The Roof You Promised
Section 66 - Nine Years Later

Since Aurorae and her children moved to Bandung, Herjuno has been much more excited about his life. He felt more useful as a father.

Herjuno never misses taking the kids to school, unless there is an urgent job that requires him to leave for the office early in the morning.

He also always tried to go home before it was late so he could stop by to just say hello, ask what his children are doing today.

As Ryana once said, now he is eating more together like a family.

Watching the growth and development of her children every day, making half of Herjuno's life feel present again.

"Dad... tomorrow so will you accompany Brother to buy futsal shoes?" Ryan broke the silence in the middle of dinner.

Herjuno. "Dad get some lunch, hum?"

Tomorrow is Sunday, so Herjuno promises to take Ryan to the shopping mall to buy a pair of futsal shoes. Since moving to his new school, Ryan finds friends who have a similar hobby, football.

"Rinya?" The girl frowned, raising a protest that was under the guise of a question.

"No. I want to go alone with Dad!" Ryan threw a hostile look at his sister.

"Mother.." Ryana whined at Aurorae before her.

Herjuno and Gumilar chuckled. These two twins never get along, there is something they fuss about.

"Is there anything Ryan wants to buy?" Aurorae asked, staring at her daughter's shade.

Ryana. "Just want to take a walk."

"Well, are you going to the office?" Aurorae offers a quote. The office he was referring to was a three-story building owned by the company he started with Dea and Dira. Catering and frozen food business is growing very rapidly in the last eight years. Until now it can have its own office building, no longer contracting a shophouse like the beginning of pioneering first.

"You! Mother please tell Aunt Dea to invite Brother Shasa as well." The girl cheered cheerfully, forgetting her desire to join Herjuno and Ryan.

Aurorae smiles. "All right."

Herjuno looked at Aurorae silently with his faint smile. A few months of living close together and almost every day meeting, Herjuno realizes how amazing Aurorae are at treating their children.

The woman could easily persuade the children whose mood was lacking.

Often also Herjuno caught Aurorae reprimanding the children, Ryan and Ryan will be obedient just by hearing his mother's advice even without anger or a high tone of voice.

His children grew up very well, whether with what Herjuno could pay for all the goodness of Aurorae.

"Rae, thank you for letting me eat here so often" Herjuno said before getting into his car.

Herjuno knew, the woman was just kidding.

Herjuno let his hand hang on the car door, he stared inside the Aurorae's bead.

"Rae, what we-"

"It's been night, Mom. You must be tired, go home." cut Aurorae quick. He could guess where Herjuno was talking. To be honest, Aurorae was not ready to hear about the hopes that Herjuno had. Even with his own expectations, he still guessed what his heart really wanted.

Herjuno knows himself enough, Aurorae's rejection although not overtly but able to make his guts shrink again.

He also nodded. "All right, I'm home" he said before actually getting into his car and passing home.

**

Nine years have passed...

Herjuno pegs himself in front of the mirror, a short-sleeved maroon shirt fittingly on his body. He pulled the bottom of his shirt with both hands. Although not young anymore, but his body shape is very proportional to men his age.

Herjuno smiled faintly, realizing that he was now forty-six but could not yet conquer Aurorae's heart. It seems like God is punishing him for the mistakes he made in the past.

Is it really all done?

No more chances?

All this time, Aurorae treated him very well. The woman opened the door of her house wide whenever Herjuno wanted to come. Aurorae also never limit their closeness to their two children.

Herjuno was lulled, he thought they were already that close. He thought, Aurorae has already opened her heart back for him to enter.

But a year ago, when Herjuno re-applied to her, the woman again refused.

I've thought of nothing but children, Mas.

His reply at that time, as if to tell that there was or was no Herjuno, he remained fine.

Herjuno sighed softly. Recalling the events of one year ago, eroded the hope in his heart. But he will not give up, all this time Aurorae never close to any man. The woman shut herself down and kept her distance with all the men. Herjuno hopes that one day the Aurorae will melt down and be willing to return to him.

Herjuno's daydream is diverted when the voice of the phone interrupts it.

"Yes, baby?" He smiled as if the caller across the street could see him.

**