That evening, everyone gathered at the Dragon Mansion. It was a good chance for the family to gather and have a small celebration since Hidayah had returned safe and well.
Hidayat was sitting in the garden with a glass of Rasteau, cross-legged and looking up into the starless night sky. Despite the happy occasion, he was not in a mood to celebrate inside. The soft breeze blew through, billowing his hair.
With sleeves folded till his elbow and his collar unbuttoned, his demeanour was like a king lazing around with nothing catching his interest. But his mind, full of melancholy. For the love of his life is avoiding him.
"Hidayat…" A soft, lithing voice fleeted through. Jacqueline… hmm. I'm dreaming, right? Why would she be here… "Hidayat…" once again, the voice sounded, nearer… clearer…
Hidayat looked around, hoping the woman to appear beside him. "Hidayat…" a shadow appeared at the unlit pebbled path.
"Jacqueline" Hidayat straightened his back. He looked at the shadow as it walks nearer to the opening. Seeing the shadow forming into a woman, he stood. The wine glass in his hand fell to the floor and broke into pieces, spilling the red wine into a small puddle by his legs.
"Jacqueline…" He took a step forward. His eyes fixed on the sight of the woman. "Jacqueline…" The woman smiled. He quickens his steps to a brisk walk, to a run, running towards the woman and grabbed her by her waist, pulling her up and gave her a twirl. "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… I'm sorry," he whispered to her ears.
"Shoo… shoo… I'm sorry too, for leaving…" the woman pulled her head away from his and used her 2 hands to hold on to his face and looked into his obsidian eyes. Tears started forming in his eyes threatening to fall. Finally, she's back… it's not a dream…
The man buried his head into the woman's neck, sniffing the citric smell of her soap. The woman patted his head softly like a mother petting her son's head soothing his cries.
**********
"Hey! You came!" Hidayah walked towards the couple that was entering the hall. She hugged the woman tight. She then looked at her brother who was grinning away. Both women smiled.
"Are you better?" the woman asked Hidayah. Hidayah nodded her head and released the woman.
"Alhamdulillah, I'm doing great. Though, it still hurts when I laugh or breathe in too deep," Hidayah replied. The 3 of them walked towards the sitting area on the left corner of the hall where the rest of the family were gathering.
Ever since the kidnapping incident that happened a year ago, Hidayah had not seen her brother smile as wide as now. With Jacqueline being back, she hopes the 2 of them will talk things out and settle between themselves quickly.
It was not as if she didn't care, but the decision to take over their father's position in the underworld was his own. And he knew the danger it brings along by taking over the position. Even Anston and Jessica was not ignorant of the danger.
Yes, Hidayat was wrong for not telling Jacqueline the truth, but he had to ensure of her safety. In which, he badly failed. Thus, endangering both Jessica and Jacqueline's life.