STEADFASTNESS OF LOVE
Lunch

"So you mean? She's Alfian's second wife and she's your next sister!" vania said straightforwardly as she pointed towards the boy in front of her. Farah nodded slowly, confirming Vania's words.

Farah could no longer dodge, when with both eyes she saw Alfian sitting with Sania. A little boy was sitting in the middle of them. Alfia laughed with them. Although his laughter was no longer as loud as before.

"It turns out you're a lot happier with your new family!" said Farah lirih. Farah is approaching. So that he could greet Alfian. Although Vania's heart refused, but everything happened. Since that afternoon's meeting, he no longer stayed with Alfian or Sesil. Farah did not choose between the two.

He could not easily forgive or hear the explanation Alfian was going to say. Instead, stay with Sesil and see the wound of his heart. Farah would not be able to hold back her tears. The destruction of Farah became a duckling behind his life.He turned into a better person.

"Farah baby, you're here. Sit down with us, we have lunch together!" alfian said kindly, Farah shook her head weakly. He squeezed the tip of his hijab. Farah never imagined seeing Alfian so happy. Farah was about to turn her back on Alfian. Alfian held Farah's hand. Alfian blinked both his eyes. The signal he asked Farah to sit next to him.

"Farah dear, you should hear papa's explanation today. It's enough you dodge and stay away from papa. If you consider papa guilty. Go ahead, but listen to Papa's explanation!" alfian said softly, Farah remained silent. Then he saw the boy who was getting bigger. Farah sees Saniya, the woman who claims to be her father's second wife. The woman who intentionally set aside her mother.

"A few years ago I heard Papa's explanation. So I don't think there's anything to hear anymore!" said Farah kindly, Alfian shook his head weakly. Saniya was silent. Alfian was compassionate towards Farah, hoping that she would be willing to listen to her explanation. Soon, Saniya asks her nanny to go with her son. Farah was astonished, but she tried to remain silent.

"Farah, auntie please grant your father's request. It's time we explained everything. The real truth, the fact that is stored behind our marriage. The truth you should have heard a few years ago. Your father has suffered enough with your departure. Don't make him ruined again. Let us tell you the truth!" saniya said softly, Alfian looked at Farah. With a nod of his head, Farah agreed to listen to an explanation that was actually unnecessary.

Farah sat down beside Alfian. There is a great longing for the figure of the father. I want Farah to run to embrace Alfian. But disappointed in the father's betrayal. It makes him angry and afraid to come closer.

"Farah, aunt is your father's second wife. Your mother's fellow students also knew of our marriage. The marriage we had was only to keep my good name and to give my aunt a name. Devano Son of Alfath, not the flesh of your father. He's aunty's son with Alfian's best friend. For the sake of Devano's last name, aunty is married to your father. Alfian is a good man, he loves Devano like his own son. Not a jerk like Devano's papa. Men who take advantage of women's helplessness!" saniya said, Farah looked up at Saniya and Alfian. There was a sense of disbelief, anger and disappointment Farah was growing.

Farah could not believe that Alfian made marriage a game. A sacred bond bound by the grace of Allah SWT. It is only used as a way of saving a good name. Farah was very disappointed with Alfian's decision.

"Darling, papa realized you were disappointed with the decision. Although it's all pure for Devano's happiness. He's like another kid. He deserves to be as happy as you are. Papa never betrayed your mother. Despite your mother's love, not entirely for papa. Never the slightest thought of seeking comfort from another woman. Your departure at that time, made papa cut off his relationship with aunt Saniya. She's no longer papa's wife!" alfian said firmly, Farah was silent in silence, somehow he behaved? Farah was no longer able to think clearly.

"Farah, never stay away from your papa. He loves you so much, he misses you. Never doubt his affection. Only you and Sesil are in his heart. Our meeting this afternoon was not intentional. Your father came for a meeting with his aunt's niece and her friend!" said Saniya, Farah looked at Saniya intently. A woman as good as this should have such a bad past.

"Why do you have to get married? Do you not know, marriage is a sacred bond. Marriage is not a game. Ijab qobul is not just a false promise between you. Ijab qobul sacred promise directly witnessed by Allah SWT. You should think wisely. There are many other ways. If only for the sake of a good name!" farah said softly, Alfian nodded in understanding Farah's disappointment.

"I'm sorry, dear father, never thought about the risks that will be my responsibility. Papa just wants to keep Aunt Saniya's good name. She's a good woman, just like your mama. Like your mother, Aunt Saniya has a bitter past. There's no one else in papa's decision. Papa's decision was wrong. I'm honestly doing all this for you. Papa hopes that someday you will not accept misfortune like Saniya or pseudo love like your mama. If you had experienced all that. I hope there will be good men who will accept you. Your happiness is everything to papa. Your sadness is papa's biggest fear!" alfian said softly, Farah turned to look at the papa.

Alfian's body trembled, sounding sobs that were being held back. Farah saw an enormous fear in every word of Alfian. Longing and love are so big that it is real visible to her. Farah crouched down in front of Alfian. Farah kissed the back of Alfian's hand gently. Farah apologizes to Alfian, the father who was accidentally hurt by his hatred. Farah cried in Alfian's lap, Farah's longing gushed without being able to be dammed again. Alfian rubbed his daughter's head, then kissed her gently.

"You're everything in papa's life. Trust me only your mother is in your heart. She's a woman who looks strong, but is actually very weak. She's the woman you've always wanted to protect!" alfian said softly, Farah nodded slowly. Saniya wiped away the tears that were dripping. He was moved to see the meeting between father and son. Years of misunderstanding ended in apology.

"Who is aunty?" sovia said, Saniya smiled knotily. Farah nodded as a way of greeting Sovia.

"He's Farah Alfian's daughter. Why are you alone? Where's your friend you told auntie?" saniya said, Sovia looked back. He looked at the man who was receiving the call.

"That's her aunt, she's still on the phone. He'll be here any minute. Aren't we going to talk about cooperation with Alfian!" sovia said, Alfian nodded in agreement. Farah began to feel uneasy. He was going to leave the table. Farah came to accompany Vania. Not to meet Alfian's papa.

"How is your relationship developing? Have you told her love!" saniya said, Sovia shook her head weakly.

"I'm sorry I'm late, I just got a call!" said Raihan lirih. Sovia approaches Raihan, then embraces Raihan's hand.

"Diehale!" farah said, everyone turned towards Farah. Instead Farah looked towards the table of Vania. Sontak Raihan followed Farah's gaze. Raihan took a few steps back, he was surprised to see Vania who was looking at him. Instantly Raihan releases Sovia's rough hands.

"You know him!" alfian said, Farah nodded slowly. No more words could come out of his lips. Farah was worried about Vania's condition.

"Farah, I'm not hungry. Let's just go home!" vania said firmly, she approached Farah. Vania did not look towards Raihan.

"Darling!" raihan said while holding Vania's hand. Vania gently brushed off Raihan's hand.

"Flood!" vania said softly, Farah nodded in understanding. The two of them walked out of the restaurant gracefully without looking back again.

"Vania darling!" raihan shouted, he saw Vania leave without a word. Raihan is after Vania, he doesn't care anymore about meeting Alfian. Only Vania and her future baby are worried about her.

Vania walks towards her car, Farah does the same. But before Vania gets into her car. Raihan was already standing in front of him. Close Vania's car seat and hold it with her hand. Raihan looked at Vania softly, he did not expect to see Vania's anger. Anger that is never clear and far-fetched.

"You're not a child who will run home when you cry. You are also not a young girl who is constantly jealous for no apparent reason. Once you act like an adult. Listen before you decide. Your age is no longer young, it is not appropriate that you continue to behave as a teenager!" raihan said loud and firm. Vania looked at Raihan's face that was so close to her.

"I'm sorry if you're disappointed. This is me Vania whom you married. A woman who will be jealous for no reason. When you see you with another woman. This is me Vania who loves you. A woman who is so afraid of losing you. Until he forgets the meaning of adulthood. This is me Vania who chose to be your mother. The woman who keeps crying and complaining to HIM. Every time we think of your doubts and reality we are born from a different world. I'm not so graceful and educated Sovia. I am Vania who will act like a child in front of you. Just for the sake of your embrace and warmth. Again, sorry, if my wishes have made you depressed!" said Vania, then went away from Raihan. Vania gets into Farah's car.

"Vania!" said Farah anxiously.