The Sanctity of Tarnished Love

Ken Luka

The twilight dimmed further, and the night slowly began to come overshadowing. Flickering stars faintly seemed to be scattered in the vast sky. Combined with the lamp light that shimmers beautifully from the east end to the west end.

Alvin, and Nina sat face to face on a mat held on the floor. They enjoy their food in one of the stalls lined up near the beach.

"It's delicious, sister" said Nina while bribing grilled fish she had just taken, followed by white rice, and also fresh cucumbers.

"I'm glad you like it. So it's not in vain that I bring you here." replied Alvin with a smile.

"Sir Alvin knows where, if there's such a cool place here?" ask Nina.

"From friends, he has acquaintances here, so often visit this place" replied Alvin.

"Hmm so." muttered Nina while chewing her food.

About half an hour later, they had already finished their meal. Now they just enjoy a warm drink that is still left in their respective glasses. Alvin sipped his half-living black coffee. As for Nina, she took a sip of her sweet tea which stayed a little.

"Have you?" ask Alvin.

"Sister already." replied Nina while nodding.

"Then wait a minute!" alvin said as he moved from his seat. He walked over to the owner of the stall, and paid the bill.

When he finished, Alvin came back to Nina.

"Come on!" bring Alvin.

Nina smiled, then she got up from her seat, and followed Alvin's steps, which led her out of the stall.

"Are we going home, brother?" ask Nina.

"This time I have to succeed, I can't fail again. I have to dare to express my feelings, and propose to her this very second." Alvin said in his heart.

"We'll be there for a second!" take Alvin while pointing at the rock not far from where they are now.

"Come on." answered Nina.

Then they both walked towards the flat-shaped rock. They sat on it, staring at the waves that were still rolling in pursuit. Alvin's heart began to beat fast, and nervousness returned to him. He slowly reached into his pocket, and took out the jewel ring he had bought a few days ago.

"Milina!" call Alvin.

"Yes Brother."

"There's something I want to tell you" said Alvin.

"It looks like Brother Alvin is very serious, what does Brother Alvin want to say?" nina asked while looking at Alvin.

"Actually I.." Alvin's speech was interrupted, because the ringing of his phone sounded quite loud.

"Ahh shit!" say Alvin while reaching into his phone, and it turns out Dika who contacted him.

Without further ado Alvin instantly turned off his phone, and put it back in his pocket.

"Why not to be picked up sister, who knows is important" said Nina while frowning in wonder.

"There's much more to it than that" Alvin replied quickly.

"What?"

"I'm not romantic, and I don't know how to seduce women either. But obviously I love you so much, I want to take care of you, and I want to make you happy. I didn't know you were going to accept my love, or not. But take this ring, I bought it specifically for you. If you don't like it, at least keep it for me. If you reject me later, I hope our relationship does not change. Love cannot be forced, if you have no feelings for me, I understand. I try to be willing if it is your heart for another man, I am happy as long as you are happy. The important thing is that I've expressed my feelings, I don't care how you answer. Please don't be angry, I'm just saying what I'm supposed to say" Alvin said quickly, grabbing Nina's hand, and putting his jewel ring there.

Nina frowned more and more. A very unique statement of love according to him. If usually someone else will declare his love slowly, and in short, romantic, also poetic words. Yet another case with Alvin, he declared his love quickly, and without pause. The sentences are long, a little messy, and there is no romantic element at all.

But it managed to make Nina's lips carve a smile. A wide, sincere smile from the bottom of his heart.

"Nina, why are you smiling? I'm funny yeah, I know I suck." said Alvin, turning his face away.

"I think I'll be disappointed tonight. Ahh so long close, I guess he can think of me more than Big Brother." Inner Alvin in his heart

"Not your brother, don't misunderstand me. I smile because I'm happy, I'm happy to hear your confession" Nina said, clutching her ring.

"Happy, happy, what do you mean?" ask Alvin quickly.

"I love you too, brother."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes." replied Nina while nodding.

"Thank you, Nina, I can't believe you're willing to accept my love" Alvin said with a big smile.

"A long time together, I feel comfortable with you, brother. I don't need a romantic guy, all I need is a good guy. The one who truly loves me, and accepts everything I have. Whether it's a deficiency, or an advantage" Nina said.

"I'm so happy tonight. I finally managed to express my feelings for you."

"I've been waiting for him for a long time. Oh yeah, please put it on!" nina said as she handed over her ring.

Alvin took the ring, and then pinned it on Nina's ring finger. Nina's cheeks grew even more blushing as Alvin's warm hand clasped her hand.

"Does this include Kak's proposal?" nina Goda.

"Just take it that way." replied Alvin while raising his eyebrows. Then they both laughed together.

***

In the middle of the silence of the night, in one corner of Surabaya City. A man was sitting alone on the balcony of his room. Staring at the dark night sky, while enjoying the smell of nicotine that burst into his throat.

His slightly long hair looked messy, as he repeatedly ruffled it violently. Judging from the look on his face, it seemed that the man was carrying quite a stifling burden. He is Ken, the man who a few days ago enjoyed the night, with his ex-lover.

Ken grabbed his phone, which he put next to him. He looked back at the message that Dusk had sent him yesterday. I don't know how many times Ken read that message. The pain, and the tightness always twitched in his heart, every time he stared at the writing.

From : Twilight

Ken, thank you for helping me out so much yesterday. Now I know what happened to Dawn. I'm sorry Ken, from now on I'll be guarding my wedding. You're a good man, I'm sure you can get a good partner too. Look for your happiness, and get your future Ken, I'm sure you can.

Ken had not been able to reply to the message, the number Dusk could not be contacted. And from that message, Ken knew very well what the true meaning was that Dusk wanted to say. Dusk no longer wants to be in touch with Ken, and will focus on loving her husband. Dusk wants Ken to forget about it, and look for another love.

Though Ken knew to love, and to expect Dusk was very wrong. But somehow it is very difficult for him to forget Dusk.

"Why should my way of life be like this. What am I supposed to do? I know getting Aya is impossible, because she's married. But why can't I forget it, I can't erase how I feel about her" Ken said slowly, then he took a strong sip back.

"O Allah, if Aya is not my soul mate. Please move my heart, and erase my feelings for her. If the fate of his happiness is indeed with Dawn, please also give me the destiny of happiness with other women. I can't stand to be constantly shackled in painful feelings." said Ken, looking down.

Seriate....