Meet Me At Midnight's
Forgive the Past

Father was silent in his usual leisure seat he sat in. With a massage machine on his feet, he felt comfort. Mom went into the room and saw Dad relaxing.

"It's been a break, Dad" said Mother.

I did not respond to Mother's words. But Mother took her sleeping position and stared at the clean white ceiling.

"At first, I was very interested in Gisel. The child is beautiful, looks friendly and smart. But Mother pity. Because her parents died, she didn't have a handle and went the wrong way" Mother said.

"Dad's sorry, Mom. If only Dad didn't approve of Gery going to Kalimantan, maybe Gisel wouldn't have a hard time living and he could be happy with Brian" said Dad, looking sorry.

"We don't know, Dad, what happened. Brian seems to love Gisel. Otherwise, Brian might try to get Gisel out of his nightlife" Mother said. I believe basically Gisel is a good woman."

"Dad confused, Mom. What to say."

"I'm sorry, Dad. Because after all, Gisel was distressed when his parents died." Mother advised.

"What about Brian?" ask Dad.

"Let it go, Dad, Brian wants to choose which one. Gisel or something."

"Mother don't mind Gisel's past?" I want to convince Mom again.

"Gisel's out of his nightlife, Dad. Brian helped her. If Brian didn't really love Gisel, how could Brian do all that?" I tried to convince Dad not to think too much about Gisel's past.

Dad fell silent and thought. What you said is true. Why would Brian do that if Brian didn't love him so much? It would be a waste of time.

*****

The next day, Gisel wore a plain black dress with a ribbon in the middle of his collar. The chiffon dress wrapped Gisel's body perfectly. She tied one of her hair and grabbed her handbag.

Today he will drive himself. He hadn't visited his parents in a long time. The ashes of his parents were brought from Kalimantan to Jakarta and today Gisel is going to the Blessed crematorium in the east.

After arriving at the crematorium, Gisel walked past a glass cabinet containing an ash urn and abandoned photos.

The crematorium was quite large, so Gisel walked long enough to get to where Mama and Papa were.

After arriving, Gisel stared at the photo of his parents laughing together and also the photo of the three of them who were at the top. Gisel's heart was again slashed to see the photo. Photos that evoke memories and longings that have been lost.

Gisel looked down and prayed for his parents.

"How are you, Ma, Pa?" gisel asked with the defences of a heart that had collapsed. He could not help his sadness so his voice trembled.

"Sorry, Gisel never came."

Gisel was as strong as possible holding back his cries. He wanted to look strong in front of his parents.

"Gisel lives hard, Ma, Pa."

Tears fell onto Gisel's cheek and blurred his gaze.

"Gisel is trying to be a good boy, smart and can do everything. But... Gisel failed. Sorry Gisel, Ma, Pa..."

Gisel wiped the tears.

"Gisel was trapped in a sinful life. But Gisel is out and Gisel will never do it again."

Gisel held back her tears that spilled back. But again he failed because the tears kept falling on his cheeks.

"Someone helped Gisel. He's the son of the one who worked with Papa first. But why does Gisel's heart hurt, Pa? How does Gisel have to deal with it?"

"His daughter is good, can make Gisel protected and Gisel feel happy if he is near Gisel. It's wrong, Ma, Pa, if Gisel loves him?"

Gisel was unable to say any more words. Her chest was tight because she could not reveal everything to Papa and Mama. He knows he won't get the answer. Gisel could only cry and hit his claustrophobic chest. He spilled all his pain and he did not want to take it when he was home.

When he wanted to get into his car, Gisel got a call from an unknown number. He always picks up the phone without an identity. This time he tried to pick up the phone.

"Hello?" greet Gisel with a slightly hoarse voice.

"Gisels. You all right? Why are your voices different?" Brian's mother worried about Gisel with an uncharacteristic voice.

Again, Gisel's heart rippled warmly at the sound of worry like this. She wanted to cry again, but she held him back so that his tears wouldn't spill.

"Not what, Auntie. Just a little cough." lied Gisel.

"Thank God. If it hurts, tell Auntie yes, son."

DEG!

Especially this? Why is Brian's mom talking about that?

"She, Aunt. Where do you want to meet?" asked Gisel to hold himself back from crying anymore.

"Have you eaten? How about we eat first? We'll see you later too" said Brian's mother.

Actually Gisel always felt annoyed with Brian's father for letting Papa work in Kalimantan. But his heart must be at peace with the past. He never knows what fate will come to us every day.

"Good, Aunt. What's Om and Aunt's favorite restaurant?"

Gisel opened his car door and boarded it. He was ready to drive to meet with Brian's parents.

*****

Brian's father and mother loved Japanese restaurants. Where to sit comfortably on the floor with a pillow. Gisel was a little nervous about having to meet again so soon.

"Son Gisel. What are you working for today? Let us know your time to work" Brian's mother said with a pretty smile on her face. It looks old, but still looks beautiful.

"Gisel can come anytime, Auntie. Because Gisel works part-time at Gisel's friend's boutique. Gisel told me that today will be too late." replied Gisel with a smile.

Dad was a little confused by Gisel's black clothes. But he refrained from asking directly.

"I'm sorry, Om, Gisel. I really don't know what happened. Your dad always said he was doing well there" Brian's dad said. Gisel felt claustrophobic again if it were to be re-inflated.

"Om lost control yesterday. Om should have understood your feelings better."

Gisel straightened up, wanting to assume it was all over and not wanting to hurt Brian's father because of his attitude.

"No, Om. We never know what really happened to us. I thank you for seeing me today" Gisel said.

"Om never saw Brian so really - really loving women. There's been a lot of women Om's introduced to but Brian turned them all down." Dad switched the conversation.

He didn't want to open Gisel's old wounds. He tries to keep his feelings in check and treats Gisel as best he can.

Spontaneous Gisel smiled at Brian's father's words. Brian's father invited Gisel to eat the food that had been served.

"Brian was very good at me Om. I felt like he was the only one who noticed me after all this time I was fighting alone" Gisel said.

"Then you can accompany Brian, Gisel" said Dad smiling.

Gisel didn't understand Brian's father's intentions.

"What do you mean, Om?"

"Yes, from now on you can meet with Brian. Dinner at home. Or walk with Brian wherever you want." continued Dad.

Gisel felt moved and smiled.

"Om sure?"

"Why not? You're good, you're smart, you're beautiful, and you can motivate Brian to work harder" Brian's father said.

"You can go home whenever you want, son." Mother continued with a beautiful smile.

Gisel's tears are flowing again. Tears of happiness that he had never felt all this time.

"What Om and Aunt sure don't mind with..." Gisel did not have time to finish his words, Brian's father immediately cut him off.

"Let it pass. Now you can look to your future." said Dad.

Gisel smiled and wiped his tears. He has never been accepted in a family. I am so grateful to have met Brian's family.

"Gisel thank you, Om."

"If you can, Om knows.. Where's your parents' resting place, son? I'll visit him."

Gisel was shocked by what Brian's father had just said. But at once he felt happy. Because of the suffering of his heart for the past fifteen years that he could only feel for himself, he could now share his feelings. Not all burdens must be borne by themselves.

************

Thank you for reading "Meet Me at Midnight"

vote me if u like:)

leave a comment if you like it

and give me criticism and advice.

Thank you for your support all this time.