The Obsolete Bond
A Papa

Ansel was never found even though Sarah and Elton had been looking for him everywhere. Starting from the homes of Dito's parents, the playground near their home complex, and even every playground in the area. But still the result is nil. Ansel and Dito are lost to the earth.

Sarah was sitting weak. He no longer knew where to find Ansel. Maybe now he looks like a crazy person because of his makeup that has not been caused by tears. Maybe her clothes already looked like they were raspy because Sarah was crawling everywhere looking for Ansel. Perhaps his feet had blistered with his shoes because he kept running after every child he thought Ansel was. But Sarah doesn't care. All he wanted was for Ansel to return in his arms.

"Where should we find Ansel, El? I don't know anymore." Sarah said in tears.

Elton hugged her and stroked Sarah's head gently. A gesture that Elton always does when Sarah is agitated.

"Ansel must have met, dear. Believe me yes. We'll keep looking for Ansel until we meet." Elton said softly while trying to dispel the uneasiness in Sarah's heart.

To be honest, just like Sarah, Elton's heart was uneasy. His mind could not calm down if it had not seen Ansel with his own two eyes. Although Ansel is not her biological child, Elton has been with Ansel since she was still in her mother's womb. Even since Ansel was born to this size, Elton has always been a father figure for Ansel. For Elton, Ansel was like his own son.

"Why can Dito be this determined, El? Is he not satisfied with me, now he wants to take Ansel too? What exactly is my fault with her El?" Said Sarah.

"You're not wrong, honey. You don't have to beat yourself up." whispered Elton quietly.

Both Sarah and Elton had not expected Dito to act this far. I don't know what made Dito like this. Could it be the regret that has plagued him over the past few years that changed him? Or maybe Dito's obsession with getting Sarah and Ansel has grown so big?

Sarah was so deep in thought thinking about every possibility of where Dito was taking Ansel. And suddenly the place crossed Sarah's mind. The place where Sarah and Dito used to spend their weekends together.

"Dito can't take Ansel there, right?" Sarah was in disbelief.

"What did you say, honey?" Elton said when he heard Sarah mutter.

"I know where Dito's taking Ansel, El." Said Sarah.

"Where?" Elton asked curiously.

"Saloka."

...****************...

10 Years ago

"Well, let's go to Saloka yuk! Play around, it's been a long time, haven't we been amusement park date?" Take Sarah to Dito.

Dito just laughed at his lover's invitation. Even though it's this big, Dito and Sarah still really like to visit the playground. Ride the reanglala, play gokart, or even to the haunted house. Sarah often referred to it as the amusement park date.

"Pump! But help me finish the thesis first dong, Yang!" Pinta Dito spoiled.

"That's you, yeah. I'm Bego Yang, I know these techniques. You even told me to help you make a thesis!" Sarah was upset.

Dito laughed at Sarah's nagging.

"Yes, that's helping you give me some spirit! I need a booster for the spirit!" Dito cried while laughing.

Sarah approached Dito and kissed his lover's cheek briefly.

"No! The booster. Is it the spirit of belom?" Ask Sarah.

Dito's cheeks are reddish. He was shocked by the sudden reaction of his girlfriend. In return, Dito can only smile shyly after getting a kiss from the beloved woman.

"Come hunted! Finish the script so we can go to Saloka!" Sarah Excited.

Dito immediately spur his fingers. He quickly typed word by word, line by line, and page by page for this damn thesis to finish. If Dito is late for graduation because he is busy courting, his parents may prohibit him from connecting with Sarah again. And Dito didn't want that to happen.

Within two hours, Dito successfully completed one chapter of his script. Then Sarah and Dito rush to Saloka to do what Sarah names as an amusement park date. With his motor sport, Dito and Sarah drove to the playground.

"Yes! Let's go up on that!" Sarah pointed at a lala ring.

Dito nodded in agreement and they dashed towards the game of the reaper. This will be the last ride they visit today after a day spent riding various games.

"That's great, Yang." Mumbled Sarah. His eyes can not be separated from the twilight shade in front of him.

"Yes, it's so pretty. Rich you." Dito praised Sarah.

Sarah just chuckles at hearing it.

"What the hell are you? Tombal just goes." Reply Sarah amused.

"When we get married and have children, I promise to bring you and our children here." Dito's Promise to Sarah.

"really? Promise huh?"

Dito smiled and wrapped his little finger around Sarah's.

"Yes, I promise."

...****************...

"Come Om, I'm going home. I miss Mama Papa. We'll play it, okay?" Ansel asked Dito to come home.

Dito surprised. Papa's? Verily if Ansel had known that his real father was the man he called Om Good-hearted. The man she was with was her real father and not Elton. Crossing Dito's mind maybe it's time Ansel knew the truth. However, Dito does not want to let go of Ansel. So sooner or later he has to tell Ansel who Dito really is in Ansel's life.

"Ansel, can you tell Ansel something?" Said Dito while crouched facing Ansel.

Ansel nodded.

"What Om?"

"Ansel tau ga, if in fact this Om Ansel's Papa loh." Dito replied with a smile.

Ansel's face looked pouted. A sign that he disagrees with that word.

"That's possible, Om. Papa Ansel's name is Elton. Papa Elton knows!" Ansel told Dito.

"Yes, but Papa really is Ansel Om. Not Papa Elton." Dito tried to explain.

"But if Papa Ansel Om, why did Om never come to Ansel's birthday?" Ask Ansel.

Dito.

"Keep why every Mama's sick, Om ain't there ever been a mama's nemenin?" Say Ansel again.

Dito back in silence.

"Keep if Ansel is sick, Om is also not there, right? Yes, Om is not Papa Ansel dong!" Ansel joked.

"You said Mama, Papa it should be there every time we need Papa. Ansel time birthday, surely Papa Elton there and ngajak Ansel take a walk all day. When Mama was sick too, Papa Elton must have been with Mama. When Ansel was sick, Papa Elton was afraid and immediately took Ansel to the hospital! Om know ga, first time Ansel was very sick, Papa Elton until crying out! So Papa Elton's Papa Ansel, right?" ansel said excitedly.

Dito sat down to hear the words of the four-year-old boy before him. It was as if he had been slapped with the truth by his own son. Just being a biological father was not enough to make Dito a father. Dito was never with Ansel when Ansel needed a father. Dito also never protected Ansel's mother as he said earlier.

When he left his son and first wife to live with his second wife, Elton was on their side. Fill the void left by Dito and carry out his role as both a couple and a whole-hearted father.

Dito kept thinking about Ansel's words. Could it be better if things stayed like this? Could it have been better if Sarah and Ansel were with Elton instead of Dito? Could it be that it is best for Dito to be grateful enough for what he has now? Living happily with Anggi and Deo? Dito himself also doubted whether he could be fair to his two sons.

As if reaching an epiphany, Dito took his phone and called a number.

"Sarah, Ansel is with me now."