Shattered Soul Cry

"Sorry, Naomi. I ... had to break my promise to marry you."

The woman with round eyes immediately lifted her head to gaze at the face of the man who had filled her days with various colors of life for over a year.

Sometimes sad, but more often, Lukas painted colors of happiness in each of his days. The attitude of the man in front of her is always kind. Often giving small surprises that make Naomi feel very loved. Especially after Naomi lived in an orphanage that was indeed very lacking in parental affection.

Even though there are caretakers, they only provide the bare minimum of care.

Naomi, who initially just went with the flow of love, has now completely drifted away and surrendered. In fact, she has now also deeply fallen in love with the man who became her first love.

"Naomi," he called softly. His gaze turned towards Naomi with sadness. The sadness was clearly visible on the face of the twenty-five-year-old man.

The girl with round eyes blinked for a moment. The gentle call of the man had dispelled the shadows of beautiful memories between her and that man, Lukas.

"Forgive me," Lukas whispered again while reaching for Naomi's fingers and holding them gently.

Naomi didn't answer, instead, she turned her face to the side while releasing her grip. Trying to hold back the tears that had already formed rivers in her eyelids so they wouldn't fall and wet her smooth cheeks.

From the beginning, she should have been self-aware. It is not appropriate for someone from an orphanage to be with a young doctor who surely lives a comfortable life, even one filled with wealth. Because Lukas's father himself is one of the donors at the orphanage where she was raised.

Naomi took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Hoping to ease the sudden tightness in her chest a little. Actually, he was very happy earlier because Lukas suddenly invited him to eat out. However, it turns out that there is something important that Lukas is going to say.

"Mom and Dad want me to marry the child of one of Dad's business colleagues to save Dad's company, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. And I can't do much except help save Dad's business."

Unprompted, Lukas explained his reason for ending his relationship with Naomi. It was clear from the glint in his teary eyes that he was very reluctant to go through with this marriage later on.

At that moment, Naomi cried. She could no longer hold back her tears that streamed down her smooth cheeks.

Lukas closed his eyes for a moment. Truly, seeing the woman he loved so much cry because of him was more painful than anything. He felt very guilty towards Naomi. But he also couldn't do anything else but accept his parents' matchmaking.

He should have been able to protect and take good care of Naomi. Considering that the girl he loves is an orphan. Her parents are even nowhere to be found. Because Naomi has been in an orphanage since the age of two.

Lukas really wanted to touch Naomi's smooth cheek to wipe away the traces of her tears. However, he couldn't. Lukas didn't want to hurt Naomi's feelings any further.

Naomi shook her head gently. She immediately wiped away the tears that fell despite her efforts to hold them back as much as she could. He was forced to pull the corners of his lips.

"Go away, Lukas." I'm fine. These tears of mine are tears of joy. Because finally, we found a match that is worthy. A match that meets your family's criteria. "Really, I'm fine," she said with her lips slightly trembling as she spoke.

Lukas's forehead creased slightly as he looked at Naomi's face in astonishment. Lukas knew exactly how Naomi felt about him. Just like his feelings for Naomi. However, fate did not side with him.

He knew that Naomi was hiding her sadness because he had ended their relationship and canceled his intention to marry his beloved. His hand reached for Naomi's fingers again and held them gently.

"Naomi, believe me ... if in my heart there is only your name. Only your name that I always include in my prayers," he said, still trying to convince Naomi that his love for her was indeed still intact and as great as ever.

"Lukas ...," she whispered while shaking her head slowly.

Naomi didn't know what else to say. Her heart was already too pained to hear the reality that the man who loved her would marry another woman and leave her with a million memories that she didn't know if she could forget or not.

Can she endure the days like before Lukas came and disturbed her heart? I don't know...

Slowly, Lukas released Naomi's hand. Then he reached for the paper bag next to his seat. Offering it in front of Naomi. "This red prayer rug has been a silent witness to the tears, as well as the hopeful prayers I have sent to the heavens for us before." I hope you will keep it as a final memento from me.

Naomi didn't accept it right away. She gazed at the paper bag containing the red prayer rug with hesitation. Until he reached for it with his slightly trembling hand, as tears fell again, wetting his white and smooth cheeks. However, she quickly wiped them away. Not wanting to appear so fragile in front of Lukas after knowing the real truth.

"Use it when you face God. That way, our hearts will reconnect with each other."

How could he do that? While Lukas himself will belong to another woman.

Even so, she still accepted the last gift from her ex-lover and intended to keep it. Then, she kept all the beautiful memories with Lukas tightly.

Because after this, she might try to forget Lukas and all their memories. Of course, for her own sanity. Because Naomi doesn't want to remember or even keep the name of a man who has been with another woman.

She doesn't want her heart to keep getting hurt. Naomi has resolved that after this, she will start her days anew. Because no matter the circumstances, life will continue to move forward as destined.

"May you be happy with your marriage, Lukas." Stay a responsible man to whoever becomes your wife. Throw me far away from your heart. From now on, we are just a thing of the past.

After her meeting with Lukas, Naomi stepped into an elite residence on the Upper West Side, Manhattan in order to fulfill her adoptive father's call, who said he would discuss important matters.

He couldn't avoid or refuse if his adoptive father had given him an order. However, the current situation is much better because of the intervention of a man who is now in his fifth year of life.

Naomi feels indebted. So to repay Josh for all his kindness, he will obey all his orders. As long as it is good and does not prohibit religious laws.

"Assamu'alaikum, Daddy," said Naomi with a wide smile when Josh was waiting for her at the main door of her two-story house. Naomi shook Josh's hand like a parent.

"Wa'alaikumsalam, Naomi. Come in...," he replied. Then he invited his adopted child to sit on a bench next to the house, near the swimming pool. So that the atmosphere is a little relaxed.

"What's important, Dad?" Naomi asked after they made small talk asking about Naomi's activities with the series of jobs she had given her in her office.

"So, actually... Dad intends to-"

Before Josh had time to continue his sentence, a voice came in and asked the same thing as Naomi. Making Josh and Naomi immediately turn towards the source of the sound.

"Well, it just so happens that you guys have gathered. Come and sit down, Brad. "Daddy will talk to you about something important," answered Josh, looking at his only child who was still standing in the doorway.

The man who had thin beards around his cheeks glanced at Naomi with an arrogant gaze. Then just walked past him and sat by his father's side.

"What's the matter, Dad? How come that village woman is here?" Brad asked while looking at Naomi disapprovingly. Making Naomi bow her head deeply. There was a little sadness that pierced his heart when he heard the words said by the man named Brad.

"Watch your mouth, Brad! Dad never taught you to insult anyone!" said Josh warning his son. "Moreover, she will be your future wife," he added calmly.

However, it succeeded in making Naomi and Brad's eyes widen. They looked at Josh in disbelief.

"What?" shouted both of them simultaneously.

"Really, Dad? How come I want to be married to a country woman like her!"