"Jessica, honey! I miss you so much!" shouted Rey's mother as they entered the house.
Rey's mother immediately ran to greet Jessica, and hugged the girl who she considered her daughter.
"I miss you too, Mom is healthy, right?" said Jessica with a bright smile.
"Of course, honey! Come on, you rest first, you must be tired sitting in the car for a long time!"
"No, mom!"
Rey's mother immediately took Jessica to the family room and served her a fresh drink.
"Where's Dad, Mom? I saw that the room was empty," said Jessica after taking a sip of her drink.
"Dad is taking a shower, he wants to look healthy in front of his daughter-in-law, he said!"
Jessica immediately smiled broadly at Rey's mother, although in her heart she screamed pitifully.
"You're all right there, aren't you? Why don't you call?"
"Recently, I have a lot of work to do, Mom. So, I rarely hold my cellphone."
Rey's mother nodded slowly. A smile full of happiness never stopped radiating from her beautiful face.
"Rey is nice to you, right? There, he's not adventurous, right?"
Jessica wanted to cry when she heard Rey's mother's question. She wanted to pour out her heart, how hurt she was because of Rey's betrayal. However, there was no way she could do that. She could not bear to see the family she loved so much to be disappointed.
"Jess, why are you so dumbfounded? Everything's fine, right?"
Jessica tried her best to smile, although she wasn't sure what kind of smile appeared on her face now.
"Everything is fine. Rey is also good, as usual," said Jessica in the end.
"Well, thank God if that's the case. If he hurts you, you don't hesitate to tell me, okay!?"
Jessica could only nod slowly in approval of Rey's mother's words.
"Jessica," called Rey's father who had just come out of the room.
Jessica also approached Rey's father and hugged him. After all, Jessica already considers Rey's parents as her parents.
"I'm glad to see you here, I miss you!"
"Oh, I miss you, Daddy. Rey said you are sick," Jessica said slowly.
Jessica let go of her arms and stared fixedly at the old man.
"Look at me, I'm healthy! Oh, dear! Have you eaten?"
***
Jessica turned when she heard Rey's voice from behind her. The girl turned her head and smiled wryly to see the man standing in the doorway of the balcony of the room.
"Next time, if you need my help, whatever it is, I'll help you!" Rey exclaimed as he approached. The man sat next to Jessica.
"No need, as much as possible I don't want to have anything to do with you anymore. So, don't think of this as a debt of gratitude."
Rey only smiled sadly at Jessica's answer. Did that girl hate him that much?
"I promise, I will tell my family about our separation, so they don't bother you anymore."
Jessica just took a deep breath. Yes, what Rey said is true. It wasn't that she didn't want to be bothered or anything, she just didn't want to keep lying to everyone.
"By the way, Rey, why are you cheating on me? If you don't like me, you can just say it, it won't hurt this much if you were honest from the start."
Jessica just tried to unravel the tightness in her chest. The question kept circling in her mind all this time.
"The story is quite complicated. I can't tell you!"
"Why is it so?"
"Do not ask!"
Jessica immediately scowled in annoyance. She turned and glared at the man next to her.
"I am the victim, you know! I have a right to know!" murmured Jessica.
"You'll only get hurt more if you know the real reason," Rey said with a flat face.
'So it's not over yet? Is there a wound that I still don't feel? Especially? Damn it!' Jessica was immediately busy with her thoughts.
"Besides, you already have a replacement for me now, right? So, it's better to bury past meetings."
Jessica smiled sarcastically, she then looked up at the sky.
"Rey, are you happy with Lusi?" asked Jessica suddenly.
"Why do you ask that?"
"Just try to make sure! Don't let me go, just for a girl who can't make you happy."
Rey was silent. There were so many questions that popped up in his mind, but none of them were able to ask.
"So far, I'm happy with her."
"Are you in love with her?"
Love?
Rey looked away from Jessica and gazed far out the balcony.
What is love?
Rey likes Lusi, she is a good girl, and very pleasant. But, love?
Does he love Lusi?
"What do you think love is?" Rey asked in a flat tone.
Jessica nodded slowly.
"I don't know either. Because, before this, the only person in my heart and mind was you! I want to always look beautiful in your eyes, I learned to cook so I can make you delicious and nutritious food, I want to later become your wife, waiting for you to come home from work while playing with my children, so friends share your joys and sorrows, like all the life I live wants to be with you." Jessica chuckled softly after saying all that.
It laughed at how pathetic she was. She was too naive.
"Maybe, because since I was little, I only saw you, I played with you, so even as an adult, I can only see you!" added Jessica.
Rey was silent listening to every word that came out of the girl's mouth.
How it was the opposite of what he had been feeling. Instead of considering Jessica a close friend, Rey only saw her as someone he had to take care of.
"But, don't worry, that's right, first! If reality can't match what I expected, then fine, I'll throw those feelings away. I'm just sad, why don't you want to be honest with me."
"Sorry." That's the only word Rey could say right now.
***
Rey smiled faintly seeing his parents laughing so happily with Jessica. They seemed to love the girl.
"You go home often, or just stay here! Home feels alive when you are here, Jessica!" cried Rey's mother while gently stroking the back of Jessica's hand.
"I want to have grandchildren quickly, so we won't be lonely. It must be cool if small children are running around in this house," added Rey's father.
"That's right, Dad! I can't wait to show off my grandchildren with my friends at the social gathering!"
Jessica could only smile without saying a word. She felt even more guilty towards Rey's family.
"Rey, when do you want to marry Jessica? You guys have been engaged for a long time, already established, so what are you waiting for?" hold up Rey's mother.
"Later!" said Rey.
"If asked by your parents, answer correctly! Later, when? Don't let Jessica be taken away, okay, if Jessica leaves, mom will not accept any woman to be my daughter-in-law! Listen to that!"