THERE'S ALWAYS A LEANING PLACE
Revealing the Past

After the congregational prayer, Via circulated his gaze to the back of the house that used to belong to the late Mr. Wirawan. Some parts have been changed. The newly built Musala was once a warehouse of damaged goods or has rarely been used.

"Mother, who does this house belong to?" ask Via lirih.

"Let's ask in the room. Mr. Adi or Mr. Candra knows better than Mother, " replied Ms. Aisyah who walked beside her.

They speed up the steps so that they can get to the room. The others sat back.

"Here, sit down by Grandpa!" pinta Pak Adi to Via. He looked so happy as he looked at his grandson.

Via according. He understood what his grandfather was feeling.

"Me and Candra will tell you about our family."

Adi sir took a long breath. There was sadness on his face.

***

The flash back

"A year you're done with college, Ben. Papi asked, you work at Wijaya Group. It is up to you to choose which office. At least you have experience later when you replace Papi."

Beni Wijaya smiled. He nodded in agreement.

"Do you have a plan to choose which office?" ask Mr. Adi.

"What is clear, Beni wants is in Java. How, Pi?" Beni looked at her father expectantly.

"Why? Do you want to live in Java?" Pak Adi stared back at his eldest son sharply.

"But I can guess my thoughts apparently. Yes, Pi. Beni wants to settle in Java," replied Beni steady.

"What does this have to do with that woman?" Mr. Adi's tone began to high. His face looked stiff. He stared intently at his eldest son.

Beni returned his father's gaze with a look no less sharp.

"Who does Papi mean?" Beni asked with emphasis.

"Who else if not an obscure woman whose origin is called the Goddess? You're dating that girl, right?" ask Mr. Adi cynically. He got up from his seat.

"Don't say that the female Goddess is not clear of her origin! He's an orphan. How did Papi know I was in a relationship with that girl?" Beni Wijaya's face was tense.

"You forgot who your parents were? I've always watched your movements even away from home. I also found out about the people near you. It is not a difficult thing for me," said Mr. Adi arrogantly.

Beni Wijaya got up from his seat. He approached his papa.

"Pi, I love the Goddess. We were planning on getting married once I was established. Please, our blessing," pinta Beni in a soft voice.

"No. Find another girl! Papi does not agree that you are married to the woman" replied Mr. Adi firmly.

Beni's face was red. His hands clenched tightly.

"I love him. She's a good girl. He is gentle, patient, and loving. What's wrong with him, anyway?"

Mr. Adi snorted in annoyance. It feels like******* the girl who made her son crazy.

"But the girl was not clear who her parents were. Papi is not the difference between rich and poor. But, Papi wants Papi's son-in-law from a clear family. Many of Papi's friends who have beautiful daughters are also educated. Papi will introduce you to them. You can choose what you like," said Mr. Adi firmly.

"But Beni just wants the Goddess, Pi. Beni doesn't want to be betrothed to Papi's colleague's son!" reply Beni is no less firm.

Mr. Adi could not hold back anymore. His jaw hardened, his face red.

"You dare argue your papa for the sake of the girl? Then go with him! Don't ever step on your feet in this house!"

"Good, Pi. I will leave this house and will not set foot here again once I get out. I'll find happiness with the Goddess."

"You prefer that woman to your parents? How many years do you know him? How many years did your parents care for you? Is that how you treat your family?" snapped Pak Adi.

"Sorry, Pi. Papi himself made a choice. Don't blame me for making the choice!"

Mr. Adi's hand was raised. However, he immediately lowered back, undoing his intention of slapping Beni.

"Why, Pi? Just slap!" challenge Beni Wijaya.

"Bapi, Brother, please stop! Why are Papai and Brother making a fuss like this? One of them gave up! If you find out, of course you're sad," leerai Candra Wijaya who just came in.

"You just shut up! Your brother this is really outrageous. Now again Papi asks, did you choose the family or the woman?"

Beni Wijaya smiled cynically.

"My choice remains. I chose the Goddess. I also left this house today. Clear, Pi?"

"Sister, please don't do this! Brother doesn't pity mom?" cajol Candra.

"That's it. Papi wanted me to leave. Please take care of mom. Brother is gone."

As Beni's feet were about to step, Mr. Adi's voice boomed.

"Wait on! You dare to leave this house means you have to dare to leave the facilities I gave you. You can't bring the car or the motorcycle I bought. You can no longer use my credit card or ATM."

Beni turned to face her father. He took his wallet out of his pocket. He took the card there and slammed it on the table.

"I've returned everything. I didn't even bring clothes. The clothes I wear happen to be a gift from the Goddess."

After saying that sentence, Beni came out of the magnificent house of Wijaya residence. He ignored Candra's call, his sister.

"Since then, Beni Wijaya has really kept his promise. He never set foot in our family home again. He disappeared like swallowed by the earth" said Mr. Adi Wijaya in a raucous voice.

Via picked up the tissue on the table. Tears on his grandfather's cheek.

"Mami was devastated by the departure of her sister. When my sister left, my mother was in the field. As soon as I got home and found out my sister was gone, my mom was in shock. He was treated for a week in the hospital" continued Mr. Candra.

Everyone present was silent. None of them dared to interrupt the conversation.

"Actually, my wife begged me many times to find Beni and ask her to come home. I told my wife that Beni couldn't come home if I refused her wish to marry Dewi. My wife begged me to grant Beni's wish. However, my ego refused. Be me to let Beni go, just like that" continued Mr. Adi.

"That condition makes mommy sad. The body is getting thinner and thinner every day. Actually I secretly told people to find out the whereabouts of Brother Beni. It didn't seem easy. Moreover, the person I asked was limited in number and ability," Mr. Candra added.

Adi sir took a long breath. Sadness was clearly on his face.

"I only realized after my wife got sick. The longer the pain gets worse. Finally, three years ago my wife was called Yangkuasa." Until here the tears of Mr. Adi flowed profusely. Via rubbed it gently with affection.

"Before she died, my wife asked me to look for Beni and approve of her choice, as well as forgive her all her mistakes. He said he forgave me and Beni. I can't refuse. I also realized my selfishness. I want to be with my family on my old day."

Adi stopped talking again. At that moment, a greeting came from outside. Farhan got up from his seat and went out to see who was coming.

***

Seriate

Who's coming, huh? Wait for the answer in the next episode.

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