

Meanwhile, Safira who was in the elevator was still trying to neutralize the pounding of her crazy heart. It was as if the blood-pumping organ was about to jump out from within the chest, racing in rhythm with its hunting breath. This is the first time Safira calls Sari with the highest calling she never expected she would give her stepmother.

For years Sapphira looked away from Sari, thinking that she was nothing more than her father's wife. Especially after the plans to take over Suprapti's legacy to end the kidnapping of his two sons, making Safira feel heavy to just talk to Sari.

When the elevator doors opened and two teenage girls entered, Safira took a step back and accidentally turned to the elevator wall and her tense face reflected there. Instead of turning his eyes, Sapphira was fixated.

Not once had Sapphira ever seen his expression as it is today. The tension on his face gradually faded replaced the thin smile that was slowly developing. Somehow, Safira felt very relieved.

“What is this thing called sincere?” inner Sapphira, holding the chest to the left. Then the memory of his conversation with Harti infiltrated Safira's mind.

“Any mother will not accept if her child is hurt, especially if the one who hurts is our closest person,” said Harti, responding to Safira's curses.

“So now how should I do, Mom?” tanya Safira riled.

Harti smiled faintly. He raised the right hand that was originally on the lap to the side of Sapphira's face and caressed her. Hearing her daughter-in-law tell a lot of stories and ask for advice makes Harti feel nostalgic.

“Kok, ask mom. You can answer yourself, Fi. Not anyone else.” Harti then pulled the hand back from Safira's face. “Your problem is not enough to hear the opinions of others, but also have to use this and this,” he explained, pointing the chest and temples with the index finger.

Safira lowered her gaze, staring at the fingernails of her new hands getting treatment—thanks to Rahma's compulsion. Then he let out a long sigh, trying to set his heart and mind together in order to coexist. However, it still feels difficult.

“Do you not want to accept your father refer to Aunt Sari?”

Netra Safira vibrates. “It would be easier if you immediately tell me what the decision is, instead of asking permission from me, Mom. If it feels like this like Father give burden to me.”

Harti patted Safira's shoulder. “Are you sure? What if Mr. Edi tells you if they want to refer to.”

“I ...”

“Are you sure you can accept the decision sincerely?” ask Harti again. Then as Safira shook her head, Harti continued with her soft tone of voice. “Your father didn't mean to give you the same burden, Fi. Precisely because considering your relationship is why Mr. Edi asks for your opinion and permission. I'm sure if you say you don't agree, your father can't be referred.”

“I don't want to be selfish, Mom. But ...” Safira caught his own breath. “If Mr and Aunt Sari refer, I feel the justice I get over Alvin and Zain is taken from me.”

Harti cupped Safira's face with both hands, making them exchange glances. While Sapphira's gaze was full of doubt, Harti cast a calming shady gaze.

“That justice was not taken from you even though they were referred to. Aunty Sari has got her reward, and the sense of justice is not just about punishment for someone who did wrong. But also a sincere sense of forgiveness from people who have been hurt. If you can sincerely accept and forgive then you will feel the sense of justice, but if you yourself have not been sincere and can not fully accept then how severe the punishment received by Aunt Sari, is, you can just not be satisfied and continue to feel unfair.”

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