The Love That Is Taken

Lin Laoshi's

"That's it, dear," comfort Jonathan as he hugs his hysterical wife. "Calm yourself. Whatever happens, we will always be together. Stop blaspheming God. We don't know what his plan is yet. But I'm sure, everything will be beautiful in his time."

"Less what I was all this time, Mom? What was my fault that I was given a deadly disease like this? What sins?" the woman's sobs were unrelenting. Suddenly, he heard his own words. His hands shut his mouth so surprised. Yeah, God! his screams in the heart. Is this the punishment for my sin on Karin?

Her memory floated on the girl who several years ago threatened her to cry hysterically like her current self. Karin, the girl who was pregnant with Valentina, is the fruit of her love with Jonathan.

"This is karma due to my sin on Karin, Mas" he said. He's not hysterical anymore. But her tears still shed. "God intended to shorten my life by giving me this disease. His goal is to reunite you and Valentina back with Karin."

"Hush! Don't talk that no, honey. Didn't we promise to forget everything?"

"But God has not forgotten it!"

Jonathan wails. He did not know how to calm his wife. While Theresia was still engrossed in chattering herself, "Every human in this world must have experienced the laws of the sow. You and Karin were separated because they had an intimate relationship out of wedlock. While I had to take care of Valentina because she accidentally had her disabled since she was still in the womb. Now I'm in a critical illness so I can live a short life and Karin can come back to be united with you and Valentina!"

The husband stroked Theresa's back lovingly. "Don't think too far, dear. You know, your words just made me very sad. It's as if what I've been doing all these years means nothing to you. I really love you, There. Never mind, don't mention his name again. He's gone from our lives. I will stand with you forever...."

"Until death do us part" the Teresia sidelines quietly. He sighed painfully. "I've realized everything now, Mas. Alright. I accept my condition with a big heart. It's the price I have to pay to be with you and Valentina. Its alright. I am happy living with you. My husband and son...."

A sincere smile fell on the woman's lips. He had already sincerely accepted the malignant disease lodged in his body. These last years although sometimes make him desperate because of Valentina's condition that never improved, but his soul feels intact as a wife and mother. Much happier than when he was still living in his large house in Surabaya alone with Jonathan without the presence of a child.

I will undergo treatment in earnest, O Lord, his resolve is in the heart. To enjoy being with my beloved husband and son....

***

Two years later. A man in his forties stepped into a three-story shophouse. Above the entrance are all large letters: MANDARIN LANGUAGE COURSES.

A veiled receptionist greeted him, "Welcome. Can anyone help, sir?"

The man who had not shaved for several days replied briefly, "I'm looking for Lin Laoshi."

"Oh, Lin Laoshi is still teaching privately, sir. Ten more minutes just finished and straight away hours of rest. Are you willing to wait?" the receptionist was friendly.

"alright. I'll just wait here. Thank you, Ma'am."

"Together, sir."

The man who looked into his eyes looked cute and then watched the situation around the waiting room carefully. There are some photos on the wall of the room painted white. Photos of students and teachers of the course institution. He watched the faces one by one, but found no figure of the person he was looking for.

"Sorry, Ma'am. It seems I didn't see a photo of Lin Laoshi."

"Oh yes, sir. Those are old photos. Lin Laoshi had not taught here at that time."

"Is he a new teacher?"

"That's it, sir. He taught here for about six months."

"Rubber, Sir. Lin Laoshi graduates S1 of Chinese literature in Beijing."

Suddenly a middle-aged woman appears veiled from inside the shophouse. "I'm done. Go home first, Ma'am," she said at the reception.

"Good, Mom. Careful. Oya, is Lin Laoshi still in the classroom, Mom?" ask the receptionist to the woman who seems to be Lin Laoshi's private student.

"Yes, Mother. He's still writing that inside."

"Oh, fine. Thank you, ma'am" replied the young woman. Then he turned to the male guest who had been waiting since. "Do you know what your name and needs are? I'll tell Lin Laoshi."

The man replied, "My name is Bernard. It's Lin Laoshi."

"good. Just a minute, sir. I first got the info on him. Excuse me."

The man nodded. The receptionist stepped out of the waiting room. Meanwhile Lin Laoshi's disciple smiled kindly at him.

"Lin Laoshi his nephew Father apparently," said the middle-aged woman. "People are kind and patient teaching Mandarin, sir. Especially for a totally zero like me. Now his schedule is full once every day."

"Thank God, ma'am, then" said the man briefly. He smiled respectfully.

"Hopefully Lin Laoshi will work here, sir. At least until I speak Mandarin. Hehe...."

"Amin, Ma. I'll tell my nephew."

The woman nodded and then went home. The man came back alone. Shortly after, the receptionist reappeared. This time there was a long straight-haired young lady with him.

The male guest claiming to be his uncle stood up while nodding. "Hello, Karin," she said with a smile. Highlight his eyes that were originally cute turned to sparkle to see the person he was looking for was now only a step ahead of him.

Lin Laoshi who turned out to be Karin was dumbfounded looking at the man. What'd he come here for? ask in the heart. And how did he know I worked here?

"May I speak to you alone, Karin?" pint the person in a pleading tone of voice. His gaze implies that the purpose of his arrival is very important.

Somehow Karin was moved to nod her head. The girl said briefly, "Let's follow me."

Without further ado Karin directly turned her body. He walked quickly inside. His male guest nodded at the receptionist who looked at him in astonishment, then immediately caught up with Karin in front of him.

It turned out that the girl opened the third door on the right. When the guest entered it, the room was already bright. Karin himself was standing up to turn on the AC with the remote control he was holding.

"It turns out this is the classroom where you used to teach, Rin. Nice too. Clean and tidy," praised the guest.

Karin looked at him coldly. His hands were crossed in front of his chest. "Sorry, I don't have much time, Jon. Just tell me what your real purpose is to come here. And how do you know I work here?"