SECOND DESTINY

06: A HOPE

Dirga arrived at his parents' house shortly after one o'clock in the morning. He went to the pantry after cleaning himself to drink a glass of warm water, which has become his nightly ritual before going to bed.

He typed a short message for his lover while enjoying the warm water sliding down his throat.

[Me]

I'm already in Bandung.

Sleep tight, baby.

After sending the short message, Dirga looked at the photo of himself and Andien that he had taken. The corners of his lips rose when he realized that his meeting with his first love was not just a dream.

"Your girlfriend, boy?"

"Geez! Mama! You simply surprise me!"

Dirga then instinctively turned off his cellphone.

"Why is it switched off? Can't I see her photo?"

"Ma, please take a seat first. Do you want a cup of tea?"

"Just give me a glass of warm water, son."

Dirga stood up, took a glass of warm water for his beloved mother, Anggita, and returned to the dining table to sit beside her.

"What time are you coming back, son?"

"Around one o'clock, Ma... I'm taking Nisa home first."

Dirga paused, waiting for his mother to take a sip of the warm water he had brought her.

"May I ask you a question, Ma?"

Anggita nodded as she looked at her son.

"It's about Andien, Ma. In the past, when you intended to propose to her, who do you want her for? For me or Irgi?"

Dirga's mother locked her gaze on her son, terrified that what had happened years before would happen again because of a single name, Andien.

"I'm fine, Ma..." Dirga seemed to understand his mother's concern.

"I want her for you, son," Anggita replied briefly.

"I'm sorry, son," she said.

"You're not mistaken, Ma... I understand; you couldn't have proposed to Andien at the time because we were still too young, even students. After all, it's my fault, I've never expressed my feelings," Dirga responded.

"Of my four children, you are the most secretive. After all, a mother's heart must be aware of her child's condition. I was also mistaken; at the time, I realized there was someone you were looking for, or perhaps you were fighting for. But I was expecting you to open up, despite the fact that I know your nature is like a closed book. Shouldn't I have inquired right?

"I just hope that as you grow older, your heart will be able to open up even more. Please stop being sad, son. Please accept my apologies."

The old pair of eyes welled up with tears once more.

Dirga was touched and hugged his mother, gently rubbing her back.

"I've never blamed you once. Even if someone is to blame, it is entirely my fault. But, Ma, when I think about it, it's God who created this scenario...

"If I first confessed my feelings, then, in the end, we drifted apart, I don't think we can have a long-distance relationship like that.

"If we had broken up in the past, I'm not sure I could repair our relationship if the chance arises again.

"Or maybe I'll be more hurt when she doesn't have a match with me.

"So don't blame yourself, Mama."

He let go of his arm. Pause for a moment. Wiping the tears that had fallen down Anggita's cheeks.

"Earlier, I met Andien, Ma..."

Anggita's eyes were wide with surprise.

"Are you okay, son?"

"I'm fine, Mom." Dirga laughed.

"By chance?"

"Ian told me three months ago that he met Andien. Ian's cousin married the niece of Andien's cousin. They met at the engagement. At the event, Ian spent a lot of time chatting with Andien.

"Ian contacted me after the event. He informed me that Andien is now a single mother. Finally, I requested an invitation from him so that I could meet Andien.

"And it turns out that the bride's parents are Ari's college friends, which I found this morning when I went to Nisa's house and saw the same invitation. Nisa finally came with me because Ari had cito surgery today. I ran into Andien again at the reception."

"How is Andien doing?"

Dirga gave a nod "Ma, as I previously stated, she is a single mother. With three children. Even her children are still young. The smallest child is only two years old."

"Oh my goodness. What happened?"

"Her husband is no longer alive, Ma."

His mother remained silent, staring intently into her son's dark eyes. His hands clasped Dirga's hands.

"Do you want to try again?" the mother inquired.

"I will, Mom. Will you give me your blessing?"

"Can you accept Andien's situation? Especially with three children, you have to love too."

"Do you remember my condition? Mom, the presence of these children is like an extra gift from God..."

"Anything that will make my child happy will have my full support. I haven't even heard of you dating anyone since your divorce five years ago. To be honest, I'm concerned, son. So, if you want Andien, give it a shot. I will not interfere with your relationship. May God ease your burden, son."

Dirga warmly embraced his mother once more, thanking her without words for all of her help. He chose to live alone five years after his divorce, and Anggita never bothered him once. Even when family, relatives, and other people inquire about his widower's status, Anggita respects her son's decision to live alone. Anggita understands that there is a story behind Dirga's divorce, which caused trauma for her third son, and that only time and God's permission can open Dirga's heart again.

"Excuse me. Good afternoon, El. Are you alone, son?" said Dirga warmly as soon as he was right in front of Andien's open door.

Eldra, Andien's first son, who was busy playing with his PS stick immediately turned his head when he heard Dirga's voice.

"Uncle Dirga!" he exclaimed as he put the PS stick on the sofa where he was sitting and went to Dirga to shake the man's hand.

"You haven't answered my greetings yet."

"Hi Uncle, good afternoon for you too," said Eldra.

"May I come in?"

"Yes, you can, Uncle."

"Why is it so quiet, El? Where's your mother?" asked Dirga when he checked the condition of the house and found that only El was there.

"They're going to buy some bread and Nutella. Anne was in tears because she had run out of bread "El replied innocently.

"Oh!"

Dirga sat on the sofa next to El, watching the game being played by his lover's eldest son. The two of them chatted while playing together. A few moments later, the sound of a motorcycle entering the house's garage was heard.

Dirga paused his video game and made his way to the main entrance. He knelt when he saw Andien's two little princesses. His corner lips lifted, forming a perfect curve.

"Good afternoon, Anne, Cantika."

"Good afternoon, Uncle," Andien and Sanah replied.

Cantika then dashed into Dirga's arms, tightly clutching the man in her small hands.

"Daddy!" she said.

He chuckled as he rubbed the little girl's head.

Anne approached Dirga and extended her hand to shake his.

"Where do you come from, sweetie?" Dirga inquired of the young lady with hazel eyes and wavy hair. Dirga was reminded of the little Andien he admired so much by her face.

"Buy some bread, Uncle."

"Chocolate bread!" chirps Cantika.

"I also brought pizza you know."

Cantika bolted from Dirga as soon as she heard the word pizza, bursting into the house in search of interesting objects to taste or even toss around.

"Do you like pizza?" Dirga asked Anne again.

"I like it, Uncle," the little girl said with a nod.

"Let's eat together," he said as he took Anne's hand in his and walked into the house.

Andien smiled on the other side, not far from the two, seeing Dirga's closeness to her daughters. Obviously, the guy was making an effort.

Andien entered the kitchen, set down her shopping, brewed a cup of tea and a warm latte, and carried it to the center of the crowd.

Dirga couldn't help but smile when he saw Andien approaching.

"Ugh, I wasn't even greeted!" Andien chuckled as she approached Dirga, placing her treat on the coffee table in front of them.

Dirga reached for Andien's ear. "Hi, baby!" he said softly, kissing Andien's earlobe and the top of her head. His girlfriend has the sweetest smile on her face.

'That's really sweet,' Andien thought.

"Have a drink, baby," Andien said.

Dirga nodded and sipped the milk coffee in front of him.

"How long have you been here?" Andien inquired of Dirga.

"A half-hour. While I wait for you, I'm playing PS3 with El."

"I see. The bread had run out, and Anne was crying. I mean, it was finished because Cantika messed it up!"

Dirga laughed as he imagined the incident.

"Daddy, aaa..." the little girl said again as she shoved food into Dirga's mouth. And, of course, the man was delighted to welcome her.

"Yummy!" exclaimed Dirga.

"Yummy!" exclaimed the little girl after Dirga kissed the top of her head.

Andien stroked Cantika's head, who was now sitting quietly on Dirga's lap, eating her slice of pizza.

"I'm sorry, Cantika still refers to you as Daddy."

"Why are you apologizing? That's fine with me; I need to practice anyway."

"What kind of practice?"

"Practice being a father to your children."

Andien gasped. She simply did not respond.

Dirga looked at Andien closely and smiled meaningfully as he realized she was silent.

"Please don't make my speech a burden."

"What do you mean by "burden"? It is true that you will become a father one day."

"That's it!"

"Baby!"

"I'm going to be El, Anne, and Cantika's father," Dirga stated emphatically.

Andien fell silent once more.

"Someday, baby. When you're ready to let me into your heart." Dirga spoke softly, but with a firmness in his voice, as if he didn't want to mess up their current relationship.

Andien is still silent. Touched at the same time. She's feeling touched by Dirga's behavior when interacting with her three angels. There is not the slightest compulsion. Even her three children look so comfortable interacting and joking with her boyfriend.

'God, can I still hope?' Andien thought.