The Journey of Love Habibah..
New year's night

Richard and Meylan finally went home to celebrate Christmas and the new year with the family in the city. Because Richard's family and his wife are still many who embrace Christianity. While Richard himself had become a mu'allaf when he married Meylan. And Meylan himself has been Muslim since childhood because he was raised by his grandmother who was in fact Muslim. Meylan and Alvian were raised by their grandmother while Meylan was raised by their Christian parents. That's why both families have two beliefs. But all that does not make their brotherly relationship becomes tenuous. It is getting closer, because their tolerance attitude is very high.

Every time he visited his extended family, Richard and Meylan never forgot to bring Habibah and Ririn with them. Habibah and Ririn are considered to be the family of Richard and Meylan. Only Alvian thought of it more. Alvian even difficult to accept the fact that the girl of his puja did not glance at him in the slightest.

Two days before the new year's night, unexpectedly Ricky and some of his school friends come to the house of Habibah's employer.

Ting tong's.. Ting tong's...

The sound of a bell ringing loudly that afternoon, Ririn who was closer to the door immediately opened the door.

" Ma'af mba, Om and his aunt aren't there?" greet Ricky as soon as Ririn opens the door.

" Mom and dad are on the side, are there pa?" ririn asked in surprise because only this time there were teenage children looking for their employers.

" Can't see you for a minute" said Ricky trying as politely as possible.

" I called for a moment" said Ririn as she passed to tell her employer who was sitting relaxing beside the park while looking at the view in the afternoon.

" Mom, in front of there are those who are looking for the same father's mother" said Ririn so pressured her employer.

" Who is Rin?" ask Meylan.

" I don't know, Mom, just saw it. But if you look at it like a schoolboy like that, ma'am, more or less my age." said Ririn.

" Yes already, I saw first who ya pap" Meylan told her husband. Richard nodded his head. And Meylan was also followed by Ririn back to the uninvited guest.

" Who is it?" greet Meylan so close in the direction of Ricky and his friends.

" I'm Ricky aunty, and these are my friends. We are Habibah's school friends. Want to ask permission to invite Habibah to celebrate the new year's night tomorrow Tan, is it okay?" ricky said after introducing himself to Meylan.

" Yes Tan, it's okay to tan we can understand. If indeed Auntie does not mind us joining Aunt here, we are also happy to accept this Aunt offer. I will tell friends later to come too." ricky said with a big smile because he was happy. After that they say goodbye to go home and promise to come on the eve of the new year tomorrow.

Ricky and his friends keep their promise to come celebrate the turn of the year with Richard and his family.

" Hello Aunt, Om, mba." said Ricky as soon as he arrived at the residence of Habibah's employer. His greeting came to a halt as soon as he saw Alvian before him. Ricky who had already reached out his hand was forced to smile even though his smile had disappeared because he was surprised by the existence of Alvian there. He still does not know if Alvian is the younger brother of Meylan Habibah's master. Alvian finally received a helping hand Ricky even though he did not like it because he was sure if Ricky liked Habibah.

Habibah was no less surprised by the arrival of Ricky with his friends. Habibah who was preparing the ingredients that they would roast that night and also made fruit soup. Not finished he and Ririn prepare everything, he also left Ririn alone while he himself approached Ricky and his friends.

"Why are you here..?!" habibah asked Ricky and his friends.

"What else does Nur look like?" Ricky asked back. While smiling mischievously at Habibah who made the girl delicately opened her eyes. Ricky just laughed at the look on the girl's face which he thought was adorable.

"Here Nur, we are invited by your employer to celebrate this new year's night together. Isn't Rick?" take one of his friends. Ricky just answered with a nod without reducing his teasing smile at Habibah. Habibah finally left his friends and returned to help Ririn who looked almost finished.

After all gathered and began grilling activities that night, Habibah helped roast corn with Ricky and some of his friends. Ririn and Purnomo together with Meylan roasted chicken satay that they were close together. All looking happy, they were joking while enjoying their activities. Only Alvian was alone, he was sitting in the gazebo alone. Richard immediately approached his sister-in-law who looked alone with a gloomy face.

" Al, why are you here alone? Why don't you have fun with the others? Or do you want to go out to see your girlfriend? Why don't you bring your girlfriend here and introduce us?" richard tried to get his brother-in-law to talk.

" There's nothing, besides Alvian there's no boyfriend so there's nothing to invite here and introduce to brother." said Alvian with a bitter smile adorning his face. His eyes were suddenly fixed on Habibah who was busy fanning his corn grill. Ah, she remained with such a face even in such a pleasant atmosphere. How hard it is to make him smile even for a moment. I wanted to make her smile or even laugh, but somehow. His heart is hard to touch. Alvian complained in his heart.

While it was not only Alvian who was watching the girl silently. Purnomo also kept his eyes on him, even he almost always did not hear what Ririn was talking about by his side. Because his heart is on someone else. Slowly but surely Ririn began to realize Purnomo's attitude. And Ririn was so jealous to see the man she loved paying more attention to other girls than her.

After they were all done in the roast, they gathered around the dish they had roasted on a large picnic mat, all enjoying the dish while chatting with each other. Habibah accidentally saw Ririn who was wringing spoiled in Purnomo's arm while eating the corn they roasted earlier. For some reason every time he saw Ririn spoiled on the man who became his best friend his heart ached. His chest felt increasingly tight and made him feel even more strange with the feeling that tormented him. What are you doing? Why are you sad and sick to see them? Isn't that what you want then why do you feel so tormented? What's wrong with you? Ask in your heart a question that has not been answered in a long time.

***

when to choose between best friend and love 🤔🤔