The Substitute's Love
Won't Let You Go Again

After breakfast, Ningrum accompanied Yudha on a walk in the garden of the house complex not too far from home.

Now Yudha was able to walk even though he still used a stick as a support for his body.

After a few months, Yudha was able to walk again, although there was not much she could do.

''As we sit there first,'' point Ningrum at a park chair.

Yudha just nodded slowly.

''Does your leg still hurt, Mas,?'' ningrum asked after they sat down.

''Slightly, maybe not used to it yet.'' Yudha replied slightly grimacing.

''Just take it easy, I'm sure you will make a full recovery as before. It's just that we have to be patient, and always strive.'' Said Ningrum with a sweet smile.

''Thank you Ning, you've helped me through everything.'' Yudha said intensely as she stared intently into Ningrum's eyes.

''I-it has become my duty Mas, a wife is his duty to accompany the husband either happy or difficult.'' Ningrum replied with a warm smile, but in his heart did not deny his heart pounding unbecause of getting the gaze of Yudha.

''But not with Eliana Ning, she left me at a time when I was like this. And until now he also did not contact me at all, for Yudha while exhaling deeply, asphyxiated as he suddenly remembered his first wife.

Until now, Eliana never once contacted him, and Yudha did not want to trace him there. If it is known by Eliana, he will be angry and feel that Yudha does not believe in him anymore.

Just say that Yudha is weak against Eliana. He could not make Eliana cry and suffer because of him. It was all because of his strong promise to Eliana's late father that should always make her daughter happy and would never hurt her.

So Yudha let and freed Eliana to choose her dream of becoming a model. And it worked thanks to his support of course.

''Maybe he is very busy Mas, don't be so bad to think.'' said Ningrum calmed Yudha's worries.

''Can you promise me, if Eliana comes again you won't go?'' yudha suddenly looked deeply into his eyes.

Ningrum's eyes widened slightly in shock at Yudha's words. There was a sense of happiness in his heart due to Yudha's request like that, but soon he was tepis away because of the sense that it was impossible for Ningrum to hold a hand.

''A-i..'' Ningrum froze, really Ningrum could not say anything, actually Ningrum was deep in his heart did not want to leave Yudha.

Behind his warm and flat attitude lies the fragile and helpless side of the soul. Actually, she was eager to hug the man who was her husband's status. But he could not do it because it seemed to be blocked by a thick glass that he could not break.

Sighing in Ningrum finally said, I can't if to promise Mas, just let God decide everything.'' Ningrum looked down inside.

''I know our marriage started with compulsion. I also know your agreement with Eliana, your status is a surrogate wife only when she is not with me, without having to do your duty as a real wife, right?'' ask Yudha.

Ningrum's heart was getting choked to hear Yudha's words. Wasn't the covenant only she and Eliana knew.

''How did you know that? Did Lady Eliana say it?'' asked Ningrum surprised.

''I know even though Eliana did not tell me even Ning, Yudha replied smiling blandly.

Ningrum bowed sadly knowing the fact that Yudha knew about her agreement with Eliana.

''Forgive me, I feel I have no right to do more. I know who I am. I'm only the third person in your household. I wouldn't have wanted to do something like this if it wasn't for the circumstances. But I realized everything was God's destiny. Therefore I sincerely live it even though there may be sin and a sick heart later.'' said Ningrum increasingly bowed.

''So, if I had asked you not to go and carry out your duties as a real wife, would you have done Ning?'' yudha asked again with a sharp look towards Ningrum's eyes.

Ningrum hesitated to answer him, all he did was stare fixedly at Yudha's two silent eyes.

''Why is it suddenly like this Mas, I-I have been carrying out the obligations of the wife all this time like taking care of you sincerely.'' said Ningrum finally.

Yudha exhaled deeply with a small smile, Yes, I know. You're so sincere about doing it Ning, I can feel it.''

''What happened to you? I honestly don't want to leave you either. But I'm self-aware, it's all impossible. Especially when I'm with you won't be long. I don't want to be too deep to save my feelings for you.'' bathin Ningrum spoke.

''I can not promise Mas, even though I actually want to but my promise to Lady Eliana can not I deny.'' said Ningrum later, did not feel her tears came out without being able to hold her.

Yudha rubbed the flow of tears that ran through Ningrum's cheeks gently.

It wouldn't hurt if he didn't know who Ningrum really was.

And in reality Yudha knew Ningrum was the little girl she had been looking for. The little girl who became his first love. The little girl who filled her originally meaningless days became colorful.

Yes, it is Rumi. Yudha gets the latest information from her man. After years of searching, it turns out that the person he had been looking for was nearby now, even always accompanying him now. And fate made that girl named Rumi his wife now.

At that time Yudha was happy beyond measure. He could not have imagined that fate would bring him to Rumi in a marriage that Yudha never really wanted to be like this.

Had Yudha been able to find Ningrum long before she married Eliana, perhaps she would not have been forced to marry him. Moreover, hearing all this time Rumi's life suffered greatly. And many more if others that Yudha regrets. But Yudha realized that everything was the destiny of God, which she could not fight.

Now his view on Ningrum is not just pity and respect. But change it with a look full of love and longing.

Unknowingly Yudha brought Ningrum's body into her embrace.

The unprepared Ningrum was of course shocked for the umpteenth time. His heart suddenly throbbed violently, his body limp and tremble.

Yudha hugged him even tighter.

''I won't let you go anymore Rumi.. Never will.'' bathin Yudha.

''Please don't ever leave again.'' whispered Yudha with a slight sob.

Hearing that Ningrum could only furrow his forehead with thousands of questions in his mind.

''Rumi.'' continued Yudha's bath, still hugging Ningrum and closing her already wet eyes.

For some reason Ningrum felt a strange thing, his heart was very comfortable being hugged like that, so he returned Yudha's embrace with a sense that he himself did not understand.

''Ehem-''

Suddenly, a voice surprised them.

****************

Seriate...