This wasmything with Sophie.Ourthing.
Withmy own hands, Iwould always fulfilmypromise to her.
There was so much Iwanted,could, andwoulddo for her.
She deserved my effort.
Only her.
“Thank you, Zi…” she whispered as I hugged her again.God,she looked beautiful, wrapped in the thick pink coat, something she’d never wear in Indonesia.
Her smile, her sparkling eyes, those alone were worth every sacrifice. I only wanted to give her more, to see those cheeks bloom again and again.
I tightened my embrace, her chin resting against my chest. Softly, I told her, “Welcome to London, Sophie.”
I hoped she would ask me for more, because I’d give her everything. I wished she wouldn’t ask me for easy things, because she was worth the fight. She deserved to make me try hard.
So when I knelt on one knee before her, I would know I was worthy.
Suddenly, a loud shriek echoed from inside the house. It seemed my brother had finally woken from his long sleep. And sure enough, still in his dark blue pyjamas, hair all messy, he burst out through the main doors.
“Bibaaaa!!” he yelled, running straight towards us.
Instantly, he grabbed Sophie’s arm, pulling her back and breaking our embrace. “Okay, my turn,” he declared, snatching her away without hesitation. He hugged her just as tightly, leaving me to exhale and try to calm the annoyance inside.
He always did this.
But this time, he was genuinely happy.
Zeraiah rocked Sophie’s body in his arms, both squealing with laughter. “Finally! I wanna show you everything in here!” he exclaimed with bright enthusiasm, then released her enough to shake her shoulders. His grin turned mischievous. “We will have so much fun here, something we’ll never forget! I already made a list!”
“I already made a list too!” Sophie shot back, louder.
Zeraiah kept rambling, and Sophie replied with equal seriousness. I could only stare at the sight. Then I realised something was missing. My eyes searched until the person I was waiting for emerged from the main doors, his arms full of packages—clearly gifts.
I knew at once what Tsabinu carried: dishes his mother had prepared. For days, Sophie talked about how she and her mum had cooked lots of Indonesian food to bring here.
Tsabinu walked up to us, offering me a small smile. “Thanks, Zi,” he said, nodding.
I offered a faint smile in return. “Don’t mention it, Golden. Just—” I glanced towards Sophie and Zeraiah, who were still chattering away. “It’s good to have you here,” I added.
Tsabinu only gave a soft snort, and our reunion was interrupted when Mum stepped out through the main doors, calling warmly, “Hey… I don’t want to ruin the reunion, but shall we eat, darlings? Biba and Bibu brought so much food with them.”
Her eyes swept over each of us before settling on Sophie and Tsabinu. “My lovely twins, please tell your mum thank you from me. She knew I’d been craving rendang.”
She offered Sophie and Tsabinu her loveliest smile before wrapping her arm around Tsabinu and turning to the rest of us. “Come on, my loves, let’s go inside for a meal,” she coaxed, leading him in. Then she reached for Sophie, silencing Zeraiah’s endless chatter.
“Grandpa and Grandma will be back soon,” she added, eyes sparkling, “and they’re dying to meet Biba and Bibu.”
Just like that, she whisked Sophie and Tsabinu away, leaving Zeraiah and me exchanging looks, both of us sighing at the loss. Eventually, we followed them in.
It seemed Sophie was never meant to be mine alone.
33
Zioh
Christmas and New Year Holidays 2013
