The Ours In Another Story

76. Remembering Jevan

After they returned from the funeral, somehow Jovando suddenly became melow. After cleaning her body she comfortably stared at the night sky on the second floor balcony. His mind wandered here and there. Many words if he said and a lot of longing that he uttered. Monika who intends to call him for dinner finally also washed away in her husband's daydream.

"Jevan's keinget dad, huh?" ask Monika.

"Hmm, during this problem I always felt that Jevan was helping me" Jovan said, holding his wife's hand.

"Same. It feels like Rere is still here. I miss them both" said Monika.

"It's been almost 7 years since they left but somehow it feels like they're still here. At every step I took I still felt Jevan's encouragement and support" Jovan said.

"Dad...., what do you think Jevan and Rere are happy in heaven?" ask Monika.

"Of course."

"Tomorrow is the anniversary of the death of Jevan and Rere. Can we go there again tomorrow? It's just the two of us" Monik said.

"So we've been there. You want to go there again?" ask Jovan.

"I want to ask their permission" said Monika.

"What adultery?"

"This child." said Monika as she stroked her growing belly.

"I would have asked Jevan and Rere for permission to use the name they had made for Nafiza if she had been born male. That name I want to wear for him. What do you think, Dad?" monika asked her now smiling husband to look at her.

"Does Mommy know what her name is?"

"Know. Adinatal. Rere once told me, when she was pregnant Nafiza first. He said that if his son was born a boy, he would name him Adinata. The name is nice and sounds soft. A name that sounds warm but still has a stand and firmness. It feels like there really is Jevando and Rere in that name. I want this child to grow up to be as patient and unyielding as Rere and as loving and kind as Jevan" Monika explained.

"Could only. Do everything you want Mother. If it's good I'll definitely support you," said Jovan then hugged Monika.

"I know it's not good to always carry around people who have died but for once. My misses are already too torturous. After everything we've been through yesterday it feels like I've been doubly missing Jevan and Rere. I would no longer be able to if it wasn't for my mind to remember how Jevan and Rere used to be. I just want to thank the two of them because we can be together, because we can both be like now Well," said Monika.

"Yes, wept it. Don't go on anymore. Poor baby in the stomach. The protests continued," said Jovan, making Monika smile. She stopped her crying by taking a deep breath 3 times and then smiled at her husband.

"Eat yuk, I'm laper," said Monika.

"Yuk we eat. I'm bribing ya?"

"Time in bribe. Shame on the kids" said Monika.

"What I'm bribing in the stomach isn't just the mother. Tirta same Gentala will not protest. Safe anyway," said Jovan. He suddenly remembered Jevan's teaching on how to pamper his wife. Honestly, Jovan did learn a lot about how he behaved to Monika. How he must temper Monika's emotions and how he can make Monika happy and not regret his decision to become the daughter-in-law of the Kusuma family and his wife.

The two then went down and joined the others. Jovan's eyes stared at Nafiza who was coolly sitting on Junius' lap while continuing to read the picture book she had just bought some time ago. The book tells the story of a kind-hearted girl who lives with her two stepbrothers and stepmother, she continues to take him everywhere.

The little girl had been moody ever since she came home from the funeral. His entire family has gathered together today to celebrate his birthday. But Nafiza was still sad. The child has to go through the harshness of the world alone without the presence of his parents. Although Jovan believes Junius and Lia have given more affection than he needs, but the emptiness of his heart due to Jevan and Rere's absence certainly makes him sad. He was the only one here who could not hug both of his parents.

Jovan remembers that he was against Junius' decision to introduce Jevan and Rere to Nafiza, but after thinking about it, it was probably best. The boy was a child that Jevan and Rere had desperately tried to kill. It would be unfair if their daughter did not even recognize who her biological parents were. Jovan could only pray that his little daughter could be given strength through the rigors of life.

"Beautiful, your other brother at the meal you don't want to eat either?" jovando asked as he walked closer to Nafiza who was still a henchman in Junius' lap.

"Later Dad, Nafiza hasn't finished reading the book yet" Nafiza said.

"Read later, yes, I'll bacain until finished when Nafiza wants to sleep," said Junius.

"No one wants Nafiza's father to read it himself until it's over" he said with a sad look on his face.

"Yes but if Nafiza doesn't eat later you're sick. He said Nafiza's birthday tomorrow. We'll take a nice walk tomorrow. Later if Nafiza is sick we are not even a walk," said Jovan still trying to persuade.

"It's Jovan's dad who said it. Eat first."

"No way" he said, crying.

Junius closed the book and then moved from his seat. He again carried Nafiza and took her in search of a fresh breeze in the courtyard of the house. Jovan looked at Junius who was trying to catch Nafiza. The tears felt in his heart. He knew Junius secretly kept the flavor on Rere first. It might even be said Rere was the first to introduce him to the opposite sex attraction. But whatever the power, he didn't take away what belonged to his brother because Junius himself knew that other than Rere Jevan had nothing to strengthen his steps.