REDAMANCY - Love's Timeless Path

45th Note

The ambiance of this apartment remained a constant embrace of warmth; its dim lights that cast a gentle glow, the hues were dancing along the walls like whispers of comfort, the air was carrying a delightful blend of cinnamon and sandalwood, and the melodic tunes that greeted me upon arrival all contributed to a welcoming embrace that I often found myself yearning for during the cold, harsh hours of work. It was this warmth, this sanctuary, that always pulled me back home, even if it meant braving the bustling streets of Jakarta.

I could vividly recall the moment when Haira proudly unveiled her newly installed smart home system in her apartment, or when she purchased an array of exquisite reed diffusers from an MSME exhibition hosted by one of the state-owned banks at Jakarta Convention Center.

In fact, those memories brought me back to the night when I finally agreed to Haira's request to break off our engagement. It was still lingering clearly in my memory, as clear as when this middle-aged man before me handed me a cup of steaming tea.

My eyes caught the remains of the swirl from the spoon on the tea surface inside my cup, and I merely muttered thank you before rubbing my puffy eyes from sobbing earlier.

"Are you alright?" His friendly, deep voice, which resonated in a comforting manner, seemed to soothe my frayed nerves. I nodded slowly before taking a sip of the tea he had offered, finally being able to gather myself and regain my composure. "Care to share why you were crying?" The voice continued, yet there was an underlying curiosity, a desire to understand.

I stared at his face. For a moment, I almost forgot that the person before me was Danu Darmana, the owner of Darmana Corporation, who was often criticized by his employees for his strict demeanor. Yet, in that moment, he appeared as the same fatherly figure I had encountered two years ago when seeking his permission to propose to his only daughter.

"I'm sorry, Pa."

He chuckled softly. "If you don't tell me, how can I decide whether to forgive you or not, Nak?"

Nervously, I twiddled my fingers on my lap. I was unsure of how to tell him. But his reassuring gaze encouraged me as the truth escaped from my lips.

"Haira asked to call off our engagement, Pa."

Surprise flickered across his face before he asked, "Are you complying with her wishes?"

I nodded firmly. There was not the slightest doubt in my answer.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips. "What were you doing to make her ask for such unreasonable things?"

I felt a sudden tension creeping into my shoulders.

"I made a mistake. I failed to maintain her trust. Even though in the end this was just a misunderstanding and I didn't cheat, maybe for Haira my mistake this time was fatal."

His eyes widened. "You? Having an affair? Impossible." I could sense a hint of disbelief in his tone. "I know how devoted you are to her. There must be a misunderstanding."

As he gently patted my hand, I looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

"Did you grant her wishes because of my request when I gave you my permission to propose to her?"

I nodded slowly while wiping my tears that fell without permission.

He held my hand.

"Thank you for loving Haira so much." I could feel his grip tightening on my hand. "You don't have to worry."

I was taken aback before meeting his gaze again, trying to comprehend his words.

"Haira still wears your ring. She hasn't taken it off."

I gasped.

"Sorry, I didn't think my request at that time could give you a burden like this."

"No, Pa, I'm fine." I hurriedly shook my head, reassuring the man in front of me. "This is proof that I really want to fulfill my promise to you because I know you will also really love Haira and won't want your only child to be sad."

A faint smile graced his face as he gradually released my hands before sipping his tea.

"I see your genuine love for Haira. And after this revelation, I'm more convinced of your sincerity," he stated.

I cleared my throat, feeling a mix of emotions. "My parents are furious upon knowing about this matter." I chuckled softly. This was the first time I could feel the urgency to laugh.

He waved it off. "I'll talk to them later. I can already imagine Juli's anger." He shuddered, picturing his friend expressing her anger to me.

We sat in comfortable silence for a beat, and with a half-empty cup of tea on the table between us, the steam wafted around like a fog.

"I didn't mean to cause you trouble, Nak." His voice was low and rumbling, a quality I always found strangely comforting.

He set his cup down, the clink echoing in the quiet. "Giving in isn't weakness," he said, his gaze fixed on the city lights that glowed like a sea of colors. "There's a difference between giving in and giving up."

A gentle smile played on his lips. "You learn about the other person, their values, and their dreams. You fight for the things that matter — the core of who you are as a couple. The rest, you learn to let go." He patted his thigh while letting out a soft sigh. "You need to know how proud I am of you. It takes a huge amount of strength to admit you might be wrong and to swallow your pride for the sake of someone you love. It's about compromise, about finding ways to meet each other halfway."

Again, I could only nod, his words resonating deeply within me.

"I've known Haira longer than you." He trailed off his words. "It's better for you to give her some time for now. You know she hates being pestered when she's annoyed and needs some time alone, right?"

I laughed, this time, a genuine chuckle escaping my lips. "Definitely. She hates it with a fiery passion."

A comfortable silence settled between us, and his words echoed in my mind. Maybe giving in wasn't weakness, but a different kind of strength altogether. The strength to put your partner's needs before your ego and to choose love over pride.

And so, as the night drew to a close and the comforting glow of the apartment enveloped us, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude.

"Thanks, Pa," I finally said, my voice thick with emotion. "I think I needed to hear that. It doesn't seem fair, though," I admitted, taking another sip of tea. "But I think I deserve it."

His other eye crinkled at the corner when he smiled again. But a few seconds later, I could see his eyes widen; a flicker of concern crossed his features momentarily, more at himself.

"Did I tell you already?" There was a note of anticipation in his voice.

I tilted my head as curiosity piqued my mind. "Tell me what?"

"Haira is heading to Maryland."