The Steel-Cared Rose
Time Spare
Sharifah came to his mother's dinner table who was busy chatting with Dylan.
“Bu, dad says we want to leave now “
“Tell your father. I'm losing my mood. Before he changed his attitude. I don't want to join you.”
“Bu..” Persuad Syarifah.
“Please tell him. I need to see a change in his attitude first. I don't want her to act as she pleases to me.”
“Bu, but..”
“Listen to your mother.” Dylan mediates,”your mother also needs to feel comfortable. Everything should be comfortable if you want to spend time together. Don't force your mother to tolerate your father's disturbing attitude.”
“Good, om..” Syarifah said Dylan.
Sharifah walked to his father. Send her mother a message. Ahkam looked towards Haliza from afar. Then take the kids out of the dining room.
“We go to Gili Terawangan without mom?”
“Yeah. Your mom seems to want to spend time with Dylan.”
“Mother is troubled by father's attitude.”
“Reason only. I'm trying to protect her. But it looks like he's indeed labile.”
“Protect mom?”
“Your mother's labile. She needs to be protected.”
“Mom can't accept Ms. Hana. Why did you marry Miss Hana?”
“I fell in love again with another woman besides your mother. Hana looks fragile. Like you're your mother. I feel I have to protect her.”
“If you hadn't married Ms. Hana. You will not get divorced. We'll stay as we used to be. I miss a lot of things when you and Mom were together. When we spent four in the room you two.”
“I too. These sweet and special moments will not be replaced. Therefore help me so that your mother will accept Ms. Hana and marry me back. All our lost moments of togetherness will return.”
“How can we persuade him. You know how mommy is?”
“I know your mother is very emotional especially regarding Hana and my relationship with your mother. Not to mention Dylan.”
“Indeed why Dylan? He's very kind. We both really like it.”
“He will be a thorn in the flesh in our family. How can I possibly refer to your mother if she's after your mother to be his wife?”
“You can be with Ms. Hana while mom can't be with Dylan's om. That's not fair. Moreover, Dylan's om is much better, comfortable and loving.”
“I can be polygamous whereas your mother cannot be polyandrous. If polyandry were allowed. I will set aside my ego for the happiness of all of us.”
“So please, all this confuses you.”
“How do you think, Syarif?”
“I just want you both to be happy. Whether you refer to each other or have a partner. It's the same for me. Most importantly, we can all be happy and connected.”
“Yeah, you're right.” His father agreed.
Dylan looked at Haliza's troubled face. The excitement is reflected in the look on his face.
“Why do you look riled up?”
“Ahkam pisses me off.”
“He doesn't want to lose you and your children. Also Hana.”
“He's hurt me. My relationship with Hana won't work out either. He's jealous of me.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean. Never mind, you don't have to think about Ahkam. We better take a walk.”
“Where are we going?”
“You yourself want to go where?”
“So, no ideas.
“Yes already, we just get out of here first how?”
They walked out of the breakfast buffet room.
“Hotel room contents all. Ahkam and your children are also creating.” Dylan Sindir.
“Gosh what do you mean?”
“If only, you accepted my proposal. Probably at this time.”.
Haliza's face was red.
“Gosh! You..”
Dylan was getting chuckling at Haliza's face that was as bright as dice.
“I didn't mean to urge you. But if you want to set aside the rules of religion. Make sins with me..”.
“Gosh!” Haliza hit Dylan on the shoulder.
“I'm just kidding!”
“You're really not funny!”
“I'm just kidding. I don't want to urge you. Although, I've realized my feelings for you are real. I regret that I am late to realize everything. I thought, I still love Sinta and expect it. My feelings for you are like Annie’s song. The feeling was present like a night in the forest.”
“I also don't know if it turns out I still love Ahkam. I was so angry and disappointed in him that I couldn't feel my feelings for him. Still there or no longer.”
“Our position is reversed, right? I thought I still loved Sinta and expected her to move on. While you who think you do not love your ex-husband was still not able to move on.”
“Our feelings are sometimes influenced by our own perceptions. Like you thought you still loved Sinta. That's your perception because your marriage is going well. Destiny separates instead you guys intentionally split.”
“While you are very angry and disappointed in your ex-husband. Run at me. Thought you didn't love her anymore. Assume I can replace him.”
Haliza looked at Dylan's face wryly.
“Yeah, sort of..”
Dylan grabbed Haliza's hand. Swiping and stroking it to his cheek.
“Do not worry. I'll be waiting for you. Ensure everything. I'm not going anywhere.”
Haliza's eyes. His face implies cloudiness. A very thick cloud of sadness lingered on his face. Slowly the dripping clear grains one by one wetted his cheeks.
“Sstt. It's nobody's fault. You're not playing anybody. You just need some time to figure out who you're going to choose to accompany the rest of your life. Me or Ahkam.”
“Why can you read my mind?”
“Because I love you so much.”
“What do you mean?”
“Often love serves as a radar. Like a parent understands their child. The husband understands his wife or vice versa. I understand you.”
Haliza ran into Dylan's arms. Spilling all the rest of her tears. Finish it.
Dylan stroked Haliza's hair very gently. Replying to her embrace tightly.
“I can understand your memories with Ahkam and your children. Just like me, Sinta and our children. All of these things are very confusing. You want to go back in the past and never leave. Or you will take someone new to meet the future and new happiness.”
“I'm glad you can understand you as a whole. Not feeling angry and jealous on Ahkam.”
“Who said I wasn't jealous of him? I was holding myself back from unnecessary emotions and thoughts. I want not to burden you with anything.”
Haliza distanced herself from Dylan's embrace staring at the man's face wistfully.
“Why are you so kind and understanding?”
“I don't want to feel disappointed or heartbroken. When you realize everything. Back running at him.”
“Then why did you decide to wait for me?”
“Because I still hope you missed something.”
“All feels confusing to me.”
“Yeah, I know. That’s why just take your time. There is no pressure and you are free to choose anything that is fit with your heart and soul.”
Haliza wiped her tears. Looking at Dylan with a smile. His smile bewitched Dylan. A moment of amazement and fascination saw the expanding smile before him.
“Where are we going?” Haliza rinses Dylan's daydreams.
“Senggigi.”
... ...