Past Love | bluesy

38. Green Light

Suasana di ruang makan rumah Jeff dan Levana terasa hangat dan penuh kebahagiaan. Meja makan panjang terhampar dengan berbagai hidangan yang menggugah selera. Di tengah-tengah meja, ada roast turkey yang disajikan dengan sempurna, kulitnya berwarna keemasan dan renyah. Di sekelilingnya, terhampar berbagai sayuran panggang—kentang, wortel, dan bawang putih—yang harum menggoda selera. Selain itu, ada hidangan-hidangan lain seperti stuffing, saus cranberry, dan pie labu yang siap menambah kehangatan malam itu.

Jeff dan Levana duduk di ujung meja, wajah mereka berseri-seri melihat anak-anak mereka yang sudah dewasa berkumpul kembali di rumah untuk mengisi liburan. Gwen, Karine, Richie, dan Jean duduk saling berhadapan, mengobrol dan tertawa sambil melahap makanan yang ada di depan mereka. Semua terlihat begitu nyaman, seolah-olah waktu tidak pernah benar-benar memisahkan mereka.

Gwen menyandarkan punggungnya ke kursi dengan senyum lebar. "Yo Mom, you approve of Karine and Jean as a couple?"

Karine, yang duduk di sebelah Gwen menyenggolnya. Mengisyaratkan Gwen untuk diam.

"What? Y’all are total couple goals! Right Pap?" tanya Gwen meminta opini Papanya.

"Are things getting serious between you two?" tanya Jeff sambil melirik Karine dan Jean.

"Dad, Jean’s been lowkey into Karine for like five years! Isn’t it kinda obvious?" Richie menambahkan.

"Apakah itu benar Jean?"

Jean menarik nafas dalam-dalam. "To be real with you, I’ve had a thing for Karine since high school, but I never thought it was anything serious back then. I liked hanging out with Gwen, Richie, and everyone in the family too much to focus on it. But lately, she’s been hitting different—like there’s this light about her that only I can see. She’s special to me now in a way I didn’t expect."

"Woaaaaa!"

"Damn! Bro! Did you just confess in front of all of us? In front of this whole fam?! Yo, mad respect, bro!" Richie bertepuk tangan sambil menepuk-nepuk punggung Jean untuk mengapresiasi keberaniannya.

Karine yang sedang mengunyah makanannya pun menunduk tersenyum malu.

Jean melihat ke arah gadis itu, dia terkekeh saat melihat wajah salah tingkah Karine. Sangat Cantik.

Tidak heran bahwa banyak aktor, selebriti, influencer dan pria dari banyak kalangan yang menyukai Karine dan menjadikan gadis itu tipe ideal mereka. Bahkan sejak duduk di bangku sekolah, ia selalu menerima banyak surat cinta, dan sialnya surat-surat cinta tersebut selalu dititipkan pada Jean dan Richie.

"Nanti kita bicara berdua ya, Jean," ucap Jeff dengan nada suara lebih serius.

"Hayoloh Jean!"

***

Di halaman belakang rumah itu, suasana sedikit tegang, Jeff menautkan jari jemarinya, menandakan ia tengah serius, begitupun sorot matanya. Pria paruh baya itu menarik nafas dalam-dalam.

"Son, I just want to make one thing clear. My daughter means the world to me. She’s my pride, my joy, and my responsibility—and now, I’m trusting part of that responsibility to you.

It’s not about money, gifts, or fancy words. What matters is how you treat her. Never let her feel small, and never make her feel unloved. Protect her with everything you’ve got, not just from harm but from doubts, fears, and sadness. I’ve spent my life trying to make her smile, and I won’t tolerate anyone being the reason she cries.

If you know, Jean. She was born as the light of her mother’s last breath. She entered life without the shelter of parents' arms. As Richie and Karine’s parents rest in peace, I know they are watching over them, comforted by their children’s happiness. I am determined to do all that I can to keep them smiling, to protect them as fiercely as I would my own. When the time comes for Karine to find love, I won’t settle for a man who simply admires her. I want her to be with someone who will love her beyond measure, who will honor her the way she deserves.