Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 4
“Ma! Reyhan home.”
Reyhan shouted to Mama with a flowery heart. How not ? The girl he had been searching for now had found. God always has surprises for His people.
“Kak, no need to. Screaming. Not good, Son.”
“Iya deh sorry.”
“Kok kayak is different, yes ?”
Mama saw clearly Reyhan's difference today after returning home to meet Bara.
“What's different, Ma ?”
“Different brother. It looks so happy today. Tuh. Suspicious Mama nih.”
“What the hell is Mama ih ? Ordinary people too.”
Mama saw Reyhan from head to toe repeatedly. Until somehow to how many eyes Mama finally stopped right in the arms of her son. Mama pulled Reyhan's arm that looked bloody. There's a grip wound.
“So, his arm can be injured like this ? Abis born ?” Mom looked at her son suspiciously.
Reyhan immediately held the arm that his mother meant. There are wounds there. But, Reyhan was unaware and did not even feel the slightest pain.
“Oh yes. Reyhan didn't know Reyhan's arm was hurt, Ma. Not because of the pain.”
“Abis born to whom, sis ?”
“Mama let me know. Since when did Reyhan like to be born. From the past until now where ever. Farhan or Raina is the same.”
“But how can that hurt ? It's a clutch wound, brother.”
“Gosh. Reyhan new inget, Ma.” Reyhan patted his head remembering something.
“What, brother ? The story while Mama Medin yuk. Later infection of his wound.”
Reyhan followed Mama's steps towards the living room. Take a sitting position while waiting for Mama to take the medicine box.
“Ma, it was Reyhan to Bara's house. Well, the new fitting nyampe Reyhan meet with Aunt Sandra. The Bara is still in the room. Reyhan sat in the guest room. The living room is nice, Ma. Many paintings. Unique again. After that, Reyhan was heard by someone who knocked on the main door. But the guy went straight in. Gontai's steps. He held his chest. But Reyhan did not dare samperin. Not how the hell. It's just not our house. Take care of adab. Do you know who that person is ?”
“Who is it ?” Mama asked without seeing Reyhan because he was still busy treating the wound in his arm.
Reyhan closed his eyes. Reviewing smile.
“She's the girl whose shadow is always nemenin Reyhan anywhere. She's a girl whose name Reyhan never forgot to mention in do’a. She's the girl Reyhan always told God about. Aleuaea. Nadhira Aleeana Prayudha's. "
“Kayak no stranger ya his name ?”
“It is, Ma. Bara's sister. Nadhie. Mama know lah.”
“Oh so all this time the girl that sister told to Mama was Nadhira anyway. Brother sister. Mama guess who. If Mama knows what you call Aleea, it's Nadhira. Mama ajakin has been there.”
“Reyhan also just found out, Ma. Just today. All this time even though Reyhan is the same Bara, Reyhan has never been horrified or met Aleea at home.”
Mama finished treating Reyhan's arm and was about to leave.
“Ma, wait a minute. Reyhan wants to tell Mama. Reyhan wants to talk seriously.”
“Serious by the way ? Yes udah ayok.”
“Ma, Reyhan told Mama everything, right ? About Reyhan's feelings too. About Reyhan's hope going forward. And now Mama also knows who that girl named Aleea is. Even my mother knew him well. And so does his family. It's a wound from his grip earlier, Ma.”
“Kak gave birth to Nadhira ? How can ? Fight with girls ?”
“Ma dengerin first. Not finished yet ih.”
“What happens if you don't give birth to ?”
“Yes Allah, Ma. Aleea came home from college suddenly short of breath. It just so happened that Reyhan first looked. Reyhan did not know it was him at first. But because Reyhan saw he lemes and wants to fall, Reyhan please. Reyhan was shocked in front of him. It was Aleea. I don't believe I can meet again. But Reyhan was happy. Well, this wound problem. Aleea held Reyhan's arm. But maybe because his chest is too tight. He accidentally gripped Reyha's arm until the gini wound. But Reyhan is sincere, ma. At least Reyhan could be a little impingement of his pain.”
“That's a story, right ? Now what is serious about ?”
“Mama want to see Reyhan married ?”
“Of course, darling. Your age is enough to get to that level. Mama will support your decision.”
“Reyhan to marry Aleea, Ma. Immediately. Reyhan was afraid that one day Aleea would leave again. Reyhan has lost him enough times. What do you think ?”
“Mama always support your decision, son. As long as it's good and you're happy. But you need to convince yourself before you act. Marriage is not easy. You will not have a year or two. But forever. You sure of your decision ?”
“Good. It's late afternoon, son. Clean up there first. Mama wants to bathe Raina too.”
___
Moon hanging beautifully. Friends flickering thousands of stars. The night is getting louder. Sepi. The sounds of crickets are unpretentious. In a room with a blue sky. A girl pans her brain with old memories. Hindu whack. Smoldering.
“Reyhan Akbar Oktara's. You know what ? God has been so good to me. Found me with you first. Presenting you to change my childish thinking. Until in the end, leave a taste that has never changed until now. This second. And I don't know when. And today too, God gave me a surprise that I had long dreamed of. I was reunited with you. Hope this time's meeting isn't for parting anymore. Reyhan Akbar Oktara, I miss you. Miss enjoying twilight with you.”
Aleea spoke as if she was facing Reyhan. Spilling everything he thinks. Channeling the undelivered miss. Reveal hidden feelings and hopes. I wish the universe would become a reality.
___
Different place. Reyhan is dealing with his papa. Just both. It was rare for Abraham to sit alone with his father. Since when he knew the world of work.
“Pa, Reyhan to say.”
“Iya, son. Say.”
“Mmm..Reyhan is getting married, pa.”
Reyhan says directly what he wants without making small talk. Papa turned his head towards Reyhan and allowed his slightly sagging glasses.
“You sure ? Asau Papa all this time you have never known a single woman with Papa. Never mind recognizing, even mentioning a woman's name you never.”
“Iya, Pa. Reyhan. That's right what papa said. But Reyhan has a choice, Pa. Since a few years ago. She's the only reason Reyhan doesn't open his heart to other women. Because since knowing him Reyhan has established a heart for him. Enough of him.”
“Papa know who that woman is?”
“Iya. Papa knows. His family knew him. Him, Aleea. Nadhira Aleeana Prayudha's. His son Om Yudha and Aunt Sandra. His sister Reyhan, Pa. Bara.”
“Goddessa, son. Why have you never told Papa ?”
“Sorry, Pa. Reyhan doesn't want to tell a story. Reyhan is waiting for the right time. After all Reyhan just met Aleea again. After a few years. We never even had contact with each other. But God is good with Reyhan, Pa. Today Reyhan was reunited even though accidentally and in bad circumstances. Aleea's sick. So according to papa, what is ?”
“Papa support your decision, son. As long as you are confident and able to live it. Why not ?”
“Still, Pa.”
Reyhan was a little relieved after expressing his wish to the Papa. Hope this wish is achieved soon. Aleea, wait for me. In the near future I will fulfill my promise to you.
“So the plan is when do you want to talk to Om Yudha?”
“Quickly, Pa. If there is no obstacle, God willing tomorrow night. If morning Om Yudha to the office.”
“Good. Papa do’akan best for you, son.”
“Iya, Pa. Thanks.”
___
“Dik, down yuk. Eat first. That abis took medicine.”
Nadhira's daydreams fell away instantly hearing a quiet and soothing voice greeting her. He looked towards the owner of the voice and smiled.
“Iya, Yah.”
Nadhira went down one by one the stairs with his father embraced. Comfortable. Peace. That's what Nadhira always felt when Dad's burly hands embraced or clenched his small body. I want to stay in such a position.
“Wah wah wah. There's another spoiled story. Mommy see tuh. Sure you're not jealous of dad like that?”
Nadhira and the direction looked simultaneously towards Bara.
“Kayak scene movie yes, Bang.” Connect mother.
Everyone laughed last night. Happy feeling.
___TBC__
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