Knights For Mundika
6

Time quickly passed, it did not feel that four months of exploration had been done Mansoor and Mundika. The longer the girl knew the figure of her future husband, the more she felt there were flowers slowly appearing in the desert of her heart. His smile continued to expand as if an invisible thread was pulling the left and right corners of Mundika's lips. He did not expect that he could be this happy to have someone where he leaned for a moment. Although there is a father, mother, Mama Latifa, Majid, and Zayed who love him, he feels Mansoor's affection for him is different. He felt protected by Mansoor. Funny too, why does he feel that way?

*Sounds ringtone* from Mundika's smartphone. From Mansoor! Long live, Inner Mundica. Maybe if this is said to be synergy of the heart, then Mansoor can capture the feeling of his heart that is missing him.

"Assalamu'alaikum my future wife..," Mansoor opened the conversation.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, my future husband," Mundika chuckled softly to return the greetings from Mansoor. At first he felt uncomfortable whenever the man called him a future wife even though in a matter of months he would be his legal wife. But somehow he began to get used to and reply to remarks from Mansoor. Even though they are legally engaged, it does not mean they can go together because of the culture and religion they profess prohibit who are not or have not been together. As a result they intensify the approach by communicating via a smartphone. If they meet together, there will be a team of bodyguards from Mansoor who will be watching.

"Hey, what did this girl call me a future husband?" Mansoor was no less surprised but in his heart happy. Who is unhappy that his beloved heart gives a special call to him. Inevitably a big smile also printed in his thin lips. Without him realizing the team of guards who always accompanied him wherever he went laughing giggling to see his master talking with Mundika. A major change that Mansoor has experienced since becoming engaged to the child of Dalmouk Al Hassimi smiles more often which makes not only them but the people who work around him feel a more colorful aura, not monochrome like it used to be.

"Doctor Mundika, emergency!" Suddenly a nurse ran over to Mundika. "There are patients on a collision course on the road and currently need the help of a Doctor to perform the surgery immediately!"

"Mansoor, I'm sorry, I turned off the phone first, there's an accident patient who needs my help for surgery." Cut Mundika.

"Alright, congratulations on my future wife's service," Mansoor sighed a little disappointed. But how else, the girl he loved was indeed dedicated to his profession. At least one step away from the wedding gate before his eyes. He used to rub the faces of his brothers who looked like fools talking about his sisters-in-law before they got married. Now it was as if he was swallowing his own saliva. He often smiles like a fool!

***

Mundika began to sink her body into the sea water. His mind returned to the hospital when the patient's hard-earned streak of accidents he had saved finally came to his senses and opened his eyes. He was grateful that his efforts to save the woman were fruitful. But suddenly the woman his mother's age called the name Artika, his biological mother when she saw his face. He was shocked, his mother's name is not just any name that can be easily pronounced by Emirati people in general.

"Artica?!"

"Who?" Ask Mundika to the woman.

"You're my cousin Artika, right?" The deg! Mundika. Although her daily language is Arabic and or English does not mean she does not know what the woman is saying. However, the mother has taught him not to forget his origins are still bloody Indonesia. "A long time ago my family and I were looking for you Artika..., where have you been? Pakde and Bude miss you. Don't run away again.., don't you feel sorry for them? Go home, they don't mind your status now..."

Escape?! Whatdoes thatmean? Was his mother married to his father without the blessing of his parents? Mundika's heart is beating fast no matter what. The entire presumption of contact was engulfing in his head nonstop. Like a fast-paced roll film, events in the past when he began to know the condition of his family. He wept for himself in the corner of the hidden room for fear of being bullied by his two older sisters and cousins who never admitted it. Has her wicked mother ever taken her father's love from Mama Latifa? What is the true story like?!

Mundika, who was shocked to be forced out of therapy, could only remain silent until Mansoor placed her in one of the beach chairs adjacent to the abaya and the towel she had prepared before he soaks. Mansoor immediately covered Mundika's body with a towel so that she would not get cold.

"If there's no report from any of the people I've sent to look after you from afar I won't know you're doing this madness again" Mansoor lowered his head. "What's the matter with you, some days it's quieter? Though before you were bright cheerful. Is this how you've been running away all this time? Didn't you assume there was so you had to do this?"

Mundika immediately looked up to stare at Mansoor as the last question from the man tickled her heart. He probably thought the man did not exist. This man had tried to open his heart and even wanted to make her a wife.

"No Mansoor, you're one of my precious people" Mundika said plainly.

Mansoor who was angry before inevitably would not want to singleness his smile. Who wouldn't be happy if someone they love thinks they're valuable? That means all this time the effort to knock the heart of a Mundika succeeded.

"Mansoor..," Call Mundika lirih.

"Yes..," answered Mansoor softly.

"Will you accompany me to Indonesia?"

"Eh? What is it that you suddenly asked me to accompany you to Indonesia?" Mansoor seemed confused by Mundika's request. As long as he knew the girl never once he heard there was the name of the country Indonesia called.

"There are things I have to make sure there Mansoor, after that I am only willing to marry you," Mundika stared fixedly at Mansoor. There was not even a hint of doubt within the girl's beautiful black eyeball. Eyeball colors are very rare from other Arab breeds.

Mansoor's head was suddenly dizzy as Mundika said those words. It was the same he was given an ultimatum in these two months to be able to take his very busy time. How can he set aside at least a week to accompany his girl to Indonesia while he does not want his wedding plan which is only two months delayed because of the ridiculous request. He also did not want to comply with that request. Is there no other alternative?

***