Tales
She is not a widow (finished )

🌺 hem... 🌺

* * *

It all started when I was just running my business.

The first cafe I named 'One caffe', managed to attract a lot of customers and grow faster than expected.

The second year I was preparing to open a second branch which I would name 'two caffe ' .

That's when I met him, Noya.

In Hebrew, it means beautiful. Noya is so beautiful . Likewise with his polite personality and also friendly .

Of course it's hard for me not to fall for him.

At that time I was opening a vacancy because it was in need of additional employees. And he came to apply for a job.

'' Yes, will you marry me ?''

I said after six months of knowing him and three months of loving him.

Gayung. Noya accepted my proposal.

And in a short time we prepared everything to take our relationship to the wedding.

Both of Noya's parents have died. While the only brother served in the Philippines while undergoing education as a nun candidate.

And when we got married, the sister who was two years adrift of him turned out to be unable to come.

After three months of marriage, our happiness was more perfect when Noya tested positive for pregnancy.

But that didn't last long.

Noya died during the delivery.

That's when his sister, came to attend Noya's funeral.

I remember the first time I met him.

The 21-year-old girl, dressed in a nun's special dress with a black veil covering part of her head.

His face was simple, radiating love like the way of life he had chosen.

Unlike most other family members who cry sobbing until some are hysterical. Grace was crying in silence.

Just look at the tears flowing endlessly on his smooth cheeks .

And continue like that during the funeral procession.

His expression made me feel full.

He was even able to change the face of grief and was replaced with a happy twinkle when faced with Edo.

The newborn baby immediately received his presence .

Therefore, Grace then asked permission for her services to be moved and the good news was granted.

For forty days, Noya went back and forth from the church where he lived to my house to see Edo.

Because Edo is very fussy, and will only be calm when with Grace alone.

Grace was too heavy to leave her niece.

He had to make the most difficult decision of his life.

He let go of his kebiarawan to be able to take care of Edo.

And strangely all his relatives and family members support it.

For nearly six months after officially returning to ordinary society, Grace focused on caring for Edo.

While I am still in a bad state , choose busy taking care of my efforts.

A year, two years, and the third year of another ordeal came to pass.

Edo is diagnosed with a brain tumor and will not survive for long.

Unlike me who is getting worse, Grace who has poured all forms of affection on the child who has called her mama is actually strong in dealing with it.

Not once did Grace give up. He was always calm in caring for and accompanying Edo when sick even when several times past a critical period.

For two years Grace has always been beside Edo who has had to fight her pain . While I try to be able to meet and cover all their needs and treatment.

Although we rarely communicate, we go through it together .

And not once did he complain because I was impressed to assign the responsibility of taking care of Edo to him.

Until a month ago. After Edo's condition improved, a relative from the Grace family came to me and Grace.

She is the aunt, sister of Grace's late father.

Representing the voice of another big family, he suggested that I marry Grace.

The reason is because we both do not have a partner, and also look suitable together in taking care of Edo.

But I have not had a chance to argue, Grace quickly rejected the proposal.

He has his own reasons.

Caring, loving and giving affection, even to the point of being a surrogate mother, she did everything sincerely and sincerely because Edo was her nephew whom she considered to be her own son.

To him, it made no sense that he should marry his own sister-in-law.

Hearing that, I don't know why I feel disappointed.

I do love Noya and still haven't let go a hundred percent.

But over the past five years, meeting and interacting a lot even without talking much to Grace, I realized that there was something inside of me.

I'm interested, I like it and maybe I don't realize I've fallen for it.

And when I told her that, Grace's answer remained the same. He doesn't want to marry me. Because after all I was the husband of Noya, the man her late brother loved.

And Grace doesn't want to be made an escape.

Escape ? No, Grace.

If only I could say it .

The more days 'em, the more sure I'm gonna be if I love her. It's just I don't know when that taste started.

But Grace remained in her position.

He even refused to let me pay for his life again and started looking for a job .

I'm powerless.

However I proved that if I was serious about my feelings, it was not enough to convince him .

Finally, I gave up. If I can't be her man, at least I have to make sure she lives well and meets good men.

He can't stay tied to me because of Edo.

The way of God is the best. My prayers and hopes are granted by HIM.

Starting from a coincidence, which later became my decision.

My best friend Aldi is interested in him.

In addition to his good personality, in terms of material and age he is a figure who more than meets the criteria that I hope to be a companion of Grace .

Aldi admits that the reason he likes Grace is because of its simplicity.

I am happy to help her get close to Grace.

Indeed, it seems it will be difficult to remember Grace who despite being 26 years old is still rigid and awkward about romance.

He has never been in a relationship with a man.

* * *

After hearing all my stories and brief introductions to Grace that night, Aldi moved closer to Grace.

He often visited the restaurant that I entrusted to Grace to manage.

I don't want Grace working somewhere out of reach . At least this is what I can do as a form of thanks for helping me get through and accompanying me in the difficult times first.

At first Grace refused when I said Aldi's intention to establish closeness with him.

He even suspected me if I did this because of discomfort after he refused to marry me.

But because of the persistence of Aldi who did not want to give up just like that, Grace eventually collapsed when Aldi said he would accept Edo as Grace had considered it all along.

Three months went by with Aldi visiting Grace as the restaurant hours closed.

The man tirelessly brought anything for Grace as a form of concern.

And in the next six months, Aldi officially proposed to him.

They are engaged and will be getting married in the next six months.

It was a condition of Grace, who still needed time to solidify her heart towards marriage.

Everyone welcomed the joy of the news. Same with me and Edo.

Only, slowly the relief gradually dissolved and turned into a heart-wrenching pain.

Every day even every second I pass, it feels hard to remember if their wedding day is getting closer .

* * *

Rain on sunday .

I don't know why since morning I wanted to go to Noya's grave.

Yeah, I haven't been there in a long time.

Even though it rained, I decided to take a nyekar.

Edo is at Grace's house.

The funeral gate is in sight, but because of the street that muddy car I parked a bit away.

Under the umbrella that my right hand was holding, I stepped slowly.

Noya's tomb is at the end of it, covered in a flowerbed that is about the size of an adult.

When it was getting closer, a faint figure was seen kneeling in front of the headstone displayed a photo of my late wife.

" Grace "my steps stopped.

Grace sat in a drenched state while holding the head of the tombstone.

" i don't know if this is right or wrong "the faint Grace sound makes me reflex to infiltrate the flower beds .

Although not worth the taste, but the turmoil wanted to know pushed me to hide to hear what he said.

Suddenly the rain stopped. The less fall and slowly become drizzle.

I closed my umbrella slowly.

" sorry, brother "

It was heard again accompanied by a drizzling sound that was not so noisy. I can hear it clearly too.

'' I like your husband ''

' deg' the rumbling sounds in the sky were earthy with those in my heart.

" he likes me ? "

" when I was about to marry Aldi, but still, my heart felt nothing when I was with him.

I just feel pounding when I'm near Eldric's brother "

" he loves me ? since when? "

" Wedding is a lifetime.

And I'm afraid I'll regret it later.

What if I keep this taste even though Aldi's wife is already established?

He was silent for a long time until I heard the sound of footsteps indicating that he was done and ready to leave.

" sister Eldric ?" he looked so surprised to see me emerging from behind the lush flowers.

For a moment we were silent and looked at each other.

" why, Grace ?"

" ... " Grace tried to shut up with trembling lips.

From his expression, he must have guessed if I heard what he just said earlier.

" yes, I heard everything, Grace.

So you like me ? "

" ... "

" why, Grace ? Why didn't you say ?

Why should you be a sniper ? You know that I like you too and have the same taste as you "

" ... "

" are you still in doubt ? "

" ... "

" speak, Grace. Don't be quiet like this.

Say it like you said.

Before it's too late "

" sorry, sis. I can't. I'm.."

" do you feel guilty for Noya? ''

''... ''

'' if he could talk, he wouldn't mind Grace "

" excuse me, brother. It's a pity for Edo that I've been gone too long "Grace has taken a step and almost passed me.

" i love you, Grace" I said, making Grace stop. But he was ready to continue his steps.

" I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU, GRACE "

Grace turned. Her tears started to flow.

" you are crazy !!! " he said tears.

Her face was red as if she was holding something back . The two hands on his side also clenched tightly.

" Aldi" I said when I saw my best friend standing not far from where we stood.

I don't know since when, or why I didn't realize that there was anyone other than us in this place.

Aldi stared alternately at me and his future wife.

It turns out Grace didn't come alone. And just like me, Aldi parked his car away from the cemetery and I didn't notice it at all.

Aldi was asked to wait, but it was felt that Grace had been too long, he also went to follow. That's when he accidentally saw me and Grace, and heard it all.

" you love her ? "asked Aldi throwing a glance from Grace at me .

...

" when since ? " his question again was somehow intended for whom. Because my feelings and Grace have both known.

" then ? If you love her why did you match me with her ?

And you're Grace, if you're aware of how you feel about Aldi, why did you accept my proposal ?

Are you guys playing me on purpose ?"

...

" if I don't know and stay married to Grace, while her heart is yours, do you think I'll be happy ? "

I'm bowed. This should be a secret that he should not know. But - - -

" if I end everything now, then the wedding preparations that have been in sight must be canceled.

Then my good name, my parents and my extended family are at stake.

And after that, are you going to get married ?

Will you live happily on top of my suffering ? "

Grace and I were both flirting. None of us spoke up, let alone defended.

" well, I'll look forward to it. Will I see if you guys till the heart will do it ? "

Aldi turned. Stepping away leaves me and Grace who don't know what to do.

" let's get out of here, Grace.

Let me drive you home "my word goes first and Grace follows.

As I was about to enter the car, I saw Aldi standing next to his car there.

She looked at me and Grace with a cold look. After that, he got into the car and passed first.

* * *

The next day, I got word that Aldi had decided on his wedding plans and Grace .

Even though there is only one week left, the event will be held, and the preparations have been 95% completed.

Grace did not do or say anything when she was showered with questions from her extended family.

Likewise with me who also did not escape the target of their slurs.

I tried calling Aldi, but the number was off or maybe I blocked him.

Then I went to his house which was empty.

And I visited one by one the homes of his relatives and family, especially the home of his parents

But they did not know what the problem was until Aldi decided not to marry Grace. Even Aldi's whereabouts they don't know.

A month has passed since then. The last news I finally know is that Aldi is in Germany to watch a world-class automotive exhibition.

Yeah, he's gonna need some time to calm down.

Same with me and Grace.

We agreed not to discuss it, and try to live life as usual, as before, and act like nothing happened.

Year passed.

As if endless, again in the morning trials came to my life.

My son finally gave up his fight. God seems to love him more.

Edo died after three months in a coma.

Though I was his father, but Gracelah was the one who was hardest hit by Edo's departure.

Even when Noya died first, he didn't get to this.

Grace was hysterical, crying and fainting many times.

That's when Aldi again showed himself by attending Edo's funeral.

The face and appearance look tangled, the way of dress that is usually neat and dapper also looks messy.

He greeted me while expressing condolences . Although we felt awkward, we tried to act like we used to and put aside the things that have made our relationship for a year this stretch.

He approached Grace and asked her to speak.

But Grace asked me to accompany her. He doesn't want to be alone with Aldi.

" you guys" he said looking at me and Grace in turn.

His expression looks uncomfortable.

Grace and I are both still flinching. I lyrics Grace whose face is swollen, her eyes are red because she continues to cry endlessly.

" i thought you guys - "

" if we wanted to, we would have done it a long time ago.

Long before we knew.

But because of circumstances, conditions and many other considerations, we cannot and cannot do it .

And trap you in it.

It's all my fault that I can't be firm on my own feelings. I was too afraid to admit my feelings for her.

Because I don't want to be just an escape.

I'm not ready if I'm just going to sign my brother's successor who died "

" sorry "Aldi sounds sincerely sorry.

" i'm the one here who should apologize.

Forgive me for being dishonest and for giving you hope .

I'm sorry I hurt you "

Be quiet for a while. Aldi bowed. He seems really sorry.

" if you are burdened by my words at that time, then I withdraw all my words .

I have misunderstood. I know nothing and have told you nothing.

Please, do what you want.

Don't worry and feel uncomfortable with me.

Instead I will feel very guilty and sinful because it has become a barrier to your relationship "

" you were wrong, from the beginning of our relationship was not intertwined because I could not convince myself to accept my brother-in-law .

I can't think of him as a man "

"but now is there nothing that will be a barrier between you ? "

....

" i hope you can continue "

" it's not that easy, Al.

I still need time. And I don't know how long I'll be absolutely sure that our relationship won't be a mistake . Because I don't want to end up in failure.

Thank you for understanding and understanding my situation.

I hope you can find your happiness "

What Grace said was true. It's not that easy to do that . Because establishing a relationship, especially for a marriage, is not enough if you only rely on love.

We must be able to commit, strengthen our stance, strengthen our hearts and minds and confirm what we will live together.

Grace and I no longer close our hearts. But we can't just go to the next stage either.

We need a process, it takes time to get to know each other and understand each other.

Let time answer, to the point where faith will take us.

📍 finished 📍

Hayo, in-like yes

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