Shackles of Love

34. One Decade

Six years passed after Keisha's departure from Arfian life.

Seven years….

Eight years….

Nine years….

Ten years….

Arfian is increasingly immersing himself in his work, career, and company. The company he founded was getting bigger and he trusted his younger brother Arfin to manage it. While he himself has really held the large company owned by his papi. Her father had from two years ago completely retired and released his company to be held by Arfian, her eldest son.

Farid did not force his younger brothers Arfian to inherit his company because Farid realized that the passion of his sons was not in the field of his own. Farid has a large international textile factory. He was actually aware that Arfian's passion was not in the textile business either, but as the eldest son and crown son, Farid had to give the leadership relay to Arfian.

Luckily Arfian is a responsible boy. Arfian realized that many souls were under his papal company. He could not be selfish not to carry on the leadership relay from his papa. After all, arfian could still channel his passion in the company he built himself.

His sister Arfin has the same passion as himself who likes the property field. While his other sister chose a profession as a lecturer, just like his mammary profession first.

****************

“Fian, later tonight Mami wants to come to your apartment.” Maya said on the phone.

“What the hell mam to Fian's apartment. Fian promises later in the afternoon, Fian returns home.” Answer Arfian.

“Review if you're lying. Mami will jewel your ears to break up if you dare to break the promise.” Threat Maya.

“Ya ampum Mam, very cruel indeed the same child himself.”

“You are old already a lot, but your behavior makes Mami want your ear jeweler.” Maya is upset.

“Fian promise. Bye...” Arfian instantly disconnects the phone.

“Basic children less aj*r.” umpat Maya.

**********************

In the afternoon, Arfian kept his promise to return home.

Arfian kissed her mother's left right hand and cheek.

“Sit!” maya's orders.

“Yeah, Mam. The new kid came home from work already juiced gini. Didn't you drink first. Mami's son just returned from work maintaining a company that has been built by his great-grandfather and grandfather from the Dutch colonial era. It is difficult for Mam to maintain a long-standing company. Companies that have a lot of age, a lot of problems.” Arfian.

“Aaaah you don't babble a lot of nonsense. You know you can run the company well. Use ngoceh many problems all.” Omel Maya's.

“Yes it is the work of this handsome Mami child.” Sahut Arfian a little bragging.

“You realize you're handsome?” ask Maya.

Arfian confidently nodded his head.

Arfian just put his shoulders together.

“Your sister, Arfin got married a year ago. Your sister Arfan is also now reportedly approaching with a woman who he said was his student. Now Mami asked how are you doing?... When did you bring the future daughter-in-law Mami?... Mami and Papi are old. We want to see you happy in a marriage. You are 36 years old, enough to get married. What are you waiting for? Your work is well established. You have your own home. Don't worry, because Mami knows you're building your own house.” Maya is angry.

“Mami know what and who Fian is waiting for.” Reply Arfian lirih.

“Fian, darling. It's been 10 years. You should be able to move on. Mami knows you're waiting for Keisha. But are you sure that Keisha wants you to wait. Maybe now Keisha has found his own happiness. What would you do if Keisha came home and brought her own happiness?” ask Maya sadly.

Maya finds out that her eldest son loves Keisha very much and is willing to wait for her to return. Maya is worried that Keisha has forgotten Arfian and found a new love. Maya does not want Arfian to be more heartbroken when that time comes.

“Mam, Fian will give up if indeed one day Keisha comes home with his own happiness. If that happens, Fian will give up. But for now, allow Fian to continue waiting for Keisha.” Arfian Pinta.

Maya has no power to hold back her tears. He hugged his eldest son tightly.

“Fian, every night Mami berTO’a for your happiness. Every night Mami asks God to return Keisha to you. Every time you finish praying, Mami asks that you mate with Keisha so that you are happy. Mami hope you are patient. You will be the husband of Keisha if God wills. But you should not be angry and disappointed if your future mate is not Keisha.” Maya sobbed in her eldest son's arms.

Arfian also hugged his mother back with no less tight. She spills her grief and longing for Keisha in the arms of her mother. Her cries that she endured for 10 years, she spilled in the arms of her mother this afternoon. The two of them, mother and son hugged each other tightly while shedding their own tears of sadness.

“Fian, tonight you sleep here ya.” Pinta Maya's.

Arfian nodded his head.

After dinner, Arfian decided to go up to his room.

In this room, 10 years ago, their first kiss and also their last meeting. Arfian remembered him very clearly. She still remembers how her lips kissed Keisha's lips for the first time. In this room, Keisha expresses her love and in this room Arfian realizes that her true love is Keisha.

Too many memories in this room that makes Arfian can no longer survive to stay in this room and choose to live in the apartment alone. In a place where there is no memory of Keisha.

But now, tonight, those memories are coming back into his memory room. Memories of when they were children and often spent time in Arfian rooms. Memories when Keisha asked to be taught to play guitar. And the most powerful thing embedded in his memory was the memories of that first kiss. Arfian felt his chest ache withstanding the longing for these 10 years. He could not find a cure to ease the pain in his chest.

“Kei, where are you? I miss you so much, don't you miss me? When will you be back? Can't you just break your heart yet? Has your heart not changed? Do you still love me” asked Arfian inwardly.

Arfian falls asleep with fond memories with Keisha hoping that she can meet Keisha even in her dreams tonight.

But alas, when the adhan shubuh reverberated and Arfian woke up. Keisha was not present in her dream last night.

*********************

Mah, Kei's coming home next week.

As soon as the contents of the text message sent by Keisha through whatsapp to Arini, his mother.

***************

Seriate

Follow Kagendra and Sadiyah's love story in the story titled, "I Found Love With You"