Taint

Bright Point

Seeing Kaivan's tears, Darren's emotions slowly subsided. Then, slowly he let go of his grip. Darren continued to look into the eyes of the child who grew increasingly blurry.

"I'm sorry, Pa." Kaivan whispered while looking down.

"Sit down!" darren's orders were still with a firm voice.

Kaivan sat back down with his head still down. Darren sat down too. However, he did not talk, just staring straight ahead while adjusting the breath that had hunted.

"From now on, Papa won't force you. Pursue what you want! Even if it's far from Papa's business, Papa will try to understand it" Darren said moments later.

Kaivan did not reply, just turned his head and looked at his father who was still looking straight ahead. He is not yet convinced that his father actually gave him permission.

"If your world is photography, then fight there!" darren.

"Pa, I .. i___"

"One thing you should remember, never look for an escape on something wrong. Leave those two things, Papa will support you in your pursuit of desire." Darren cut Kaivan's speech while throwing a sharp glare.

"Sorry, Pa, I've made a fatal mistake." Kaivan looked down.

"Papa forgives you."

"Thank you, Pa."

"But remember, Kaivan, never repeat! If someday you still do the same thing, Papa is not reluctant anymore. Papa will act decisively!" darren.

"No way, Pa. I promise this is the last time" Kaivan replied.

"good. Papa keep your promise." Darren patted Kaivan on the shoulder.

"Yes, Pa."

"One more thing you should know. Nowadays, everything is often measured by money. Papa told you to jump into the business world not without reason, but for your future. Later if you grow up and plan a wedding, work is something that is questionable. Papa is just worried, a less supportive profession makes you fail at love. Even if you have Papa and will inherit one of Papa's assets, but if you can't handle it yourself, everything will be in vain" Darren said at length.

"Not all women look at money, Pa." Kaivan said slowly.

"You're right. But, not all women can accept what it is. Sometimes, wealth and power are the first consideration." Darren took a long breath. "Papa is lucky to meet your mother, the woman who can accept Papa as he is. But ... not necessarily you have the same luck, Kaivan," he continued.

"I understand, Pa, and I have no regrets about my choice" Kaivan replied.

"alright. Papa will support you!"

The smoke that billowed from Kaivan's cigarette was extinguished, along with Darren's emotional quench. He realized that his actions had been wrong all along. He put too much pressure on Kaivan without thinking that it would result in anything fatal. Although heavy, but from now on Darren will try to understand it. He will allow and support whatever Kaivan ideals.

"Not graduating is not the end of everything. Continue school!" Darren.

"Yes, Pa." Kaivan nodded.

Before long, they were startled by the voice of a person, whose presence was not realized by the two.

"What's going on?" ask Kirana. He frowned when he saw the fragments of vodka bottles scattered on the floor, as well as the rest of the cigarettes in between.

"Mother," Kaivan murmured.

"Kai, you___"

"I'm sorry, Mother." Kaivan moved up and squatted under Kirana's feet. "Mother may be angry, may slap, may hit, but please do not be disappointed. I promise I'll fix all this. Please forgive me, Mother," he continued.

Kirana was still unmoved, not believing that her son was consuming alcohol and cigarettes. She failed at being a mother.

"Mother, please forgive me, Mother." Kaivan continues to apologize.

Kirana blinked quickly to hold back the tears that began to pool. Then, he bent down and clasped Kaivan's arm. Though no words were spoken yet, he led his son to wake up and wipe his tears.

"What made you do that?" ask Kirana.

Before Kaivan replied, Darren first replied. He explained about Kaivan's depressed feelings. He also explained that after this will support whatever Kaivan ideals, including being a photographer.

Kirana did not open her voice, but cast an intense gaze at her husband. He disagrees a long time ago with Darren's wishes, which forces Kaivan to be diligent in business. Because, he knows Kaivan's ability is not there. However, Darren has always refuted, arguing that photographers are not a promising profession.

"I'm sorry, I was wrong, not listening to your opinion. From now on I will improve my attitude and will not force any more. I will support whatever Kaivan wants," Darren said. He was not pleased with his wife's look.

Kirana smiled. Then rubbed Kaivan's arm to give her spirit. Although the heart is tucked away in disappointment, but Kirana is not able to vent emotions. What Kaivan is doing right now, is not worth his mistakes in the past. He's a lot worse than Kaivan.

"After this diligent study, Kai! Continue your school well. Later, if you have finished High School, Papa will allow you to climb the mountain," said Darren a few moments later.

"Thank you, Papa. Thank you, Mother."

Kaivan smiled widely. The shadows of Rinjani Peak began to fill his mind. I don't know what fate is hidden there, why he craves the place so much—a location far from his hometown.

Kaivan's heart keeps on blossoming. The hope that seemed to lie before his eyes made him forget the jokes of friends, which he might receive when repeating school a year ahead.

Seriate...