Lu[C]Ka Love
39. STILL IN LOVE

Chef Juna drove Cinta into the house and sat down for a while with Mother Inah.

"Congratulations Nduk... You're an adult now." Said Mother Holding Love.

"Thank you, Mom. I promise I'll be a better boy for you."

"So how? When do you want to continue your relationship to a more serious level?" ask Inah.

"Did?" Love and Chef Juna are shocked to hear Mother Inah's question.

Love glanced at Chef Juna, and vice versa.

"Mother! I'm only 22. Why ask that?" Love Protest.

"Lho?! She also married younger than you. Your age deserves to be married, Nduk."

"We .. haven't talked about it, ma'am. It's all up to love. I'm waiting for Love to be ready." Chef Juna Imbuh.

Love returns with a forced smile.

#

#

Love drove Chef Juna to the front of his alley.

"Not that I told you, I don't like being given surprises like this." Omel Love.

"Why? You looked so happy when they gave you a surprise."

"That's because I keep their feelings."

"Why don't you take care of my feelings? I purposely brought them in so you're happy."

"................" Love fell silent and crossed his arms.

"Then I apologize..." Chef Juna gave up.

"Mas, it's not like that. I just..."

"I haven't liked my birthday since that day. The day that broke my heart to pieces." Inner Love replied.

"I understand. I won't force you. Sorry if I answered your mother that way. What your mother thought was .. We've been together for two years but there's no development."

"Mas!"

"I knew. I'm just a shield for you. It'sit's okay. I will continue to be your shield, until you can truly open your heart to me."

Love looked compassionately at Chef Juna. This handsome man has been accompanying Love for several years. And Love appreciates that. But, the heart of Love still can not fully accept others into it.

"Happy birthday, Love."

Chef Juna handed over a small box as a birthday present.

Love accepts. "thank you. And .. sorry."

"Don't apologize. I want to be in this position myself. So, don't feel guilty. Open it!"

"Eh?"

"Open the box!" chef Juna's orders.

A beautiful diamond ring was there.

"Mas, I .. I don't deserve this."

"Save! When you are sure, you can wear it. Or you can just keep it."

Love glazed over Chef Juna's last words before he finally bailed home.

...***...

Love went into her room and sat on the edge of the bed after she had kept Chef Juna's ring box in the closet.

Love thinks of many things. His eyes are hot now. Love shed tears. He was crying in silence. Three years have passed, but his heart has never passed. He lives in the shadow of the past.

...***...

On the other side of the earth, someone is talking on the phone.

"Hows it? Did you get any info on him?"

"Already, boss. Miss Love is now teaching Chef Juna's cooking class. And they're dating now. Sorry boss, if I have to tell you this."

"It's okay. Then how's his birthday?"

"You got the picture?"

"Some, boss. I will send it."

"alright. Hangup phone!"

Call ended.

Not long ago a message entered the phone of the 27-year-old man.

A photo of Cinta and her friends posing happily and laughing is closely scrutinized.

"You've changed, Love. You grew up to be a very beautiful woman. Happy birthday, my love." The man kissed the photo of Love he magnified then hugged his phone.

...Love (22 years)...

...***...

Meanwhile, in the far-flung hemisphere of Jakarta, a young man was looking at his cold dinner. He did not eat his dinner but was busy playing his cell phone.

He was waiting for a message from his best friend who was in Jakarta.

TING'S. A message finally came.

The man immediately developed his smile after getting what he was waiting for. He smiled happily at what his best friend had sent him.

"Well, unfortunate is the fate of this prospective professor. Dinner without anyone accompanying."

Someone suddenly entered and startled the young man.

"Damn it! Just be surprised!"

"Sorry-sorry. What are you doing anyway? I called you but it was not answered. Your assistant asked me to come straight in."

"What's it gonna take to get here?" ketus tanyanya.

"Luckie! Instead of you bengong continue to be alone here, better come tomorrow to my fashion show. I'm going to Paris Fashion Week tomorrow. It's invitation!"

Lucki frowned. "Why should I?"

"So that you have a lot of activity besides taking care of your doctrinal lecture! Come on! We're friends, aren't we?"

"Old friend!" Lucki grinning.

"Whatever. By the way, if you need a friend at your dinner table, invite me. If I'm not busy, I'm willing to come."

"Yes-yes. All right, Jalalludin Khan."

"No, my name has been changed to Jean Blanchet Khan. Remember that!"

Lucki laughing. "I forgot that your name has changed. Merci invited me to your fashion show. I'll try to come."

...***...

The next day at Paris Fashion Week,

Lucki dizzy looking for his best friend who used to study together while still in High School.

"Luckie! Thank God, you have finally come. I'll show you your seat." Said Jean in excitement.

"Yeah, you're the same."

Lucki does not understand fashion, but he still enjoys the atmosphere and the models show some clothes made by his best friend.

After the event, many people crowded around and of course, the news seekers directly stormed some of the celebrities present at the event.

Lucki rid himself of the hubbub of many. He looked for a rather quiet place to take a breath.

From afar, a young woman looked at Lucki closely. The woman squinted her eyes to be more sure that the person she saw was real, and not a shadow.

The woman was chasing where Lucki was going.

"Excusez-moi, Monsieur!" (Excuse me, Master!). The woman patted Lucki on the shoulder.

Lucki turned around and met the woman.

"Lucki?!? So is this really you?" The woman rolled her eyes as if in disbelief.

"Sally?" Lucki rounded his eyes.

...©©©©...

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