CINCIN yang pernah menjadi tanda perhubungan Emriel dan Grace itu bermain di jejari Emriel. Tak terfikir langsung yang dia dapat kembali cincin emas silver itu.
Ni semua mesti kerja daddy Edmond yang meletakkan cincin itu ke dalam beg sandang yang diberikan tempoh hari.
Tak cukup duit, tiket konsert dan cincin pun Edmond letak. Cubalah cakap macam mana tak sayang.
"Daddy... You didn't tell me that you put Grace's ring in my bag... You know... You shouldn't do that."
Bicara Emriel melalui gagang telefon rumah digital milik Charlie. Tawa kecil Edmond kedengaran di seberang talian.
"If I told, you won't take it for sure. I know my son... Very well."
"Of course. I'll let her keep that. It her's. I give it to her, okay?"
Suara Emriel sedikit berkeras.
"As a wise husband, I don't want my wife to keep something from other guy. Especially her ex-boyfriend."
Nada cemburu Edmond buat Emriel tersengih. Dia tahu Edmond hanya bergurau manja.
"After all, she's my stepmother. Hmm. Correction. Beloved stepmother. Damn, I love her so much..."
"God, I'm jealous."
"It's a mom-son love okay... Hehe. Hey, thanks for the tickets. It's really mean a lot to me and Juriffa. She was so hype and super excited! She thanked me a lot and I never imagine that I can make her so happy! Actually... By your help."
"Don't worry. I just can't attend that show because I want to have some quality times with my wife. It was our weeksary. You know..."
Kedengaran suara Edmond sedikit tenggelam di hujung bicara. Malu ke?
"Oh my God. I'm cringe, okay? Weeksary? What is that, daddy? Hahaha damn! That was so sweet... And I know you got that romantic vibes from me!"
"Erm... I don't think so... I'll think about that."
"Just agree, daddy... I'm sweet, romantic and adorable. I'm the stranger guy in a public who can make every girls instantly falling in love."
Dengan yakinnya Emriel menjawab dalam nada bergurau. Selesa rasanya bila bergurau dengan orang tersayang. Tak perlu nak kontrol-kontrol.
"Hurm... Wait... Grace. Was Emriel a sweet guy?"
"He's not... But I'm sure... He was a gentleman."
Suara seorang perempuan yang amat dikenali Emriel itu buat Emriel teruja sekaligus termalu sendiri. Grace!
"Heyyy daddyyy you didn't tell me Grace was there...!"
"Hi, gentleman."
Lembut suara Grace menyapa buat Emriel termalu sendiri.
"H-Hi... Mum..."
Sisa tawa Grace kedengaran di hujung talian. Kemudian suasana kembali sepi. Emriel sendiri tidak pasti mereka berdua saling diam kerana tiada topik atau masing-masing berasa janggal.
"It's awkward tho..."
"Kinda... Since you said that I'm your beloved mother. Your daddy... He's triggered."
"Of course he should. Because I'm a good looking man than him... Better keep your girl, daddy, or I'm gonna steal her."
Usik Emriel di hujung talian kerana dia dapat agak Grace dan Edmond mendengarnya melalui loudspeaker. Rasa macam nak video call je tapi apakan daya dia mana ada smartphone. Nak tengok sangat muka triggers daddy!
"I wish you were here, to watch how jealous your daddy was..."
Ayat Grace buat Emriel berdekah. Takkanlah sungguh daddy Edmond cemburu kot!
"I'm not jealous, okay. He's my son."
Masih lagi Edmond nak menafikan. Nak kontrol gentleman ah tu. Ketawa Emriel tinggal meleret, menjadikan suasana semakin hambar dan akhirnya sepi.
Sumpah lah awkward cakap dengan ex girlfriend sendiri yang dah jadi stepmother sekarang ni. Dah lah semuanya diketahui secara mengejut.
"Emriel... When will you come here again...?"
Soalan Grace buat rasa bersalah terlintas di hati Emriel. Sekejap sangat dia berjumpa Grace dan Edmond haritu.
Surprise daddy Edmond tentang pernikahannya dengan Grace buat Emriel terkena kejutan budaya. Tambahan dengan keadaan Grace yang sakit tenat, memang Emriel tak dapat nak adapt suasana di rumah daddy Edmond tempoh hari.
"I don't know. I can't promise..."
"But if I die... Can you-"
"Grace. We've promised not to talk about this again."
Suara tegas Edmond yang memotong perbualan buat Grace mendengus.
"Come on... I just want to make sure that... You are not alone."
Suara Grace semakin menjauh dan perlahan kerana lebih fokus berbual dengan Edmond dan bukannya Emriel yang masih setia memegang telefon.
"Grace. I was alone before you came. It's okay for me. Trust me. Wait... Is Emriel still on the phone?"
"Ohh... Hey... Emriel... Are you still there?"
Grace kembali di talian. Mungkin tadi hilang fokus dan lupa yang Emriel masih belum mematikan talian.
"Grace... Don't worry."
Kedengaran Grace menarik nafas dalam dan menghelanya.
Ding dong ding dong ding dong! Tok tok tok! Ding dong ding dong ding dong!
Bunyi loceng yang berterusan dan diselangi bunyi ketukan pintu buat Emriel lega. Akhirnya ada alasan untuk tamatkan perbualan yang semakin janggal ini.
"I think Charles was back. Gotta open the door. Got to go, dad, Grace! Will call you guys later. Love you!"
Telefon diletakkan semula di tempatnya dan Emriel segera bangun daripada duduk.
Ding dong ding dong ding dong! Tok tok tok!
Emriel mempercepatkan langkah ke pintu utama. Ni mesti kerja Juriffa yang suka main loceng untuk buat Emriel gelabah!
"I'm coming! Just waittt!"
Tapi apabila pintu utama dibuka, lain pula daripada yang diagaknya. Berderau darah Emriel melihat apa yang dia lihat. Tapi betullah Charlie dan Juriffa, cuma keadaan Juriffa yang separuh sedar buat Emriel risau!
"Faster! Help her! Give me some hand!"
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Sorry broken english & lambat gila update. Do vote & comments! Lots of love utk u guys yg still simpan AB dalam library♥