Why Different?
Negotiating
The kidnapping incident experienced by Juan caused awkwardness that lasted long enough until when he and Zahira returned home. In the taxi that led them down the busy night road smoothly, Juan could only repeatedly glance at Zahira who continued to throw his gaze out the window. Seeing the woman's hand that could not stand still, moving on each other's lap, Juan knew he was feeling uncomfortable.
Seeing Zahira like that, of course Juan couldn't stay still. Although his lips still could not be opened to say anything, Juan still took one step to help Zahira get rid of the agonizing discomfort.
Slowly, Juan grabbed Zahira's right hand, and carried her on his lap. There, he clenched the hand tightly with both hands, anchoring warm strokes as a sign that; he was there, to accompany Zahira.
Zahira who received such treatment immediately turned her head. He saw the hand that was in Juan's arms fixed. And when he drew a glance, Zahira found Juan's gaze still drifting away into the streets ahead.
Rubbing, clapping for clapping, and other movements in an effort to calm down still Juan did. Accompany the remnants of their journey which is less than 15 minutes away.
The grip was still not removed even when the taxi stopped in front of Zahira's house. In fact, Juan Sok took the initiative to come down from the same door as Zahira in order to keep their link afloat.
While Zahira, the woman has no desire to protest anything. All the treatment Juan gave him he took for granted. To be honest, she still feels guilty for her decision to cooperate on the kidnapping agenda against her lover this afternoon.
“You come inside first? Or go straight home?” finally, Zahira could speak again. Afraid he looked at Juan who did not show an angry expression at all.
Juan let go of their grasp slowly, as if still unwilling to go back to parting with the lover of the heart he loved half to death. However, for now, he would be patient. For the sake of getting more time to be with Zahira in the future.
“Live home.” The answer. But, it's not finished up there. After taking a pause for a few seconds, he continued. “Next week, come with me to see Mama, yes?”
Unprepared for the coming of the request, Zahira gasped. Meeting Juan's mother meant she had to be prepared to accept treatment that might be less than pleasant, and Zahira was not sure she would be able to.
“Please?” Juan begged. With the mainstay puppy eyes that he knows will make anyone immediately tired and willing to obey his wishes. “It's time you met Mama, Za.”
“But if your mom doesn't accept me, how about?” ask Zahira to worry.
“We will never know before trying.” Juan. The grip that had been released finally he created again. This time it was not just one, both of Zahira's hands were grabbed and she held tightly together. “Again, there's me. I won't let you feel like you're not welcome with anyone.”
Still, the words Juan gave were still not enough to convince Zahira. He's still very scared.
“Trust me,” Juan still trying to convince.
It took Zahira a while until she finally nodded her head. When he did that, there was only one he thought of; that Juan had sacrificed a lot for their relationship, and it was time for him to do something worth it.
“Ya already, yes. I'm coming with you.”
Juan smiled happily. From the beginning, their relationship was never easy. And since he has come this far, he will try to reduce his worry and take more steps forward.
“Still, yes, Za.”
“I should say thanks because you've come this far, Ju.”
Just like that, they split the smile again. I don't know what they'll see tomorrow. Whether the situation is better, or just a crossroads that present strange choices. For now, they would just believe that as long as they were together, everything would be fine.
...🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁...
Returning home to the Big House brings news that one of the residents who escaped will return to visit making Reno successfully the center of attention. Especially for Mama who immediately showed a bright twinkle when the news was first presented Reno.
“Serious?” ask Mama again, as if to convince yourself that the ability to hear is still quite good.
Reno nodded steadily. “Sama Zahira.” The follower. He already knew, when the name was called, the look on Mama's face would definitely turn sour. Therefore, Reno had prepared a series of sentences to make the woman silent.
“If it wasn't the same Zahira, he wouldn't have come home. So, Mama better not looking because of.” He gave a warning. “Mama herself also knows how stubborn Juan is, right?”
Mama was silent, half-justifying, yet still grumbling inwardly. Juan was his son, so why did to meet, he have to involve women whom he absolutely did not want to be present in their lives? Yet long before the woman came, it was not difficult to make Juan obey the orders he gave.
“Agreed, no? If Mama objected, let Reno tell Juan not to go home.”
Hearing that, Mama stared in panic at Reno. “Do not, dong! Mama has almost gone crazy because she misses Juan, yes the time she did not come home.”
“Yes so, promise first with Reno if Mama will not sinisterin Zahira.”
Promise not to be bad at people you dislike? Come on, don't joke. Why would he do it too? Even if he could, he was eager to do things beyond reason to make Zahira feel uncomfortable. So that the woman would give up and just break up from Juan.
Nevertheless, Mama still nodded her head with a very heavy movement.
“What?” asked Reno, asking for further explanation.
Mama sighed, “Iya, Mama promised not to be evil with the woman.”
“Zahira. His name is Zahira.” Reno. The way is exactly as Juan used to do, so it makes Mama cluck. Over time, the woman named Zahira seemed to be invading the entire house, not just Juan alone.
“Iya, yes. Zahiras. Mama promised not to be evil with him.” Mama was crying out unwillingly.
That's it, Reno nodded. “Good.” Her speech. “Don't break the promise, okay? If you break the promise, you know the consequences yourself. Be prepared to never meet Juan forever.” Threatened him. Then like a child who had never been taught manners, Reno just left Mama who stood stiff in the living room.
Two minutes after Reno's departure, Mama breathed a heavy sigh. “It’s okay, for Juan.” He muttered, then he went to start cleaning Juan—'s room who knew the child was willing to stay in the Big House again.
Seriate
