A Handful of Love for You
60. Ready

Atep POV

Today. The time has come. Since last night, my heart has been pounding abnormally every time I imagine his face.

Long time I pegged myself in front of a mirror hanging on the wall of this not-so-extensive room. Many times I put on a cameja and then released it again feeling like I had not found a suitable outfit to wear to the birthday celebration of my beloved, Alena.

After unloading several times, I finally decided to wear a dark gray cameja combined with jeans that are still good color aka not belel. I got rid of the idea of wearing my favorite jeans and ripped. Yesterday afternoon, I had tidied up the hair that was starting to drift again. I want to perform more neatly in front of Alena's family. Not that I look for face but I want to keep ethics and decency.

I feel the vibration of my cell phone in my pants pocket.

I saw an unknown number on the phone screen. Fearing a new client or someone needed to contact me, I immediately stepped on the receipt button.

“Assalamualaikum,” I say hello.

“Mang Ateep..” I heard Aras and Aris's cries deafening.

“If anyone says a greeting it must answer first. This even screamed,” scolded me to two favorite nephews.

“Waalaikumsalam,” answer them compact.

“This Cedar and Aris use hape who?” I was surprised because not usually Aras and Aris call me by using a number that I have not saved. Usually they call me by using Teh Iyah's phone or their father's.

“Aris wears hape has granny. Mang Atep want to come here?” cerocos Aris's.

“What is in the house of Aras and Aris?” I asked to test them.

“And now it's Aunt Lena's birthday. Here also there is aki uyut, the same battery granny,” replied Aris.

“Whatever Mang Atep can come?” my many.

“Kan Mang Atep his girlfriend Aunt Lena. Aunty Lena's birthday, Mang Atep did not come anyway?” aris protest.

I was surprised to hear Aris saying that I was her aunt.

“Lho, Aris knows where Mang Atep Aunty Lena's boyfriend came from? Who said it?”

“Nobody said. But Aras said that Aunt Lena had a favorite call for Mang Atep.” Aris's answer made me shake my head. How can a child their age come to the conclusion that me and their aunt are dating.

“Aras know where?” is from I asked Aras. I wonder also how they can conclude my relationship with their aunt.

“Pas Aras want to phone Mang Atep from his hapenya Aunt, Aras see if his name is Mang Atep in his hapenya Auntie is Devil. Aras can read. Keep asking Aras with Dad why Aunt uses the name Devil?”

“Keep Dad said what?” manya curious.

“Daddy said that Devil is the nickname of Aunty Lena for Mang Atep. But Aras still do not understand why his nickname is not like the rich name Aras and Aris. The nickname should be similar."

“Terus?”

“Continue asking Mom. I also said it was a dear call from Aunt Lena for Mang Atep.”

“The dear ones are dating. Kaya Teh Tuti and her boyfriend like to say dear. Keep Bik Nani who here also likes to say dear-sayang so on the phone with her boyfriend,” answered Aras plain.

Duuh, the association of children now makes me shake my head.

“But said Mother, Mang Atep same Aunt Lena can not date.” Aras gave a statement that surprised me.

“Lho, why?”

“Say Mom, the courtship can't be. So Mang Atep can't date Aunt Lena!” said Aras firmly.

“If you can't why did you say that Aunt Lena was her boyfriend Mang Atep?” my many.

“Hm... why ya?” Aras asked himself a question.

“Mang Atep will not date Aunt Lena but Mang Atep will marry Aunt Lena,” I replied.

“That's right. Mom said it was like that too. Just Aras forgot how it was talking.”

“Ya already then. Mang Atep has to work first. Yes, we talked.”

“Eeeh a minute, Mang. So Mang Atep will be here?” it seemed that Aris who asked because her tone sounded a little more cheerful.

“Insya Allah later Mang Atep to the house of Aras and Aris,” I replied.

“Asyiiiik..” shouted Aras and Aris.

“Yes first. Assalamu’alaikum.” I saluted him before I hung up the phone.

“Waalaikumsalam,” reply Aras and Aris compact.

I opened the little box I was holding, there was a diamond ring. Diamonds are symbols of love and devotion. Although I do not believe in the symbols of love but to propose to women who will be my life partner but I will try to give the best for the woman I love.

Later. One day, I'll buy you a ring with bigger eyes. For now, I can only buy rings with small eyes. After becoming her husband I will work even harder to make her happy.

Indeed, the diamond I bought is not the most expensive diamond because of course I have not been able to buy the most expensive diamond. This is just a ring to propose. Later if we are married, I will give the most expensive gift I can give.

The diamond ring I bought is only 1 carat but it has made my savings reduced a lot but for the sake of the woman I love let me sacrifice. Many other men have sacrificed so much for the woman they love.

After being satisfied to see the ring I bought, I put the box into the waist bag. After glancing at the mirror for the last time and believing that my appearance was perfect, I took the key and pulled it out of my small garage.

Kuraba returned the small box that had been stored safely inside the referee bag. Just about to turn on the motor, my phone vibrates indicating there is an incoming call. I saw the name of my staff calling.

“Wire, Kang...”

***********

to be continued...