Sun Princess & Snow Prince
Episode 42 - The Enchanted Star

~ Among all stars, only one shining star is visible ~

Ave did not dare to raise her face after expressing her feelings accidentally. He knew it was all spontaneous, but he didn't think Layla was the same as Zaid. Equally clever.

Fortunately, Zahra came shortly and he invited Ave to prepare dinner. Ave was able to avoid Zaid who was then made busy by his father. Only occasionally heard the sound of happy screams Layla who seemed invited to play games with Zaid in the family room.

"We're not siblings. Zaid was just my step-sister" Zahra said suddenly as Ave smiled at Layla's boisterous voice, which was fed by Zaid's heavy voice from the living room, which was located right next to the kitchen.

Ave's hand scooping vegetables from the pot to the big bowl stopped instantly, the girl turned to Zahra. The sad eyes are now visible on the chubby-cheeked woman's face. Zahra's lips were still smiling, but the smile made her grief clear. After sighing slowly, Zahra began to speak.

"My father married Mama Zaid when Zaid was 12 years old. At first we never met, because I lived in KL with my mother since my parents separated. I do not know the exact beginning, but I know Zaid did not accept my Father. He thought ... My father was the one who kept Mama and Papa apart. I didn't like their marriage either."

Ave chose to stop moving vegetables to the bowl and listened carefully to Zahra. There's something that Zaid's half-brother wants to say.

"One time I visited Jakarta with my grandmother to tell my father that my mother passed away. There I met Zaid, he was very polite and respectful to me but he was a rebel to Mama and Father. Every day my mother was angry and angry with me. Until crying. I was so sorry to Mama, she turned out to be kind. Since then my mom and I have been calling quite often."

Zahra's fingers shrank the tears that began to spread.

"Every phone call, Mama always complains about Zaid. Zaid doesn't like school, doesn't like to study, likes to disturb friends, fights Mama and. Mama called me in tears, asked me for help to advise Zaid. But when Father and Mama tried to talk to him, he suddenly left the house."

Someone who is so disciplined, looks smart and rarely breaks boundaries can have a past like that makes Ave's chest a little tight. If it wasn't Zahra telling the story, maybe Ave would never have believed it.

"When they were looking for Zaid at the Peak, my Mama and Father got a car accident and. both of them were gone for a while. I was with the spirit family of Father from KL who buried both in Jakarta, but we did not meet Zaid. We're trying to find him, but it's not like that."

Ave's eyes were hot, her nose began to feel watery and her lips tightly clenched withholding shakes. He could imagine Zaid's feelings now. Ave knows how to lose.

"Then... What happened, brother?" ave whispered with a trembling voice.

Zahra also began to be unable to hold back the crying. Eyes glazed. "I decided to wait for Zaid until he came home. After seven days, Zaid returned home. He was surprised to see me greeting him in a house full of people reading prayers. He could not believe it, but when I showed him the graves of Mama and the Father, he beat his body many times in front of their graves. Blaming himself incessantly."

Ave is now really sobbing. He could imagine how painful it would be to part for all eternity in such a way. The two of them were angry and did not have time to apologize to each other.

Both of Zahra's hands extended around Ave's shoulders. The water flows slowly. "Zaid has changed since then. He does what I tell him and I want him. But ... Zaid was no longer happy. He doesn't laugh often, doesn't smile often and is always busy. Used to go to college two titles at once, then he was just busy thinking about his company. No more witty, cheerful Zaid and a little humor. He's a cold guy. Like a heartless robot man."

Zahra slowly wiped away the water in the corner of Ave's eye. He smiled even though in his own eyes there was still a puddle of tears.

Ave looked softly at Zahra, "It must have been hard at that time for Big Brother, Mother Brother just died and lost Father, and still have to take care of Mas Zaid."

Zahra nodded. "Well, heavy if we think. But because of Zaid, I am strong. He is the reason I live. He's my brother, he's my family too. I'm keeping him for Mama and Father."

"And Mas Zaid is now absolutely incredible. Brother is great!" praise Ave still with teary eyes but a happy face. Zahra also smiled widely.

"I know you care about my sister. That's why I told you all this. I want Zaid to stop feeling guilty, because since then he has never forgotten about his mistake. I want Zaid happy, Ave. Make a kind mother. For me, because he's my only brother. I see only you can make it back to how it was. Can you accept my sister as your husband? It's no other family, just me, Layla and my husband."

Ave nodded with a smile and teary eyes. Sure oes. If all the missions are completed, Ave will make sure Zaid is happy. Again Zahra hugged Ave, saying thank you repeatedly.

"Sister... "

"Mother..."

The two women turned to look at the two voices calling together. Zaid approached the kitchen island with Layla.

"Why are you crying?" asked Zaid astonished to be mixed with worry. Layla also looked at the end of her eyebrows almost fused together.

Ave's eyes glanced at the sambal nearby. "It's loh! Zahra was just frying, so our eyes were like this. Ha ha ha... Isn't it sister?"

Zahra just laughed. No nodding, no shaking. Instead, immediately turn around, taking the dishes to prepare at the dinner table. Zaid was still astonished, a little incredulous at the reason Ave had said, but he kept quiet.

Ave himself felt the loss, but at least he filled the last days with my late mother with happy memories. On the last day, Mama's late mother clasped her hand and muttered softly, "I'm happy to be with you, Little Monkey! You are half of me, your brother is my heart. Both of you, even your Dad too. I love you all. Thank you for taking care of me. Let your brother know that I'll always love him like you are, eventhough he isn't here. Make sure he knows yes!"

[AN: Mama is happy with you, little monkey! You're half Mama's soul, your sister Mama's heart. You two, even your father. Mama loves you all. Thank you for taking good care of my mom. Let your sister know that Mama always loved her like you, even if she wasn't here. Please make sure he knows!]

Those were the last words before Mama and herself fell asleep at the time. By midnight, then Ave realized that Mama's body was no longer alive. At that moment, Mama's pair of hands hugged Ave so tightly, as if giving her a final gift. Something very precious to remember throughout Ave's life, which gave him the strength to persevere in accepting the death of his late mother.

Then Ave remembered her own brother. Ajie also experienced what Zaid experienced. Although not as extreme as the events experienced by Zaid. But Ajie never got to see Mama one last time. Just like Zaid, Ajie also changed a lot after Mama died. Ajie never said anything, but Ave also lost the figure of the older sister he knew in the past, until Lily came to restore her brother's smile and happiness.

"Non't you sleepy, Ve?" asked Zaid who had come again with a thin folded mattress and a beige quilt in his arms.

Ave looked and shook his head.

Casually, Zaid rolled out a thin mattress on a beach chair lying not far from the chair where Ave was sitting. After that he sat on it and looked at Ave. "Here, sit here! Let's not catch a cold!" he called out while opening both hands.

Ave let out a small laugh, dodging into the arms of Zaid who greeted him warmly. After kissing Ave's forehead, Zaid leaned against the head of the beach chair, while Ave leaned against his chest. The fur blanket covered the bodies of the two. With this comfortable position, Ave was free to look at the sky. The fingers of Ave's left hand and Zaid's right hand were intertwined, grasping and cupped on the covers that covered them.

"The stars are clear tonight, yes. This is a rare sight!"

"Hmmm... "

"Do you know the names of the stars?"

"Hmmm... No!"

"What star constellation?"

"I only know one star, Ve."

"really? What try?" ave asked as she looked up at the man who was hugging her. His gaze met the eyes of Zaid who was also looking at him. It looked strangely incandescent in that pair of dark eyes. Ave knows, Zaid is no longer shy to show his feelings. He no longer calls himself 'me'.

The fingertips of Zaid's free hand touched the tip of Ave's nose. It is his habit to feel happy.

"You, Ve... My only star is you. The most dazzling star" whispered Zaid.

A red hue billowed on Ave's face which began to blush in embarrassment. "Oh, Iih... His seduction. It's gombal!"

"But you're happy, right? Ha ha - ha..." The two laughed together, before Zaid hugged Ave even tighter. "I really love you so much, Avelia!" continued

Ave did not answer, but his hand stroked slowly the hand of Zaid who held him. She never thought she would have someone she loved more than Ave ever imagined.

"So Brother Zahra told me about me?" search Zaid. Again Ave simply replied with a nod.

"There is something more about my past, Ve."

Once again Ave looked up, returning the gaze of the pair of eyes of the man who was holding her. "No papa, Mas. What matters now. It's all the past."

"Even if that means it might hurt you?"

"Hurt me?"

"Me and Ajie never. I used to be guilty of him."

Ave's body stiffened. He never thought that Zaid and Ajie knew each other. Absolutely unimaginable to him. They do have similar traits, but how could they know each other?

*****