The Incomplete Love
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At his parents' dinner table, Devan barely touches his dinner.

“Eat dong, Dev. Here I help cut the steak.”

“I’m good, Stel.”

Stella then briefly kissed Devan's cheek.

“Phil, Dian, next week Liam has a piano show. She's going to play the piano single, you guys are coming yes.”

“Wah, sure,” says Phil enthusiastically. Everything about Liam will be a priority for him.

“Try if we are married, we can stay together, right?” Stella lures Devan's parents to urge her son.

Dian looked at her son who was like daydreaming.

“We parents follow how Devan's decision,” reply while smiling at Devan who looks at him in wonder.

Stella was surprised to hear Dian's reply. Usually Phil and Dian will push Devan.

“I only think about Liam. Kasian when I have to be in Melbourne with you, she's in Wollonggong with her grandparents because she has to go to school.”

“Liam can move to Melbourne,” reply Devan.

Stella. “That’s a great idea. After Brisbane, we can stay together again at your mansion.”

“I mean, Liam can move to Melbourne and stay with me. If you want to live in the same city, then you can use the apartment.”

“What? No! Liam has to stay with me. If I can't stay in the mansion, then Liam is too.” Stella spoke in a loud tone.

“You know, Stella, I think you should take it easy. You're seven years apart, it must take some time to unify your feelings. Devan has changed, so have you. Give time,” timpal Phil wisely, make Devan more astonished by the attitude of his parents.

“But Liam needs us both,” says Stella.

“True, that's why whatever the reason, the divorce must have transferred the wound to the child,” Dian's reply that made Stella look at him in wonder.

Phil connect, “Stel, give time to our son. About Liam, Devan is also filing joint custody.”

“What? Devan you don't have to ask for that. We just get married, everything's done. Devan, I love you. I know you're still in love, too, for what ..”

“Am I? Do I really still love you?”

“Dev, you’re joking, right? Okay, okay, I don't want to argue. I have to fly to Brisbane, we'll talk after my work is done, okay.”

Stella then says goodbye. In the car that picked him up he shouted, making the driver almost have a heart attack.

“Fuck you, Devan!”

***

Devan sipped on Jack's favorite coffee. Both of his parents sat on the sofa quietly watching their son.

“You can tell me anything and your father. You know that, right?” Dian moved and sat down next to Devan.

His hand held his son's hand.

“We know what happened back then. It wasn't you who made Stella leave. Forgive us for thinking badly and blaming you all this time.”

Devan looked at his mother with an incredulous look.

“I don't understand why you didn't tell us, Dev? After all this time ..” Connect Phil.

“I can't, Dad. My pride is devastated, a crippled man who can't keep the love of his wife. While every day I was happy, Stella turned out to think our marriage was a mistake.”

Devan's eyes were full of pain.

“That night I was determined to remove Stella from my life. My stupidity is ignoring Liam. I'm still in love with Stella until she marries Nick, I really don't want to know about Liam. Only after my heart was laid out did I pay people to watch over Liam as well as Stella.”

“We know you hired Lucas. Mom and Dad heard everything from him. Devan replied, do you love Stella?”

“I've loved him so deeply. Right now, I don't feel anything. If I'm with her, I .. I'm making amends to Liam. He really wanted us. He really wanted us to be together. Should I marry Stella when I no longer love her, Mom?”

“Dev, is there anyone else in your heart?”

Devan's eyes glazed over. Immediately the removal of tears that pooled in his eye pelupuk. Devan did not answer his mother.

“Is she Qiara?” Ask her mother again.

“Mom, please don’t do anything to her. He's already suffered so much, I don't want my problems to result in him.”

“Dev, please forgive Daddy who blinded his affection to Liam so ask Qiara to be removed from our company projects. Daddy so wants you back at Stella. Giving Liam a whole family.”

“We just found out that Qiara was also removed from other projects and lost his job. But it wasn't us doing it, Dev. Mommy hope you believe.”

“I know it was Stella, Mom. I went to the property owner. I could have forced the property owners to hire Qiara, but what would Stella do? The only way is for me to marry her, but I don't love her anymore. What have I done, Mom? Qiara never even said anything. He did not return my calls or messages, even when he met he always avoided. ”

Dian sighed.

“Mommy asked for it. Qiara was a good woman, her household ran aground due to the presence of other women. Mommy's sure she won't interfere with your relationship with Stella. He did not want Liam to experience things like his son. Mommy sure .. mommy sure she loves you.”

Devan grunts. “How do you know?”

“Greatness that only women have. We see with our eyes and our hearts. Dev, Mommy and Daddy don't forbid if you want to be with Qiara. Mommy just ordered, think wisely because whatever parents decide, must impact on children.”

Phil held his son's shoulder. “You deserve to be happy, Dev. If Qiara is your woman of choice, we will support.”

Tears fell from the corner of Devan's eye.

“Thank you, Mom, Dad ..”

“That's a real drama, use a cry. I'm old still crybaby,” said Dian while scrambling her son's hair. His eyes warmed to see the look of Devan's eyes that began to sparkle.

***

“Jer, where am I going?”

“Best spots in Melbourne. Watch out don't be snintip.”

“You're not the psycho who suddenly kidnapped me, are you?”

“Ih ogah, eat it a lot.”

Qiara opened her eyes, her mouth ready to shout at Jeremy. But instantly he was stunned.

“This is the place, Jer? Maa shaa Allah, the view is very beautiful.”

Jeremy smiled at the more beautiful sight before him. A beautiful woman with a cheerful smile, a slight dimple on the left cheek that sometimes appears. Like at the moment. Makes him hold back.

“Sit here, Qiara.”

Jeremy directed Qiara to a bench. He wants to cooperate but Qiara is a devout Muslim who takes great care of himself.

The weather was very good that night. Stars scattered, crescent moons dotted the sky. The wind blows silir-silir. Jeremy saw Qiara's hair coming out of her veil.

“Qiara, sorry your hair came out,” she said with a smile pointing at the side of Qiara's face.

Qiara hurriedly stuffed the hair with her index finger into her veil. The lighting beside the bench was enough to reveal a red hue on Qiara's face.

“Cute,” murmured Jeremy.

“Sorry, tell me I didn't hear.”

“Shoot, that was a shooting star.”

“Mana? Whereabouts? Well yes, Jer, I've never seen a shooting star.”

Jeremy sighed restraining himself from pulling the woman next to him into the deck.

Jeremy likes Qiara who does not complain easily. In pregnancy, she had to walk for miles to work. Sometimes stop by the cafe with swollen feet to buy food. Fatigue after work until no longer able to cook.

The woman never complained. Jeremy sometimes saw Qiara who suddenly glared with a sad look. Like remembering something. Jeremy's heart is sad because he knows Qiara misses her ex-husband. But even once, Qiara never told her anything.

The bitterness of Qiara's life was heard from her mother and aunt. It was because Marianne told me the story.

Being a single mother in a land of people doesn't make Qiara break charcoal. He raised Kala alone. While working, Qiara leaves Kala for day care until Steph and Mel go on a rampage. They forced to babysit Kala during Qiara's work.

Jeremy glanced at Qiara who was busy enjoying the view of the city of Melbourne from the hills. I was staying at Mel's house.

“This is my favorite place, Qi. From small if I need a time-out definitely to here.”

“You now need time-out?”

“Looks... the girl I'm estimating is insensitive.”.

“You just code-code times, Jer. Girls need clarity, certainty. If it's just as desperately, surely dilekatin,” clear Qiara while chuckling.

“Emang bebal only time yes, tu girl. Does he not like me?”

“Well! That reason also needs to be considered. You may not be on her radar.”

“Ouch! So that's the answer, I'm not on your radar?”

“No, lah. You'll be my sister.” Qiara thought Jeremy was joking.

“No want! I don't want to be a sister. I want to be a girlfriend.” Unknowingly Jeremy revealed his heart. The man immediately covered his mouth with both hands. Holding your breath and shame. I don't know where he's gonna put his face.

Qiara.

“Jer, wow. Do you really want to be my girlfriend?” Finally Qiara said slowly.

“Can I?”

Qiara stared fixedly at the face of the bule man beside her. His clear blue eyes were like a drifting lake. His eyes look hopeful.

“Jer, I am a mother with one child. I carry a wound that I still feel. You ... you are young ..”

“Don't old-timer, Qi. I'm only two years younger.”

“Ouch. That is a strong reminder.” Qiara. His laughter is contagious when Jeremy realizes his last sentence is sensitive to women.

“Jer, I’m honored that you have feelings for me. Thank you. I ... I ..” Qiara stammered.

“You don't like me, huh, Qi?”

Qiara was unable to answer, he was not up to the heart but did not want to give empty hope. For him Jeremy is best friend, sister, and Qiara has not had more feelings for him.

“I can still work tomorrow at the cafe?”

“No can! You I fired!”

Qiara looked at Jeremy, then the two laughed out loud again.

“You why laugh at Jer, shouldn't you be sad, huh? Really like it?”

“Likes Qiara Anjani. From the first moment I saw you. I want to protect you, take care of you, love you.”

“Sorry, Jer,” Og Qiara replied.

“No, don’t be. You know the Phil Collins song You Can’t Hurry Love?”

“It’s an old song. My deceased father likes to be horrified in the car. You can’t angry love, no you’ just have to wait. What's next?”

“Just trust in the good time, no matter how long it takes.”

“Don't wait for me, Jer.”

“Who also wants to wait.” Jeremy thumped towards Qiara. Then look down at Melbourne down there.

“Qi, my heart hurts so much..” Jeremy took a deep breath.

“I'm really sorry, Jer.”

“We were here first okay. Let me remember this moment as the most beautiful memory with you.”

Qiara nodded. The two stared back at the flickering lights of Melbourne in silence. Busy with thoughts and expectations.

“So, it’s Devan, I lost to that old man.”

“Devan? Not a chance. He better reunite with Stella for Liam.”

Jeremy noticed the look in Qiara's eyes turning softly. Both are silent again.

“Please be happy, Qi. I know that behind your joy, there is still immense sadness. Maybe for your ex, maybe for Devan.”

Qiara let out a long breath.

“Maybe I have no luck in romance huh, Jer.”

“Sssh, there is no such thing. You, me, will be happy with our partner. Believe it. We just have to be patient.”

Qiara looked at Jeremy, digging into the heart, looking for a different flavor. Jeremy always managed to make him laugh, his attitude is relaxed and a little old can always parse complicated problems into easy.

Jeremy's view was far-flung. Breaking the silence he said, “Liatin I continue, who knows long-time crush.”

Qiara chuckled then turned her gaze to the stars.

“Jer, looks like I'm going back to Indonesia.”

“What?” Jeremy's aghast.

“Weight lives in Australia without a regular job. Home projects sometimes exist, sometimes not. And the value is also not large.”

“I can elevate you to the head of the cafe, Qi.”

“Makasi, Jer. I know the conditions of the cafe are good but it would be unfair to your other employees. I have enough savings to start a life. In Jakarta I was able to return to work at Marianne.”

“Are you sure?”

“I can't possibly trouble Steph keep. I know he always rents your brother's apartment while to me it's always without rent.”

“No worries. My brother won't be home anyway. His wife is pregnant now. He is also rich.”

“The main reason .. Kala. I think he needs to see his father. I was not ready all this time. You saw for yourself that time he cried when Liam invited his father Kala.”

Jeremy took a breath. A heavy night.

“I did not choose this place for both of you. Really need a time-out, Qi. First rejected, then wanted to be left behind. Fate.”

“What’an anyway, Jer ..”

They both went back to silence.

“Qi, I rarely pray, but from now on I will pray for our happiness. I wish you the best and Kala.”

“I also wish you the best, Jer. Oya, btw, do you know I ever make a shopping project? There's a nice space, you contact Shalina, she's her sales agent. You said you wanted to open a cafe in the middle of the city. The price is good.”

“Really ... oh where is the position? …”

Two people who are not united in a bond of love get involved in a warm chat. Under the stars and flickering glitter of Melbourne city that will soon become a memory for Qiara.

***