The Lord's Concubine
Zian's Birthday

"Hi, Aksa!"

Zian, who had just got out of the car, stepped over to Aksa who was waiting for his arrival. The handsome boy stood in front of the door of the house with a big smile looking at Zian.

"Sister Farra, Om Zian has come!" yell Aksa.

Aksa grabbed Zian's hand which was now in front of him and led the man into the house. For Aksa, Zian was like Brother and Father. The love and genuine care given by Zian, made Aksa feel very comfortable if she was next to him.

"Where is Brother Farra?" ask Zian.

"By cooking something for Om Zian."

"really? Cook what, fried rice?" Imagining Farra's fried rice alone, Zian had drooled and almost had his saliva coming out. Aksa even chuckled at Zian's expression back then.

"Oh, Om drooling, yeah!" exclamation Aksa.

Upon arriving in the kitchen, Zian rounded his eyes perfectly. He smiled broadly when he saw a small tumpeng standing firmly on the dining table.

"Well, there's a party apparently!" exclaim Zian.

Farra approached Zian with a warm smile. He brought a small birthday cake with a candle burning on it.

"Happy birthday, Brother Zian" said Farra.

Farra placed the cake right in front of Zian so that the man would immediately blow the candle. Applause and cheers from Aksa filled the room after Zian blew the candle.

Zian looked overwhelmed. His eyes began to glaze over. He did not expect that Farra knew that today was his birthday. Zian himself forgot that today was his birthday.

"Where do you know that today is my birthday?" zian asked with a smile looking at Farra who was still standing before him.

"I used to accidentally see your ID, brother. And it turns out that today is your birthday. Congratulations, Brother."

"Thank you, Farra."

"Come, Om! Cut the cake" exclaimed Aksa who was impatient to taste the cake.

"Ok, okay."

Zian grabbed the cake knife given by Farra and cut the cake. The first piece, Zian gave it to Aksa because he knew the boy was already impatient to taste it. While the second piece, he left it to Farra.

"Open your mouth, Farra."

Zian continued to watch Farra filling the empty plate with the tumpeng. He didn't even blink a bit when he looked at the girl. A simple girl with a million charms who is able to melt her heart.

The simple birthday is over. Their stomachs were already full, let alone Aksa. The handsome boy could not even run around anymore because his stomach felt so full. Now the three of them sat relaxing in the living room while watching TV.

"Mara ...."

"Yes?" Farra looked over and smiled at the man.

"Then I went to my parents' house. They say there's something important they want to talk about. You know what they're talking about?" said Zian.

Farra shook her head slowly. "What?"

"They're talking about my marriage, Farra. Turns out I was betrothed and they wanted me to marry a girl named Sameera. The daughter of Mr. Khalid, one of my relatives who lives in Dubai."

The look on Farra's face changed. The sweet smile that had been floating, suddenly disappeared. "Married? So ... Brother Zian is getting married soon?"

Slowly Zian nodded his head as he continued to pay attention to Farra's expression back then. Farra smiled wryly then threw her gaze in another direction. For a moment the room became quiet.

Both Zian and Farra were silent. Only the sound of television could be heard echoing inside the room. Until finally,

"I'd better take a break, brother. I'm tired" said Farra suddenly.

Farra got up from her seat then stepped towards the room. He did not even care about Zian and Aksa who were still in the room.

"Sister Farra why?" aksa asked when she saw Farra just waltzing, leaving her unexcused.

"Come," said Zian, lifting both shoulders. "Is it possible that Brother Farra is angry with Om?" zian continued while linking his eyebrows together staring at Aksa.

"What did Om say to Farra?" ask the little guy curious.

"It's nothing" said Zian, scrambling slowly over the top of Aksa's head.

Zian smiled faintly as he watched Farra's room door which was now tightly closed. There was a sense of happiness in his heart when he saw Farra behaving like that.

"Did Farra like me? If that's true, then I'll be very happy, "inner Zian.

...***...