Taint

Do You Keep Loving Me?

"Kai, I don't__"

"Since childhood I have never achieved, even got a value just lucky enough. I've learned and tried hard, but the results are not there. I'm still stupid. I was so different from my two very accomplished sisters, who had no idea how many trophies they had collected. Since childhood, my hobby has only enjoyed the beauty of nature and immortalized it in a portrait. Repeatedly Papa told me to study business, but I always failed." Kaivan spoke at length as he moved from his seat.

"Kai___"

"Originally you know, Luna, I never graduated High School. Then, I repeated a year to get a diploma. Now you know, don't you, how similar I am to Nadhea?" cut Kaivan in a flat tone.

"You're not the same, Kai. You and him are very different." Luna is moving. "Maybe, you do have flaws, but you're trying hard. In fact, you can hone your hobby and make it a promising profession. While Nadhea, she did not try at all. He's a slacker, his hobbies are useless" he continued.

"I'm trying because there's support, Luna. I can hone my hobby because my family is supportive. Though his brain was far above mine, Reyvan and Athreya never hated. They just give me spirit. So too with Papa and Mommy. Although I often disappoint, but they are always proud and supportive of my choice. If I were ignored like Nadhea, none of this would be possible. I___"

"So you think my parents and I were wrong?" This time it was Luna who belied Kaivan's words.

"Do you think not?" Kaivan asked back.

Luna exhaled a rough breath, then turned away while folding her hands on her chest.

"His hobby is just painting with bad results. Actually he has no talent in that, but .. ah, his name is also lazy. As a child Mama and Papa have provided complete facilities, but he did not want to try. So, is it wrong if Mama and Papa revoke the facility? Isn't it just a waste to finance someone who has no intention of moving forward?" luna.

"There is no intention, Luna, but her ability is limited. And for the painting hobby you mentioned, everything needs a process. A bad start, when honed and pursued for a long time will be a special talent. For a fee, I don't know, it'll be worth it or not. But clearly, Papa and Mommy never counted on me. When I didn't graduate, they offered me a school out of town so I wouldn't be ashamed. But, I refuse. Then, they gave me the capital to set up Romantic Resto, even though I knew I was bad at business. But they still support. Eventually, the restaurant managed to expand with Reyvan's help. In essence, it was the family support that brought me to this position."

"Kai, why do you keep defending Nadhea anyway?" Luna looked at Kaivan with a slight squeeze, there was a feeling of annoyance as Kaivan continued to corner her.

"I'm not defending, Luna. I'm just talking what it is. Without the support of the family, I would have been like Nadhea" Kaivan replied.

"Different, Kai. I've told you repeatedly and he's different. You have intentions, and he is very lazy. Every parent has their own way of educating their children. Aunty Kirana and Om Darren are very soft, while Papa and Mama are a little hard. But, all that they did was for Nadhea's good as well, so that she would have her mind set on moving forward."

"Including by removing his name from the family list?"

Luna blinked quickly, then lowered her head and clasped Kaivan's hand.

"Maybe in that case Mama and Papa were a little overdone, but what could I do. It was their decision, I didn't have the courage to interfere" he said.

Kaivan closed for a moment. I don't know why he doubted that Luna's remark was something true. However, Kaivan did not question that. He asked something else that made him curious.

"Your past, does it have anything to do with Nadhea?" ask Kaivan.

Luna looked up quickly and stared fixedly at Kaivan.

"I just got to know love, and I'm still a teenager, just graduated high school. I couldn't control my feelings when Novan came to express love. Yes, he is Nadhea's boyfriend" Luna replied.

"Then why did you break up?"

"He cheated on me."

"I want to ask you one more thing" Kaivan said.

"Ask me!"

"If only my family had not given me their full support. If I didn't go to school when I failed to graduate from high school, I wouldn't have honed my hobby as a photographer. If I worked odd jobs for an uncertain salary. Do you still love me, Luna?" ask Kaivan.

Then, he counted in his heart. Until the count of 35, Luna has not given an answer, just eyeballs that dance to and fro, as well as lips that move slowly. With a slightly claustrophobic mind, Kaivan reviewed a wide smile.

"Forget over! Now I have a good job. There's a salary every month." Kaivan spoke while gently rubbing the top of Luna's head.

_____________

In one corner of Jakarta, in a three-story mansion, Athreya and Nicko sat face to face on the living room sofa. Athreya looks graceful in a long skirt and dusty pink shirt, as well as a matching rectangular veil. While Nicko, he wears shorts and a white shirt with no collar. Both were involved in serious conversation.

"I can't believe it, Reya. I don't want to tarnish Papa and Om Darren's trust" Nicko said.

"But I have no other choice, brother." Athreya answered softly while squeezing the end of the shirt.

"You have a choice, Reya. Just end this!" Nicko.

"I can't."

"Why?" Nicko stared fixedly. "You're a smart girl, Athreya, you shouldn't have chosen this path" she said.

There was no answer from Athreya's mouth, only a vague fad began to sound.

"The one thing I regret the most is introducing you to her. Honestly, I'm very disappointed in you, Athreya," said Nicko who then made Athreya more and more excited.

Seriate...