The Substitute Bride of my Best Friend
Liver Flakes

The dinner together was over, a happy glow was clearly on everyone's faces without exception. And so is Zahira. Although he was nervous, but deep down, he really enjoyed their time together. The longing that lingered for six years can finally be treated.

"Ka, take Zahira to sit in the park. There must be a lot of stories you want to tell as long as you don't meet, right? Well, while there is still time you can take advantage of this opportunity as well as possible," said Rini.

Zahira's lips were perfectly opened, ready to answer Rini's words. However, the voice of a man had already echoed first.

"Good, Ma. I'll take Zahira to the park." Then, Shaka got up from the chair and turned towards Zahira. "Come, let's go now!"

Zahira stared at the father's brown iris. From the look of the eyes as if he wanted to ask Rayyan's opinion, may or may not he go alone with Shaka.

The highlight of the eye was caught by Rayyan's tail. Although the atmosphere is dim, but the father of four children can see clearly the beautiful clear eyeball belonging to the beloved daughter. Smiling gently then nods her head as a sign that she allowed Zahira to go with Shaka.

Take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Euphoric Eid Zahira felt as she walked side by side with the prince.

Sitting side by side, silent for a few seconds without saying anything to each other. Both are breathing heavily. Zahira repeatedly squeezed the edge of the garden chair to unravel the nervousness inside.

"Why never reply to a message I sent through your social media account, Ra? Are you so busy you don't have the time to reply to my messages?" shaka broke the silence. That sentence was what first came to mind as he sat down together with his childhood friend.

That's all I did for our common good, Ka. I don't want to be stuck in the memories of the past forever. I want to forget all about you, but I can't. Your shadow is always present, interrupting every night and my sleep.

Zahira wanted to say that sentence in front of Shaka. However, he did not have the courage to reveal the reason why it seemed as if he deliberately cut off the friendship that had been built for twenty years.

"Rho? Why just shut up? You sick?" shaka said anxiously. The man changed his seat, facing Zahira. Unexpectedly, the man touched the pretty doctor's face and examined it very seriously.

Zahira's body stiffened slightly due to that physical contact. The beautiful doctor pounded until his body felt weak. Warm breath, he felt. The smell of citrus perfume tickles the sense of smell.

I swear by anything, I'd love Zahira to disappear that second from Shaka's presence. He is unable to stay close to the man who has captured his heart since they were teenagers.

A flash of events six years ago back present, dancing beautifully in the eye. Zahira turned her face to any place trying to avoid the owner of the shady eyes that are always present in every beautiful dream.

"Don't worry about my situation. I'm .. fine," Zahira replied in a sidling to the side, spacing two feet away from her current position.

Silent for a moment, Shaka's forehead shriveled. Thinking hard, why did Zahira's attitude suddenly change. Zahira used to always feel at home near her, but now the girl is impressed to keep her distance. Really, he did not understand where his mistake lay until the beautiful doctor moved away from him.

Taking a breath, holding it for a while, Shaka said, "Thank God you're okay, Ra. I'm just worried that you're sick."

The lawyer again changed his sitting position, then looked straight ahead. "You know, Ra, for six years I've been waiting to hear from you. Thousands of messages I sent to emails and social media accounts hoping you would reply but there was no reply from you. Sometimes I wonder if I've been meaningless in your life until you forget about me and the friendship we built since I was four."

"You went to Japan to continue your studies, but did not tell me even though the night before your departure to Sakura land, we had met and held a greeting. In fact I should have heard the news from Mama and Papa," Shaka lamented. From the tone of the young lawyer's voice, there was a feeling of disappointment because he felt empty of Zahira's sudden departure.

Then, does she have to meet Shaka when her heart is hurting and pretend to be happy in front of the man? Nah! Zahira didn't want it to happen. Therefore, he decided to leave without saying a farewell.

"I'm sorry, Ka. But, I did it all because there was a reason," said Zahira bowing her head.

"Then you get back, you have no desire to contact me at all. If Mama hadn't invited me to dinner at this restaurant, we might never have met again."

"I'm too tired to tell anyone about my arrival in Indonesia, Ka. Sorry." Again and again only an apology was spoken on Zahira's lips.

Smiling at Zahira's reply. So long waiting for the rare moment, Shaka just heard an apology without ever knowing the reason why his best friend just left.

Looking to the side, staring fixed brown iris the owner of a mixed face of Asian Dutch. For some reason, Shaka felt that Zahira was hiding something from him. However, the girl did not want to tell the truth and tell the truth.

"In two weeks I'm getting married to Ziva. I hope, you are present and give do'a blessing to us."

That speech made Zahira's body go limp for a moment. The heart stops beating. The world stopped turning. Already knew that Shaka was going to get married but why did the man have to say that in front of him.

The two look at each other. Shaka noticed how his best friend's expression changed drastically. The mind is getting uncomfortable. Starting to wonder, had he made a fatal mistake to Zahira?

"You've received the invitation letter I sent to Shakeela, haven't you?"

The legs grew limp and Zahira clutched the edge of the garden chair to reveal the nail books. Trying to hold back so his tears don't spill over his cheeks.

Zahira just nodded weakly. He froze and immediately turned his face to the left side. Then he said in a hoarse voice. "I must be at your wedding, Ka. Congratulations to you both."

The corner of Shaka's lips lifted. He smiled warmly and replied, "Thank you. I hope, you will soon follow so that my children will not be lonely because they have a playmate like we used to."

Following up? How can I catch up with you, Shaka, while the man I want to make the last port will be with another woman. I doubt myself, whether there will be another love present in my life while I have given all my love to you.

.

.

.

Hello everyone, while waiting for this work update, yuk stopped by first to the author's work.