The Substitute Bride of my Best Friend
Dinner Together

"Ra, how are you?" Shaka asked again. Deep down in her heart, she actually misses the soft sound of classical music from Zahira's lips. The girl's voice allowed the lawyer to feel a peace that he had never felt before.

Zahira's lips began to open. He wanted to say something, but was not yet able to say. Still stringing words in the mind and aligning them.

Shaka is still faithfully waiting for a sentence to slide from Zahira's lips because he knows very well what it's like to meet someone again after a long time without meeting. There is a sense of awkwardness in the inner corner.

Patiently, Shaka waited for Zahira to answer her question while continuing to stoop a smile on her face. Though the smile and shady look of the man that makes Zahira more difficult to say.

Come on, Ra, don't show your weakness in front of Shaka! Do not let him or everyone know that you are saving your feelings for your childhood friend! inner Zahira.

Zahira struggled to gather courage in the chest, forcing himself to speak until finally the sound of the two as the song of the Angel sounded in everyone's ears.

"Hey, Shaka. Um ... good news. W-how are you?" The question came after a long time of being held. A forced smile is painted on the corner of the lips.

"Borny? Of course it's good, Ra. I'm glad to see you again, Najma Zahira."

Najma Zahira is a name given by Rayyan and Arumi to the first daughter in a small family of surgeon duo. The name sounds ordinary when spoken by others, but it was so beautiful in the ears that Shaka called the young doctor by his full name.

Oh my God, if Shaka could read Zahira's heart all this time would that man still want to call the girl's full name in front of everyone? Does he still regard Zahira as his childhood friend and friend while the seeds of love flourish and blossom in Zahira's heart?

Zahira could only be silent hearing it. There was no desire to continue their conversation because right now the girl's feelings were mixed. Between happy, sad comes at the same time.

"Yes, we better sit down and order food so as not to wait too long. Zahira, you will sit on the right and Shakeela next to Aunty. Let Uncle Rio sit next to your father," said Rini pulling both hands of Arumi's daughter.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement with what Rini said. They also began to pull the chair until the sound of the seat was pulled and then began to choose the dinner menu.

Dinner is a time that is highly anticipated by both Rayyan and Rio families because at that time all family members will tell what happens as long as they do not meet. But not for Zahira and Shaka. They remain silent without any sign of wanting to engage deep in adult conversation. Just answer it simply and go back to silence while enjoying the dishes available on the table.

"Zahira, you plan to go straight to the hospital with your dad or what, son?" rio asked warmly and looked at his dearest nephew lovingly. Although Zahira is only the son of his best friend, but the famous lawyer has considered the girl like his own child so do not be surprised if Rio looked at Zahira with clinging.

"The plan is I'll go straight to work at the hospital, Uncle. It might start from the IGD room before finally moving on to another ward" Zahira replied gently and politely.

"Uncle is sure, you can definitely become a great doctor like both of your parents," Rio praised solemnly.

"I still need to learn a lot from Daddy and Mommy, Uncle. Otherwise, who would have continued the violent struggle of the late Grandma Mei Ling and Grandfather Paradise in advancing the hospital. Although I did not continue with the specialist, at least I could help until Kak Ghani returned to Indonesia and applied the knowledge gained while studying in Japan," Zahira replied with a sweet smile on her face.

Rio nodded his head in agreement with Zahira's reply. "Then, what keeps you from continuing to specialize in Japan, Ra? Is not there medical science is quite good compared here. If you all take a specialist then return to Indonesia, so stay to help your Father and Mother just work in the hospital without thinking about college again because they already have provisions when college first."

"It's all because of me ...."

The voice of a girl coughing sounded along with Rini's words. His voice was loud enough to make everyone stare at the source of the voice. Zahira hurriedly grabbed a glass of water inside the glass then drank it. However, the girl still coughed until her eyes turned red.

"Honey, what's wrong with you, son?" tanya Arumi immediately stood up and rubbed the back of his beloved child. "Is there anything that's bothering your airway?"

Zahira only shook her weak head with watery eyes as she continued to cough. Everyone stared strangely at the girl, as did Shaka. The young man looked at the brown iris of his best friend and even made Zahira look foolish in front of everyone.

Shakeela sneered and said, "How to get married, dating is not allowed." Without feeling sinful, the youngest four brothers returned to feed food into the mouth.

Rini chuckled softly upon hearing Shakeela's reply. It is realized that Arumi's husband is too strict to keep girls in their family until the north pole does not let his daughter date or go with the opposite sex without being accompanied by anyone. Even if it is forced the love virus has grown in the heart, the green light will be given but with a note when they are dating it must bring Ghani and Zavier along to avoid something unwanted.

"Oh yeah, Aunty forgot. You two are forbidden to date by your super annoying father, aren't you?" Rini sneered and said again, "Your father has always been too possessive and overprotective even your Mother should not go with strangers. Really weird!"

"So it's very natural that all the girls have never dated even though they have gone through adolescence" continued Rini.

Zahira just shut up and looked down. Instantly feel uncomfortable when you have to discuss love affairs. If allowed, he would like to leave the restaurant and go home.

Not accepting his best friend in insinuation, Rio defended Rayyan in front of everyone. "But my best friend did it all for the good of Zahira and Shakeela, honey. Today is very different from our time. Criminal acts happen everywhere. If Rayyan wasn't keeping her two daughters tight, then who would be watching them?"

"Grottling!" gerutu Rayyan softly stared coldly at Rini.

Arumi shook her head. "Although my husband is possessive and overprotective, I love him a lot, Rin. Forever is the only one I love in this world."

"It's ah, we'd better continue with dinner. Later on it's cold," Arumi's leerai stopped the debate between her husband and her best friend.

Older still fighting. Just-there! inner Shaka.

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Yuk stopped by author friend's work while waiting for the next date. 😊