When Love Should Choose

Phone call from Om Vishnu

Chapter I

S. Dengki, Tanjungbalai Asahan.

“Niaaa..!” the voice of Bu Rani's call was heard from the front of the 6 X 12 meter house.

The afternoon was cloudy, when Nia was plunging on the banks of the Asahan River which happened to be at the end of the road from the rows of houses in the area where they lived.

Nia took her head out from the expanse of water that began to surge with small pulses that were getting louder and firmer. Shaking his head left and right until his wet and long hair decomposes along scattered to the left and right.

What's up, anyway? thought Nia while hurriedly swimming from 10 meters away towards the river bank. Not usually the mother called her name loudly even though almost every afternoon she threw herself into conversation with the pounding waves.

Perhaps there was something important that he wanted to say immediately so he was called when he had not finished entertaining himself in the river that he had been familiar with since he was a toddler. If calculated, it means that 17 years of water in the river has become his best friend.

Nia touched the ground on the bank of the river with both hands, making her palms resting on her support to come out of the water. His beautiful face was clearly visible in the afternoon sunlight that broke through the gap of shady trees.

The afternoon sunlight seemed embarrassed to caress the face of the beautiful girl who was entering the age of seven dozen. Nevertheless, the beauty of the girl seemed to be hidden in the very end of the house in one of the alley of the people's house in the area. Only the expanse of water knows and understands how beautiful the body, ayu kemayu, and beautiful young girl who is also innocent heart and white as snow.

His steps arrived in front of the plank house built on the river flow. A simple, unspoiled plank house that familiarized him since a dozen years ago. The house consists of only 2 bedrooms. The main room where his mother's father and his own room which is the only child of both parents.

“What's up, Mom?” nia asked as she stood beside her mother who was looking at her from afar and waiting for her.

Usually, after bathing in the river, he will bathe again in the bathroom before nightfall. But seeing the mother as impatient again about to announce an important thing, making Nia undo her intentions for a moment, waiting for the words spoken from her mouth.

“Begini, Nia,” start Bu Rani, “Barusan earlier Om Wisnu phone to mobile Mother. Om Vishnu offers something important for your future. Since this concerns you, then I asked her to ask you directly. You were in the river again, so Om Vishnu said he would call soon.”

“Oh, what's important, ma'am? Om Vishnu I mean the father Ardiankah, Ma? Who used to be with us?” tanya Nia remembered the name.

“Iya, right! Turns out you still remember yes, Nia,” is happy Bu Rani. “It has been ten years Om Vishnu moved to the city of Medan, started his business there and now Om Vishnu has managed to become a successful businessman. Reportedly, Om Vishnu lives in an elite area, in villa houses that cost billions. Lucky for him to marry a rich kid from a big city, can support him to be a successful and rich person like now.”

Nia shivering. Either because of the cold because his body was wet in the afternoon wind was quite strong, or because he heard the words spoken by his mother.

His memory goes back to 10 years ago, when he was 7.

Om Vishnu has a sickly and thin wife, also a thin boy the same age as himself or older 1-2 years from him. The boy, because he was neighbors with him, so often played to his house. They swim in the river together, play kites in front of the house, marbles, jump rope, until hide and seek.

The memories were still recorded in his mind even though it was a bit vague. Also, when one afternoon was overcast in a torrent of rain, he heard Ardian's cries and shocking news from the house next door. Om Vishnu's wife died of illness. Ardian immediately became an orphan at the age of 7 years.

Since then, Ardian has often had a gloomy face. His cheerfulness while playing with Nia seemed to disappear, changing the grievances on his face which although still a child but had shown the lines of good looks of a man, a man, just like the beauty lines shown by Nia at her young age.

Nia tried to entertain her childhood friend by inviting her to play various games they used to play, but Ardian always responded without enthusiasm and even snapped at Nia when she felt forced. Not infrequently, after the departure of her mother, Ardian made Nia as a place to vent anger and all bad emotions, until for half a year Nia like having nightmares.

Fortunately or even lucky, Nia heard this news from her mother. Om Vishnu will move to the city of Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province.

There is a family Om Vishnu who knows an old girl from a wealthy family. He is 5 years older than Om Vishnu or about 40y years. The old girl has never been married and is the only daughter and only child of a successful businessman in Medan.

Om Vishnu who is confused to become a single parent and looking for a surrogate mother for Ardian who seemed increasingly uninspired after his mother, with a restless heart and wavering to accept the offer, Ardian, marrying the girl in exchange for being allowed to live in her magnificent palace.

Incidentally, the girl from a rich family did not want a man who was equal to her, aka who was of the same economic status or from the upper class. He already had a lot of money, so why else would he look for a rich man? With the age of four heads, he was afraid that rich men would not be able to accept it sincerely, let alone love and treat it well. What the girl is looking for is duren aka two cool-faced handsome and kind-hearted.

Coincidentally both conditions exist in Om Vishnu whose family works in the company of the girl's father.

Suddenly Om Vishnu, Bu Rani's neighbor who has been a dozen years had to move to the city of Medan. Suddenly Nia has to part with her best friend and lose Ardian in a bad moment, when Ardian's emotions have not fully recovered from the loss of his mother.

Nia still remembered that farewell day. The sky was cloudy as Ardian's face. Although helpless but there are grievances of sadness like not willing to part with his little friend. Ardian's eyes looked at him intently and meaningfully that morning, before the afternoon train headed for Tanjungbalai-Medan took him hundreds of kilometers away from him.

Saying nothing, Nia was only able to return Ardian's gaze with her mouth open and eyes choked. Between them there is not a word. In fact, Ardian turned his head back from Nia and followed his father's footsteps along the alley to the outside, getting a paddle pedicab that would take them to the train station.

Nia shivered remembering all of that. Shivering when remembering the moment of separation with Ardian.

His tears flowed profusely towards Ardian's back who was away and away. While Ardian's own face was whether to shed tears or not, Nia did not know because Ardian did not turn his head even once to the back.

Not noticeably, the corners of Nia's eyes began to get wet remembering that again. With haste and no strings attached, he walked towards the bathroom to flutter his body that had shivered from memories and was hit by a strong wind.

Ms. Nia tucked away. “Lho, why cry?” stupefied.

Didn't Nia not know what offer Om Vishnu will give to her, why so soon he has shed tears? After all, if he knew, the offer would be good for him. Bu Rani, already know the offer Om Wisnu, he offers Nia to study in Medan because this year when Nia finished High School. Om Vishnu recalls Nia was a year younger than his son, Ardian. In school too, when Ardian class III Elementary School, Nia class II Elementary School.

Last year, Ardian attended a private university in Medan. This year, Ardian will begin semester 3 when the college period starts in September. It's only June now. Nia had just finished her High School in her hometown and did not intend to continue to college.

He thought he would soon find work in the store or anywhere that still minimizes his High School diploma in terms of employee admission. Bu Rani also obeyed the will of the princess only wayangnya if it did not come the phone and offer from his old neighbor, Om Vishnu.

If Nia is ready, said Om Vishnu earlier, he can stay in the house of Om Vishnu large. His wife had allowed her husband to bring in a neighbor's child from afar. Om Vishnu's wife named Siska himself is rarely at home because he is busy taking care of his papa alamarhum company. Om Vishnu's mother-in-law has also died. So as an only child, Siska was the one who took care of all the inheritance of his father assisted Om Vishnu. It is fortunate that Siska married Om Vishnu who has shown a good attitude towards him for ten years.

Om Vishnu has a patient and kind character. He also never disputed his wife's words. No wonder, Siska really loves her ex-duda husband.

In addition, Om Vishnu also contributed, shoulder to shoulder with his wife to keep the legacy company of his wife's parents in order to remain in existence and survive in an era of increasingly tight global competition. Although it does not have the basics of business science alias never tasted the world of business education, but from daily experience plunging directly in the company, making Om Wisnu able to enter and manage the company, and, moreover, Om Vishnu is also a smart and intelligent person.

If Om Vishnu offers Nia a lecture in Medan and lives in his house, it is simply not a reason to want to help the old neighbor's child. Perhaps, there is another meaning of Om Vishnu, bringing Ardian and Nia closer that he knew the two young people were good friends and familiar in childhood. Did Om Vishnu offer Nia to stay at his home and study in Medan it was for the sake of his son or at the request of Ardian?

I don't know, Miss Rani didn't dare to ask that far. Only earlier did he say thank you and said Om Vishnu had to ask directly to Nia.

When Nia finished rinsing her body in the bathroom and dressed in sleep, the phone from Om Vishnu rang on Bu Rani's phone.

“Nah, here comes the call from Om Vishnu, Nia! Come, you who accept and talk directly with Om Vishnu!” said Bu Rani while walking up to her daughter and thrusting the phone in her hand.

“Halo, Om Vishnu?” greet Nia first when the phone moved into her hand.

“Halo too, Nia, a sweet and kind child, now it must have grown up, huh? Remember Om, Nia?” ask the voice across there.

“Still, Om. How are you doing in Medan?”

“It's good, Nia. Nia how are you? Still living at home long time Nia with Dad and Mom?”

Oops! Suddenly, Nia felt wrong. The sentence could have been suspected Om Vishnu insinuating.

“Hahaha,” voice Om Vishnu laughing across there. “Thank God, Nia, Om glad Nia is still where she used to be. Om misses the old Om residence, but there is no chance and the right time to go home to visit you. How are the Nia studies now. After SMA where to proceed?”

Nia was silent for a while before answering, “Nia wants to find work, Om.”

“At Tanjungbalai?” ask Om Vishnu.

“Iya, Om.”

“Nia, does it not occur to continue college, in Medan for example?”

“Lecture for what, Om? Nia has no high aspirations. Just want to find a job, get a salary and ease the burden of parents.”

“Oh...,” the voice across there sighed.

“Why, Om?”

“No, Om intends to offer Nia a lecture in Medan. At a private university. If Nia agrees, it will be sekampus with Ardian.”

Nia's heart rippled to hear the name called. Although it has been 10 years without news, but somehow Nia's heart still vibrates when she heard the name called Om Vishnu.

“With...,” Nia gulps.

“Iya, with Ardian. Nia still remembers, right? Ardian Om's son who used to play with Nia in front of the house. Swim together, play kite. marbles, jump rope, until umpet.” compartment

Nia bit her lips slowly. “Still, Om. How are you... Ardian... now?” Nia ventured to ask, as if a natural thing.even though her voice was broken.

“Mmm... well ordinary, Nia. It's a little hard to explain over the phone. How about Nia herself who came to visit Ardian in Medan?” ask Vishnu carefully.

“Nia-touch-Ardian?” asked Nia intermittently.

“Iya, Nia come to Medan sightseeing first month two months. Later Om told Ardian to take Nia around the city of Medan, look around the campus. How do you know Nia is interested in attending college there. If Nia wants, Om is willing to pay for college Nia and Nia can stay at home Om.”

Nia. This offer Om Vishnu feels very confusing and surprising. Visiting Ardian, traveling to Medan, seeing campus, studying in Medan, living in Om Vishnu's house. It all came like a bullet spewing towards him, making him not know how to fend off.

“Mmm... Nia is a bit confused, Om,” answered Nia honestly.

“No what,” says Om Vishnu. “Nia can think of this Om offer slowly. Om is not forcing, only Om does hope Nia is willing to accept it. Because... because..”

Because se? Nia waited for the connection of the sentence Om Vishnu, but Om Vishnu seems difficult to finish his speech.

“Because of what, Om?” asked Nia in a small voice.

“Because Ardian, Nia. For Ardian. Later Nia will understand if it has come to Medan. Nia still remembers Ardian, meaning she still loves Ardian, still considers him a good friend. Nia's arrival is for Ardian. Om desperately needs the presence of Nia here.”

“What happened to Ardian, Om?” asked Nia curiously.

“No, it's okay. He's healthy and fine. That's all, Nia had to come see Ardian herself. Want Nia to come to Medan? At least even if you don't mean to go to college here, but go for a walk. Isn't Nia temporarily finished High School and there are no other activities other than looking for work, yes, right?”

“Iya, anyway,” answered Nia rather doubtfully.

“Then, come yes, Nia. Om wait. Call Om if you want to come. Later Om pick up Nia at Medan train station.”

“It is, Om, Nia will call,” replied the girl finally.

“Thank you, Nia. Good afternoon,” vote dropout Om Vishnu.

“Good afternoon, Om,” break up Nia.

Nia turned the phone in her hand to her mother. Bu Rani who had eavesdropped on the conversation between her daughter and Om Vishnu, impatiently asked.

“Where, Nia? What Om Vishnu said. Do you agree to visit Ardian? The streets see the campus first, how do you know you are interested in studying there?”

Nia fell silent. His eyes looked at Bu Rani who was waiting for her answer with expectant eyes. He guessed, his mother did want her only daughter to study in Medan. At least, when he finished college and got a degree, he could get a job in a good company. In a bank, for example, it will definitely be greater than the salary in the store. And a bank employee in a nice uniform must have been more attractive in the eyes of many people. He would proudly say that his beautiful daughter had become a bank clerk, although the stage for it was still a long time, a few years later if Nia became a college and finished satisfactorily.

As if understanding her mother's intentions, Nia tried to smile. “Iya, Nia is a little interested in Om Wisnu's offer to study in Medan. But, Nia felt reluctant if she had to stay at her home and financed Om Vishnu tuition and all the needs of Nia later. At least, Nia had to study while working in Medan, so as not to say Om Vishnu.”

Bu Rani laughed loudly at her daughter's words. “Decorate Om Vishnu? Hahaha.”.

“Lho, why laugh, Mom?” asked Nia not understand.

“No, Nia. I feel Nia will not burden Om Vishnu at all. Did you know, Nia, that Om Vishnu is no longer a simple person like us. He is no longer the usual Om Vishnu as before. Now he's a successful businessman, wealthy, living in a magnificent villa house. That's the story I heard from her family who live in Medan.”

Nia fell silent. However, he felt bad if he had to live free at the house of Om Vishnu, especially until funded by tuition and all his needs. But, as if there is one hope Om Vishnu indeed from his words earlier, if he really wants Nia to live in Medan and study at the same campus with Ardian. I don't know what it's for, Nia doesn't know. But of course, it has to do with Ardian, his childhood friend.

“Let's think again, Mom,” said Nia in a small voice. After that she went into her room and dried her hair with a hair-dryer.

That night, Nia couldn't sleep. His mind continued to drift into past events. As she and Ardian were children, playing together in the courtyard of the house, swimming in the Asahan River, climbing the white sand within a dozen meters of the edge at high tide, and collecting shells. Then the cheerful moments turned to long-term sorrow for her friend when the mother was called the Almighty. Ardian became an orphan without the affection of a mother.

From then on, his attitude changed completely, becoming quiet, sullen, grieving, and a quick-tempered offended. Nia still remembered how bad Ardian had treated her since the departure of her mother. Nia seemed to have to share all the grief of her best friend because of her mother's death forever. And it became a nightmare for the little girl for half a year, even haunting her night dreams for 10 years.

And now, suddenly came a call from his father Ardian, telling him to go to Medan to visit his best friend. He even offered to go to college and live in his house. Living in his home is the same as living with his childhood friend.

Well, Nia did not dare to imagine how it would be if she had to stay at home with Ardian who last acted very badly on him. Will his attitude change or remain the same as it was 10 years ago? If it was still the same, Nia would not want to go there to see him. But, curiosity and a speck of longing in his chest made him unable to stem the thump of bullets being scattered towards him. His mind raged about how Ardian was, what he looked like now, how he looked, his temperament, and also the results of his education on campus.

Finally, that night Nia fell into a deep sleep after tired of thinking about all things Ardian and considering the offer of Om Vishnu. Nia felt, Om Vishnu there was another reason to send him to Medan. Not just living in his home and studying at the same campus as Ardian. But also another meaning related to his only son.

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