Wife Custody (Second Love)
Keanu's Last Message
"Han, i.. If anything happens, I'll take Julie and the kids. Love them and take care of them. I'm sure you're a good, trustworthy man." Keanu spoke to Hanung at their office rooftop that afternoon. For some reason, since a week ago Keanu looked strange in Hanung's eyes. He became more reserved, repeatedly talking about his family seriously as if he was giving instructions to Hanung, and handed over his work duties to other friends.
During this time Hanung knew Keanu as a cheerful and witty man. There was only his chirping that made others laugh. When he suddenly became quiet, everyone wondered. What happened to Keanu? He is also typical of people who like to take on more responsibility in work. Abstinence for him leaving unfinished tasks. It has the motto, 'finish what begins'. If pressed, at most he asked Hanung for help to replace him. Hanung is the only person he trusts in the office. So, when he moved the tasks of the projects held so far on many people, even on the often he was angry because he thought it was not right, everyone was also excited. Why the hell, Keanu? Want to rest and ask for a sabbatical, he said.
Hanung thought Keanu was tired. There is no thought beyond that. Indeed, all this time the handsome man who became his best friend from the beginning of work was so crazy work. There was hardly any holiday for himself, nor his family. His wife, Julie, is as busy as Keanu. The woman worked as a lecturer with high flying hours. Their children are homeschooled and are often taken by Julie to work on campus.
Yes, maybe it's time for the Keanu family to rest, inner Hanung. Then he didn't think about it much anymore. The days went on as usual.
Until Saturday, three days after Keanu left his son and wife that afternoon. At nine o'clock in the evening, Julie calls her, asking Hanung to immediately follow her to the hospital near where they live. Keanu is sick, he said. Suddenly unconscious once home, after taking pictures and having dinner together at their favorite restaurant. Currently Keanu is in a coma. The doctor could not confirm the cause and what disease he suffered.
Without a second thought, Hanung immediately left for the hospital. Upon arrival, he sees Julie with Renata and Darrel, reading Quranic verses in the front corridor of the ICU room. To pray for Keanu, guess. He greeted them, sat down near Darrel and read the Koran with them.
Seconds change minutes, moving closer to the early morning. The guard doctor came out and called Julie, asking her to accompany Keanu.
"Sir Keanu finally regained consciousness, but he had trouble breathing."
Hanung hugged the 13-year-old and 10-year-old Keanu's two children tightly, whispering strength and calmness to them. Renata and Darrel begin to cry, asking to join her father. Hanung calms them down, until suddenly the ICU door opens again. One of the nurses asked Hanung and the children to come in.
"Sir Keanu asked."
They entered slowly, after Hanung asked the children not to cry in front of their father.
Keanu looked half conscious. His eyes were open but he had trouble breathing. Trained he asked Hanung to come closer to him, then whispered, "Titip them. Marry Julie. Replace me."
Hanung's eyes condensed. He looked at Keanu deeply. He is often a substitute for Keanu in work, but about family? Should Hanung also replace him?
"Please. That's my last request."
Then Keanu's breathing grew heavier and stiffer. But his eyes still did not move from the friend he believed the most. Hanung thought quickly, said bismillah, and nodded. A moment later, Keanu shouted the name of his Lord, and his soul left his body in the tight grip of the hands of those closest to him.
No doubt, Julie and the kids are crying. They roared while hugging Keanu's stiff body. They just had a conversation and enjoyed a full togetherness as a family. But now, Keanu just left, without being clear what the cause was.
Hanung was still trying to gather his consciousness. He must be strong, because from this moment he is in charge of guarding Keanu's wife and children. He moved closer to Julie, Renata and Darrel, then grabbed them in a tight embrace. He lost a friend and took on a heavy responsibility.
For days and weeks, Hanung thought about it. The words of his best friend since adolescence are always ringing.
"... *I'll take Julie and the kids."
"Titip them. Marry Julie..."
"Stop me*."
"Yes Allah... What am I supposed to do?" Hanung ruffled his hair, frustrated.
He decided to pray istikharah, asking for help from God so that he could help find a way out.
In a way, he still has a heart for his ex-wife, Diana. That's what made him feel at home for 8 years. She still hoped Diana would return to him.
However, on the other hand, he has already confirmed Keanu's last request. However, the message is a message. Hanung is a man who is very responsible for all his words and choices. There is no way he would break that promise. Moreover, he felt indebted to Keanu and his family. During this time, Hanung survives because of Keanu's helping hand, which is very good to him.
Actually, Hanung was already close to the entire Keanu family. Not a difficult thing to realize, Hanung replaced Keanu's position in his family. But what about his heart later? Hanung doubted that. What good would he be there if his heart was somewhere else? It feels wrong if he treats Julie as a carefree wife. She was not sure she could love a woman other than Diana, let alone this woman, Julie, was the wife of her best friend. It was like betraying Keanu.
Although, indeed, Keanu asked.
That request makes sense. Keanu only believed in Hanung. Starting from work to personal. Hanung had been used to representing Keanu in personal matters all along. But to be captain in their home? That's very heavy.
"This position is no joke, Kean. Why did you leave such a message? Why should it be? There's gotta be another way."
Hanung thought for a long time. There should be another way.
The more he thinks, the deeper the calculation, the more uncertain where the solution will be. If he doesn't marry Julie, it's too risky. That is, he would come into contact with them almost every day without any clarity of status. He would go in and out of their residence without a clear status. It will certainly invite slander.
If he lets Julie marry someone else, Keanu will be disappointed in her. After all, would that other man be able to meet the criteria to become Keanu's successor?
How'this?
