Secrets of Lakefront House
CHAPTER 19. STORK PARK

Stork Park is located in the middle of the city, and many overgrown with tall old trees with branches that curve like a canopy as a shade. The park is often used as a center for local activities, but today the park is almost empty.

Only an elderly couple was sitting at a picnic table made of darikayu, and a young mother who was pushing her little girl on a swing in the playground area. The park is named after the stork park, because there is a small lake in the middle of the park where there are many storks. In addition to the circular shape of the lake looks like a crane shape.

*visual garden stork

Jonathan and Jilena sit side by side at one of the picnic tables, under a huge elm tree, which is, Jilena and Jonathan unload their food boxes from Paradise Restaurant and continue their lunch interrupted by Noah's presence.

 "Sorry, our lunch was interrupted."

"It's okay. We can continue here, can't we?"

"You don't mind telling me everything?" ask Jonathan again. He did not want the girl to feel sad and hurt, yet he wanted to know all about her.

"Yes, okay."

Jilena continues her story of what happened after Jilena and Noah told both their parents about her pregnancy and how Arsyanendra's family reacted. Even his own father sent him to live with his grandmother.

"I really don't know" Jonathan said in a soft voice. He could imagine how hurt the girl was.

After Jikena gave birth, and gave up her son for adoption, she tried to forget everything and tried to treat his injuries. For a while she stayed at her grandmother's house, but the grandmother did not let her slump for too long. He urged Jilena to continue her life, after graduating from High School, she went on to attend college in the capital, earning a bachelor's degree in journalism.

“I worked in a small newspaper for a few years, but then I was hired by a larger newspaper in the capital.”

"For years I lived alone, closed my heart, forgot my heartache."

Jonathan looked serious and was fixated on hearing his story. She now knows the reason why Jilena and her father's relationship is strained. The man understood all the pain and misery that the girl was going through.

Finally he ventured to ask “How did people react to you when they found out you were pregnant?"

“Mama of course very sad— very disappointed. He didn't want that to happen to me.”

“How about your father? All I know is if I make a girl pregnant as a teenager, my father will tan my skin, then he will lecture me every day for the rest of my life.”

“My father even built a wall between us. She's away from me.”

"Walls?" His brows furrowed with a confused expression.

“For him I no longer exist. I might have died for him. ” He busied his hand with a paper napkin on his lap, mindlessly folding it into a small square. His eyes were lowered as he spoke. “Papa rarely said more than two words to me. He can't even stand seeing me.”

"You mean at the beginning of the incident?" ask Jonathan.

Jilena raised her tear-filled face, looked at Jonathan and threw the folded napkin on the table. "No, I mean until the day he died."

They sat on the bench, not saying a word, for a long time both of them were silent. Then Jonathan wrapped his arms around Jilena "I'm sorry." Scooped a handkerchief from the bag of pants and wiped the gaphic face that was still wet by tears.

Jilena leaned her head against the wide shoulder of the man and felt very comfortable. After a minute or two of silence, he finally sat down and crossed his fingers on his cheeks to wipe away the tears that had fallen there. “I miss my mama.”

“I remember reading the news about his car accident back then. At the time of the incident, I was back in town. I thought you'd be in town for his funeral.”

“I can't even imagine—” Jonathan said staring at the girl beside him.

“Very terrible.” Jilena rubbed her cheek with a napkin. "My father blames me.”

"I don't understand. Why does he blame you?”

Jilena explains how that year tortured her so much, she refused to go home to celebrate Christmas with the family, so her mother went to see her. "The accident happened while he was driving back to this town."

"That's crazy, it was purely an accident."

“No problem. Papa seemed to blame me for everything after I got pregnant. She loves her beautiful and neat world—without drama, without shame. The public's perception of him is the thing he cares about the most.”

"I didn't know things were getting so bad between you guys." His voice was deeper and his hand grabbed Jilena's fingers, squeezing her as if giving strength to the girl, his attention looking sincere. “It must be hard to stay in your old house again.”

“Many memories there—good and bad.” His gaze fell onto his lap again. "But at least it's free there's no need to pay rent for now. ” He laughs half-heartedly.

"How long will you stay in this town?"

He looked up and a mischievous smile curved on his lips. “You haven't heard? I got a job at The Lembayung Post. So for a while I'm staying here."

Jonathan's eyes sparkled at the news, and his face showed excitement by revealing with the words “I'm happy to hear it. It's nice to have you back. ” Before he knew what was happening, both of his arms wrapped around Jilena's body and pulled her into his arms.

Jilena held her head up in Jonathan's field. 'Cup' his lips landed a kiss on the top of the girl's head.

"I'm sorry, I spilled all my junk on you." as I returned Jonathan's hug.

"It's ok. I'm glad you want to share your story with me. At least you can reduce your burden." Jonathan lowered his head staring at the jilena just then, the jilena raised his head. The two stared at each other, Jonathan brought his face closer and kissed jilena.

I don't know what happened, the kiss was greeted by Jilena. Both of them were swept away in a kiss that lasted a long time. Mutual****** lip and saliva exchange. Jonathan's one hand, holding jilena's chin, kissed her more intensely.

The girl's face blushed, realizing what had just happened. Let go of the kiss "Ma-sorry, Jo."

"Why? I should be the one apologizing for kissing you."

"You're ashamed, huh? Your cheeks are red." joked Jonathan when he saw the reddened face of Jilena.

Hugged the girl's body back tightly. Brush her hair gently. Jilena closed her eyes, enjoying being with Jonathan. He felt very comfortable beside her. It was as if his burden was light and he felt the man's sincerity.

"Do you mind if we meet often?" ask Jonathan. He always wanted to be close to Jilena. Wanted the presence of the girl to fill the void of her heart.

She has loved Jilena since school. Is this what we call destiny? Reunite them, who were both injured?

"Not at all."

However I must begin to open my heart, Jonathan is also a good and sincere man, he murmured inwardly.

"Thank you" said Jonathan, peeping at Jilena's forehead with a sweet smile. They enjoy being together until it doesn't feel like it's late afternoon. It was as if the two continued to embrace, like there was chemistry between them. Meanwhile there was a pair of eyes that looked from far away at their affection.

His jaw was hardened staring. Angry, very angry to see Jilena with another man. He accidentally passes by the city park and sees Jilena with Jonathan hugging.

The man who was none other than Noah, did not accept Jilena's rejection today. He still expected the girl would come back to him after so many years.