Casanova Dipinang Sholeha
Forgive On the Night of Victory

Not just talking to his mom. Alex also spoke to Mr. Ferdi. They sat together on the side porch. While enjoying the afternoon atmosphere and beautiful garden views. Both Alex and Mr. Ferdi look open to each other and talk everything from heart to heart.

"I'm sorry for my absence in your life. Just be your status father for many years," said Mr. Ferdi.

"You have never been in my life, nor do I know what your purpose is in my life" Alex replied.

"Yes you're right. My life was fucked up. I'm just a drunk, a gambling man, a mater and all the negativity that's on me. I've made you lonely without the affection of a father" said Mr. Ferdi.

"You're my goddamn father, that's what I remember from a long time ago" Alex replied.

Mr. Ferdi threw out his foul breath. Smiling thinly.

"Yes, there is nothing positive I have for you to be proud of as a father" replied Mr. Ferdi.

Alex smiles. True, his father said there was nothing positive that he could be proud of from his father. Everything was negative at the time.

"Sometimes I'm embarrassed to remember all that. I've wasted my whole life for my own selfishness" said Mr. Ferdi.

"You're selfish, how much time you have to make up for everything, there's only a little time left" Alex replied.

"Yes, little time is left of God's mercy on me, I want to redeem and correct it" said Mr. Ferdi.

Alex smiled faintly. Staring at the beautiful scenery in front of him was like his life was starting to grow and color.

"When man is at his lowest point. He will remember God and all his mistakes. And at that time the most comfortable place to return is family" Alex said.

Mr. Ferdi nodded.

"It's the family that will accept you for who you are, even if you've made the biggest mistake of your life" Alex said.

"You're right, I seek happiness by doing anything even if it's against the rules and sinful" said Mr. Ferdi. He remembered all the mistakes he had made.

Mr. Ferdi threw out his foul breath.

"But all of that is only temporary happiness. Because true happiness is a family, a place to share both joy and sorrow," replied Mr. Ferdi.

Alex was silent for a moment. He is like Mr. Ferdi, when looking for happiness to the end of the world though, you will never meet. Because true happiness is by your side, you don't even realize it. Family is a joy that is often forgotten. But it is happiness that can make you feel comfortable and feel the happiness that you are really looking for all this time.

"One word I haven't said to you, thank you dad, I've been my dad all this time" Alex said.

"Yes, I am also grateful that you keep calling me father even though I am not a good father to you" said Mr. Ferdi.

Alex nodded. In the past Mr. Ferdi was not a good father. But he wants to make peace with his life, no man is perfect. Everyone has made mistakes. Just how to fix all that.

"I'm sorry for all my mistakes, I will try to be the best father for our family. Today and beyond" said Mr. Ferdi.

"I've forgiven you, Dad, long before you apologized" Alex said.

Mr. Ferdi smiled. His son was mature and wise.

"Alex, Harry Harold your real father. Forgive her, for she did not know that your mother was pregnant with you. All this time the world only knew you were my son, because your mother and I were deliberately covering all this up" said Mr. Ferdi.

Alex fell silent. He was pensive with Mr. Ferdi's words.

"I know it's not easy to accept all this, it takes time for you to accept Harry Harold as your father" Ferdi said. He did not want to force Alex to accept Harry Harold as his real father. Everything takes process and time. Mr. Ferdi believes it's time Alex will be able to accept all that.

After talking to Mr. Ferdi, Alex met Grandpa David in his room. He sat on the sofa with his grandfather. Alex wanted to talk about something stuck in his heart.

"When I was a kid, I was just a grandfather who always loved me sincerely, a grandfather who taught me many things. Although sometimes I've been rebellious," Alex said.

"You are indeed my naughty grandson, your pretentious style, and the oppressor of women. I was disappointed because of all your mischief. Fortunately there was Sophia who brought you back to this house and onto the right path" Grandpa David said.

Alex laughed at his grandfather's words. All that's right, Alex is naughty has made his grandfather ride black with all his mischief.

"Sophia has changed my life. I am lucky to be her husband. It was like getting a gift that God sent specifically for me" Alex replied.

"You know it's a gift, so take good care of it. Because you'll never get it again" said Grandpa David.

"Well God willing, I will take good care of Sophia" Alex replied.

"Lex, Harry Harold is your real father. You want to like it or not. He may never be in your life, but it never hurts if you give him a chance to make up for it all" Grandpa David said.

Alex was silent at the thought of Grandpa David's words.

"Grandpa was in Harry's position, not that grandfather justified it but that he felt when he knew he had children, it made him feel guilty and useless" replied Grandpa David.

Alex fell silent. Just listen to his grandfather.

"Grandfather was never there when Harry was growing up. At the time he missed grandfather, but grandfather didn't know that" Grandpa David said.

"Grandfather knew all that not too long ago. When you know everything, it feels like you want to make up for all the time you've missed" added Grandpa David.

Alex lowered. Her eyes are red. Trying to control his emotions.

"Grandfather thought Harry felt the same way with grandfather, he must feel guilty and want to make up for all the time that was missed," said Grandpa David.

"If you can forgive Harry, it's the same way you forgive a grandfather who abandoned his own son" Grandpa David added.

Alex didn't say anything. He went out of his grandfather's room. Thinking of all the advice from Sophia, Mr. Ferdi and Grandpa David.

***

That afternoon, all the family members gathered in the living room. They sat on a carpet that was held on the floor. That afternoon is the last open before tomorrow Eid al-Fitr. Alex and the men read the Koran together while Sophia and the women served all the food and food in the middle of the carpet. They are all compact with their respective duties. After that they all sat together waiting for the time to open. Alex in the male line and Sophia in the female line.

Before long Mr. Harry came with Grandma Carroline, Luki and Humaira.

"Assalamu'alaikum" said Harry and the others.

"Wa'alaikumsallam" said Alex and the others.

"Let's go in! Please sit!" grandpa David said kindly and politely.

"Thank God, we can all gather in this place in good health, may God always give His grace to all of us" said Grandpa David.

"Amin" answered everything.

"We humans are not spared from our mistakes and sins. No human is perfect. May God forgive all our mistakes and always lead us to the right path" said Grandpa David.

"Amin" answered everything.

"We all gather in this place to connect the friendship. We need to strengthen the fraternity and share happiness. May God give us all a long life so that in the next days we can still gather like this" said Grandpa David.

"Amin" answered everything.

After that, they shared stories. Chatting casually and waiting for breaking the fast.

"Tomorrow the Eid of grandparents married, hopefully facilitated and launched the process" said Sophia.

"Amin" said Ms. Marisa and others.

"By the way the uniform's not on the load?" ask Grandma Carroline.

"Load Nek, only have Claudya modified a little so there is a rampel," replied Claudya.

"If my uniform had to be small, a little nervous" said Maria.

"Mother is adding accessories that are installed in her uniform so that it adds kece," said Ms. Marisa.

On the sidelines of everyone's obrolah, the voice of Adzan was reverberating.

"Alhamdulillah" said everyone.

They all started breaking their fast. Drink and eat the food that has been served. The atmosphere of the family is so thick. They look happy to be able to break their fast together on the last day. After breaking the fast, they all prayed magrib congregation. Alex became a priest to everyone. His voice is sweet as he recites the holy verses of the Qur'an and prayers. All were so solemn when the congregational prayer was carried out.

Sophia sat looking at Alex who was sitting after the prayer. She is so proud of her husband now. His face was so bright it gave off calm. Seeing Sophia watching him, Alex calls Sophia. Sitting in front of her while kissing and stroking Sophia's distended stomach.

"Papa Pinter's son has already fasted for a month" Alex said praising the baby in Sophia's stomach.

"Great man" said Sophia.

"Love, it must have been because I was a priest, yes" Alex said.

"Yes, Mas's voice is melodious. Sophia is proud to be the master of Mas," Sophia said.

"I'm also happy to be your priest of the Sophia afterlife" Alex said.

Sophia smiling. That sweet smile was fluffing on her pink lips.

"Alex can we talk to you both?" ask Mr. Harry.

Alex, stroking Sophia's stomach, turned to look at Mr. Harry who approached her.

"Yes" Alex replied briefly.

They both went to the balcony upstairs. Stand on the balcony. Look at the sky full of stars and bright moon. The sound of takbir began to echo from one place and another. The night of victory was so felt to the recesses of the heart when the voices of takber were heard in the ears of every person.

"Tonight's the night of victory, we're all back to fitness. May all our mistakes and sins be forgiven by Allah SWT" said Mr. Harry.

"Amin" Alex replied.

"May I call myself Papa to you?" ask Mr. Harry. He didn't want to impose his will on Alex.

"Whatever" Alex replied.

Mr. Harry nodded. It looks like Alex has given the green light.

"Papa apologizes for all of Papa's mistakes, whether intentional or not, to you" Harry said.

Alex fell silent. Haven't said anything yet.

"Papa really doesn't know that you're my son. I almost killed you a few times. Consider you my enemy and want to make your life suffer in various ways" said Mr. Harry.

"I know," Alex replied briefly.

"I'm sorry that the person I hate half-dead is my own son" Harry said.

"Yes" Alex replied.

"My relationship with your mother is complicated. We are not a couple who love each other. You too because of that forbidden night. I didn't know that your mother contained my seed, I'm sorry for my mistake with you" Harry said.

Alex breathed his rage. Her chest feels tight. But he remembered the words of Sophia, Mr. Ferdi and Grandpa David.

"I forgive you Papa" Alex said.

"You-you said I was Papa?" ask Harry didn't think Alex would call him Papa.

"Yes, aren't you doing it?" sahut Alex's.

"Yes, I'm your father. You're as handsome as I am" replied Harry.

"So I'm better looking than you" Alex said.

"Gosh he's like me being stubborn when it comes to good looks. The fruit did fall not far from the tree," said Harry.

"Well your good looks are above me one percent" said Mr. Harry

"I'm a hundred percent better looking than you, old man" Alex said.

They can't give up on good looks. Understandably Babang handsome and handsome children both have their respective territorial areas. Not wanting to be disturbed or disturbed.