AGREEING TO RISTA'S REQUEST

"I am really sad because Rista's health is getting worse. The doctor had already diagnosed that she would not last longer than three months," Kefirah answered. Impossible if she told the truth to her lover.

"I am sorry, honey. I want to hug you but I am here. I can only hope you stay strong there. If you need a longer leave, I will take care of your work. There's no need to worry about that!" Manuel said.

Manuel was very sincerely in love with Kefirah. Since the first time he never touched the woman even though in their country there was no prohibition to live together and have sex freely.

"Thank you, El. I feel so tired now. I really wanted to hug you." Kefirah's tears fell again. In front of Manuel she was always comfortable expressing all her feelings. Manuel's presence six years ago in Kefirah's life was a blessing to be grateful for.

"I promise to finish all my work. When everything's settled, I will visit you there. I miss you so much, honey. Soon I will tell your father and sister about our wedding plans. I won't leave you alone like this again." Manuel tried to calm his lover who was depressed.

"Wedding?" Kefirah's heart ached to hear that word. A party she had always dreamed of and becoming the bride of Manuel DC would make her happy. Would that dream come true after an unreasonable request from her sister?

***

In the office, Levi rested his forehead with both hands. All the files on the table were not touched at all. Levi was dizzy thinking about his household problems.

"What happened? you seem unwell, sir" John, Levi's personal assistant, asked after going back and forth to the room giving files to be signed, but his boss had yet to act.

"It's none of your business! Do not disturb me! Get out from my room!" Levi banished John who did not know anything. Levi was more depressed because of the presence and questions from his assistant. Levi could not think rationally. Kefirah's face that appeared in his mind was getting him crazier.

"Argh! Why her?" Levi's anger exploded until all the files on the table fell under the table. John, who had not gotten out yet, must immediately clean up the mess. These papers were important documents.

"I'd better save these files first. It is not the right time to disturb Mr. Levi," John said in his heart.

***

Three days passed. Rista's health condition was getting worse. Today Kefirah walked faster to her car. She had to go to the hospital because she received news that her sister was having a seizure.

Arriving at the hospital, Kefirah left the parking lot and ran faster to the room where her sister was being treated.

"What happened?" she asked when Levi, Taylor, and his father's personal nurse were standing in the front of the room.

"Your sister is convulsing. The medics are doing their best," Taylor said. The half-century old man was supposed to be resting at home but he had to face his eldest daughter who was struggling.

"Oh Lord! Why is she having convulsions?" Kefirah asked, but the smack she got from Levi.

"Don't pretend to think about my wife! You haven't seen her for three days. You only think about yourself," Levi said in anger. Anxiety, fear, and sadness mixed, and it made Levi's emotions explode.

Kefirah did not answer. Everything Levi said was true. Since Rista asked her to marry Levi, the woman never saw her sister again.

"Ke, can you rethink Rista's request?" Taylor's voice filled her youngest daughter's ears.

There was no answer from Kefirah. Why her? That was what had been occupying her and Levi's minds since three days ago.

***

Rista's critical period had passed but the doctor had explained that it would happen more often. Taylor ushered her youngest daughter and son-in-law into the room.

Levi immediately sat near Rista. He hugged his wife and gave her many kisses. "Don't scare me like this!" Levi said. Tears could not stop flowing from his eyes.

Kefirah saw it all. Nobody knew what she was thinking. After a few minutes of silence, Kefirah finally spoke. "Sister," she called softly. Rista immediately spread her arms for her sister to hug.

"Don't be sad anymore. I love you very much. Sorry for not being able to be a good sister for you. In the past, I used to support mommy and daddy to move you to Melbourne. I am afraid that Levi will be tempted by you. Turns out I was very selfish. I am so sorry, Ke," Rista said, releasing Kefirah's body from her embrace.

"Sister, I..." Kefirah's sentence was stuck. She took a deep breath before conveying what she had been thinking since yesterday. "I will take your place. I will marry Levi. I will be a mommy for Jo and Vilah," Kefirah said then she exhaled. Kefirah did not know if this was the right decision or not. Kefirah was just trying to follow her conscience.

The atmosphere in the patient's room became quiet after Kefirah revealed her decision. Levi looked at Kefirah disapprovingly. His sister-in-law made the decision without discussing it with him first. Indeed he had thought about it but in Levi's opinion, Kefirah was very presumptuous for giving an answer before asking for his opinion. He wanted to protest but circumstances did not support him. Levi did not want his wife's condition to get worse again.

"I am happy with your decision, Ke. If it's like this, I can leave all of you in peace. I entrust my husband and my children to you. I am sure you will be a good wife to Levi and a good mother to Joel and Vilah." Rista said.

Rista's words filled all the senses of her family's listeners who were gathered in the room. If Rista's daddy agreed because he thought about the fate of his two young grandchildren, it's the opposite with Levi and Kefirah. They looked at each other, lost in their own mind. Of course their hearts refused the decision.

Kefirah still loved Manuel and Levi loved Rista very much. How can they get married without love?