You are the Only One
10. Father and Son Conversations

Goslings

"You're great, Son." Bokap said from where he stood beside me.

I look and smile. "Thanks, Pa."

Growing up without musical talent from Bokap, from childhood I made getting recognition from my male parents as a mission. Either by doing something small like solving the problems of homework yourself properly or developing a business that has been pioneered by him first. Whatever I do in order to get a nod full of pride, a pat on the shoulder, or other way of appreciation from Papa.

Although he and Nyokap never forced me to follow in their footsteps, when in the end I even inherited Mama's ability to learn, I admit I feel a little disappointed. Because I used to feel like I had to be a musician and rock legend like Papa for him to love me. So that he doesn't leave me at home with Mama. So that when he was on a national and international tour, he wanted to take me because I could also play music.

It happens over and over again until I am able to think and draw my own conclusions; no matter what my job, whatever my interests and talents, I am, Bokap will love me. Bokap will always be there for me as long as I need him. Bokap will continue to support all my decisions.

Including this.

"That Berxngsek must have regretted leaving them." Papa added later.

I was happy when I heard Papa mention the Berxngsek as berxngsek, but I do not know what I should feel about other things. I'm sighing.

"What is it?" asked Papa curiously.

"People don't know how to feel about it, Pa." I glanced at Bokap at a glance before continuing. "For Olavia's sake, Angga hoped that Bajxngan was sorry enough that he would apologize for what he had done to the Angga woman. But ...." I took another long breath. "But, on the one hand, Angga hopes he doesn't regret enough to let Angga have what he should have first, Pa. Angga wasn't strong enough to let them go if the Bajxngan decided to take Ole."

"Hey, now." Papa then rebuked. "What kind of thought is that?"

I just put my shoulders down.

"Come on, Ngga. It's a happy day. Oleander just had his third birthday. You and Ola are officially engaged. Don't you dare try to confuse Papa's happiness with that attitude, huh."

Yeah, Bokap I'm right. Why do I suddenly feel weak like this, anyway?

Papa turned his body so that now his big body is facing me. Crossed hands across the chest, a glass containing the whiskey-neat he had been holding was hanging at the end of his right hand. "Papa, I'm sure Ola will choose you. Oleander too. Because for them, you are the best. You're the one who's been with them all this time. You are the one who truly loves them. Remember that. So, never be a coward like just now again, especially in front of Papa. You are Papa's son and Papa knows you will fight for them. You hear me, Ngga? You understand?"

Not only Papa, I also know that I will fight for them to the point of my final blood. But it's not just about the struggle. This concerned the blood that was completely flowing within Ole's body that he shared with his father.

Does anything beat the blood rope?

Fxck!

Where did all my confidence go?

Like a bloodhound that can follow in the footsteps very quickly, I can also find out what kind of riots are going on in my head. "Ngga, think about it this way."

I looked up and looked at Papa.

"If he wanted to, he would have been involved in their lives all this time, right? But you see for yourself what the reality is. He was absent from the first day. He even left Ola just like that."

I could feel my blood start to boil thinking about those moments. I don't know exactly what happened, but I was there to clean up the mess that Bajxngan left with Olavia.

"So?" challenge Papa. "What to worry about, huh? Ola has agreed to be your wife and indirectly Oleander will be your son. If you still want to make it official in the eyes of the country, you still foam do that. You can do it."

I didn't think those words were what I needed. "People still want to adopt Oleander, Pa."

"Goodle. Good," greet Papa with enthusiasm. "Then that's what you have to do."

Our conversation came to a halt while I digested and encouraged myself in my heart.

I definitely can. I definitely can. I just have to get a signature of approval from the Bajxngan only and other requirements will be easily taken care of.

Unconsciously I had actually nodded my head. I thought I was just going to do it in my head.

"That's my boy." Papa turned back his position so that he looked forward again.

It's getting dark. The guests have gone home. We and the closest family are left. Om Arif and Oliver I think are still talking about the case of their client in the workspace of my prospective in-laws. Some of the other men also formed their own hordes. While the women still surround my bride-to-be.

Thank God the radiance came back to his eyes.

Oleander had fallen asleep earlier. Too tired of his activities all day.

"You still have contacts, right?"

I nodded again, this time aware of the movements I made. "Still, Pa."

"OKAY. Just in case, Papa will find his manager's number as well. Papa believes his personal number has been changed because, you know, a recent scandal."

Oh, for fxck's sake.

I was really disgusted to see what was shown on TV and scattered on social media. How can a man act so without integrity? Has money and fame poisoned his head so much that he can't think clearly anymore?

But in a sense, that's good. By behaving like that, he made Olavia easier to forget.

At least that's what Olavia admitted to me.

I wish it was true as soon as the reality is in his heart.

"yeah. Papa's guts are right." I admit.

"of courses. I know I am," answered me lightly.

It made me think. "People don't know if Angga ever asked this question as Papa before, but ... how does Papa deal with what Papa faced when Papa was at the top of Papa's career?"

Papa nodded for a moment. "Hm. I don't know." Finally Papa answered. "Maybe because from the beginning Papa already had your Mama who can always make Papa feel self-conscious. I mean, sometimes things might get in your head and make us forget reality. I think that was what happened with that bastxrd. He forgets."

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