Only Raised Children
37. His face was Foreign
When Alfian finished with his meal, then Rico ventured to speak. Rico initially hesitated to discuss this serious matter, but when he saw Alfian's positive response, Rico became more confident to continue his words.
"What if Alina and I get married soon?" she asked after making small talk about her relationship with Alina.
"Abang always supports whatever decision Alina makes if it's good. But before you decide to get married, it is better to think carefully first. The world of marriage is not the same as when you were dating. So you better think carefully about this before making a decision."
Rico confirmed the word Alfian. He did have to think carefully about this serious matter. There is a lot to be prepared and talked about for a wedding. It's not just like they're dating who just need two approvals. Here there were many people who had to be asked for his approval, one of which was both of their families.
Rico looked towards the sofa, where Alina was sleeping there. He smiled faintly at her, somehow the desire to turn Alina into his wife was getting stronger. Though what was in his head all this time was just wanting to get a lover figure who could accept him as he was. But when it was felt to have found the right figure, why exactly now he wants a relationship that is more than just dating. Is this what he wanted all along?
...**...
The Renaldi residence.
At this time Santi is seen helping her husband remove the clothes on his body. While talking about her son's relationship with Alina, Santi suddenly remembered the figure of the man who was Alina's brother, Alfian.
"Pa, Papa has met Alina's brother yet?" ask Santi.
"Yet. What's the matter, Ma?"
"So Mama met him at the apartment, Pa. Seeing her face and way of speaking, it seems like Mama is no stranger. Like someone like that," said Santi who managed to make Irfan surprised.
"Oh yeah? Who, Ma?"
Santi seemed to be thinking hard, trying to remember who the figure he felt had resemblance to Alfian. But until the husband finished cleaning the body and changed clothes Santi did not also find the answer of what he felt it.
Santi was not satisfied when what he thought had not found the answer. This day, in between her activities at home, Santi kept thinking about Alfian's figure which he believed was very similar to someone he knew.
When dinner arrived, Santi again sought answers to his son regarding Alfian's figure. Somehow he was curious about it, even though he himself never had this target about anything difficult. Even thinking about it all day.
"Co, does Abang Alina live in an apartment as well?" ask Santi.
"It doesn't seem like it, Ma. He only accompanied Alina who was sick, after that back to her house."
"He has his own house? Can't Alina stay with him?" ask Santi with her.
Irfan is just as good as his wife. If Alfian had a house in this city, then why would Alina have to find a rented house and live alone?
"Bang Fian has only been in town for a few months, Ma. Alina said, her family will move here in a few months and bang Fian is currently taking care of their residence. Maybe the house is not worth to be occupied, so he could not bear if his sister lived with him in the new half-finished house."
"Where is their home?" ask Irfan then.
"Em, if that's Rico don't know yet, Pa. Rico also did not think to ask there," said Rico.
"Bang, are you close to Alina's brother?" santi asked who was reminded of her first destination asking Rico.
"Not really, Ma. Why why?"
"No papa. Mama is just like a stranger to the face and way of talking Alina's brother. Like someone Mama knew."
He thought his wife had forgotten about their conversation earlier this afternoon, but his beloved woman was still thinking about him. He became suspicious because it was not usual for Santi to think of something until a day like this. Now Irfan also became curious about who Santi meant.
"No idea, Pa. Mama also wondered why it could be like this," said Santi who also surprised with himself.
Rico who did not know who his mother meant could only shake his head.
"Gosh, Pa!"
Irfan and Rico are shocked when they hear Santi screaming.
"Why, Ma?" ask Rico to worry.
"Pa, brother Thomas," Santi told her husband without questioning Rico.
"Thomas's? Why with?" ask Irfan confused.
"Abang Alina, Pa. He looks a lot like Thomas. Do you remember Thomas's face? Their faces are very similar, Pa. Their bus ways are almost the same."
Irfan was very surprised to hear Santi's words. Thomas's? His foster brother in the old school days? Really, he thought.
"What's your mama talking about? Why talk about Thomas?" said Irfan who was a little jealous.
"Pa, Mama's not kidding me. Alfian, Alina's brother, he looks a lot like Thomas' sister" Santi said again with excitement. Then he turned his gaze to Rico.
"Don't your dad's name Alina Thomas?" ask him expectantly.
I hope very much if Rico agrees with the question. But when he heard Rico's answer, Santi immediately relaxed his body.
"Rico doesn't know, Ma. Alina's family lives in the village and Rico hasn't seen them yet. Did Uncle Thomas whom Mama meant also live in the village?"
"Sister Thomas lives abroad" Santi said uninspiredly.
He seemed disappointed in his expectations. Though he was already very hopeful if his guess was completely correct. He misses his big brother very much. An excellent and meritorious foster sister who was in the middle of Junior High. Who always defended him when he was bullied by his friends for being too cowardly.
"Ma, stop. Why are you sad just because of Thomas? Papa is jealous, you know" said Irfan later.
He rubbed his wife's arm gently and tried to make Santi not to grieve anymore. Thomas was a very good brother to his wife. Irfan is even very jealous when Santi looks excited about discussing the figure of a Thomas. But he also understood why his wife had so much to praise Thomas for everything that had happened. He who was friends with Thomas also acknowledged the kindness of the man.
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