RISTA'S REQUEST

"Don't yell at my sister!" Kefirah became angry when her brother-in-law's voice was deafening.

"Rista always talks about death. Now she is asking you to take her place. Do you think I will stay silent if my wife speaks carelessly?" Levi's eyes held the clear liquid from spilling from his eyeballs. The rumbling in Levi's heart overflowed so that anger overtook him.

"Why are you so angry? You should be able to calm down and listen to everything Rista says!" Kefirah replied to Levi's yell. The debate between them made Taylor impatient and the grown man screamed.

"Stop!" Taylor's old voice was heard. Of course, everyone fell silent. "You fight in front of sick people? Do you have brains or not?" Taylor still asked in a high voice.

"Sorry, Dad, but…." Kefirah wanted to talk but Rista's voice cut her words.

"Dad," Rista called softly.

"Yes, sweety. Daddy is here. Do you need anything?" Taylor asked. The anger suddenly dissipated when it was her eldest daughter who spoke.

"May I continue my request?" Rista asked quietly. Pain started to spread throughout her body but Rista had to convey it before she could not do anything.

"You better rest, honey. You are on chemotherapy. Your body must be very tired," Taylor coaxed but Rista did not want to obey him.

"I have to say it now, Dad. I don't have time anymore."

Taylor saw his younger daughter and son-in-law then they signaled to each other so that Rista was given the opportunity to convey her wishes.

"Yes, honey. You can continue. Come on! What do you want to say?" Taylor asked softly.

Rista saw Levi's face. She held her husband's hand with a sad but pleading look. Rista hoped her man would grant her wish.

"Please listen to my words! I love you so much but my time won't be long. I just want you and our two children to be happy. For that, marry Kefirah after I have returned to the Great Father's house."

Cess! Levi's heart fell. How could he marry his own sister-in-law?

"Sister! Don't talk carelessly!" Kefirah's voice boomed through the room. She really did not accept Rista's request. That was too ridiculous. "Do you think you can rule my life? During this time I always give up about many things. You never listen to me. Do you think I am a doll?" Kefirah's tears fell. She got up from the edge of the bed and left the room without taking permission.

Kefirah went fastly. Tears did not stop flowing from the corners of her eyes and made everyone saw her. There must be a lot of people in the park. For that, the quietest place was the top floor. Kefirah wanted to calm down there.

"How dare she make unreasonable requests. Rista always thinks I am a doll! Since I was little I gave in too much. Now, I have the right to determine who is the most suitable husband for me. Manuel is the one." Kefirah clenched her fists. She hit the iron fence she happened to be holding.

***

In the patient's room, Levi was still looking at his wife's face intensely. Meanwhile Taylor, his personal nurse, had brought him home because he had to rest a lot.

"Don't look at me like that!" Rista banned her husband. Levi's sharp gaze seemed to intimidate her.

"Are you sure about that request?" Levi asked again to confirm. After his heart calmed down, he tried to speak softly. He knew that his wife's age would not be long, considering the doctor's explanation that the cancer had spread throughout Rista's body.

"Very sure. I have been thinking about this for a very long time."

"But honey, Ke and I don't love each other. Moreover, you know her so well. Since that incident, Ke had hated me so much. She didn't want to see my face. How could we possibly get married?" Levi was still trying to convince his wife that the request was something wrong.

"I am sure you and Kefirah can love each other. Love can appear if you and Kefira meet often. Eight years ago it was just a misunderstanding. Jo and Vilah need a mother's love. Kefirah can definitely take care of them." Rista was immovable. The woman was absolutely sure of her request.

"How should I convince you? Kefirah and I can't possibly get married, honey." It felt like Levi wanted to squeeze his wife's shoulders, but he could not.

"You don't have to convince me. All you have to do is melt Kefira. I am sure that you and her can be a happy family."

"Argh!" Levi waved his hands up in anger. It was really hard to believe. It was better for him to marry another woman than Kefirah. Both of them had embarrassing experiences in the past.

"Please, honey. I beg you to marry her," Rista pleaded with clasped hands and teary eyes.

"This was really hard to believe. I better pick up the kids now. It's hard to explain to my very stubborn wife."

Levi left the room. He did not look away because his wife must be crying. Levi would continue to try to make his wife realize that her request was impossible.

"I did this for you and our children. I don't want you to be lonely after I leave your side," Rista sobbed. She wiped her tears but the clear liquid did not want to stop flowing from his eyes.

***

Kefirah did not want to go home. She was not ready to meet her father and annoying brother-in-law. Kefirah would always hate Levi. The man had complicated her relationship with her family.

Kefirah stared at the ceiling of the hotel room. She wanted to rest but the thought prevented her eyes from closing. The ringing of her cell phone woke her from her daydream. Kefirah grabbed the flat object and she had deliberately placed it beside her.

"Hello," Kefirah greeted Manuel who appeared on her cell phone screen. Her heart was depressed. If she granted Rista's request, it means that she must be willing to lose Manuel. The man who had been protecting, strengthening, and comforting her. Kefirah did not want to let him go.

"What is wrong, honey? Looks like you just cried. Is everything okay?" Manuel asked anxiously. Even though he only saw Kefirah's face from the cell phone screen but the man knew that his lover had just cried.