Adoption

The sun's rays can be seen faintly because it is still on the eastern horizon and is blocked by the mist of the Wura mountains. Seen in the sky is still a visible moon that almost paled in light.

It was early in the morning, the sound of crickets and cicadas still filtering through but the villagers were already busy with their activities in the fields, going to the market, going to the river, sweeping their yard, and so on.

In the village, there is a simple house that is quite spacious and beautiful, surrounded by ornamental plants and shady trees. The house seems to have a lot of regional value, seen from the many carvings on some of its walls which are sculptures from the residents of Wura village. The house is a dream home that wants the peace of nature in simplicity.

A sixteen-year-old man at home who was busy making swords and other metal heirlooms seemed to be out of focus because he was thinking about things that made him feel guilty and ashamed. He stopped sharpening his sword then grabbed his face and headed for the fish pond in front of his house. There were colorful fish in the fish pond, but he chose to see his reflection in the water.

It crossed his mind, why did his father know who made the novel The Read Shawl Nymph and the Lost Youths? Do the male characters with tall stature, round eyes and tan skin describe him? So his father thought it was a true story? Or did someone tell him?

Odi is frustrated and feels guilty toward the girl he saw in the shower. His father was right, he and Bavi were at fault even if they only saw it for a moment and accidentally.

Odi looked up at the sky. He felt that his father was disappointed with him, so he chose to adopt another child who was the same age as his sister, Jessy. Then he gave in and looked back at the pool.

"I'm sorry God, I was wrong. Let me correct my mistake"

Then he saw a shadow in the water that drew him in for a closer look. A girl in front of the gate was seen wearing a red veil that came from a shawl that looked familiar to Odi.

Odi looked at the girl in front of him with a strange feeling. The woman looked like she was waiting for someone else behind the gate, then the old man she was afraid of, Prajo, appeared.

Odi then hid in the bushes near the pool and saw behind the bushes, that the two people entered his house after being greeted and opened by Dobe.

Odi immediately looked out the window and saw Shuu opening her hood which made Odi stunned by her beauty. Her sister Jessy also joined the banquet and was very impressed by Shuu's beauty. The four of them were talking about funny things that made Shuu's little lips part with joy. Jessy also called Shuu an angel.

After that, his sister seemed to invite Shuu to play in the back garden. Then only Dobe and Prajo were left in the room. Dobe suddenly turned his gaze to Odi who was looking out the window.

"Come in Odi, don't hide. Come here quickly and apologize!"

Odi was immediately nervous, Odi now understood why Dobe knew about the novel.

Odi came in feeling scared and worried. Just entering the living room, Odi immediately bowed and apologized to Prajo.

"I-I'm sorry sir." His voice sounded very scared and agitated.

Prajo came to Odi and patted him on the shoulder and asked him to look into his eyes.

Odi looked at Prajo and saw Prajo's hidden anger from his sharp gaze. Odi's body shook and broke out in cold sweat.

"You have to pay for it because you have also made a story about my daughter"

" I-I'll do anything sir. Please forgive me" Odi seemed resigned and felt very guilty.

Prajo immediately sat back down and told Odi to sit down.

"You have to protect her, no matter what happens and whatever your position at that time"

Odi looked clueless, but maybe that was the only way he would be forgiven, he nodded in agreement.

"You don't know now why I'm telling you to do this. But someday you'll find out that what you're doing is a sacred duty. So do your best."

Prajo immediately looked at Dobe gesturing and immediately packed his things.

"I will go first to the market with my daughter and Jessy. You and Odi will catch up after you two talk"

"Okay Master, please" replied Dobe.

Odi seemed to hear something that surprised him. It turned out that the old grandfather was the teacher of his father.

In the room lived only Dobe and Odi. Dobe said something surprising to Odi about the adoption.

"No dad, I don't want to. I can't accept it." Odi seemed unable to control his very disappointed emotions.

"You should know, if I make a story about her, it means I like her, dad, I love her"

"!"

"I admit I did it wrong but don't make a decision that will affect my future and I will lose the one I love, I love her, dad, very much. I want to marry her in the future"

Dobe looked at his son looking worried.

"You can't marry her son, trust me"

"No!" Odi suddenly cut off Dobe's words.

"Dad said that because you was going to adopt her as a child. Let me adopt her to be my wife later."

Dobe is confused about how to explain so that Odi understands that they can never get married.

"Then? Do you think she wants to be with the person who abused her? Wouldn't it be depressing for her to be with the person who did that to her?"

Odi paused for a moment when he heard that. His heart immediately felt as if what his father said was true and that made his heartache.

"If you love her, isn't making her comfortable and happy is the highest love? See how she responds to you if you say you like her"

Odi froze unable to say anything.

Maybe I better confirm it. He muttered.

"Give me 7 days dad, I will make sure I will accept it or stick to my choice"

Dobe thought for a moment, the time that Dobe asked for was exactly the time that Prajo would tell Shuu about Shuu's adoption and identity. Currently, Prajo has not said anything to Shuu because he wants Shuu to adapt first to the Dobe family and also to the people of Wura village. Maybe giving Odi time is the right thing so that Odi also takes the right steps.

"Okay," replied Dobe.

Odi looked a little relieved he immediately stood up from his seat and went out of the room.

"Don't forget to go to the market, we will wait for you there" continued Dobe who saw Odi in a hurry to leave the room.

Odi immediately rushed to Bavi's house, he cut his way through the rice fields. The people in the fields who were working called Odi to say hello but Odi didn't respond and kept running in a hurry. Odi seems to want to say this confusing and hurtful thing to Bavi.

Arriving at Bavi's house, he saw Bavi carving crafts and several statues in his yard.

Odi tries to summon Bavi from outside the wooden fence. Bavi looked to where the voice came from. Then Bavi looked worried and gestured not to make any noise.

Bavi glanced in front of his garden and saw his father was cutting the grass. Bavi seemed unable to leave where he was sitting.

"What are you doing here so early? You look a mess" Bavi made a face and put her hands in her seat looking at Odi with puffy eyes and messy hair.

"There's something I want to say. What are you doing? You look like you've been crying. You look confused too."

Bavi snorted resignedly as if to complain. Suddenly Bavi's father came to Odi to the gate with his hands on his hips.

"Bavi is busy today, he will be punished for a month because he and his friend have dared to peek at a daughter in the shower" Greeted a man with a very thick mustache, tall and fat.

Odi looked scared to hear Mr. Bovi say that.

From behind Mr. Bovi's body, Bavi made a gesture.

"I'm sorry, go now so you can be saved. If you don't leave soon he will kill you with his magic"

Odi looked scared to hear his friend's warning. He knew that all this time Mr. Bovi had been a strict and fierce person.

"S-sir, it seems I have disturbed you, I will come again later" Odi replied as he quickly asked for permission to leave.

Odi immediately left disappointed and headed towards the market. Odi felt that nothing could help him at this time. He had to fend for himself with his choice. Approach Shuu and confess his love.

"Yes, I have to fight" he concluded before he left running again towards the direction his idol was.