The Honorary Owner
118

The two humans who were being blocked by the situation were still silent staring at each other. The highlight of the eye was able to represent a mouth that could not speak the contents of their hearts. The tongue may lie, but the eye cannot do so, the sense of vision is too pure to see and see anything, including love.

Their love need not be doubted. All who know their story can easily guess if the couple still love each other, still take care of each other and are waiting for destiny to lead them to be lawful with each other.

"I'll go first, Mommy." Ruby's pamphlet broke the silence in the room. "Assalamu'alaikum,"

"I'll keep fighting for our relationship, By!"

Hiko stopped Ruby's steps.

"I won't let you go a second time. To me, choosing you was my best decision!"

Ruby just silently looked at Hiko who was looking at her with confidence.

"I don't want to give you any answers, Mom. Let God answer this story." Said Ruby, "Assalamu'alaikum ..."

"Wa'alaikumsalam,"

I don't know how many times Hiko always saw Ruby's departure without being able to hold it back. As soon as Ruby, she sat back down and stared at the photos of Ruby that stuck perfectly to the wall in front of her.

I've tried to keep myself strong, but why hasn't God allowed us side by side? Is that how you are, until God takes care of you so closely from a sinner like me?

***********

Ruby threw her body on the bed. His mind is fucked. He is at a crossroads that must choose between his feelings or his family. He took his phone and called umminya.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Ummi." Say hello to Ruby when the phone connection is connected.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, son. Hows it? You guys know each other?" ask Nyai Hannah without saying stale

"Already, Ummi."

"Hows it? Can you judge that, son?"

"Looks like Habibie's a good guy, Ummi. He's a well-mannered man but seems quiet."

"Have you given him an answer?"

"Yet, Ummi. Ruby hasn't been able to convince Ruby's heart."

"Now ...,"

"Ruby still loves Hiko, Ummi."

"You can love your future husband, son. As time passes. Haven't you done the same to Hiko?"

"Ummi, but this time it's different? Can't Ruby kem-"

"Ummi can't take it back, By. Ummi can't. You can ask Ummi for something else, but Ummi please don't do that."

"I'm sorry Ruby, Ummi." Ruby Complaints.

"I'm sorry Ummi too, son. Ummi wait for your answer immediately." Nyai Hannah said. "Acasino'aikum ..."

"Wa'alaikumsalam, Ummi."

Ruby put down her phone, she let out a long sigh. That was the reason why coming back with Hiko was so difficult. Because the ummmya don't approve.

Since Nara's death, Nyai Hannah has warned Ruby not to expect to get married again. Nyai Hannah has forgiven Hiko and has no grudge against Hiko. But, he could not eliminate how his daughter's life was so hurt because of the man.

While Ruby was also reluctant to argue with her parents again. There were enough mistakes he made from his past and he did not want to repeat them again. Truly, he wanted to live in solitude more than he had to live with others. Because he is not ready to fall in love anymore, not ready to open his heart again.

***********

For almost a month Hiko and Ruby have never met, Hiko still does her morning or afternoon routine along Malioboro road, but not once she can meet with Ruby.

This afternoon Hiko also invited Almeer for an afternoon walk in Malioboro, sitting relaxed on a bench while enjoying ice cone.

"Bah!" Call Almeer.

"Yes, Al?" Hiko Sahut.

"Why did Mama Ruby never see Almeer again? Is Almeer no good, Pa?" ask Almeer.

Hiko shook her head, "Mama Ruby is still busy, dear. Patience, yes. Later if it is not busy, In shaa Allah Mama Ruby finds Almeer."

"Really, Pa?"

Hiko nodded while rubbing her son's head.

"Mama Ruby's really gonna be Almeer's mom, isn't she, Pa?" ask Almeer.

Hiko smiled, "In Shaa Allah, Almeer is praying to Allah."

Almeer left the ice he brought to Hiko and then raised his hand, "Yes Allah, hopefully Mama Ruby can be Mama Al and hopefully Al can meet Mama Ruby because Al kangen. Aamiin's."

"Aamiin's." Hiko said he returned Almeer's ice.

"Where is this going?" ask Hiko.

"You go to Mama Ruby's house, Pa. How's it?"

"But Papa doesn't know where Mama Ruby's house is yet, Tuh."

One thing he regretted when he met with Ruby was not asking for her phone number or where she lives now. Maybe because every time they met, there were too many serious things they talked about so they could not ask for other things.

"Next time when you meet Mama Ruby, Papa will ask, yes?"

"Mama Ruby, Pa!"

Almeer did not respond to Hiko's talk and instead ran over to the beautiful woman wearing a milk brown robe and peach color veil who was walking alone.

"Mama Ruby!" Almeer immediately hugged Ruby's thigh.

Ruby was surprised that suddenly a child was holding her. But he smiled as the boy raised his head, Almeer smiled broadly at Ruby.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Mama Ruby." Sapa Almeer's.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, dear Almeer." Ruby covers both cheeks of Almeer.

Ruby invites Almeer to pull over, looking around for the person in charge of the little man. And he found a tall man wearing a white shirt and black jeans with a black hat covering his hair. He gave a slight smile on his lips as he walked up to him.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, By." Answer Hiko.

"Where's Ruby from?" ask Almeer.

"Back to work, honey. A long walk here." Answer Ruby.

"You want to go out with Almeer?"

Ruby looked at Hiko, "May?" ask Ruby.

"I'll be very happy, By." Answer Hiko

"Okay, where are you going?" ask Ruby.

"Bah, to the hill of pah." Almeer.

"Cold, ah. We don't have jackets." Reject Hiko, "just a whim."

Almeer swung his lips and sat down on the empty bench nearby and devoured the rest of his ice cone.

"Well, let's go home and get a jacket, yeah." Hiko said, I couldn't bear to see Almeer pouting.

"Yes!! Thanks Papa!!"

Hiko held Almeer in her arms and looked at Ruby, "You have no problem going there?" ask Hiko.

Ruby nodded, "What the hell, Mom."

"Aren't you tired?" ask Hiko again.

"No, Mom." Answer Ruby.

They walk to the car and return to Hiko's house to pick up the jacket. Hiko lent her jacket to Ruby as well and then they immediately set off for their destination. The hill where Ruby has sweet memories with Hiko.

The streets were so crowded that afternoon because it coincided with the hours of returning home from work, making their trip not too smooth. Adhan magrib paused their trip, Hiko pulled his car over at a large mosque on the side of the highway.

The three of them went to pray magribnya congregate with other mosque visitors. Ruby finished first, he waited on a bench in the courtyard of the mosque.

From far away he saw a handsome young father with his little son come out of the mosque with a shining face, a smile broadened on Ruby's lips, his heart looking peaceful looking at the scene. Hiko educates Almeer of religious science well, time turns the man into a responsible man.

Ah, her heartbeat was pounding faster as the man walked up to her with a smile that could make the hearts of any woman melt.

Ruby immediately lowered her face, hiding her cheeks that might have been met with red due to embarrassment by itself. Astaqfirullahaladzim, he said in his heart. He cannot control his heart.

"Why, By?" ask Hiko worried.

"What's wrong, Mom." Ruby shook her head still.

"Mama Ruby is sick?" almeer asked, "The face is red."

Ruby looked down and shook her head. "No, Honey. Mama's fine, really."

"By ..," Hiko held back her smile, she knew very well what was going on with the woman. "I can age, but my handsome won't go away. Yeah, right?"

Ruby looked at Hiko, she flicked her lips while holding back her smile. "PeDe very much you, Mas."

"Nih, let alone run out of ablution water. Make better!"

"His pride doesn't change even if it's older?"

Hiko gave a faint smile, she could barely hold back her hand that was eager to touch Ruby's cheek.

"Udah, yuk. Depart." Bring Ruby.

Hiko nodded, they moved to the car and continued on.

It didn't take them long to reach a parking lot. More crowded and nicer than the last time Ruby and Hiko came here a few years ago.

Almeer looks very happy, he runs while jumping for joy. Not because it was his first time here, instead he often spent time together here with his father. Which made him happy because this time he felt his family was complete. He does not need to be envious to see if other children come with his mother.

"Al, look at the road. Careful." Hiko warned.

Almeer simply nodded his head and gave his thumbs up then continued his steps leading the way to his favorite spot.

"Almeer is very happy, Mas. First time here?" ask Ruby.

Hiko shook her head, "I used to bring her here, By. Maybe this time it's different." Hiko looked at Ruby, "Because there is you, she must feel her family is complete."

Ruby doesn't know if she should be happy or sad to hear Hiko's answer.

"I'm not going to talk about it. We should have fun this time." Hiko.

Hearing that Ruby immediately smiled and stepped back with Hiko towards the usual seat Almeer and Hiko occupied. Thankful that favorite place no one has occupied yet.

the two sat down and a waiter approached them to order the selected menu. After receiving the order, the waiter immediately went to prepare the menu selected by the customer.

"That's right, if gini is fun. There's Papa, there's Mama and there's Almeer. It's complete, Pa!" Cetus Almer suddenly.

Hiko smiled and rubbed Almeer's head.

"When will Mama Ruby stay with us? Almeer is impatient."

Ruby stared silently at Hiko, this time looking into Hiko's eyes also questioning the same thing. It makes Ruby more cornered and bungungung.

- Connected

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