Thunder on Earth Love

Matchmaking

Shafa ran out of the building, he wanted to go calm down. Shafa followed where the footsteps took him away. After passing through the city streets, Shafa finally stopped at a park.

There Shafa's cry broke again. Tears have not stopped flowing. He sat on an empty bench. Unconsciously, there was a pair of eyes watching him.

The man who was buying a chocolate milkshake, kept looking at the girl who was crying alone. Slowly he approached. The closer the more he could see clearly the figure who was looking down while sobbing. The person he wanted to protect. If only he could hug the girl to calm down. But that's not possible.

He only dared to thrust out a handkerchief. Without a second thought, Shafa who was in a frenzy immediately received the handkerchief. Using it to wipe away the tears that had seeped out earlier. A glass of chocolate milkshake was also next to him.

A moment later, Shafa had calmed down. He just realized he had received a handkerchief from someone. His gaze was looking for the person who might have approached him earlier. And the only person Shafa saw was a man in a blue shirt walking around with his back to him. Both of the man's hands were placed on his trousers with a coat wrapped around one of his hands.

Shafa had not had time to chase, the man had entered the parked car on the edge of the park. Then he walked away, until he was gone from his sight.

Shafa sighed. Then he drank the drink that the mysterious man had left behind. His heart was a bit calm. He observed the handkerchief which is now in the grasp of his left hand.

There is a knit that says G.A.P which is definitely the initials of a name. It's also possible that the handkerchief was purposely made specially by someone.

Shafa also kept the thing in his bag. There was a message from the father to come to Olivia's house, her mother. While looking for public transportation, a man dressed in black approached. They said they were told by Mr. Steven to pick him up.

Shafa complied, and he was brought into a house unknown to him.

When she entered, Olivia greeted me kindly.

"Welcome home, Shafa!" olivia hugged her daughter.

Steven also appeared from the inside approaching them. Shafa took off his mother's embrace and turned to her father's embrace.

Steven felt something was different from his daughter's face today. "Are you in trouble, honey?" tanyanya gently.

Shafa stretched his arms. But he did not answer his father's question. He just nodded while bowing his head.

"You're not good at lying to Daddy, Shafa!" steven exclaimed as he gently rubbed his daughter's head wrapped in hijab.

Olivia sees a strong father instinct in Steven. So close they are. There was no blood bond between them.

"It's not a big deal Dad. I'm fine," said Shafa.

Then they sat together in the family room. A moment later Gibran came down from upstairs, joined them.

"Look Gibran, Shafa, Papa and Mama will hold another marriage contract to renew our marriage. Only close relatives will come. I hope this is happy news for you. Papa and Mama will be reunited" Steven explained.

Shafa smiled happily hearing that. Likewise with Gibran, he is very happy his family will be intact again.

"And one more happy news for Shafa. Later tonight's your engagement to Daddy's business partner's son."

Hearing that, Shafa was shocked. His father decided this unilaterally without asking for his consent.

"Daddy.." cried Shafa.

"What the hell is this?" gibran was also surprised. He disagreed with his father's decision.

"Daddy will know, until anytime there will be no one to replace Fachri. Shafa will never betray Fachri, Dad." Shafa's tears are back.

Gibran was again surprised to hear his sister mention Fachri's name again. What the hell is going on? Then who's Fachri to his sister?

"That's exactly Shafa, Daddy doesn't want you to get too late in your memories with Fachri. You need to get out of those memories and move on with your life. Daddy's got the right candidate for you."

Olivia hugged Shafa who was sobbing. "Who's Fachri, Mas? What does Shafa mean?" tanyanya. Because so far Steven has not told his daughter's past.

"Yes Pa. Who's Fachri? Gibran has been trying to find information about him. But there's no result."

Steven took a long breath. "He was Shafa's late husband. Fachri died two years ago" he said but could still be heard by Gibran and his mother.

Then Steven recounts the details of the incident that happened to Shafa before his daughter married Fachri. They were both shocked to hear Steven's story.

Is it as hard as Shafa's life after the two of them left home? All this time Shafa lives with a shadow of guilt because of Fachri's departure.

"That's why Papa wants your sister to remarry, so that she can forget her sadness" Steven said later.

"But Shafa is not ready, Shafa is not able to Daddy, yet" Shafa said amid his sobs.

"It's Daddy's decision, Shafa. Please just obey Daddy this time! He's a good guy. If you have no match at all after the marriage. It's up to you in the future. But Daddy hopes he'll be the last priest for you."

Steven was silent for a moment, observing the people before him who were engulfed in confusion. Shafa is still in Olivia's arms.

"Next week of your wedding without reception. If you open your hearts and there is a match, then the reception will be held" continued Steven.

No one dared to dispute Steven's decision. Olivia is sure her husband knows best for his daughter. Gibran himself looked at his sister with pity. The little girl suffered a lot. As an older brother he should be a protector to his younger brother.

After the calm atmosphere, Olivia invited everyone to lunch together.

*****

"Woy... I'm so fucking face!" samuel entered Thunder's office. Then he threw his body onto the sofa. He himself also felt tired after a day struggling with the thesis. This year Samuel had to finish his script in order to pass as scheduled.

Thunder moved from his chair and sat down with Samuel. The appearance of Thunder did indeed seem far from neat. Shirt that has been tangled, tie is not installed neatly. The shirt buttons on the collar also come off. His shirt sleeves also fold.

"Tumben is very, Kak, very messy like losing a gamble," said Samuel.

"Astaghfirullah's... Amit-amit by ah! If you're filtered napa!" thunder that finally opened the sound.

"Why lo? Another losing tender?"

"Yes, I lost the tender love."

"Hahaha. Just accept the match."

"But my feelings are only for him Sam."

"Can you be honest?"

"What?"

"Lo is a loser. Lo it's a coward. Know not pe-nge-cut," said Samuel seriously.

"What do you mean by that?"

"How can I not say that you are a coward. While you're the girl you like to use my name. Until when are you going to keep believing? You don't think, how did he look at me who always chatted him. He knew I had a girl too. Especially the sweet words you send. He must have been worried all along."

Thunder fell silent to his cousin's sister's words which were indeed a reality. He had been hiding behind Samuel's name all along. He is a coward in love. A Thunder becomes a coward when faced with the feeling of love itself.

"If you can't be honest with Shafa, just accept the arranged marriage that uncle and aunt have prepared. Stay away from that girl! Let him look for his own happiness without having to rely on the same chat and lo that makes him in a difficult position," said Samuel who then rose from his seat stepped towards the door.

"Gue wants to go home, tired of me talking to people who do not have a stand. Again my advice, accept the match. You won't be comfortable."

Samuel came out of the room of Thunder.

"Gue hope you can be honest with Shafa. And being able to be happy without any lies in starting a new relationship" Samuel murmured before he actually left.

Thunder is getting more frustrated. He was confused as to how. Being honest with Shafa then disconnects or staying in a lie that has accidentally trapped him in a position that is no less difficult.

The sound of the phone ringing is ignored. Even Thunder accidentally turned off his phone. He deserves to be called a coward.

A coward who is afraid to accept reality before stepping in.

Tonight actually both of Thunder's parents invited him to meet the future wife who had been prepared for him. Even they have prepared a simple application event. But he did not come home intentionally.

*****

The wedding ceremony between Steven and Olivia took place with a sense of dignity from the family. They were happy, the husband and wife who had been separated for years had re-binding the sacred pledge. Not many guests were invited. They were also served with a simple dinner.

All guests have resigned. Except for a couple who were still chatting with Steven and Olivia.

Shafa is called by his father to come closer. He also complied and approached those who were busy chatting on the sofa.

"Sit here with auntie, honey!" A middle-aged woman patted the spot next to her. So that Shafa is near him.

"You're really pretty. Surely your aunt's son is fascinated with you" said the woman after Shafa sat near her.

Shafa only responded with an awkwardly impressed smile.

"They're Aunt Sonia and Om Faisal, your future in-law Shafa," Steven said.

"Yes Nak Shafa, we really hope you become our son's companion. Love will grow with time. But sorry your engagement didn't happen. Aunt's son hasn't come home from the office. Maybe he has more work," said Sonia softly.

Shafa could guess that it was just an excuse. Perhaps the person she was betrothed to was both in a difficult position. Suddenly with an unknown person.

"Do you know who I am and what my past is?" ask Shafa later.

Now Faisal spoke up. "You just calm down. Your father told me everything. We have been very impressed with your strength all this time. And you need not worry about our son. He himself asked to marry a widow" he said, accompanied by a voice of laughter.

"Yes Nak Shafa. Our son is weird, he's funny. Especially if the same sister cousin, can make a riotous house even if there are only two of them," added Sonia.

Shafa responded again with a smile. Maybe this match-up wasn't too bad for him. There are in-laws who want to accept him as he is. At least, this relationship is established without any cover-up.

After having a good conversation, Faisal and his wife returned home. Shafa was moved to get warm treatment from his future father-in-law. They just met.

That night Shafa chose to sit alone in the backyard. Looking at the sky without stars. Then a message came in.

It was like being between triangular points

Where I have to choose one point

First the lie point, if I pick that point

Then I will stay by his side

Second, the point of honesty. If I choose that point

Then I must be ready to lose

Third, the release point. If I can't choose

the point of lies and honesty

Then I have to keep releasing it

I have to choose which point?

Shafa frowned after reading the message. Then he typed a reply.

Whatever the bitterness of honesty, you must remain honest

A lie will leave a wound later

Let go if it's the best option than to defend

But it hurts

After that, no more incoming messages. He thought maybe his friend was in a difficult situation and had to make a choice.

Shafa himself was still twitching with his own feelings. That night he was not allowed to go home with his parents. His heart is still glued to one name. Whether he can open his heart or not. It felt very difficult for him to do. But he has to try.

I'm sorry Fachri...

I have to accept this match

I should be happy even without you

I have to continue on the long way of life

That's what you said first

I am now trying to accept the destiny I have to live

I'm sorry Fachri...

Pardon...

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"You can forget someone who shared a laugh and was happy with you. But you won't be able to forget someone who cried with you"

~Khalil Gibran~

Thanks readers!