Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 11

Reyhan and his family. Nadhira chose to return to his room instead of taking part in regular chatting with his father, mother and brother. Not because of laziness. It was just that he felt that his tiny body needed time to rest.

Nadhira entered the room that had been the place where he eliminated his fatigue after a day of activities. He laid his body on his favorite bed. Staring at the ceiling and circulating the view to all corners of his room. Enjoy the shade of the color that has been his favorite all this time. His brain turned the neatly arranged events back into a beautiful memory. Then a sweet smile displays a neat row of white teeth.

Shortly Nadhira caught a tall and sturdy man still with a dress shirt that he used earlier entered without permission. Who else if not Bara. Nadhira snorted softly looking at his brother's habits.

“Not sleeping, Deck ?” Bara stepped up to his sister who had changed her sitting position by hugging her Teddy Bear.

“Numbered, Bang.”

“Why ?” Bara looked at every curve of his sister's face that looked lethargic.

“Capek. My body feels sore all.” Nadhira answered honestly.

“Rest. Sleep well and have a nice dream, My Little Girl.” Bara kissed the top of his little sister's head.

“Udah to marry, Bang. So not a kid anymore.” Nadhira Protest.

“Oh yes. Brother forgot. Soon my little sister will be Madam Oktara, yes ?” goda Bara and managed to make the blush of Nadhira's cheeks.

“Bang, I want to collect your debt Abang.” Nadhira straightened his body and grabbed Bara's arm.

“What debt ?” Bara scrunched his forehead not understanding.

“Debt explanation.”

Now Bara fell silent and tapped his forehead with his index finger. Trying to remember what explanation he had promised his sister.

“About Kayla, Brother.”

“Oh it. But I want to rest. Will it be next time ?”

“Abang has a crush on Kayla, yes ?” Nadhira didn't care about his brother's questions. He started the question with an intimidating look.

“Mmm. somehow.”

“Kok is it?” Nadhira knitted his brows.

Bara took a sitting position right in front of Nadhira who was also cross-legged on his bed.

“Abang seneng. With a simple appearance, her sweet smile, and her sometimes unintentional gaze colliding with Brother were so reassuring. Brother likes that. Very.” Bara smiled at the figure of the woman who had been the occupant of the corner of his heart space.

“Pacarin aja, Bang.” Nadhira said lightly.

“Like Mbak Prisil.” Bara continued while looking at Nadhira.

The smile that had been expanding disappeared instantly. The sparkling look now changed. There is a clear picture of sadness in the bead of Bara's eyes that began to glaze over. Tears that begin to be flooded in the eyes will be ready to slide whenever he wants.

Leea looked at the older brother in disbelief. After many years Prisil's departure in fact did not make the sadness disappear from within Bara. Behind Bara's insistence all this time, it turns out there is a deep pain that is still embedded.

Prisilia Anastasia. The brown-eyed girl with a charming smile that made Reyndra not tired of looking at her. A testament to the beauty of the many beauties that God created. The girl he accidentally met was playing with little children in an orphanage. The simple girl who made him fall in love at first sight. And the first girl he calls in do’a.

Not only that. Prisil is Bara's wife-to-be. A week before the marriage contract, Bara had to sincerely release the departure of the woman who grasped his heart. Sincerely accept the fact that the woman of his dreams has been coupled with death.

At that time for Bara sincere just a word. A word that is easy to say but hard to do. Because he is not a strong man. I felt his world collapse instantly. All the hopes he built were shattered. Half of him is gone. Living without a definite direction and purpose.

Until the day came when he was awakened by the advice of his father and his mother. Regretting everything that happened is not good. Every path of life has been determined by the Khalik.

“Your journey is still long. Death is God's God. And you can't change that. It is not good if Abang continues to mourn Prisil's departure. Mommy is sure, Prisil also does not like to see Brother like this continue. Brother must rise. Live as you should.” The Mother's Advice.

“Bang.” Nadhira clasped Bara's hand tightly. Channeling the little strength he had to strengthen his brother. He realized that Bara was currently at a low point and needed a helping hand to strengthen it and bring it back to the safe zone.

Bara looked at Nadhira with sayu. The tears that he had sustained from earlier now glided freely without permission past his cheeks. Bara looks very pathetic. He drowned his head in his sister's lap. Nadhira's vegetables heard a heartbreaking sobbing.

Nadhira stroking her sister's hair full of affection. His heart felt bitter to see this kind of scene. Without realizing it, Nadhira's tears came.

“Bang, the patient. God gave us that trial because God knew you could get through it. Ikhlaskan Mbak Prisil Bang. Let Mbak Prisil calm down.” Nadhira tries to advise Bara in the middle of her prank. He felt his sister's shoulders tremble even more.

Nadhira cupped Reyndrara's cheeks with both hands. Removing the traces of tears on Bara's cheeks that were still flowing swiftly. Carrying his sister's head in his arms. Nadhira gently stroked the shoulder of the older sister who was still shaking.

“Abang has not been fully able to release Mbak Prisil. Especially seeing Talita's smile and eyeballs. The shadow of Mbak Prisil is increasingly visible. Brother's not as strong as other men, Dek. So far, Abang has gone workaholic just because he wants to take his mind off the shadow of Mbak Prisil.” Bara's getting sobbing. His chest feels sore. There are remnants of old wounds that re-gaped and then splashed with salt water. As soon as he felt. He smacked his chest.

Nadhira took off her embrace on Bara. Nadhira again tightly grasped her brother's hand. Staring at him. Then talking.

“There is no point lamenting the departure of someone who has gone and not returned. I've never felt what you feel. I don't know exactly what you've been feeling all this time. But, I know what it's like to lose.”

"Abang misses him, Brother. For whatever."

Nadhira again cupped Bara's cheek. Make the Bara look at him. They exchanged glances in a few seconds before Nadhira threw a smile at Bara.

“Confirm, Bang. God takes what we love so much only to be replaced with better.”

Bara replied with a nod. It was unexpected that her little girl could have thoughts that made her heart tremble.

“La tahzan innalaha ma’ana. (Don't be sad. God is always with you).” Bara continued with the biggest smile on his tiny lips.

Bara pulled his little sister's body into the embrace. Pecking the top of the head of Bara which is still covered with hijab.

“Thanks, Dik.” Lirih.

“Move On, Bang. Open your heart to other women. Don't get caught up in the past. And..” Nadhira hung his words. It feels bad to say it.

“And ?” Bara raised his eyebrows waiting for the words that his sister would continue.

“And. Look at him as Kayla. Not Prisil Ma'am. Because Kayla and Mbak Prisil are two different women.” Nadhira.

“Will Try. And hopefully can.” Bara smiled thinly.

“Help Brother.” Further.

Nadhira replied with his trademark smile.

Without them knowing. Their activities were also witnessed by two lovebirds behind a slightly open door. Father and Mother. Mother joined in tears in her husband's arms to witness the sad scene of her daughter's son. Strengthen each other.

___

Reyhan POV's

I walked to the balcony of my room after cleaning myself after coming home from my future wife's house. Nadhira Aleeana Prayudha's. Oh God, just call it a wife-to-be I'm so happy.

I enjoyed the night breeze that hit my face. Enjoying the sweet hanging crescent befriends thousands of twinkling stars. Real beautiful.

I pull the tip of my lips to form a smile curve considering that soon the hope that I always say in every do’ me will bear fruit. To be a real. Living with God whose name fills my mind.

“Patience, Reyhan. Soon Aleea will be all yours. Be the place you go home. Become a place for you to share your joys and sorrows.”

I'm talking to myself. Remind yourself to be more patient.

The night is moving. The unpretentious crickets fill the silence of the night. The cold night wind that blows pierces my every joint. But it doesn't dampen the little bit of happiness that I think. I am really happy. I don't know what's the right word to express this happiness.

“Kak!”

I looked towards the voice. The distinctive voice of my Little Princess. Raina Farsya Octara. My tired repellent came home from work.

I walked towards him who was still standing holding the doorknob and rubbed his eyes with one hand. I crouched down to be on par with his height.

“Why haven't you slept?” I said softly while stroking her long hair.

“Newly wake. But adek can not sleep anymore.” Answer with his distinctive lisp voice.

“Turn back to the room. Sister temenin, yes ?” I volunteered to accompany the little girl standing in front of me.

“But later bacain fairy tale, yes ?”

“Iya.” I'm holding Raina's long black hair. I carried her little body and took her to her room.

I read Raina's favorite fairy tale. And he closed his eyes soon. Back to the sea of dreams.

“Happy break, Princess.” I kissed her forehead and then I pulled the blanket over her small body.

___TBC__