Stephanotist

26 — Opportunities For You

On the way no one opened talks between Vernon and Kezia. Vernon still doesn't believe Kezia is in his car. And Kezia kept quiet for thinking about the future, how they went through the household after all this.

They were at Vernon's. Kezia rushed down from the car after the car door was opened by her husband. Vernon was so clumsy and smiled faintly at Excelo who was sound asleep.

"Sir Karsam, please bring my wife's suitcase to the room at her command." ordered Vernon after the security guard came.

Mr. Karsam did Vernon's orders after greeting Kezia.

"Let me carry," Vernon reached out toward Kezia.

"You — You sure?" ask Kezia.

Vernon just nodded small in response. The man received Excelo as Kezia moved the baby padlock into his hand. Vernon looked pleased and brought Excelo closer to his face to see his son more closely.

Kezia was a little was - was and took a step closer to Vernon, "Heart - heart."

Vernon saw Kezia, there was nothing he covered up again. He was very happy to see the two humans he had lost in his life back. Nothing could make him happy more than this.

"Thank you." said Vernon sincerely who made Kezia stay on the spot. The man has really changed. Until Kezia could not comment what - what.

***

Kezia approached Bi Tini and hugged the old woman like a child. Vernon took Excelo to the room to put her baby to sleep.

"Oh my goodness, ma'am. You worry me." Bi Tini said after Kezia relaxed her embrace.

Kezia smiled sincerely, "Good aunt? How's the family in the village, Bi? Everything is healthy, right?" ask Kezia to distract. Kezia did not want Bi Tini to discuss about her past.

"Good, Mistress. All healthy because of Gusti's kindness." replied Bi Tini.

Kezia was happy and thanked. The woman chatted with Bi Tini about many things. Then Bi Tini decided to clean the yard and lock the cellar.

Inevitably Kezia went upstairs following Vernon. With a slow step, the woman climbed the stairs. He began to recall painful memories of his past. About Vernon's treatment and all the accusations of a poisonous woman who had gone from her domestic life. In fact, Kezia tried to forget the shadows that permanently imprinted on his brain.

***

Vernon got up from the bed and turned his back when he heard the sound of the door opening. His eyes looked at Kezia who entered with a lethargic look on his face.

"Just come?" ask Vernon.

Kezia glanced at Vernon for a bit then closed the door slowly. "Yes. I'm sorry, I talked to you about a lot of things, Bi Tini." Kezia faces back to Vernon. His heart is beating fast. Just this time he freely set foot in Vernon's room.

It used to be forbidden even when Kezia made coffee for Vernon. But now, the man had instead removed all of Kezia's clothes and necessities in this ash-white room. Kezia did not protest and accepted. After all they are also husband and wife in addition want to rebuild the household that is almost over.

"I—"/"Are you—?"

"Speak." Vernon sat back on the edge of the bed and observed Kezia trying to escape from Vernon's eyes.

"I..why am I here? Isn't my room downstairs?" that question had always filled Kezia's mind ever since Vernon had the security guard bring his suitcase upstairs.

Vernon raised one eyebrow and was anxious to see Kezia's behavior. His wife was as innocent and sweet as ever, before she decided to run away from Vernon's house.

Kezia blinked his eyes many times, "Creally?" Vernon nodded steadily.

"You're not lying, are you?" ask Kezia again.

"No. Why don't you believe it?" Vernon tilted his head slightly then told Kezia to sit next to him.

"Thank you!" kezia exclaimed happily, though not for long, as Vernon coded that Excelo was a little distracted by Kezia's call.

Kezia sat next to Vernon, always putting on her sweet smile. The woman didn't realize that Vernon was always watching her.

Vernon grasped Kezia's hand gently then tightened himself to get closer to his wife. "Kez," Vernon calls Kezia so that she looks him in the eye.

Kezia had almost rejected Vernon's touch because his mind could not calm down if he was in this house. But her husband clasped Kezia's hand as if Kezia was going to leave again from this house.

Kezia looked at Vernon awkwardly, Vernon's gaze not as sharp as usual, there was a flash of regret that Kezia could see from Vernon's dark eyes.

"You're afraid of me?" ask Vernon.

Kezia remained silent and lowered his head, unable to see Vernon's eyes any longer.

Vernon raised his other palm and touched Kezia's cheek with heart. The man silenced her for a moment then went down and raised Kezia's chin slowly. Kezia looked back at Vernon.

"I'm sorry, Kez. I don't deserve to be your husband. I always make you bear all the burdens alone." said Vernon. He really felt bad in Kezia's eyes.

Upon returning, Kezia is often reminded of all the things Vernon had done to her. It often makes Kezia think to stay away and avoid for a while. But Kezia realized, if he continued to avoid then everything would never be finished. So she decided to go back to live with Vernon, her husband. And forget the bad past.

Kezia bit her lip choosing to close her mouth. If asked how Kezia feels right now, Kezia will answer fear. He was afraid that Vernon would hurt him again. Even if the therapy made the man recover it would be better if Kezia proved it directly.

"I don't know if I can forgive or not. But I always try to be myself and eliminate all the bad in me." Vernon pulled out his hand and tightly grasped Kezia's palm with both hands

"You, you're the only one who can help me out of my past hatred, Kez. I always hoped that someday you would forgive me completely. I'm — I don't know — new this time I'm really screwed because of someone who almost left my life."

Vernon showed a sincere smile with all sorts of feelings mixed into one. All the ugliness, hatred, regret, and the future become one shape one's life for the better. Like Vernon who just lost a precious diamond and managed to find it even though it did not require too much sacrifice.

Vernon was lucky to have a wife as good as Kezia. A tough woman with her purity of heart. Never once did Vernon think, how could God give Kezia for himself. A man who is always covered in anger and darkness.

But it is true, God is loving and loving. Never once left his people alone. The trials that have come so far will never exceed the limits of ability.

"I'll help you. We will fight together." said Kezia and returned Vernon's grasp. Kezia also wants to be a good wife to her husband. Let the past disappear on its own. The more he gets used to learning today, the more tomorrow he will know how to deal with increasingly severe problems.

Vernon is the happiest guy right now. Spontaneously, Vernon pulled Kezia into his arms. She held Kezia tightly and channeled her feelings towards Kezia. Vernon begins to learn to love his wife. We will not waste our chance for a hopeful future.

"Thank you, Kez. Thank you." Thank you."

Kezia nodded in Vernon's arms. For a moment he forgot all the burdens of thought and felt this moment together with Vernon. For her household to be restarted from scratch, Kezia must walk alone with Vernon. Kezia will not be in front or behind. He must be faithful to be beside Vernon, completing all the shortcomings that exist between them. And live a happy life with his little family.

***