Short Stories Romance

CONTRITION

“Yey!!”

We vented happiness after graduation and became scholars by throwing black graduation hats together. The throw upwards like it was about to fly into the sky, has been recorded in the digital camera of the photo graphene.

Happy and become one. All the students look happy including Anindya, the hijab girl who has been my lover since the beginning of college until now earned a bachelor's degree (S1) at one of the campuses in the city of Bandar Lampung.

“Bee, congratulations, yes!” anindya told me.

“Congratulations to you too, Honey,” reply.

Anindya looks beautiful when wearing an ash color kebaya with natural makeup. Our family has planned an engagement tonight. We have all prepared.

Until finally, the long awaited night had arrived. I and my parents have prepared to go to Anindya's house. I mean to propose to him.

The car sped quickly towards Anindya's house.

“Why are you, Nav?” asked Papa who seemed to know that I was struck by an incredible nervousness.

“No papa, Pa!” elakku who keeps moving sitting position.

Papa smiled, visible from the rearview mirror of the car inside. Holy hooch! Does Papa really know what I'm thinking right now?

Eventually the car stopped in a pretty luxurious house. My chest was pounding even more, when the car door opened.

“You don't want to come down?” said Mama while bringing a parcel for Anindya.

“Tu-get down, Ma!” I said with sweat flowing enough.

Relax, Nav!

Our footsteps have entered Anindya's house. The warm welcome from both parents was very I guess. But it did not stop such a tight vibration in the chest.

Until finally, Anindya was present in the middle of our family. She looks beautiful with white floral dres. He sits between his parents.

Finally, Papa expressed his intention to propose to Anindya for me. Not waiting for a long time, Anindya's family agreed to this engagement.

“Alhamdulillah,” said we were together.

They chatted at home. While Anindya and I chose to sit on the outside terrace to enjoy the beautiful night sky with moonlight.

“Bee,” dear greeting Anindya to me.

“Iya, Hon?” I replied while looking at the pretty face of Anindya.

“Appointments, yes. While in Ausi, you won't be tempted by other women?” said Anindya while pointing her pinky. Just like a kid.

I smiled and hooked my pinkie with her, “Iya. I promise, Hon!”

The smile was etched beautifully on Anindya's pink lips. We talked about the wedding plans. Start renting which building? Who's wO? Catering where. We all talked about tonight.

Just this afternoon I saw a happy hue on Anindya's face, now looking sad. Not because of his engagement. However, because tomorrow I will fly to Ausi to continue studying S2 (Master) there.

“Bee, can its S2 not continue in Indonesia?” ask Anindya.

“Can't, Hon. My name is listed there. If you take here the cake should wait for the next wave.”

Seen a disappointed look on the face of the beautiful hijab girl who will become my wife later.

“Don't be sad dong, I've only been there two years. After that we got married.”

Silent.

“Hon?” I called Anandya.

Anindya looked up and looked me in the eye.

“I promise to be loyal to you. I will not turn away from you even if we are far away. Looking forward to me back in Indonesia huh, Hon?” my door to him.

Anindya nodded.

“I will also faithfully wait for you, Bee. For now, only the heart and the circular ring on the ring finger are capable of keeping. Hopefully our intention to do the wedding procession will run smoothly yes, Bee.”

Sweet promises we have agreed on together. Everything was very planned, especially for the wedding. It all sounds beautiful when the sweet promise we knit together to keep each other's trust and build a household above honesty.

***

Until finally that time has come. Anindya drove me to the airport. Those tears were watching me who was about to fly to Ausi.

“Get yourself well, Bee! Do not forget to always contact me,” pinta Anindya which also makes me sad when I see clear water that always falls.

.

The plane had flown from an airport in Indonesia to Australia.

I remember the beautiful face of Anindya and her tears when she let me go to study in the land of people.

I promise to always take care of my heart, Hon.

Finally, the plane I boarded arrived at the International Airport in Australia. I went downstairs and immediately found a place to live there that was not too far from the campus. Opening the phone and then giving news to Anindya that I have arrived at Ausi safely.

We replied to the message until it didn't feel like it was getting dark. The activity here is not much different as in Indonesia. The difference is, I work part-time and only have a temporary residence here.

My activities were monotonous at Ausi. Just going to college, work and sleep. No doubt, it feels like playing to give up time with friends at the Club.

Until one day, I was met by an Australian woman. She was so beautiful and fluent in Indonesian, that we got closer.

“Nav, I want us to date!” the word came out of the lips of Britney, the woman I was close to here.

I didn't expect Britney to declare her love. Because from the beginning, actually just want to have friends to spend time here.

“But me, sud-“ My lips are covered by Britney's white arm.

“I don't accept rejection. More than the people I love,” he replied as he looked into my eyes.

I realize I broke my sweet promise to Anindya. I share my heart with Britney. Sometimes it feels tight when I'm with Britney, Anindya calls me. Britney also always frowned when I received a chat or phone call from Anindya when she was next to me.

My God, how long is this going to happen?

Now I realize I broke my sweet promise to Anindya. I am also guilty of having received love from Britney that caused both women I love to be hurt.

Time keeps passing. My education is almost over. I went to Britney to talk about what really happened. Where in fact I am engaged to the figure of a hijab girl in my country.

Britney's tears were so bad after I told her everything that Anindya was not just my girlfriend, but she was a future wife and we would have a marriage after I finished my education here.

“If this is the case, how else? I'm letting you go with him, Nav. May you be happy,” said Britney who swallowed a bitter pill from my confession to her.

One woman has been hurt by me. I don't want to add any more wounds for Anindya. I will not let this woman swallow the bitter sweet promise we have knitted together.

***

I finally went back to Indonesia. My heart longs for Anindya, the hijab girl who will be my wife.

I closed the gloomy sheet when I was in Ausi with Britney. The promise that I broke a few months ago, I'm gonna come back to clean up, maybe too late. However, as long as Anindya does not know, I think it is safe.

“Bee!”

Anindya ran and hugged me tightly.

I also returned her arms warmly. It was as if the water had fallen onto his cheek.

“I miss ...”

It was the only word he said when he was in the arms. He is also seen wearing a ring on his ring finger as he once promised. I will take care of the heart and the ring I gave you that night, when I laid it down.

Why does it hurt when Anindya pours out her longing feelings for me?

I felt I had sinned against him because while in Ausi, I had divided my heart with others.

“You fulfilled your promise ‘kan, Bee?” I asked when we were at the airport.

I nodded, not daring to answer. Her smile was beautifully engraved as I nodded my head. Maybe for him this nod was an answer, that I was guarding this heart. It hurts more I think when he smiles over all the lies I've done.

We walked to the parking lobby. On the way, I asked to stop because I wanted to buy tempoyak. I miss one of my regional specialties.

“You are here, let me buy it,” Anindya told me.

He got out of the car and crossed over because the stall was across the street. While I waited in the car, I opened the phone screen to tell the parents that I was on the road to my house.

DUARR!

The sound of a car hitting something.

“Tolooonggg!”

There was a hysterical scream from a woman.

I looked up from the view that was focusing on staring at the phone screen.

“Anindya?”

My eyes widened when I saw Anindya who had been covered in blood because of being hit by a car.

Immediately I opened the car door and ran towards him.

I clasped the taut fingers embedded in our engagement ring. I was going to take him to the hospital. However, this hand was held back by Anindya.

“Bee, thank you for keeping your sweet promise to me. You have kept your heart up to this moment. I want you to know, that here I too have fulfilled our promise to take care of each other.”

I was really sick to hear Anindya say.

“But, sorry. I can't keep my promise to continue living with you. Because, a-I su-dah is not strong anymore.”

Anindya's body was weakly drooping. His eyes closed and his breath disappeared.

“Hon, Honey! Wake, Hon!” I'm trying to wake Anindya up.

There was a man approaching me. He checked Anindya's pulse and breath.

“Propay yes, Mas. This woman has died,” he said as he rubbed my shoulders.

I pegged on the side of the road with Anindya's body in my lap.

Oh my God, I'm so sorry I broke my promise to her. Just wanted to fix it, but you took it from me.

These tears flowed down Anindya's body that was full of wounds.