Love Above the Heart
- Grief and Spirit -

"Ma, how's Papa?" Erick began to ask Mama Anna when she arrived at her parents' house.

Erick saw Anna's mother sitting on the edge of the bed, where Papa Johan was lying weak as if sleeping.

Apparently, Mama Anna was still incessantly crying from the moment she called Erick. It even seems hysterical now.

Seeing Erick and Gia who had just arrived, Mama Anna rushed into the arms of her youngest child.

"Erick, papa doesn't exist. My mom, leave us!" Mama Anna said as she shook her head hysterically several times.

Erick and Gia were dumbfounded and in disbelief. Erick slightly shook the body of the man who was lying down. A little bit forced him to wake up.

"So Mama left papa for a while to the bathroom. Back home, Mama thought papa was sleeping. But for a long time somehow Mama realized it looks like Papa is not sleeping." Mama Anna said in her tears.

Gia seemed to see a very heartbreaking sight, her tears falling drop by drop looking at the mother and son who were lamenting the departure of a man who was meritorious to their lives.

"Mama think what is the heart of Papa kumat, keep mama call you the same as others. Mama checks her pulse, but-" Mama Anna's words are no longer connected because she immediately cried and sobbed hysterically again.

Gia calmed Erick and Mama Anna a few times. Occasionally rub the soft backs of her husband and in-laws alternately.

Before long, Erick's other brothers arrived. Rina and her family, and Frans and his wife. Not much different, their reactions also broke out with sobs and tearful words that shook the heart.

*****

The funeral was held that day. The overcast sky accompanied the deep sorrow for the Ravendra family.

Erick and his family accompanied the departure of Papa Johan to his final place of complaint. A haru atmosphere that was too sudden happened.

Erick feels like he just tasted happiness yesterday. That her Papa was already as thoughtful as he was, given how slick they were plotting to make Mama Anna approve of Erick and Gia's marriage.

Erick could not cover up his sadness, considering that at the end of his life Papa Johan was very understanding of his condition and feelings. And Erick remembers Papa's happy face when Erick got married a few weeks ago.

Rina and Frans are also dissolved in grief, remembering to often oppose his father's decision. It even felt like just yesterday the two were against Erick's marriage in front of the deceased, but they were grateful that Papa Johan's last wish - seeing Erick get married - had already materialized.

Mama Anna collapsed unconscious several times, seeing the body of her husband who entered the burrow. He was shocked and it was very difficult to accept the reality.

Gia and Indira - the wife of Frans - strengthened their in-laws in succession. I don't know why Mama Anna feels so close to Gia right now. Several times he hugged his son-in-law to release his sadness and find peace by being in Gia's arms.

Mama Anna remembers that Gia is the daughter-in-law that her husband eventually grants. She felt guilty for also opposing her husband when he had to give his blessing. More crying remembering his faults and sins to his beloved husband.

"Mama has been sincere Pa, at least Papa is no longer feeling pain". Her speech on the sidelines sprinkled flowers on the belly of the husband.

💠💠💠💠💠

"Erick, Gia.. Can you ask for one request from both of you?" Mama Anna was sitting pensively in the back of the house when Erick and Gia came to her.

A week has passed since the departure of Papa Johan to the creator. Mama Anna has not been seen excited even though she has said sincerely about the departure of her husband, but her attitude is still not as fully excited as before.

"What request is that, Ma?" Ask Erick.

"You guys, move into this house. Don't stay in the apartment anymore. Mama's alone here. Your brothers can't be here, you know, right?"

Erick understood that his brothers had a house close to each of their offices. They also cannot abandon their activities.

While Erick, Erick's office is closer to the residence of his parents. And again, Gia has no activities so can accompany mama Anna at home while getting closer, Erick thought.

Gia looked at her husband who was looking at her, as if waiting for her decision. He smiled and stroked the back of Erick's hand while nodding.

Erick understood his wife's intentions and agreed to go back to his parents' house.

"Okay ma, we'll move here. But, can Erick ask you something too?"

"Say what it is!" Mama Anna answered softly.

"Emm, please think of Gia as your son in this house too." Erick replied a little hesitantly at first, afraid of offending the woman who was still beautiful at that young age.

Mama Anna thaws. Then smile. He saw Gia's face in front of him.

Unexpectedly, the woman hugged Gia.

"I'm sorry mommy, son, all this time mama may be outrageous. Ever since you married Erick, that's when you've officially been your parents." His words interrupted his embrace to Gia. He stroked Gia's back so gently and with his maternal soul.

Gia returned the embrace of her in-laws with a calm and happy heart. He did not expect at Erick's request and Anna's mother's reaction. It seems, now that Anna's mother has indeed changed. Not Arrogant like before.

******

Gia and Erick have moved into Erick's parents' house. Gia began to get used to living in her father-in-law's house.

Gradually, Gia begins to get along with Anna's mother. Right said Erick, slowly the hard heart of mama Anna will melt. Wring a stone, mama Anna's heart could not be resisted with a rock-hard attitude as well. It will destroy both. But, Gia had to become water to erode the hardness of the stone. Although it will take a long time, but the fact is true that now Anna's mom has begun to soften and keep her promise-considering Gia as her own child-

While the Erick brothers are still indifferent although never again issued the ultimate words that hurt. They rarely come because they are busy, it becomes a relief for Gia who sometimes still looks forward to anxiety when meeting them.

Later, Erick more and more often go back and forth out of town with work affairs. While Gia sometimes participate in taking care of the cafe owned by Erick who has also opened several branches, which is often left by the owner without a visit.

Mama Anna who saw how persistent Gia accompanied and supported her son, began to get used to and began to love Gia sincerely. Plus, Gia sometimes still took the time to draw a dress design on the sidelines of her daily activities because it was her hobby in her free time. It caught the attention of Mama Anna.

Mama Anna who incidentally has a boutique business and was once a lecturer in the art field was enthusiastic to see the talent that he did not think was owned by Gia, his daughter-in-law.

Gia and Mama Anna now look compact talking about fashion and design. Sometimes they exchange opinions and give new ideas.

"This is the design! Later we choose a fabric that is suitable for this design." said mama Anna while sumringah.

Gia nodded in agreement. Not infrequently they even spend time together to see and buy cloth together.

Of course it all makes Mama Anna who looks moody after the death of Papa Johan began to get excited again. The boutique, which had been closed for almost a month, began to reopen.

Erick was very happy to see the two women he loved in a very compact state. He felt calm working even though sometimes had to leave his wife to get out of town.

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Seriate...