CHAPTER 6
Someone from a distance smiled. The happy face was decorated with longing tears that briefly dripped.
Seeing the urban atmosphere with lined luxury buildings in every suburb, then magnificent houses, made Rania breathe a sigh of relief, she arrived at her destination safely.
She was again grateful to remember the unlimited power of God for her to feel amazed, the expanse of the sea, and the green of the small islands that she saw from a height, calming the heart that previously felt sad.
In less than two weeks Rania will be in her hometown, the girl does not deny that Jakarta is her home when she loses.
"Rania ...!" Adiratna shouted in the doorway.
"Mother!" Rania greeted a little running out of the car.
Ratna stood waiting for her daughter while extending her hands a warm hug that she would pin on her daughter's body. Let go of longing and share stories.
Aris's shadow keeps dancing in the dream.
Now Rania felt the warm embrace.
"Mother's child finally knows the way home, how was the trip dear, are you okay, right?
Adiratna's gaze now scanned Rania's body from top to bottom. She checked the condition of her only daughter carefully. Hope no one hurts her even if it's a mosquito.
A hug is full of love that rereleases longing and bursts into joy. Rain of kisses on Rania's head proves that parents are the most comfortable place to take refuge.
***
For more than two weeks, no more disturbing Aris, Rania kept her promise. Even since the last unanswered message, they no longer share the news that Aris's cellphone is not as busy as it used to be, no one is forcing him to reply to messages anymore, sending chatty voice messages, reminding him to sleep because Aris is a hardworking male type, he works from morning to morning again, it was not uncommon for the man to sleep only two hours a day.
The meeting at that time, then Rania's expression of disappointment, became the last memory they met.
"It's good that you are tired, Ran. My life is calm now."
He said while laughing bitterly. Lips can say that. But the heart cannot lie. Even though at this time Aris was feeling immeasurably happy. He was still looking for the missing figure, his mind wanted the girl to come back home and fill the empty heart space, no... he couldn't conclude himself whether it was longing or not ready to lose.
Aris wanted the girl to leave, even wanted her to be happy with other people, but Aris Rasabarudin wanted to take care of Rania Adista Bramasta.
***
Some want to stay away to keep their distance. Considering the desire of someone who wanted her more, she couldn't break someone far away. "For now let things go their way until I find the best way not to hurt you."
The cell phone lying there rang, and Bella took the bright object.
"Mrs. Aris?"
The girl quickly accepted the man's call because her mother and Aris Sabarudin had been working together for a long time. There is a business between them.
"Assalamualaikum, Mrs. Aris." The soft voice, so polite it entered the ears, sounded melodic and soothing.
"Bella Kurnia Sari, can you tell me how your city is there?" Aris asked from the other end.
"Emm... Bella thinks all cities are the same, they are beautiful and have their characteristics, Mrs. Aris."
"Is that so, Bell. Is there only one mart and the market is only open every Tuesday?"
"Oh, if that's not the case, Mas. There are still many choices of supermarkets and so on."
"Wow, that's good. So I want to move to this city, honey." Aris said firmly.
The girl's grin was heard. Then it reached Aris' ears, even though she didn't see it, the man was sure that Bella's smile was so sweet and could turn his world around.
"How about it, Bell. Is it okay if I move cities?"
"Um, yes, I'm up to Mrs. Aris."
"How about later when I have time to play there?"
"Hehe... Yes. Oh, by the way, Bella has to go to the Mart, there's work from mom, you usually know, right?"
Bella wanted to end the conversation immediately, she realized that the discussion this time had led to a sensitive matter, not about work anymore.
"Okay then, cheer up," Aris answered languidly, if he could, he wanted to talk a little longer with his mate.
Without answering Aris's words. Bella ended the call, the girl could feel from the tone of his voice alone that there was a feeling of disappointment that was clinging to the man's heart on the other side.
"Sorry, Mrs. Aris." Bella gripped the phone tightly in her hands, her eyes looking straight ahead with a blank stare.
Afraid? No, Bella was trying to keep the bond that had been good from the start. The relationship of a brother and sister. However, now Aris's attitude shows something else, more hope is pinned.
***
In the car, the girl with a simple appearance leaned her back and her head. Close your eyes for a moment, and relax a bit.
Suddenly a message came in.
"I'm waiting to come back here, Sis Ran. Neysa misses my sister."
Rania took a deep breath after reading a message from Neysa, Aris Sabarudin's sister. She is close to her mother, but Rania is also good at winning Neysa's heart.
A few minutes later the screen of her cellphone lit up for the umpteenth time, Rania hastily looked back at the device.
"If Rania doesn't come back here again, Neysa will be sad later." That's how this beautiful and sweet girl filled the message, plus a crying emoticon to show the mood of the sender of the message.
Rania imagined Neysa's cute face. Usually she would smile mischievously while raising her eyebrows a few times.
Sometimes Neysa doesn't hesitate to say a sentence with an innocent tone of ridicule but can make Rania laugh aloud. Sometimes Rania also reflexively hits the girl's head with short shoulder-length hair, Neysa Ambarsari has a tall and ideal body that is already considered her sister by Rania.
"Ran, are we going straight home or stopping to eat first? You haven't eaten since earlier." Adiratna's invitation broke the silence.
"Later, Mom, all eat at home." For a moment Rania straightened her head, then leaned back again. She even forgot not to reply to Neysa's message.
"What about Aris, Ran?"
"How's it going, Mom?"
"Yeah, it's been a long time since we've seen each other."
"Yes, after all Mother has it, call him and ask how he's doing. It's usually like that, right?" Rania answered casually, closing her eyes.
Adiratna snorted in exasperation. "How did you guys become? It's been a long time since you've been around."
Rania turned slowly, then looked at her mother's face with heavy eyes, smiling warmly.
"Just pray, Mom, if your partner gets married...."
"If over the next year, Mommy will marry you, how about it?"
Rania lifted her head again. Her shocked face could not be hidden from the tired beautiful face.
"Oh God, Mother, don't be like that, why don't you feel sorry for Rania? Married to someone I don't love at all. After all, Rania is still sure! If we're a match." She grumbled at length.
"How long has it been, and how much longer do you want to wait?" Adiratna's face turned more serious. Instantly, her expression darkened.
Rani was silent. She bit her lower lip as she let out a shaky breath.
"Until Rania is tired, Ma." Her eyes were far away. "If Rania is tired, I will also stop looking after herself. Later, wait for those who apply, I accept whoever it is," she continued hoarsely.
Adiratna could not even argue. Rania's words are valid. For years her daughter waited if not Aris, a good and polite man in Adiratna's eyes. The middle-aged woman probably resisted her daughter's strong will.
Because waiting for something uncertain is like we expect the train to stop but not in its place.