Ryanthi: Sweet Cake, Bitter Reality
● FIFTY SIX : In the Waiting

Upon arrival at the airport, Ryanthi just sat quietly and did not say much. One side of his heart wanted Adrian's presence there. However, the other side of the heart said that it would be better for him not to see the man before leaving for France.

"Our flight schedule is in about ten minutes. Hopefully on time," said Surya opened the conversation, after leaving his daughter pensive.

Ryanthi looked over and smiled.

"Night you didn't come home? I see your room is empty" said Surya again, who immediately made Ryanthi gasp.

"Yeah. I-i ...." Ryanthi stutters. He couldn't have said he was staying at Adrian's apartment.

"Have you said goodbye to Adrian?" ask Surya again.

Heavily, Ryanthi nodded slowly. He did not speak again, until an announcement was heard that the plane they were about to board was ready.

"Come," take Surya.

Ryanthi. Although the look on his face looks a bit sour, but the girl tried to look ordinary. Ryanthi. Just as he was about to grab the handle of the suitcase, a voice heard someone say his name. The girl immediately looked over.

A wry roar with no spirit and a smile, instantly vanished from Ryanthi's pretty face. Beautiful arches like a rainbow, clearly painted on the lips dabbed lipstick color peach daughter Surya, when seeing the presence of someone who teramat himself expected.

Yep. Adrian stands a few steps away from where Ryanthi and Surya are. The man came there, though it was too late.

Without saying much, Adrian immediately approached Ryanthi. He hugged the beautiful girl in his heart. "May you successfully complete your education with the best results" said Adrian sincerely.

Ryanthi. His eyes began to glaze over. A speck of clear grain fell on the corner of the lips.

However, Adrian immediately wiped away the tears. She kissed Ryanthi's forehead lovingly. "I'll wait for you to come back. Don't think of anything. I promise I won't misbehave until you get back" she said, ending with a soft kiss on Ryanthi's lips.

Adrian doesn't feel shy kissing Ryanthi in front of Surya. He did not care what his partner and future-in-law thought. Adrian just wants to leave another trail, before he splits for the next three years with his girlfriend.

"Come on. We have to leave now," Surya asked.

The two lovebirds instantly drifted away from each other. They looked at me for a moment, then smiled.

"I'm leaving first" said Ryanthi. So also with Surya who joined his daughter's lover.

Adrian smiled calmly while nodding slowly. She stood up straight watching Ryanthi who occasionally turned her head towards him. The longer, the girl got away. Until it was finally seen again.

Adrian was still standing in his place. He had to get used to it again without the presence of a lover. But that doesn't mean he's free to do anything.

Days change. Adrian is doing his usual activities. He forced himself to look ordinary, even though there was an excruciating sense of loss. Three years is not a long time, but also not a moment. Moreover, for someone who is being hit hard like himself.

And Ryanthi too. The girl has been preoccupied with various lecture activities. Every day, Ryanthi keeps busy. Sometimes, he filled his free time by sitting in the city park, while enjoying the millions of fallen leaves and becoming a marker of autumn.

Ryanthi looked up at the sky. The shadow of Adrian's face was there. Beautifully painted. Sure oes. That man will always be the most handsome for him. Until anytime.

Not much different than Adrian. Every day, every night, the man always did the same thing as Ryanthi did. He also saw the beautiful silhouette of the lover, on a wide stretch of sky.

"Are we staring at the same sky, Ryanthi?" adrian mumbling. A smile on his lips.

"It's a great feeling of longing and waiting that I'm living now. I'll never forget it. Until then you become completely mine, I will make my love struggle as the most special dowry for you. You were the first to make me feel this love."

"It's not that I don't want to see you. However, I do not want to feel sad when you have to return to Indonesia. Please understand. I'm not that strong."

Those words always ring in Adrian's ears.

"I respect your wishes, Ryanthi. Whatever it is, as long as you feel calm and can live everything well."

Time keeps passing. Without feeling, three years have been lived in a long distance relationship that makes Adrian tortured in heavy longing. The man preoccupied himself with the new business pioneered with Surya.

"I thought, only I was forbidden to come there," Adrian said when he saw the construction of a luxury resort, which was a collaboration between himself and Surya.

"Ryanthi forbade me from coming to visit her. He's so different." Surya smiled faintly.

Eighteen-year-old Surya parted ways with his daughter. After reuniting, he had to go through another farewell.

"I'd like to ask your permission" Adrian said seriously.

"About what?" surya asked no less seriously.

"When Ryanthi comes back later, I want to propose to him immediately" replied Adrian convinced.

Surya did not answer. The middle-aged man simply smiled, then patted Adrian on the shoulder. There is no need for a detailed description for Ryanthi's father, about how much he gave blessing to the relationship between Ryanthi and Adrian.

Several months passed, from the conversation between Adrian and Surya.

That night, Adrian stood on the balcony near the opening of the pool. He stared at the pitch-black sky that looked just as lonely as he was. However, this time it was a smile that was painted on his lips.

"Ryanthi, tomorrow. What's going to happen tomorrow?" adrian murmured, as he continued to look up at the sky.

......................

The wind was not too strong. The graceful step wrapped in flat shoes from a girl, came to a halt when before her were some people who had been waiting joyfully.

Ryanthi, finally he can feel the warm atmosphere of Indonesia again, decorated with friendly smiles of those closest to him.

"Dad." Ryanthi slammed into Surya's arms. The longing was so great, they overflowed at that moment.

"Ah, look. That's Aunt Ryanthi" said a woman who was none other than Vera. She was carrying a female toddler about two years old.

"Yes, God. Is this my nephew?" Ryanthi put on an incredulous look. He was about to touch Princess Vera. But Maya soon took his hand.

Ryanthi was stunned as she looked at the stepmother. So too with the others. Moreover, Surya. He did not expect his wife to be troublemaking there.

But what everyone thinks is wrong. Maya smiles, hugging Ryanthi. A welcome that the girl never expected.

"I'm sorry, because Arshan can't come to pick up. He has to work. My husband has already received an increase in office at the factory" said Vera. That woman has changed a lot since her marriage to Arshan.

"It's okay, Ver. After all, I'm not the president. No need for a special welcome" Ryanthi said, as they were already in the car.

Ryanthi is so proud to have completed her education with the best results. He was also very happy, being able to return to his homeland. But where is Adrian? The man didn't pick her up.