Autumn In Kent
Entered Final
The atmosphere in the Gray family home was no longer tense. Although it can not be said to be warm, but Puti and Mike try to take care of each other. Talking to each other about things of a general nature. Mike and Cathy's marriage plans were never mentioned at all. On December 31, Mike returned to Maryland because he had promised to celebrate the New Year with Cathy, while Puti remained in Salem until January 3.
☘️
Good news awaits Puti in Kent. As soon as he returned to college, Steve and Emma took him to dinner at Bricco, one of Kent's most luxurious and expensive restaurants.
‘You celebrate what choosing this luxurious place is?’ ask Puti when they've been sitting inside the restaurant.
‘It wasn't me who celebrated it,’ replied Emma. ‘But you and Steve.’
‘I and Steve?’ tanya Puti did not believe. Emma and Steve smiled as they nodded their heads. Puti is getting confused. He looked at Steve long ago to find answers.
‘Steve, is our home ..?’ finally, Puti asked doubtfully.
‘Ya.’ Steve answered with a big smile.
‘Our house?’ Puti still can't believe it. ‘Has it been announced?’
‘I've received a call from the director of Gloss Housing that our house is in the final. One of the five houses chosen. The five houses will be built in High way 73 roughly two miles from the rest area to be chosen the best. They provided five contractors to build it. We have to choose one of them and keep a close eye on its implementation. Three not then, the house must be exactly with the mockups we have made first. We have to work hard again.’Steve explained in detail.
‘Hi why keep quiet, you are not happy to hear the news?’ Steve scolds Puti who seems to be contemplating.
‘Of course I'm happy. I still can't believe it,’ Puti replied with a laugh.
‘I told you a long time ago, Put, you have an interior talent, but you don't want to believe,’ Emma interjected. ‘But strangely why our apartment is such a mess huh?’ continued Emma. Puti laughing.
‘Wait until we get a gift, we just upgraded our home furniture,’ promise Puti
‘I want a Thomasville sofa in our living room,’ says Emma fast.
‘Thomasville? You're like an old man,’ said Steve.
‘Classic, Steve. I don't like minimalist furniture. Less warm in my opinion,’ Emma argued.
‘Your apartments are minimalistic once. Thomasville not fit.’
‘About having a spacious apartment,’ comments Emma while slicing filet mignon already in front of her,’
‘What other tasks should we work on, Steve?’ tanya Puti shifted the topic of conversation.
‘Many,’ replied Steve. ‘But before those tasks I talk about let me congratulate you first,’ he continued while holding Puti's chin and then kissed her cheek gently. Puti felt awkward especially when she saw Emma blink one eye.
☘️
The task facing Steve and Puti is indeed a lot. While the design of Steve's house was built, Gloss Housing Company sent a check to Steve to buy other household appliances and supplies according to the budget they had listed first. Meaning it is the duty of Puti because in the past who chose household furniture was Puti. It was fortunate that Puti was no longer working at Belmont, so she could devote her time to it. Every day he went outside to the store and went to the houses that were holding garage sales to look for if there was a small item that was appropriate. Steve sometimes accompanied him. Steve could not often accompany Puti because he himself was busy supervising the construction of the house. He did not want any deviation from the construction of the building he had proposed.
That night Puti and Steve were at the furniture store. A few days ago, Puti had chosen several beds, a set of living tables and a dining table and several drawers. The price is in accordance with the price he specified first. But Puti still needs Steve to give him the final word. For a large purchase Puti did not dare to make his own decision.
‘Puti.’ Steve called Puti who was crouched checking the legs of a chair. He lifted his head towards Steve.
‘Ya?’
‘You know I feel like a newlywed shopping to fill a new home,’ Steve said. Puti did not comment just smiling funny, because he himself felt what Steve felt. Steve then got up from the bed and walked over to Puti.
‘Why don't we just mate,’ suggested Steve when he was crouched near Puti. Puti widened her eyes in shock.
‘Dragon talks, Steve!’ Tegur Puti's.
‘What's wrong?’ steve felt innocent.
‘Salah, Steve, because we both do not want to mate,’ replied Puti while rising from his crouching position. He then looked for an officer who would serve them. After the officer came Puti immediately explained what was desired and the changes that needed to be made.
From the furniture store, Puti and Steve head to Steve's apartment. Puti still had to measure and cut the curtain cloths he bought before being returned to the furniture store to be sewn. Puti did not allow the store clerk to cut him for fear that his size and motives were not exactly what he wanted. To make the cut in Puti's apartment is impossible because the room is too narrow. Then the only right place is Steve's apartment.
‘Puti, when I asked you to marry earlier you said that we both do not want to marry. I don't understand what you mean,’ Steve talked to Puti. Puti who was sitting on the wooden floor and was measuring the curtain cloth stopped her work and looked at Steve for a moment.
‘Didn't you really not want to mate?’ he said while returning to his job.
‘Who said?’ steve fast said. ‘Of course I want a marriage. A sweet marriage with sweet children. I want a marriage like that. All this time I've been looking for the right woman to make my wife. Finding the right woman to give birth to my children. Finding the right woman to accept my love and finding the right woman to love me. But when I found the right woman it turned out that she had heard too much about my football in the past,’ continued Steve wryly.
‘Steve, are you trying to tell me I'm the right woman for you? Are you trying to say that you love me?’ guess Puti.
Steve nodded his head. Puti. They then remained silent for a while. I don't know what else to say to each other. Suddenly courage appeared in the heart of Puti. He got up from his place then walked up to Steve and sat down beside him. Steve then took Puti's hand and held it tightly.
‘Steve,’ Whispered Puti. ‘I trust you. I believe I can count on you. But the thing is, Steve, I can't forget Mike. It's not fair for you that I accept your love while my mind and heart are still filled with Mike's shadow. ‘
‘But, Puti, you have to forget Mike. She'll soon marry another woman. You can't expect it anymore. ‘
‘I know. I've already let it go. I've decided to forget it. I tried so hard to forget it. But I can't forget it. Help me, Steve. Help me forget him,’ said Puti faltered.
A tear rolled down his cheek. Steve saw the tears. Quickly he grabbed Puti's body and hugged her tightly. As if through the embrace he was trying to drive away the turmoil in Puti's heart. For a long time they were both in such a state until suddenly they heard the sound of the phone ringing. They silenced him in the hope that the ringing phone would stop by itself. But the ringing of the phone did not want to know their will, the sound became more so.
‘I’ll get it,’ said Steve lazily while standing. Before walking towards the plane, he patted Puti on the back gently. While Steve was talking on the phone, Puti returned to his job as if nothing had ever happened between them. A moment later Steve reappeared in the room.
‘From Emma.’ Steve announces. ‘She reminded her show will be broadcast tonight.’
‘Oh, yes!’ exclamation Puti. ‘I almost forgot.’
‘Then I'd better turn on the TV now so we can't possibly forget. Will his voice interfere with your concentration?’ ask Steve. Puti.
Steve turned on the TV. Then he sat in front of her. He turned towards Puti who was cutting the cloth. All sorts of feelings churned in his chest. He looked at Puti a long time later he realized that he was completely helpless . Just as powerless as Puti.
