The Moon Among the Stars

8

That round was finished enjoying both. Both bodies are now starting to warm up and feel fresh. The original taste of ginger drink is indeed suitable for penetrating cold nights. As if there were no topics of conversation, the two of them just stared at each other and threw a smile.

Afnan started the conversation, when both of them were just equally silent and dissolved in their respective minds.

"Ayumi, there's something you want to say. Maybe this is not the right time, but time will continue to run without us knowing, we will make a lot of mistakes, he said, until what is our goal will never be achieved if we do not reveal from the beginning. Including the things that you will tell Ayumi tonight." said Afnan very slowly and clearly. His gaze remained straight ahead without blinking.

Ayumi turned to Afnan and stared and listened well, what Afnan would say to her. Ayumi's heart and mind started to become uneasy and anxious as Afnan began to speak. Both eyes of Afnan who stared blankly in the other direction, making Ayumi more and more out of his feelings.

Afnan's talk now looks serious and a little stiff. Afnan turned his head towards Ayumi, their two eyes meeting and staring at each other. Afnan fixed his sitting position facing towards Ayumi. Both eyes of Afnan staring fixed Ayumi's eyes.

"What does Brother Afnan want to say. Say, Ayumi will listen well." said Ayumi lirih. It was as if the gaze was hinting at something less good for Ayumi.

"Please promise not to hate me Ayumi. If you tell me everything, whatever the reason. Ayumi never hate Brother." Afnan said briefly in a pleading tone.

"Ayumi also has a secret. This secret only Mother knows. Maybe it's time you knew it from Ayumi" Ayumi told Afnan.

"What is Ayumi?" afnan asked excitedly and looked sparkling around his face. His smile seemed sincerely interested.

"So don't talk first. Ayumi promised, after Kak Afnan finishes talking, Ayumi will say everything." Ayumi said slowly.

"alright. Brother will be honest with you Ayumi. Actually Brother kept the flavor to you since ten years ago. Since that meeting. Do you remember Ayumi? What happened ten years ago?" afnan asked a little doubtfully to Ayumi.

Ayumi listened well, then nodded her head slowly at the sign of understanding and understood the meaning of Afnan's conversation.

"Ayumi remembers Brother. At that time Ayumi was still very small maybe about eight years old. Ayumi played around the river where the current was very heavy. Accidentally, Ayumi's ball is thrown towards the river and Ayumi intends to take the ball, without knowing the danger threatens Ayumi. Until ..." Ayumi's speech stopped. His gaze that had been staring at Afnan had also moved in another direction. Her tears trickled down her cheeks, Ayumi's eyes wet in light of the incident.

"Till you enter into the rushing river, it is just a new ball bought by your father. Your life is almost gone by drowning and out of breath" Afnan said, continuing Ayumi's speech.

Ayumi just nodded her head, again all Afnan's words were truth and fact. It was ten years ago, but the memory remains in the minds and hearts of both.

"Then, Brother Afnan helped Ayumi and brought Ayumi to the mainland. Giving artificial breath when Ayumi was unconscious" said Ayumi stammered.

At the same time, Ayumi's parents are looking for the existence of Ayumi who plays without saying goodbye.

"You know what was on my mind at the time?" ask Afnan slowly to Ayumi.

Ayumi just shook her head slowly. Both of his eyes were still open and staring at the surroundings. Once in a while, Ayumi wiped away the tears that were still running down her cheeks.

"What Brother?" ayumi asked softly without looking at Afnan in front of her.

"Silver just begged God to wake Ayumi up again. And Brother promised to always take care of Ayumi, even though Brother does not know who Ayumi" said Afnan slowly.

"Why does Big Brother want to take care of Ayumi?" ask Ayumi slowly to Afnan.

Ayumi looked at Afnan in disbelief. There are men as good as Afnan who really took good care of Ayumi since childhood, more precisely since that incident.

"You mean Afnan? Ayumi doesn't understand?" ask Ayumi for an explanation.

"Ayumi, everything just goes and flows. Since that incident, Brother has never met Ayumi again. The last news that you know, Ayumi's parents will move to Yogyakarta and open a new business in this city. I feel so happy to hear that news. All this time I hope and still wait for Ayumi." said Afnan explained and ended his conversation with a sincere smile.

"Sister Afnan? Sis Afnan waiting for Ayumi? What's for?" ask Ayumi who does not understand Afnan's intentions.

"Sister fell in love with you from the very beginning we met, ever since Big Brother gave that artificial breath, Big Brother felt that Big Brother's blood flow rippled so violently. Brother feels sure, Ayumi is the soul mate given to Brother." said Afnan softly and sounded very soft.

"Sister? Ayumi didn't hear wrong? Ayumi is still a child." said Ayumi with feelings of haru and happy mixed into one.

These words were what Ayumi had expected since. At the very least, there was a similar feeling and reciprocation between the two.

Afnan nodded softly, "That's what Big Brother feels. That feeling has never changed until now, everything is still the same. Brother loves you Ayumi. Then, what is Ayumi's secret?" asked Afnan suddenly with curiosity.

Ayumi's smile expanded, "Ayumi, was looking for someone who bravely helped Ayumi at that time. Ayumi promised myself Ayumi to find the man who had helped Ayumi back then. Maybe Ayumi's feelings are the same, Ayumi likes the man unconditionally, the feeling suddenly appears and is well nurtured until tonight. It turned out that after Ayumi found out, the man was Kak Afnan" Ayumi said slowly with detail explaining.

Afnan kept his smile to hold on. There is a feeling of pleasure and pride, because both of them like and love each other. And all of that was borne out of what happened ten years ago. Everything is still neatly tucked away and only revealed tonight exactly as old as a year they harbored each other's feelings. It is all destiny and a journey of life. Whether or not all are fools only God knows. We as human beings can only hope, ask Allah SWT and pray to be granted.

Allah SWT will give us what we need not what we want. Including fortune, health and soul mate.

The night is getting late, the time has shown at nine o'clock. It's time to return home and deliver Ayumi just in time to Grandma Arsy.

They have opened their secrets. The secret that was only revealed after ten years in the pendam.

"Ayumi, it's late at night. We can continue the story tomorrow again" said Afnan slowly.

"Yes Brother. We go home now, the air is getting colder too." Ayumi replied while rubbing her palms together to keep warm.

The two of them stood up and walked towards Afnan's large motorbike in the parking lot around the square.

"Thank you for today, Brother Afnan. Thanks for the treat too. Ayumi will be buying Kak Afnan sometime. Want it, brother." Ayumi told Afnan.

The two look at meet. The look of longing and not wanting to part with each other. A look that hints at always wanting to be together.

"Thank you for Ayumi's honesty. Brother is so happy. Next time, I'll talk to Grandma Arsy about this" Afnan said enthusiastically.

His heart is really happy. After a long time, everyone was together and did not clap one hand. They both have the same feeling.

"Wait until Ayumi finishes school. Ayumi wants to focus on finding the best school in the city" said Ayumi briefly.