The Love That Is Taken

Ten Years Later

"Thank you, Min," Jonathan said as he accepted his best friend's hand. The atmosphere began to be filled with novelty.

"You know Valentina's going to get a cure soon, Bro," Bastian said as he patted his best friend's shoulder. "So you and your family can quickly return to this country and we together develop this office again."

"Thanks a lot, Bro."

That was how the three people then hugged each other. Their hearts are so full. Mina to shed tears. He loved Jonathan as a brother. His departure this time that somehow made him feel very lost.

Bastian and Mina have a small parting at the office. They ordered a number of buffet dishes to be eaten together. Jonathan made a brief speech in front of all his men. He thanked them for their hard work during this time developing the property marketing office.

All permanent employees and marketing personnel greet their leaders. They bid farewell to the following prayer that Jonathan's goal would be achieved. The man nodded and repeatedly thanked him.

The next morning Jonathan, Karin, and Valentina leave the hotel where they are staying to get to the airport. For the past week they've been staying at the place because Jonathan's house has been sold. Bi Sum and the other maids have also been repatriated with large severance pay.

"May Valentina get well soon, Mr. Jon. I say goodbye first. If it is needed again, I am ready to work again" said Bi Sum full day. He felt heavy also leaving the family who had been treating him well. Moreover, Valentina has been taken care of since childhood together with Theresia. His love for the child is as great as his own grandson.

"Thank you so much, Bi, for helping us out all this time. Bi Sum's services will never be forgotten" his boss said wholeheartedly. Among his aides, it was this old woman who worked the longest for him and Theresa. He already considered her like his own family. If Bi Sum was young, he might also be invited to China.

But his age was almost sixty years old made him decide to return it only. Let him spend the rest of his life gathering with his family in the village. The severance pay Jonathan gave her far exceeded that of his fellow aides, given his dedication and the length of time the old woman worked for him.

While in the plane that flew him to leave Surabaya, Jonathan's heart felt light. He was relieved that all his affairs had been well settled in his beloved country. Now he and Karin can concentrate fully on taking care of their baby.

"What are you thinking, Mom?" he asked her while touching the back of her husband's hand.

Jonathan ************women's fingers are friendly. "I am relieved to be able to leave Surabaya without any dependents, Rin. So we can focus on taking care of Valentina" he replied gently. "Bastian and Mimin offered to take us to the airport. But I subtly refused. Enough of our parting drama at the office yesterday. Don't add any more at the airport."

Karin smiles. "I have also promised that we will always inform Mina. Just like when I was living in Beijing" he said. "Look, Mas. Our son slept there."

Jonathan turned his gaze to his daughter who was lying on her back covered in a blanket. He did choose business class so that Valentina could rest and not sit in a tight fit with other passengers. The little girl chose a place beside the window so she could freely see the sky and clouds that she thought were very beautiful.

"Our journey will be long, Karin" said her husband. "I'm not going back to Indonesia before Valentina's condition improves. I'll make Theresia proud by bringing our son home with his feet moved. While in China, I will write Indonesian articles about the property business on the internet. I have found platforms that are willing to accept the work of freelance writers. Then I'll take a Mandarin course too. Who knows if I'm proficient, I can be a translator for Indonesian people who want to travel to China."

Karin smiled at the plan of the man she loved. "Whatever you do, I'll completely cover it, Mas. Because I know, you're definitely gonna do what's best for our family."

"Thank you, honey. What about your plan to write a novel?"

"Oh, that. I am still confused by the title. A Love Torn or a Heart Wounded?"

"What's the story about?"

"The story is about..," answered Karin while writhing affectionately on her husband's shoulders. "Love triangle between me, you, and Madam Theresia. Hehe...."

Jonathan gasp. "You mean to write about the twists and turns of the love of the three of us, honey? Whoa!"

"Can, no?" ask his spoiled wife.

"Well.may-can, anyway. But the names aren't the same, yeah."

"Definitely use the fictitious name dong, Mas."

"Will anyone read, Rin?" ask the husband in wonder. "What's so special about the story of the three of us?"

The wife shrugged her shoulders. "Come, Mas. I was just moved to write it. It may be useful to those who read it. Whether it is or not, it is a back business. The important thing is that I try to write it. I'll be translating into Mandarin and English as well. You can get a three-language contract for the same story. Hehe...."

"My wife is awesome!" praise Jonathan as he kisses Karin's cheeks. The woman smiled happily. Thank you very much, Sister There, her mind is full of gratitude. You gave me back my love that was taken away years ago.

Suddenly the woman gasped. Unknowingly he had found a fitting title for his novel later. The Love that Is Taken, in the heart. Yeah, it fits. The novel will be an offering and my thanks to Ms. Theresia. A wonderful woman who has made me wiser in my life.

Ten years later. In an exclusive cemetery, a couple were walking with their two children. The men stopped in front of four similarly shaped headstones and stood side by side. The four headstones are located a bit far away and are located the highest compared to other headstones.

"Kids, let's put the flowers together in the burial ground of Opa, Oma, Oma Mila, and Mama Theresia. Continue to flush with mineral water," invited the middle-aged man who still looks dashing.

Both of his sons nodded. While performing the ritual, suddenly the eight-year-old boy interrupted, "Opa Simon is very handsome, yes, Pa. It also looks good."

"Rubber, son," answered his father in agreement. "Your name is taken from this Opa Simon. His hope is that you will become a good, intelligent, and authoritative person like him. Papa really admires this opinion of yours."

"No two oma's, Pa?" little Simon asked critically. "Can you have two wives in Indonesia?"

Father chuckles. She then explained, "This oma is Opa Simon's first wife. She's Mama Theresia's real mother. After he died, Opa Simon married Oma Mila."

"Oh, so. So like Papa, huh? Married to Mama Theresa. After he died, Papa married Mama Karin" the boy said.

His mother this time said, "Metul, Simon. Now let's both pray for Opa, Oma, Oma Mila, and Mama Theresia. Valentina too. You haven't visited Mama There's grave in a long time. Must be so bad."

"Yes, Ma" replied his daughter who turned out to be Valentina. The girl is now sixteen years old. He can now walk on his own using a walker, a crutch stick attached to his elbow.

That was the best result he got from fighting for ten years with various treatments in the country of Bamboo Curtain. Jonathan and Karin tirelessly accompany him through his difficult times in order for his legs to function as they should. In the country, he also homeschooled and had completed his junior high school education. Now Valentina is proficient in Mandarin, English, and plays a variety of traditional Chinese musical instruments.

Everyday she and Simon, her Chinese-born younger brother, use Indonesian to communicate with their parents. Jonathan and Karin also always remind that they are Indonesian citizens who will return to their hometowns.

"Mama There, Valen's home. How are you, Ma? Valen can walk on his own. Even if you have to use crutches. But Valen is so grateful...."

The beautiful girl's tears were shed as she spoke in front of Theresia's tombstone. He poured out his heart while going through the sorrows of a distant land. Fortunately Jonathan and Karin always support themselves in times of fatigue or despair.

"Thank you for the prayers and support of Mama There as well" Valentina added. "If it wasn't for Mama's support, Valentina wouldn't have been able to make this much progress. May you now be calm in heaven. My mom's dream has been achieved. Valen would visit Mama here often. Because we've all decided to settle back in this country."

Valentina's sobs are getting louder. She remembered Theresa who had always loved her as a child. Karin hugged her daughter full of haru. Eyes glazed.

"Mbak There, this is the best result we can get for ten years treating Valentina in the other country. I believe Sister There is satisfied to see our child can be independent now. Thanks for everything, Ma'am...."

Jonathan hugged the two weeping women. "Here you go, There won't like to see us sad. Let's smile so he'll be happy."

His wife and daughter nodded. While little Simon looked at his parents and brother alternating signs of incomprehension. But the boy decided to keep quiet.

Moments later they prayed for Theresa and her parents. Jonathan asks Karin to get their children in the car first. He still wants to talk in front of his late wife's tombstone. Karin nodded in understanding. He invites Valentina and little Simon to leave the place.

Jonathan crouched down in front of Theresia's gravestone. He took a picture of his late wife with affection.

"There, my dear," he said with a smile. "Me and Karin have done everything possible for our children. Hope you are satisfied, yes. How are you, honey? I know you've always accompanied our journey for the past ten years. Now it's our turn to come visit you. We'll come often, there. Karin is now a well-known online novelist. His novel titled Love the Untaken is a sweet selling. Made in Indonesian, English, and Mandarin versions. Even until it was adapted into a big screen movie in China! The novel tells the story of the love of the three of us, dear."

The man stopped for a moment. He took a long breath. How much he missed his noble wife.

Then he started to tell me again, "I'm good at Mandarin now, There. In China I became the translator of Indonesians who came for leisure and business. My and Karin's income was enough to sustain our daily living expenses albeit in a simple way. Also for Simon's school fees. Your inheritance we used for Valentina's medical and educational purposes. There's still a lot of excess, honey. Karin and I plan to use it to build a social foundation for children with spinal cord disorders like our children. May you grant us this wish...."

A gentle breeze blew by Jonathan's ear. The man was surprised. He seemed to hear the whisper of Theresa saying, "Yes."

Eyes glazed. "Your heart is glorious, There. Thank you.." he said lirih.

Covered both hands take a stance of prayer. He closed his eyes and looked down. May his beloved wife live in peace in heaven.

A few moments later Jonathan stood up and turned around to leave the tomb. The breeze blew back. As if to thank him for his arrival and deliver him back to his beloved family.

EXPIRE