My Old Star
#136 Weeping Uncle Faisal
Mentari returned to the kitchen to finish making the salad that had been delayed. While Arfan sat with Grandma and Grandpa in the family room while relaxing.
"Mahmud, are you not willing to forgive him?" Ask Grandma Wijaya as she sits down.
"I've forgiven him Brother, but to return to him maybe I should think a thousand times after what he did to me with his son."
"Isn't Mona your son?"
"No!"
"The woman betrayed me until Mona came into this world, and I loved that child so much. But since it wasn't my blood drop, the battle wasn't the same as mine, the boy was very difficult to manage."
"You are very strong Mahmud."
"It's not strong, brother, but rather it might be someone who is easily lied to after being blinded by love."
"But yes, I've been happy living like this because in my old days I was surrounded by good people."
Grandma Wijaya smiled seeing her sister can live comfortably with her, "You won't live hard with us. So, you calm down."
"Thank you, sister, I'm grateful to have a brother like you."
"You deserve it Mahmud."
Grandfather Mahmud hugged his older sister should, he did not want to disappoint them anymore due to his lack of calculations in the past.
Arfan smiled faintly watching the two, their age was no longer young but their spirit was exemplary.
Grandma Wijaya broke her embrace, she looked at her only wayward granddaughter.
"You have thought about it?" Grandma Wijaya asked with her sharp eyes.
"I don't think of anything Grandma" replied Arfan casually.
"Bas with you!" Grandma Wijaya seemed upset that Arfan never changed even when Uncle Faisal no longer allowed to take care of the company. However, Grandma Wijaya did not run out of sense when she saw Mentari who came to the three with a fruit salad that she had just finished making.
"Blesson here to sit by Grandma!" granny Wijaya said with a happy smile.
Mentari also followed Grandma's orders by sitting next to the old woman.
"Dear to see your husband, he looks so handsome, doesn't he?"
"Of course, Grandma, for me every day Arfan's sister is always handsome in my eyes."
"What if he goes to the company wearing a suit. Wouldn't he be more handsome?"
Mentari began to understand where Grandma actually spoke. She turned towards her husband who seemed to remain indifferent.
"How dear do you think, isn't it compared to if he was wearing a sports shirt going to be more handsome he's wearing a suit?"
"I love all of Arfan Nek's looks, so whatever he's wearing is sure to look good."
"You must have been hypnotized by him, where there are sports shirts with shirts and suits will be equally handsome."
"Grand don't worry, believe me, Arfan will definitely give the best for this family."
"You seem so sure, baby?"
"Of course, Grandma, because I know that Brother Arfan is a responsible man."
Arfan smiled in his heart, he praised his wife who turned out to give an answer intelligently, not even biased.
"Mr..," call Arfan paused.
"I want to ask you something before I can really decide which path I'm going to take."
"Say what do you want to know about Grandma?"
Arfan reached into his pants pocket and took the paper he had brought from the company.
Arfan gave the paper to his Grandma who was then read by Grandma Vijaya with teary eyes.
"Where did you get this Fan?" Ask Grandma who has been looking for this message for decades.
"The iron closet in Uncle Faisal Nek's room."
"You managed to open that closet?"
"I didn't do it on purpose, Grandma."
Grandma Wijaya hugged her grandson, "You can decide, no, the company belongs to your father. He built his company before he married your mother with the capital that your grandfather gave, but unfortunately when you were a child many bad people were after them and there was an accident that claimed the lives of both. Grandma took you overseas to save you, while your Grandpa's been trying to stabilize the company since your late parents' departure."
"I'm sorry Grandma because I didn't know it."
"Actually Grandma had wanted to tell you a long time ago, but Grandma couldn't tell you anything because the letter written by your father went missing somewhere. Grandma understands your unreliable nature without proof."
"Did I make Grandma burdened because of my attitude?"
"Not at all, Grandma loves you sincerely."
"Thank you, Grandma" Arfan hugged her Grandma again, feeling with sincerity her Grandmother's boundless affection.
"You two take a break, Grandma will inform Uncle Faisal and the board of directors as soon as possible that the real subsidiary owners have returned."
Arfan took Mentari to his room, knowing that it would take time for her Grandma to express her feelings that had weighed on her mind for years.
"Show am I right with my choice?" Said Arfan when they had laid themselves on the bed.
"For Grandma's happiness and to reduce her burden, I think Big Brother's choice is right. Be a filial grandson, Brother, after all, your will is very clear."
"You're right, I'm sorry baby if I'm gonna get busy later."
"I'm so lucky to have you, baby."
Arfan hugged Mentari and they slept together. The next day after breakfast at Grandma's house, Arfan takes Mentari to the club. There's something important that Arfan has to talk to Tomi about.
"Dear you play with Stev and Sania!"
Mentari nodded then went looking for Sania and Steven who were planting vegetables in the back garden with Mom and Ilyas.
"When is Mentari coming?" Sania asked who saw the arrival of Mentari with her bright smile.
"I just got to Sis, what are you doing?"
"We are growing vegetables, using vacant land. You said you could cook it yourself."
"You're very creative" praised Mentari.
Mentari participated in the planting event with them in the back garden, while Arfan immediately met Tomi in the meeting room.
"Fan I don't think without you I can manage this club." Tomi directed her gaze to the ceiling of the room.
"I'm pretty sure you can Tom, I'll definitely come a lot if you need me to be here."
"But Fan...,"
"I've been counting on you a lot and you can do really well Tom."
"Please guide Fan!"
Arfan patted Tomi on the shoulder as a sign that he strongly believed in his best friend. Arfan then came out of the meeting room and picked up his wife for them to immediately return to their house which they had always lived in.
A month later, Grandma was preparing for the inauguration of the real company owner's return along with Mentari's graduation that could not be postponed again.
A very busy day for Arfan of course because he had to go to the company and was forced to not be able to attend Mentari and Siska graduations.
Father and Mother Mentari accompanied her little daughter who will soon become a mother. They are very moved, because the choice of Mentari is not wrong. They used to be too worried if Mentari college would be stopped if married before completing his studies.
"Mom's so proud of you, son?"
"Thank you Mom, I'm sorry Mentari who might have let you down."
"No son, even Mother is very proud of you."
"Let's go in now, the show's almost started!" take Mr. Mahendra to his daughter.
"Would Brother Arfan get there before my show starts?"
"She's definitely coming, don't worry about it baby."
"That Siska will also enter with her parents, we'd better get in now!"
Mentari went inside with her parents for the graduation procession, while Arfan was meeting with the board of directors since morning for his confirmation as the company leader and would continue the work of Uncle Faisal. A few days ago, Arfan resigned from the campus where he had been teaching.
The campus is actually very regretful of Arfan's decision because they really need a classmate of Arfan for students. However, they also can not hinder Arfan because he also has a personal life that can not be meddled by anyone.
Uncle Faisal shed tears as he hugged Arfan to congratulate him.
"Thank you Uncle, because all this time Uncle has been keeping my parents' company with all his heart Uncle."
"Together Fan, Uncle is very happy and proud of you. You're a very wise boy and have a broad mind."
"Thank you Uncle, but I'm still learning."
"Oh yes Uncle, I have a gift for you."
Arfan took the gift he had prepared for Uncle Faisal.
"This is Uncle accept!"
"Is this Fan?"
"Just open up Faisal, my granddaughter prepared it for you." Grandma Wijaya approached the two of them.
"But Brother, this is too much. I can't take it Brother."
"Uncle deserves it, so accept it because it's not worth what uncle sacrificed for this company."
"Arfan's right Faisal, don't you want to spend your old days with your family. So, you need a comfortable home for you to live in and you don't have to think about your living expenses going forward, because all your needs and your family have been borne by the company."
Uncle Faisal's cry became more and more so when he heard Grandma Wijaya's speech.
"Thank you, sister, I'm so lucky to have you guys."
"Together Faisal."
"Fan isn't today Mentari's graduation day?"
"Yes Nek, I'm not sure if the show hasn't started yet." Arfan looked at the clock behind the arm of his shirt.
"It hasn't started yet, Fan, if you hurry now."
Without a second thought Arfan left the company, he did not want to miss the graduation of his beloved wife.
After Arfan died, Uncle Faisala asked Grandma Vijaya for what he had said to Arfan.
"Why is Big Brother so sure if the show hasn't started yet?"
Grandma Wijaya did not answer Uncle Faisal's question and just smiled to respond. Grandma Wijaya had already told the campus if Arfan would be late so that the campus made an entertainment event with a duration long enough before the graduation procession was held so that it was possible for Arfan to be able to accompany his wife during the procession graduations.
"Wait for me Mentari, I'll be there soon."