ENDLESS HALLWAY
CHAPTER 29: HONESTY

A bright afternoon, the sun shining up there did not show much. The rolling waves of the beach as if competing to reach the edge add to the lively scenery of the beach.

On the white sand under the shade of the trees that make the shade Cindy atmosphere noticed her two children who were so engrossed in playing water on the beach. Next to her, Deska also turned her gaze towards the sea with a cheerful face.

"It's so jolly that Farel and Balqis are playing with water" Deska commented then with eyes unfailing to look at the two children.

"Yes" Cindy nodded. "For a long time they didn't feel this way." Cindy explained.

Cindy took a deep breath. Let her long unraveling hair ripple in the wind. Sometimes her red lips sighed softly. Ah, this kind of atmosphere was never felt again since her husband died almost a year ago.

Although now he can again feel how carefree his children play water on the beach, but the man who accompanies him is not Mas Rangga anymore.

Indeed, Cindy can feel and acknowledge in her heart how Farel and Balqis are getting closer and closer to Deska. The affection and attention that the man gave to his two children made them easily forget the departure of his father who would never return again. It's true that you're good for their soul development. They do not need to feel prolonged grief and painful trauma about the departure of someone who has been their protector, because there is already another protector who is ready to replace.

But. ah, Cindy had no idea what she felt in her heart seeing the familiarity of her children with Deska. Be happy? A smile? Or even regretting why he let them be so close to being inseparable?

He also discussed his feelings with Ranti. But what answer did he get from his best friend?

"Don't be too emotional, Cin. Rest assured in your heart that Mr. Deska does expect you to be a wife. Do you feel for yourself how much he loves and loves your children?" so said Ranti at that time with a half tone accusing him.

"The problem isn't that, Ran. I dare not hope far. Mas Deska is a rich man. Let alone her pitying me instead of loving me as you thought," Cindy sighed in a reluctant tone.

"Your mind is always like that. Optimistic dong. Try to think more deeply, where is there genuine and selfless help? Every man is willing to sacrifice, he must have hope in that man. Anyway, I'm sure that Mr. Deska has a crush on you. Maybe he wants to give you time to think about it first, until he holds back his intention to express his feelings for you" Ranti said again advising him. "But it could also be that Mr. Deska prefers to show his attitude than to say love sentences that he thinks only deserve to be used by those who are young." Ranti continued to explain.

Cindy was pensive, trying to look deeper into the words of her best friend. If you want to see his age, Deska age a few years above Mas Rangga. Probably also. Ranti is right that the man prefers to show his attitude rather than say words that will even make stiff for people who are not ready to hear it.

"Dreaming, Cin?" deska's gentle reprimand resuscitated her from her daydream that had flown a glance.

"Ah, no," Cindy shook her head in a blush.

"Hungry already? Let's eat yuk first," asked Deska again.

Deska stared at her watch. It's ten o'clock past twenty minutes. Yak, it was quite afternoon also to fill the stomach with food, although before leaving earlier they had time to eat rice.

Slowly he agreed to the invitation.

"Farel, Balqis! Come here first" call Cindy then to her two children. The summoned also turned his head and half reluctant to come over because he felt his fun game so disturbed.

"We eat first, right? Later just play again," in his hand they follow the steps Deska who walks by his side.

Deska smiled and stretched out her hand to lead Farel who was excitedly greeted by the boy. They also immediately headed to the restaurant that served a full menu, which was not far from the place. Not long after writing the order in the book that the waiter handed out, food came Farel and Balqis exclaimed in excitement at the sight of the large roasted fish the waiter had placed on the table. Then Deska painstakingly chose the meat of the fish and put it on the plates of Farel and Balqis.

Looking at the attitude that the man showed, there was a sense of haru that infiltrated Cindy's heart. Deska is very attentive and loves her children. Not only when he comes to the house always never forget to bring souvenirs, when he was out, he always pampered the children with expensive foods that Rangga had never done before. Deska's situation is quite possible so that he can do anything, which for him may be just ordinary things but for Cindy and her children quite extraordinary.

Another with Rangga who in his life can be said only a few times to bring, his son and wife eat outside. And Cindy was quite understanding of it because her husband's income was only enough for their needs a month. Another thing if Rangga still follows his parents.

Precisely Cindy feels grateful and moved at the same time proud to have a husband like Rangga who is willing to leave the luxury of his family to live with him even though his life is mediocre.

"Let's eat, Cin," again Deska scoops the other food into Cindy's plate, so Cindy feels bad on her own, because it has been served so much.

"Let's, Mas. Later I can also take it myself," Cindy said later.

"Where? Since then it seems that you are not lustful," Deska said as she looked at him. "You gotta eat a lot, Cin. Be fat and healthy." And Deska smiled.

"Don't it look fat yet?" Cindy glanced at him.

"Not yet, a little more," Deska commented.

"If you're fat, your face will be visible

fresh beaming." Continue Deska.

"You're fat, maybe you'll be fat, Mas," Cindy continued.

Cindy smiled at the words.

Indeed since Rangga died, his body shrank considerably. Maybe because he had a lot of thoughts in addition to losing his appetite when he realized his life companion was now no longer on his side.

But since the presence of Deska who always diligently brought food every time he came, little by little his body weight began to rise again.

While eating occasionally Cindy glanced at her children who seemed to eat ravenously. There was joy in his heart seeing Farel and Balqis so cheerfully happy. In his heart he also admitted, how bad Deska took the hearts of his children.

Little by little they began to forget the tension and sadness of their father's passing, and it was evident by the reduced question from their mouths about Mas Rangga.

After eating food, they returned to the beach which began to be crowded with visitors. As soon as Farel and Balqis saw the toy swinging in the distance their eyes twinkled.

"Ma, can Farel play there?" ask her mother later.

"Yes, Ma, Balqis will also play there. Can you, Ma?" Balqis sulks.

"Alright," Cindy finally nodded, unable to bear to see the expectant gazes of her children. "But don't be naughty." Cindy continues.

"Thank you, Ma," they nodded together.

"Oh yes Ma, Oom Deska, Farel go there first." Farel said cheerfully.

"Balqis too, Ma, Oom" said Balqis would not lose. Then they immediately rushed to the toy place.

Deska and Cindy just looked at them with a smile. While stepping slowly they enjoyed how mischievous the sea breeze was toying with their hair.

"It's a pleasure to have such sweet children as Farel and Balqis" Deska murmured later, looking straight ahead.

"Both of course the children are sweet?" Ask Cindy suddenly.

"That's how it is" Deska nodded. "Looking at Farel and Balqis I remember when they were little. So obedient and never denied to the parents. Naughty still naughty, but still within reasonable limits." Deska continued to tell stories.

"Your children are far away from you. Don't you feel missed?" Cindy turned and looked at the face next to her.

"One month I always visit them, Cin. Even if the longing suddenly comes, that day I like to catch up with them." Deska explained.

"Yes, that's good, Mas" Cindy nodded. "Who's watching them there, Mas?" Ask Cindy.

"I left it to my youngest brother who also lives there." Obviously Deska.

"Well then you don't have to worry dong?" Cindy Say.

"That's how it is" again Deska nodded her head.

Cindy nodded her head, and her mind began to drift away. If you think it's good to be rich too. Everything, can be fulfilled. Even as Deska said earlier, if the longing came suddenly, that day he would fly abroad to meet his children.

Money often makes everything possible. But what can never be understood until now, why did Deska's wife have the heart to leave the man just like that? Isn't Deska nothing less? Not only did he have abundant treasures, but Deska also had deep understanding, great attention, in addition to his sympathetic face that did not bore anyone who looked at him. Although he was quite old, but the remnants of his good looks when young still appear on his masculine face.

"One day, Cin, I'll take you to visit their place. All enjoy how calm the Italian atmosphere is," said Deska then make Cindy widen her eyes happy.

"What is that, Mom?" cindy almost couldn't believe it.

"I don't think I ever told you to lie?" Deska looked at him inside. And Cindy quickly threw away her gaze as she felt how sharp Deska's eyes were through her heart.

"I'll introduce you to them. Of course they will be happy to accept you," added Deska again make her heart flowery.

Traveling abroad? Ah, it was never imagined that he would enjoy the trip.

"Are you, Cin? All this time I've been telling them about you. It seems that they are happy that I will soon find a replacement for their long-abandoned mother. My ex-wife has also visited them. But somehow my two children seem reluctant to meet his mother back Maybe they are, instead concerned about seeing his father who languished and remained alone since his mother left," said Deska again at length.