The Sanctity of Tarnished Love

Closing Hearts

The twilight rays dimmed, delivering day, and picking up night. Dusk sat pensively on a chair, in the living room. Her soft eyes stared at the red shoots growing in her yard. The leaves are waving here and there following the wind. Not much different from his heart, which to this day is still swayed in grief, and the pain of loss.

It's been two weeks living in his house. He returned his life to his brother. Her age is now two months old. His days were silent at home. Occasionally he entertained himself by taking care of the flower plants that flourished around his house. Yesterday Dusk asked permission to find a job, but Alvin strictly forbade it. Alvin could not bear to see his sister who was pregnant, had to work, and make money. Alvin promised to try hard to meet the needs of both of them.

Dusk took a long breath. Fried bananas served on a plate, he did not notice at all touch. Every time Alvin leaves, Dusk returns to grieving, he recalls the fate that happened in his life.

Alvin had just gone to the club, he had deliberately left early, because there were customers who booked his place.

Dusk glanced when he heard his phone ring, it was Nina who called him, but Dusk did not pay attention to him. Right now he doesn't want to talk to anyone. He was, and Nina had a chat, but it did not last long. Just a few minutes, Dusk had put down his phone, and again lamented his solitude.

Soon, Dusk moved from his seat. He intends to go to his room. But when Dusk was about to close the door, suddenly there was a spotlight of car lights that dazzled his eyes. The twilight frowned in wonder, who was it?

"Who, could it be his friend Kak Alvin." murmured Dusk softly. He stared at the car that had stopped in his yard.

Shortly after, a man got out of the car. A man with a tall stature, and his hair slightly elongated. Dusk could instantly recognize him, even though his face was not yet clearly visible.

"What's he here for?" inner Dusk while turning his face away. Looking at the figure of the man who was walking towards him, the heart of Dusk returned claustrophobic. His mistake that night came back to haunt his mind.

"Yes!" call Ken who is already standing in the doorway.

"You're Ken." replied Dusk as he glanced at Ken.

"Can I come in?"

"Please!" said Dusk while sitting on a chair.

Ken stepped in, and sat down on a chair, in front of Dusk.

"Red apple" said Ken while putting a bag containing apples that he had brought.

"Thank you." replied Dusk.

"Our relationship is now this awkward one" Ken said in his heart.

"Where's Brother Alvin?" ask Ken.

"It's gone." replied Dusk briefly.

"How are you?"

"I'm good." replied Dusk.

"Thank God, how are you?" ask Ken.

"healthy."

"Yes!" call Alvin.

"Hmm."

"Don't you want to know how I'm doing?" ask Ken.

Dusk did not answer Ken's question. He just fell silent while staring at the fried banana he had ignored since.

"Yes!" call Ken.

"Ken, what exactly is your purpose here?" said Dusk back asking.

"I just want to see you." replied Ken.

"For what?" ask Dusk.

"What's your max?"

"I'm the one who's supposed to ask what you mean! You know Ken, I'm somebody's wife! You shouldn't have come here, these nights. That's not good Ken!" said Dusk while looking at Ken.

"Yes I'm here just wondering how you are, how you are" Ken said.

"Yes, can't we just talk for a second."

"No." said Dusk, shaking his head.

"Why?" ask Ken.

"I told you I'm somebody's wife, so you don't bother me Ken! Pursue your future, and your happiness. Don't be shackled by the past, it will hurt you!" twilight.

"What do you mean Aya? What's wrong if I'm still expecting you?"

"Of course it's wrong, our relationship is over Ken. It's time you forgot about me, and opened your heart to another woman." replied Dusk.

"You're talking like that Aya, you know I still love you. Besides you're pregnant with my son, how can I forget you" Ken said as he stared at Dusk.

"No need to say that! I know this is your son, nor will I ever hide the truth. If he's born later, you can meet him, you can consider him a son. But please Ken, don't talk about feelings. Because you know how I feel, the one I love, Brother Fajar Ken, my husband." said Dusk at length.

"But Aya..."

"You want to say that Brother Fajar is gone. I know, I know Ken. But even though he's gone, he's still my husband, I still love him." said twilight quickly.

"I understand how you feel Aya. I'm not forcing you to return my feelings either. But please, let me take care of you" Ken said.

"No!" screamed as he moved from his seat.

"I can take care of myself, and I still have Brother Alvin. Ken, please understand! Just once I betrayed Brother Dawn, I don't want to repeat it." continued Dusk with teary eyes.

"I just want to take care of you, I won't demand anything from you" Ken said as he moved on.

"No Ken. Please stay away from me, and pursue your happiness! I want to get through all of this myself." said Dusk.

"My happiness is loving you Aya!"

"Enough Ken! I don't want to hear those words anymore! Go home!" said Dusk slowly.

"No Aya."

"Go Ken!"

"But Aya."

"Go home!"

"All right! I'll go home, take good care of Aya" Ken said with a long sigh.

"Maybe I came too soon, Dawn left just one month ago. Maybe Aya still needs time to be alone, I will try to understand the feeling" Ken said in his heart.

"Yes" replied Dusk briefly, staring at Ken who was starting to step out of his house. Ken kept walking closer to his car.

"I'm not going to make the same mistake the second time. I used to open a gap, until I finally fell into the valley of obedience. Now no longer, I will not give any chance to Ken, I will keep my distance with him." Inner Twilight while staring at Ken's body that had already entered his car.

Shortly after, Ken's car started driving away from his yard. Dusk closed the door, and then stepped towards his room.

Sitting in a chair, near a table. He took the wedding photos he put there.

"I'm sorry for my mistake, brother, now I'm very sorry. Brother Fajar, help me to stay firm on my stance. I want to keep your love, I don't want to tarnish it a second time." said Dusk as he rubbed a picture of Fajar smiling.

"O Allah, please strengthen your servant. Make Kak Fajar my only priest. Servants are only ordinary people, who never escape from error. Only your guidance can keep you firm with this intention." said Dusk, closing his eyes.

Dusk intends to close the door of his heart to all men, either someone he just knew, or someone present from his past. He wants to make Dawn the only man with whom he has a halal bond.

But as an ordinary human, Dusk could only plan. For the destiny that will happen next, Dusk can only surrender to His will. For only God has the power to turn hearts, and human feelings.

Seriate.....