The Roof You Promised
Part 61 - Missing Father

Aurorae looked in annoyance at Dea. "Stop teasing me!"

Dea chuckles. "Herjuno has changed a lot. He must be very sorry too. There's no harm in ji-"

"Mom!" Aurorae glared at him making Dea laugh even more.

"All right, Good. I'm not gonna bring it up again. But consider what I'm saying, hum?"

Aurorae just rolled her eyes lazily.

"Indeed I don't know why until now you're still single?" he chuckled and rushed into the house.

Aurorae glared at Dea's back while grumbling. The woman did not end up teasing him. In the past, Dea was the most angry with Herjuno's behavior.

**

Ryana likes it best if Dea or Dira are visiting. Their families would eat together in the backyard, as the bar table inside did not quite accommodate everyone.

"Sister, will you not be my brother?" Ryana looked at Shasa with her absurd question.

"I am your brother." Look how wise Sasha was when she was only eleven years old.

"I mean, real brother." Ryana propped her chin up with both hands. "Tante, will Brother Shasa be exchanged for Brother Ryan?" the girl shouted looking at Dea.

Dea chuckles. "If Ryana doesn't like 'em, let Ryan's brother be Aunty."

"Yes, but exchange with Brother Shasa."

Dea just laughed, not responding anymore. He knew the boy was just joking.

Ryan who heard that was just a throb, did not intend to also respond.

"You're like a cat with a dog." Gumilar.

"Children's habits." Dea who again came out carrying food chimed in.

"When Ryan was sick last week, Ryana cried wailing to stay at the hospital." Gumilar looked at Ryana mockingly.

Ryana glared then glanced at Ryan at a glance. "Ryana is not so!"

"Not confessing, huh?" The Aurorae that suddenly appeared came mocking him.

"Ryana also called Shasa while crying, why is she not sick as well she said." Shasa showed off a row of white teeth.

Everyone laughed, except Ryan. The girl was upset.

And Ryan, totally indifferent. I don't know if the boy actually heard or didn't hear himself being talked about.

**

It has been eight years since his relationship with his two wives, Aurorae and Megumi. Now Herjuno lives alone, in the house he used to live with Aurorae.

While leaving the house, Aurorae also left her certificate there.

A few months later when their relationship had improved and had forgiven each other, Herjuno once mentioned about the house. Ask permission to stay there.

Aurorae doesn't mind, after all it was bought with her ex-husband's money.

Herjuno dropped his ass on the living room sofa. He leaned his back, then closed his eyes with his arms covered.

He stayed like that for a few minutes. Then, her tears fell. She cried alone, without a sound.

The mistakes of the past that have always been overshadowing him all this time, have not gone away.

At times like this, sitting alone in the house. Herjuno often dreams.

...Ah, if at that time he trusted Aurorae....

If only he could think more clearly.

If he hadn't been too late to realize how Megumi was.

If this were, if it were.

Herjuno sighed, then rubbed his face rough.

Aurorae has forgiven him, their relationship is much better. But to ask for more, Herjuno did not dare.

It's good Aurorae didn't separate her from the kids.

The woman, I don't know what her heart is made of.

Herjuno straightened his back, grabbed the phone and contacted Aurorae.

"Rae, I'm sorry I called all of a sudden" he said as the call was connected.

"What's up, Mom?"

"Did the kids sleep? I miss them."

"Yet. I'll call you."

Even Herjuno was still pounding despite just hearing his voice. That woman, used to love her so much she knew. But he wastes his feelings and trust.

"Dad." Ryan's Voice.

"My dear father." Ryana.

Herjuno chuckles and then the call turns into video mode.

"Ck. You're this." Ryan grumbling.

"I want to see my father's face." Ryan sounded annoyed as well.

Herjuno put away his phone. Hearing Ryan's and Ryan's voice, her heart crumbled. He wiped his tears again. If only they knew what their father had done in the past.

Herjuno took a deep breath, blinking his eyes so that no more tears would fall.

With a smile, Herjuno looked back at his phone.

Ryan and Ryan's faces are there.

"Dad miss you so much, don't you miss Daddy?"

"Hum, Ryana wants to attend school. When's Dad coming home?" the boy looks excited.

Herjuno. Going home? It's not even his house. He only comes as a father who visits his children.

Herjuno dehem slowly. "Early next month huh, Ryana is patient?"

"Yes, it's okay."

"Didn't you miss me?" Herjuno turned his attention to Ryan.

"Hindu. But it's okay 'cause Dad's there to work."

Herjuno's eyes glazed over. Why these kids are so sweet. He felt more guilty considering he doubted them.

"Dad, why don't you stay with us? Ryan wants to eat with Dad every day."

**