Substitute Mother

Chapters 104. Grow Old With You

“Today Mark is out of the hospital. The plan is that he will go home first until his condition is completely healed. After that, I went back to the apartment. Mom said I could stay as I please. I'm so happy, Judith. Ever since Louis's troubles were over, my happiness seemed endless. I will soon marry the man I love, my future in-laws love me, and more importantly I no longer work as an erotic dancer. Isn't this my dream life?”

Judith's gaze was still on the lips of the cup that reflected the smoke of the herbal tea she ordered. Her body is right here, in a cafe near Aera's school where she meets Hannah. But his mind was still moving on to last night's events that were enough to shake his imagination.

“Darling, you okay? You hear me?”

Judith lifted her net, she wanted to say it was okay, that she was okay. But after meeting Hannah's pair of twinkle, instead of pretending, her gaze was blurrying with tears well-willed and ready to shed. No, Judith can't pretend, at least in front of Hannah.

“Jeez, babe. What's the matter, hm?” Hannah moved to her best friend's seat. Embrace the girl's shoulders, intending to let Judith blow whatever was holding her heart.

“I'm scared, Hannah. I'm so scared of”

Hannah did not immediately ask what Judith was afraid of. The woman preferred to be quiet, rubbing the back of her friend who was sobbing in her arms. One thing Hannah knows about Judith is that her best friend rarely cries. And if it had cried until it sobbed like this, it would have reached his heart. Is it because of Jeanno?

Judith cried for a long time. Until the girl calmed down and lifted her face, the first thing Hannah did was wipe the remaining tears on her beautiful side of the face. Seeing Judith fall apart like this made Hannah feel sad.

“I didn't know that loving someone would hurt like this. Why should I feel it”

Judith recounts everything that happened between her and Jeanno. Long enough because they have not shared stories for a long time. Her lips were stammering and sometimes tears were shed again soaking her cheeks that had not dried. Hannah watched, listening carefully.

“I love him, Hannah. I love him so much” Judith back sobbing. “But I am nothing more than the shadow of his late wife who will not be able to become reality”

Hannah hugged Judith. He was confused as to what to respond. Because Hannah knew very well the words as good as anything would not treat the wound in Judith's heart that was inscribed by the man she loved. Hannah let out a faint sigh, this was what she was afraid of. His fears come true when Judith decides to accept this crazy deal.

In the end Judith lost her identity, being the difference between the figure of Judith and Nayara. Not only Judith, but Jeanno also seems gamang. Wondering if the attention he's been paying all this time is just because Judith reminds him of Nayara, or because Judith is Judith?

Hannah thought, What kind of fate was written for her and her two best friends. How can the three of them experience a love story full of obstacles. Is this a reward for having been in the dirty work for years? Renatta who was thought to be happy because he had a lover, it turns out that his lover is the husband of another woman. Judith, who she thought was a tough woman who knew no love, was weak and fragile at the hands of a foreign man who was still struggling in his past. While himself, almost married a man he did not love. Thank goodness now that the storm is over, he sees the rainbow now.

But what about ‘storm’ Judith and Renatta?

When will the two of them see the rainbow?

**

“Yes, I'm now at the jewelry store taking your order. I'll take you straight to the hospital, you're chatty once”

Jeanno hung up on Mark. Then stepped towards the counter which was greeted by a black-clothed employee who was smiling kindly. “I want to take an order ring on behalf of Marco Sebastian”

While waiting, the net is focused on the row of diamonds behind the glass. He never had a chance to see Nayara wearing the jewels she had bought for him. Make the item cold in the closet, with nothing to touch.

Jeanno smiled wistfully, imagining how beautiful it would be if the diamond was attached to Nayara's body. But in reality, his wife remains beautiful even without the luxury items attached there. Nayara is beautiful as it is. And it was the one that made Jeanno love her to death.

Speaking of Nayara, Jeanno recalled her message last night. Was he being too rude to Judith? This morning he did not see the girl in bed. Judith must have moved out earlier before she or Aera woke up. Even at breakfast he could see the look of his joints, as hard as Judith tried to hide. The point is, Judith is not as happy as usual.

In the rage of his mind, Jeanno caught a simple necklace but still beautiful with a shiny fitting diamond. Should he buy one for Judith? Yes, maybe Jeanno should give appreciation because the woman has worked well. Let's just say this is a gift from a boss to his employees, don't you think?

“Can I see the necklace?”

**

Hannah was surprised not to play when she opened the door to Mark's nursery. Not because of Mark's deteriorating condition, Oh God, don't let that happen. But because the condition of the room was different from the last time he saw. Mark's room was decorated with lots of white and pink balloons, then on the table in front of the sofa there was a bouquet of large pink roses. Also on the nightstand beside his bed.

But the bed was empty. There's no Mark on it. Where'd he go? Just as Hannah was about to turn around to look for Mark in the bathroom, the door opened. Appearing Mark with a neat shirt and suit even though he was in a wheelchair. Behind him, there was Jeanno who pushed his cousin's wheelchair, followed by Maria and Jose.

“Mark..”.

“I think that my previous application was very unromantic and far from much preparation. I want to do it outside, in a fancy restaurant accompanied by romantic instruments. But I realized if I had to do it again, then this is the place I chose. Here are silent witnesses to our struggle. You patiently take care of me, I struggle to heal. I want to propose to you in a place that gives us the meaning of fighting together. I really can't wait to tie you up, Hannah”

Hannah covered her mouth as Mark's hand pulled out the ring box from her suit pocket. A beautiful ring stored neatly there.

“I want to spend the rest of my life, build a small family - or a big happy family, I want you to be the woman I see in every waking up. Of all the women out there, you're the only one I want to be my life partner. Come age with me. Hannah.. Will you marry me?”

Hannah was too nervous to answer ‘ya’. Be the girl just nodding, even too happy until she nods too much. When Mark's hand grabbed the ring from the box, Hannah reflexively stretched out her hand. Let Mark slip the thing into his ring finger.

Initially there were only five of them, but either since when the door was opened wide, there were many medical personnel, as well as several others who witnessed a makeshift application a la Mark Sebastian. All applauded as Hannah squealed, parallel to the height of Mark sitting in a wheelchair.

“I want to age with you, Mark Sebastian”

The applause grew increasingly boisterous as the two people wrapped in love hugged each other. Maria can't hide her sense of well-being, while Jose puts his face away. Too embarrassed to be caught crying. Jeanno was endlessly smiling, so happy because in the end Mark managed to pick up his own happiness.

**