Waiting At the End of Dusk

Reno and Lilis' father

Mala stared intently at the figure of the middle-aged man before her. Mala was trying to find something that might be a clue for her to know her identity.

Mr. Reno smiled at Mala and Dicko as he extended his hand which Dicko immediately greeted.

"Mala, what's wrong?" dicko asked when he saw Mala was still dumb.

"Oh. nothing. I'm Mala" Mala replied in shock and welcomed Reno's hand.

Mr. Reno looks happy to meet Mala. She did not immediately release Mala's hand even grasped it tightly as if she did not want to let go.

Her eyes were shahdu looking at Mala who was smiling very sweetly. It looked like someone he could never forget all this time. Mala tried to let go of his hand, but it was very difficult to let go.

Lilis and Dicko looked at the scene with curious hearts.

"Dad, already. Let go of Mala's hand, don't frighten Mala" Lilis said as she tried to pull her father's hand

Reno only regained consciousness when Lilis pulled her hand.

"I'm sorry, Mala. Your face reminds me of someone I know" Reno said.

"I'm sorry my father Mala," Lilis said as she looked at Mala.

Lilis tries to observe Mala's figure which makes her father who has never been interested in any woman become attentive. But Lilis could not find anything special that Mala had.

Mala does look beautiful and if seen longer, she has little resemblance to her father. Lilis suddenly remembered, if the father had ever told her that he had a child. But is it Mala?

"It's okay, Mr. Reno, Miss Lilis. Just relax," Mala replied, casting a shadow on Lilis's mind.

"So Dodi and you know each other, right?" ask Lilis to Mala.

"That's how mbak. I think there is a soul mate who can meet the Dodi family," Mala replied while looking at Dicko.

"That never brought Dodi's mom home" said Dodi.

"This is my card, come home sometime. I know my house, right?" ask Lilis. "We'll go home first. Come on, Dodi."

Dodi and his family walked away. While Mr. Reno still had time to stop and look towards Mala, before stepping away.

Mala looked at the business card in her hand. Doctor Lilis Suryani. Mala smiled as she looked at the departure of the Dodi family.

"Mas, why is Dicko silent?" ask Mala.

"I don't know what to say. So better just shut up."

"Mas, what do you think Reno is?"

"How's what?"

"His name is like my father's. I hope it's just a coincidence that their names are the same. May it not be like my shadow."

"Are you worried about meeting your real father?" ask Dicko.

"Yes mas. I'm not ready to meet either of my two real parents."

"Here you go, you don't have to worry. If you meet them, you just need to give yourself and them a chance to get to know each other."

"They'll definitely understand your situation" Dicko said encouragingly to his wife.

"Hopefully" replied Mala.

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Dodi and her family arrived home. Mr. Reno rushed into his room.

"Dad get in first, take a break Lis."

"Okay Dad, get some rest. If you can just sleep," replied Lilis while holding Dodi who was sound asleep.

In his room, Mr. Dodi was looking for something in the lower closet. There he took out an old box that was worn out. The box was placed on his bed.

Slowly opened the box with a thumping heart. It turns out that there are stored some of the memories belonging to Shella, Mala's mother who had long been tucked away neatly and only recently returned to see.

A photo of Shella and Reno as a young man is still clearly visible.

Not feeling at the end of his eyes dripped a tear that was immediately smooth. Her meeting today with Mala, really made it seem like she was meeting with Shella. Mr. Reno sighed considering his original purpose of returning back to his hometown.

Her biggest regret, she couldn't deliver the last time her father died. He could only watch from a distance after deciding to leave this city. Even though he apologized to his mother, it was still regret that continued to haunt him.

This time, Mr. Reno did not want to regret it a second time. She wants to pick up her mother to live with her in her new home. Though there's a chance she'll meet Shella or her family.

"Dad, why open the box? Remember, take care of your health if you still want to pick up grandma," said Lilis while rearranging her father's belongings including taking photos in his father's hands.

Lilis looked at the photo of her father who was with her ex-lover Shella. She was indeed very similar to Mala, the woman they met while in the hospital earlier. It's only fitting that Reno's father pays close attention to Mala.

"Dad, did you ever think that if your son was alive, he would be like Mala?" ask Lilis.

"Eitherway. But my son died at birth. Can you still hope he's alive?" ask Mr. Reno.

"Don't you expect some miracle to keep your son alive today?"

"certain. Even I really want my son alive and I can hold him. Tell him that this father is his father. Dad never meant to leave him and he will definitely forgive me" said Mr. Reno with teary eyes.

"Dad, Lilis was eager to see dad happy. During this time the father loved Lilis very much and considered Lilis like his own father's son. Lilis knew I miss my daughter a lot" Lilis said, hugging her father.

"Lilis, you are also my daughter. Father's favorite daughter. Your mother was too good for you. The wrong father can never love your mother. But your mother can accept you for who you are with all the flaws you have."

"Dad, I understand the situation of my father. Don't feel guilty. I was so happy living with my dad. I once said that I would love to see my father smile happily and feel guilty for tying my father to a marriage that would make me unable to return to my love" Lilis said sadly.

"Mona..," muttered Mr. Reno.

"Before you die, you leave a last wish to make you happy. And Lilis will do it for the peace of the mother's soul" Lilis said as she looked at her aging father.

His eyes are not as sharp as they used to be. But his love is still tied to the woman who became his first love, Shella. While Lilis' mother, Mona, is only a woman who is able to make Mr. Reno still want to stay alive but Mr. Reno never offers love. Only loyalty in marriage. During the marriage, Mr. Reno will never approach any woman. But it is only love that he cannot give.

How can you marry without love and her mother Lilis agrees?

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To Lilis ..as Mala's half-brother