You are the Only One
7. Go Get Her

Goslings

The day has come.

After waiting for about two years, God finally sends me signals that this is the right time to execute the plan that I have been saving.

Today is Ole's third birthday. Exactly three years ago, I had the opportunity to witness a phenomenon that completely changed my life structurally and mentally.

Having been Olavia's companion when she gave birth to Oleander into this world, I not only feel responsible for them both completely, I do, but also need their existence in a sense that when they are nowhere near me, I feel limp. I feel like my world is out of balance. I felt there was less pliers, and the lack of it was like a gaping hole within this self.

"Om, I think the time has come" I said to Om Arif who stood in front of me.

His hand, which was on its way to bring the can of beer closer to his mouth, suddenly hung in the air for a few seconds. Then he continued his intention by sipping water with that low alcohol content. "Hm." Om Arif muttered.

My best friend who was standing to the left of his bokap glanced at us alternately. He also took a sip of the drink in his hand, but his eyes remained on us.

I, Oliver, and Om Arif were in the backyard of the Arifin family home that was used as Oleander's birthday party venue. The place which is usually only a spacious park, is now filled with various game tools with a palace of very large balloons that become the center. Tables and chairs are arranged in groups. A variety of foods dominated by finger food and deserts lined up on a large table. A truck-themed birthday cake and heavy equipment lead in front.

We always celebrate Ole's birthday. The invitation consisted of a large family, the children of Olavia's office clerk, Oliver's office, and the son or nephew of my restaurant clerk. Of course not only their children were present here, their respective parents were also there. So, Ole's birthday celebration can be used as a family gathering event for all.

Talk about killing two birds with only one stone.

A team of photo-teams and videographers were busy wandering around the park, capturing every moment there was. Although it looks a bit exaggerated, me and Olavia have our own reasons for this. I'm sure when Oleander grows up, there won't be many memories in the early period of life that he can remember. That's why Olavia and I insist on gathering as much evidence as possible that Ole had a very happy childhood.

My eyes checked every corner with a mission to find the whereabouts of the two most important people in my life. My search ended after finding their location. Olavia who was carrying Oleander stood with my parents.

They were seen conversing in delight before Ole's attention was sidetracked by something in front of him. Then he seemed to insist on being let down from my woman's pagutan by shaking the body. Olavia said something to the boy. He then landed a kiss on both of my bokap cheeks and nyokap me, got off the hands of Olavia, and darted forward.

I followed the direction in which he ran carefully. The anxiety that squeezed my heart suddenly disappeared when I realized that Ole wanted to join his other friends in the sand pool.

A stifled laugh jumped from inside my chest. That boy. He couldn't stand it the least when he saw the sand and his toy truck.

I don't know what made him look up shortly after from the miniature truck he was filling with sand (gue really likes to associate this with the pull of our feelings) and look straight in the direction i'm standing. A grin on his lips, displaying a row of small teeth that were still covered in chocolate.

That grin automatically creates a smile on my lips.

"Father!" he shouted while waving his hand. After that, he resumed his game.

I've always been a Papa in the boy's eyes. Since the first call he made at the age of about seven or eight months, I have always been Papa.

No one tried to correct that. Even Olavia allowed Ole to continue using that call to me. He only smiled gently when he heard it.

There is no feeling happier, more heartwarming, more meaningful than being Papa to Oleander.

Oh, ada. One over. And I'm trying my hardest to make that happen.

"okay." The heavy voice of Om Arif jolted my mind to return to the figure on my left.

I turned my body a little so that I now faced Om Arif completely. I put the can that had lost its cold sensation because I only held it from earlier on the table behind me.

Arif repeated his answer once more. "okay." The middle-aged man spoke while nodding his head.

I swallowed spit. It was unexpected that one word with three letters would invite millions of emotions like this. Excitement, haru, nervousness, restlessness, and other feelings mixed into one. "Thank you very much, Om." I express my gratitude after my heartache.

"No." This time Om Arif shakes his head. "Om who should be thanking you, ngga. Because you are willing to follow Om's advice and wait. Now, Om believes Olavia is ready to start a new chapter in his life. Hopefully Om isn't wrong."

"It's okay, Om. I don't mind."

Om Arif patted me on the shoulder and placed his right palm there before twitching it in passing. "Then are you ready?"

I knew what Om Arif was actually asking and without a doubt I nodded. "I've had the ring for two years, Om. I take it wherever I go," I'm I'm frankly. I patted the front pocket to the right of the jeans I was wearing.

I don't care if this confession makes me seem too pussy in the eyes of prospective in-laws. I don't care if anyone hears it and thinks it's too cool for the size of a tough guy like me. I don't care about the opinions of others. Clearly, for me, this ring is a reminder that I still have promises I haven't kept. And as a man, I have to keep trying to make that promise come true.

"What are you waiting for, then?"

Alternately I looked at the two men in front of me, the father and son who both returned my gaze with confidence.

"Go get your girl." Oliver is making a sound. "Gue always supports you both, bro." My friend raised his fist.

"Thanks, man." I complained about our fists. After getting one more nod of support from Om Arif, I turned around. And how surprised I was when I found the eyes of Olavia who had been staring straight at us.

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