Earth Without Dusk
49. Love in the Heart

“Dimas, where's your brother?” ask Mr. Dirgantara to Dimas while at the dinner table.

Earth is never late for dinner when you get home. But this time at the dinner table there was only Mr. Aergantara, his wife, and Dimas.

“Maybe still in his room, Dad. I'll call you in a minute,” replied Dimas.

“No need,” says Bumi who is already walking towards the dining table. He pulled up his chair and sat down where he used to sit with his flat face.

“Alright, then let's eat! Everyone has gathered,” Mr. Dirgantara said to his family.

All throughout the meal the atmosphere looked very quiet. There was nothing to say except the sound of plates and spoons clinking.

“You want more? You ate very little tonight,” asked mother connect Earth to Earth.

The earth does not answer. He just raised one hand. The woman did not dare to offer anything more. It did not escape the attention of Mr. Dirgantara.

“By the way how do we cooperate with the Wijaya family? You and Dusk.

“We're eating, Dad. We can talk about business later,” cut Earth before his father can continue his words. Mr. Dirgantara resumed his meal and no longer spoke.

The atmosphere at the dining table was getting tense. Dimas himself did not dare to make a sound if that was the case. His brother was more frightening to him than his father.

The earth finished its meal. Likewise with Mr. Dirgantara and others. Just as the Earth stood up from its seat, the Aerospace Master had already restrained it.

“Can we talk to you for a minute? It's about your matchmaking and Nesya,” said Mr. Dirgantara.

The earth was silent for a moment. But he stood up and did not sit back.

“Continue,” reply Earth briefly.

“What?” ask Mr. Dirgantara.

“My matchmaking and Nesya,” answered Earth and went into her room.

The three of them stared at each other in confusion with Earth's answer, then they stared strangely at their one family member. Is it that easy to make a decision? Or did they hear wrong?

“Dad, that means Kak Bumi agreed he was betrothed to Nesya?” tanya Dimas doesn't believe it.

“You heard yourself, didn't your sister say what?”

“Is he sure, Dad?” ask Dimas again.

“Why do you seem to hesitate?”

“Dad, I was asking, why did you ask me back?” grouse Dimas.

“If your brother has said so it means he has decided it,” replied Mr. Dirgantara.

“That's how fast he decided on something important like this? I never even saw him alone with Nesya,” Dimas said.

“You know what your sister looks like, right? If he dares to give an answer, it means that the answer he has thought carefully,” said Mr. Dirgantara.

Dimas did not ask anymore, he just nodded. In his heart he still did not believe the words of the Earth. Especially after he heard the story this afternoon. Really, he felt something was awkward here. 

***

She slipped into the room and laid herself on the bed. He folded one of his hands back to support his head.

“Have it, don't cry. I'm here if you need a friend to share a story,” Dimas told Dusk.

Dusk withdrew from Dimas's broom, and he wiped away the tears that had caused his cheeks to wet.

“I can't tell you this, Dimas,” Decline Dusk.

“Why? I see you're very depressed right now. You need someone to share your story with. Trust me, I'll keep your secret,” Dimas again.

“Senja, I know maybe I can't help you solve your problems, but at least you'll feel a little relieved by telling me. And who knows I can help you find a way out of your problems, right?” Dimas again tried to convince Dusk.

“It's not as easy as you think, Dimas. Because it's a matter of the heart,” replied Dusk with a sad look.

A liver? Is the world falling in love with someone? Ask Dimas in the heart.

“You...like someone?” ask Dimas curiously.

Dusk nodded. “And that person is..your brother, Bumi.”

Dimas was immediately shocked. He did not expect that the man who managed to conquer the heart of Dusk was his brother, Earth, a man who was cold and very irritable to speak.

“You like Brother Earth?” tanya Dimas could hardly believe it.

“Not just like. But I love him,” replied Dusk confidently.

“But I only love him in my heart. And I think forever will continue to be so,” added Dusk again. There is a bit of bitterness tucked into every word. He realized, the Earth will only be the love in his heart, because the Earth has been betrothed to others at this time.

“If you really love her why don't you fight for your love? Brother Earth is currently not tied to anyone.”

Although Dimas was quite disappointed it turned out that Dusk loved others, but he would still support Dusk to be happy.

“He is already tied to an arranged marriage with Sister Nesya,” replied Dusk.

“Not yet inaugurated, newly planned. You still have time to be honest with her.”

“No, Dimas. Sis Nesya had been very hopeful of getting married to Earth. I don't want to be the third one among them.”

“Then you will forever keep his name in your heart alone without telling him?”

The twilight nodded weakly. “I have no other choice,” replied Dusk resignedly.

Dimas looked at the face of Dusk with pity. This girl in front of him looks very fragile now and all because of her love for the Earth that she herself has.

Dimas felt sorry for Dusk. He also pulled back Dusk in his arms. He could feel the sadness of Dusk now. He is also actually sad because the heart of Dusk has been filled by others, not himself. But he is not too sick because maybe his love is not as big as the love of Dusk on his Earth.

“Senja, one thing you need to remember, if you need a friend, then I will always be willing when you need,” said Dimas trying to encourage Dusk.

“Thanks, Dimas. The first thing I ask of you, please keep this a secret from anyone, including from Earth,” reply Dusk.

“Alright, I'll keep it a secret for you.”

Dusk is still in Dimas' deck. It felt very different when he was in the arms of the Earth. Warmth's different. If with Earth, it feels like he wants time to stop spinning so that it can be longer in his arms.

But now that I don't know when, he can no longer feel the warm embrace. He'll lose his guardian angel. He had even planned to avoid Earth as much as he could. Because every time he meets Earth, he will not be strong enough to resist longing. But he could no longer, his guardian angel had now turned into love in his heart. Yeah, enough in his heart.