DON'T SHOW HIM IN FRONT OF DADDY

In the park, Kefirah still could not find the opening words to discuss her problem. She really had no heart to disappoint the man sitting behind her. Since then Kefirah rested her head on Manuel's chest. She wanted to speak but her tongue froze.

"Have you already calmed down?" Manuel asked while he brushed Kefirah's honey-colored hair with his fingers.

"I have calmed down. It's all because of you, thank you for hugging me."

Manuel chuckled hearing Kefirah's thanks. His future wife always said thank you for the little things he did.

"Next time you don't have to ask permission if you want to be hugged. Soon we will be married. You are free to hug me. I will do it every day. If we have to spend a day in the bedroom, I won't mind it," Manuel invited Kefirah to joke. His mind was still optimistic that in a few months he would officially make Kefirah as his wife.

Actually Manuel wanted to marry Kefirah faster, but it seemed impossible because his lover's family was going through a very deep sorrow.

"Are you hungry? I haven't had time to eat because I am in a hurry to get to your house," Manuel said.

Kefirah raised her head then looked at Manuel. "I want to eat with you. You have to buy all my favorite foods," Kefirah answered. There was no enthusiasm on her face yet, Manuel thought his lover must be very sad because of her sister's death.

"Of course I don't mind. You can eat whatever you want."

Kefirah took a deep breath and then let it out. "I don't think this is the right time to talk about all my problems. I also don't know whether Levi agrees with this marriage or not. We haven't discussed it yet. Better I didn't tell Manuel anything," Kefirah said in her heart. If possible she did not want to go home. Kefirah wanted to continue with Manuel, the man who loved her very much.

***

After finishing the food at the restaurant, Manuel took Kefirah to an ice cream shop. Sweet food had been proven to calm the mind, that's why Manuel brought his woman there.

"Eat!" Manuel said after giving Kefirah a medium size ice cream with three flavors

"Thank you, El." Kefirah accepted it but she still refused to eat it. It had been several days that the woman had no appetite even though the maid prepared her favorite food.

"You are welcome, honey. Now eat! Sweet food can help your mood better."

"Hmmm," Kefirah cleared her throat. She looked at the sweet food on the table but she was not interested in touching the soft sweet food.

Manuel, who saw his woman was very sad, didn't want to stay silent. He took a paper bowl filled with ice cream and spooned it into Kefirah's mouth. "Eat! We are not going home until you finish it," Manuel persuaded. He did not know if Kefirah was actually too lazy to go home. The woman was not ready to accept reality. She was afraid that Taylor and Levi would discuss marriage.

"I still want to be here. I am still sad. The house always reminds me of Rista," Kefirah reasoned. It's not entirely wrong because she still needed fresh air outside the house. She also missed her sister who had passed away. There was guilt in her heart because the misunderstanding eight years ago made their relationship not close.

"Okay. We will be here until your mood calms down."

***

It was getting late. The sun was hiding, but the sky still showed white clouds. Manuel took Kefirah home, he was afraid that the woman he loved so much was sick because of exhaustion. He did not know that Kefirah was not only physically tired but mentally too.

Just passing through the gate of the house, their arrival was greeted by Levi at the door. Actually it was not intentional because Levi just wanted to go out. Joel and Vilah were wanting to eat meatballs that were sold not far from their house compound.

"You better go home, El!" Kefirah suggested. She was afraid that her brother-in-law would talk about unwanted things. Kefirah did not know what was on Levi's mind because they had never talked about marriage. Kefirah did not know whether Levi agreed to marry her or not.

"I want to come in, Ke. I want to see your daddy's condition. At least your daddy should know that your lover is coming to visit him," Manuel said, feeling compelled to enter because he wanted to be a responsible son-in-law.

"Not now, El! Daddy's condition is not good. He needs rest." Kefirah made excuses again.

Kefirah would explain to Manuel, not her family. If Manuel came in, Taylor would be shocked, and it would end in chaos.

"Okay. Tomorrow I will be here again. I want to meet your daddy."

"Yes. Tomorrow you can see daddy. Now daddy still has to rest. I also want to sleep."

In front of Levi, Manuel gave Kefirah a kiss on the forehead. "Get some rest! Don't forget to eat and take vitamins. I love you so much," Manuel said before leaving. Usually Kefirah would answer, but this time her tongue was very difficult to move. Her two eyes looked at Levi. She was afraid the man would be angry.

"If the conversation is finished, it's better if you go in now! Daddy has been waiting for your return. There are important things to talk about," Levi said coldly to Kefirah.

Instantly Kefirah's heart seemed to almost fall out from its place. She was not ready to let Manuel go. Kefirah was also not sure about her decision to marry Levi.

"Yes," Kefirah said briefly while she watched Manuel leave from the front of her house.

After Manuel left, Levi glared at Kefirah. "I don't care who he is but don't show him in front of daddy. Daddy asked us to talk about marriage."

"Why the rush to talk about marriage?" Kefirah asked, but got no answer.

"We will talk about it later. I have to bring Joel and Vilah to buy meatballs," Levi said, then left Kefirah who was still unmoved.