The Estuary of Desire Baruna
Eps. #83 Is Love a Mistake?

The sun was still emitting its rays very scorching. Even though it was late afternoon, but the heat still felt enveloping the entire city.

"Here, please drink the coffee, Bang!"

Pearl presents a cup of coffee for Arkha who was sitting lazing on the main terrace of his house.

That day was Sunday. Arkha did not go to work and chose not to go anywhere, staying at home with his wife.

"Thank you, dear." Arkha shifted his seat and made room for his wife to sit next to him.

"Today, our house feels lonely again huh, Bang? Arnav has returned to France and Mama Yuna has also returned to Singapore. Though the taste of my kangen has not been fully treated on them," complained Pearl while leaning her head on her husband's shoulder.

"Patience, Ra! After finishing her honeymoon, Baruna and Flo also came home soon. When they come back, I'm sure you won't feel lonely anymore, because they'll always be with us" Arkha comforted as she rubbed his wife's shoulders.

"Yes, Bang. I am so happy to see their happiness. Ever since Flo was present in Baruna's life, I could feel the maturity in her. Our son looks more excited and I'm sure that Baruna really loves Flo. I hope they will be like that forever."

"Of course, honey. The nature of Baruna is not much different from me. When he's in love with a woman, he'll always take care of his feelings for a lifetime" Arkha said, smiling sweetly at his wife's face.

The pearls smiled. During this journey their love also goes very sweet. Both Arkha and Mutiara both keep each other's loyalty and the wholeness of love, so their relationship remains warm even though they have lived together for decades.

"Hopefully Flo can get pregnant again soon huh, Bang. I can't wait to have a grandchild" said Mutiara. "Yes, Honey. I've also missed the presence of another baby in this house." Arkha stroked his wife's head gently and kissed her forehead affectionately.

"Sore, Mom! Afternoon, Pa!"

Ardila's greeting sounded shrill. He had just descended from his room and directly met Arkha with the Pearls on the terrace.

Arkha frowned looking at her daughter's slightly different appearance back then. "Where are you going, Dila? Tumben's clock is this neat?" tanyanya while looking at Ardila from the tip of her hair to the tip of her foot.

That day Ardila was deliberately wearing a different outfit than usual. Blouse is plain white and long, he combined with short mini jeans, but both legs remain covered in leggings and sneakers that leave a slightly sporty impression.

"Hmm .. I want permission to go out for a minute, Pa. Diaz took me for a walk to the Automotive Expo that was being held at a Convention Center in the city center," replied Ardila as well as asking permission from both parents.

"You want to go together, Diaz?!" asked Pearl with one of her narrowed eyes.

"Yes, Ma. I want Diaz to look at the latest automotive trends there. Perhaps there is something that can be prestigious to complete the workshop," replied Ardila regardless of Pearl who seemed hesitant, when she said she would go with Diaz.

"Excuse me! Good afternoon everyone!"

At the same time, a man's greeting was also heard interrupting.

Arkha, Mutiara and Ardila all smiled as they saw who was approaching them.

"Hey... Diaz! How are you doing?"

Arkha stood up from his seat and approached Diaz, shaking hands and patting her on the shoulder.

"Good news, Om," said Diaz, immediately kissing the back of Arkha's hand and Pearl alternately.

Without much further ado, Diaz immediately explained her purpose in coming to the house to Arkha. As Ardila had said earlier, Diaz asked Arkha and Pearl for permission to take Ardila out that afternoon.

After the death of Ardila and Diaz, the Pearl rested her head on Arkha's shoulders.

"Maybe it is. I've also heard that the two of them used to date," said Arkha not too surprised by their closeness.

"If it turns out that they love each other, then will we bless their relationship, Bang? Although Ardila is biologically not our flesh and blood, from childhood we have considered him as our child. Dila has also gotten the last name of this family since she was born," looks like a pearl.

"Hmmm ... " Arkha frowning. "For so long we have never forbidden our children to choose their own future companion, dear. I also don't know whether to forbid or condone their relationship." Arkha rubbed his forehead. At that time he could not think of what he would do if it turned out that Ardila and Diaz really loved each other in a condition that everyone knew that they were brothers-in-law, he said, baruna and Flo are married.

****

The day has changed night. Ardila and Diaz have just exited a convention building, where a major automotive exhibition is held annually there.

On top of the slow-moving car, happy smiles seemed to always adorn the lips of Ardila and Diaz. Both of them were satisfied enough to go through time together that afternoon so they could both find something that increased their endorphins.

"Before I drive you home, do you want to accompany me to dinner first, Dila? My stomach is hungry, I haven't eaten in the afternoon" said Diaz, hoping that Ardila would accept her offer to have dinner that night.

"Can. I am also hungry!" sahut Ardila agrees.

Diaz then drove his car to a restaurant not far from the convention building and began ordering some types of seafood at the restaurant that was always crowded with visitors.

The two chose a fairly private seat in the corner of the room non smoking area, and their familiar conversation continued there. Occasionally laughter rang out between them, Diaz could always present a cheerful atmosphere full of jokes with various kinds of ridiculousness. Ardila also seemed to enjoy their walk that afternoon.

"Dila, can I ask you something?" diaz asked, just after they had finished their dinner together.

"Yes, why?"

"What ... w-do you still have a little love for me, Dila?" Although a little nervous and stammered, Diaz finally asked something that was still stuck in her heart all this time.

"What do you mean, Diaz?" Ardila raised one end of her eyebrow and was a little surprised at the question Diaz was saying.

"Ee .. ma-I mean ... " Daz was silent again. "If you still love me, I want us to reconnect with our old relationship, Dila," he said bluntly.

Ardila's heart immediately thumped at Diaz's honest statement. In his heart, he also wanted the same thing, because the love for Diaz was, in fact, still stored away at the bottom of his heart.

"Don't joke, Diaz! Now we are a family. How could we possibly be in a relationship more, while you are now the sister-in-law of my sister," elak Ardila, hiding all the taste that was also mixed in her chest.

"You're not the only child in the Waradana Family, Dila. What's wrong with loving each other?"

"No, Diaz. I grew up and grew up in that family. And from birth, it says Papa Arkha is my biological father." Ardila continued to dodge. He did not dare to take Diaz seriously. He was afraid that everyone would blaspheme him when he was desperate to have more contact with Diaz.

...----------------...

Dear Loyal Reader,

This time the Author asks for advice from all readers, do you agree or can you not, if Ardila and Diaz are united? By status they are brothers-in-law. However, Ardila is biologically unrelated to the Waradana Family.

Please write down your suggestions in the comments column and help Author continue the storyline, so that Author can present a more interesting ending to this story!

Thanks and look forward to your advice!