I WILL ALWAYS HATE YOU

Levi and Kefirah were already in Taylor's bedroom. Kefirah sat on the edge of the bed, while Levi pulled a chair so he could sit beside the bed.

"I am thirsty," Taylor said. Before speaking he wanted to wet his throat with water first. Levi hastily took the glass on the nightstand and filled it with water.

"Drink, Dad!" Levi brought the edge of the glass to Taylor's lips. Kefirah's heart felt relieved when she saw Levi's act. She knew if Levi did respect and treat her father like his own parents.

"Thank you, son," Taylor said to Levi after he finished the water.

For a moment silence enveloped the room. Kefirah's heart was beating faster. She increasingly regretted her decision who easily said she would agree to replace Rista's position.

"Hmmm!" Taylor cleared his throat, breaking Kefirah's thoughts. No one knew how far the woman's mind had drifted.

Taylor looked at Kefirah and Levi's faces. His daughter and son-in-law were ready to accept whatever he said. "What about Rista's request? Are you ready to do it?" Taylor asked while looking at the faces of Kefirah and Levi alternately.

"Dad, I don't think it's time to talk about that. Rista's death hasn't been a month. We should grieve, not talk about marriage. Can we talk about it later? How would people react if they found out that I immediately married my own brother-in-law? They will judge me as a woman who is happy above sorrow," Kefirah expressed her opinion. The woman wanted to be given more time to make up her mind. Kefirah did not want to enter into marriage with a doubtful heart.

"You will be married two months after Rista's death. That's enough preparation. I don't want to linger because this is Rista's request," Taylor said, giving a reason.

"Dad…." Kefirah wanted to argue but Levi grabbed her shoulder. It was a reminder for Kefirah not to continue arguing, considering Taylor's health condition was not good.

"Lev, please leave me and Kefirah for a while. We need to talk to each other," Taylor pleaded to his son-in-law.

"Okay, Dad," Levi answered, looking at Kefirah.

With a heavy heart, Levi came out from his father-in-law's bedroom. If there was a time machine, he would replay all his past. There was no shameful experience eight years ago, nor Levi would not agree to a crazy request from his late wife.

Inside the bedroom, Taylor grabbed his youngest daughter's hand. "I know it's very hard for you but think of our family. Rista has been thinking about this for a long time. We have discussed this many times. If Rista dies, Joel and Vilah will live with Levi. What if your brother-in-law married another woman? Rista is afraid that her two children will be neglected or maybe we will find it difficult to meet them," Taylor said, telling the reason behind Rista's request.

"Dad, all this time Levi loves Rista very much. He also respects you like his own father. It seems impossible if he separates Joel and Vilah from us," Kefirah answered, trying to refuse Rista's last request.

"Not separated but people can change at any time. I and Rista are scared. If Levi married another woman, he would be busy with his own family. Joel and Vilah will call another woman mom. Indirectly our relationship is getting further apart. Please think about it, Kefirah! I also don't want your two cousins to have a mother who doesn't love them."

"But, Dad...."

"Please think about it, Ke. I beg you," Taylor pleaded.

Kefirah took a deep breath. "Okay, Dad. I will marry Levi but wait until the 100 days after my sister's death," Kefirah agreed, giving a condition.

"Thank you, Ke. Your sacrifice means a lot to our family," Taylor came closer and hugged Kefirah's body. "I don't want to lose another family member," Taylor said, hiding his tears.

Kefirah did not answer. She only hoped that the decision to marry her brother-in-law was the best for her family and herself. Even though Kefirah guessed if this marriage would not bring happiness to her but she would try the best.

***

In the afternoon Kefirah sat on the balcony. She was enjoying the coffee that Aunt Shinta had just made for her. Manuel phoned Kefirah just to make sure the situation had improved or not. Actually Kefirah's lover wanted to come but Kefirah refused. As an apology for refusing Manuel's visit, Kefirah invited Manuel to have dinner together

"You are here. I was looking for you," Levi's bass sound carried away Kefirah's thoughts. The woman was thinking about how to explain to Manuel about her wedding plan. Does she have the heart to break her lover's heart?

"What are you here for?" Kefirah asked sarcastically.

"I am curious about your conversation with daddy. What are you two discussing? Did you ask him to cancel our wedding plans?" Levi asked, acting arrogantly. Levi stood beside the rattan swing that Kefirah was sitting on. The man crossed his arms on his chest and did not want to see Kefirah's face.

"If I can, I want to do it. But what can I do now? Everyone sided with Rista's last request. I hope there is a miracle. Honestly, I don't want to marry you," Kefirah answered while looking at Levi who was standing tall beside her.

"Do you think I want to marry you?" Levi answered with a question.

"It's fine if you don't want to. That means this marriage can be annulled. We can talk about this again with daddy. It would be better if you refused."

"I do refuse to love you but I can't ignore Rista's last request. I love her so much. I will do whatever makes her happy. I will still marry you, but don't expect that I will love you." Levi said loudly and immediately he left Kefirah. Levi had to fortify himself from any woman including his sister-in-law who would become his second wife.

Kefirah's breath stopped for seconds. Her heart was beating fast, it hurt so much. How could Levi talk to her like that?

"I will always hate you, Levi Benjamin Ang," Kefirah growled while squeezing her fingers.

Again Kefirah remembered what happened eight years ago. In order to maintain a relationship with Rista, Levi had the heart to say that Kefirah was the one who teased him.