20 Years Adrift
Chapters 11. Honest Although Painful

Affan again closed the door to his room after Bi Sumi's departure. He walked up to Aira and let go of the pecans.

"There's an office guy coming in front. I left a few jobs to get you guys to school" Affan explained.

Aira nodded. Actually she knew about the office guy Affan was referring to was Amanda. There was pain in her heart when she remembered the name, Faya told her a lot about who Amanda was.

'What should I do? Am I just quiet that my husband is with another woman? Husband? Not necessarily he wants to acknowledge me as his wife in front of others.' Aira was sitting limp at her study table.

Aira grabbed the textbook before her and read it. He read the book repeatedly but could not understand it. His mind is fucked. Faya's story about Amanda is ringing in her mind.

"I can't let that woman grab Om Affan's attention. Can't!" Aira got up from her seat then put on her veil neatly.

Although without make up, Aira's face already looks sweet. The simple style with floral motifs makes it look graceful and look more mature. Without her uniform, she was cast as Affan's mistress.

The distance between the living room with Affan's room is not too far away. There was no bulkhead that bounded it so Aira could clearly see the living room from the front door of her room.

Aira closed the room door slowly then walked towards the living room.

Amanda, who was sitting in a position facing Affan's room, immediately realized Aira's presence. He looked at her in wonder. They've never met before.

"Good afternoon, sorry I didn't mean to interrupt. Please continue!" Aira smiled at Amanda.

Affan looked at Aira. She just remembered that Aira had not eaten after school. Not wanting any misunderstandings, he stood up and walked over to Aira and brought her to Amanda.

"Aira, this is Amanda, Marketing Director and my partner." Affan introduces Amanda to Aira.

Amanda glanced at Affan who was holding Aira's hand. Not usually the boss is holding the hand of a woman who is not his muhrim. Inwardly he wondered about who the young lady before him was. Not wanting to look bad in Affan's eyes, Amanda smiled and extended her hand to Aira.

"Amanda."

Aira welcomes Amanda's hand and regrets it.

"Iira."

For a while they shook hands then let go awkwardly.

"Mas Affan, who is he?" ask Amanda awkwardly.

"Aira is my wife" Affan replied steadily. Her hand still tightly grasped Aira's hand as if she wanted to prove to Amanda that their relationship was really real.

Amanda couldn't believe what she just heard. His body was struck by lightning and made him burn. His eyes were teary and could no longer hold back the tears that kept forcing him out.

For years he harbored his feelings for Affan. Not once did he express his feelings to her twice. However, everything became futile when the man before him claimed to have married another woman.

"I eat first." Aira said goodbye to Affan but Affan clasped his hand even tighter as if asking him to stay.

"Wait a minute, honey. I'm hungry too" Affan said, staring at Aira.

Amanda's heart is further broken when she hears Affan calling Aira in affection.

"It seems that my existence will only disturb your romance. I'm sorry to go home first, if anyone wants to ask please contact me." Amanda took her bag and prepared to go home.

"Thank you for understanding. Be careful on the road" Affan replied.

Amanda nodded and turned away. He could no longer hold back his tears.

'Looks like Non Amanda already knew about Mr and Mrs' marriage.' Bi Sumi brought her tray back to the kitchen and before long Aira and Affan came to catch up with her.

Aira opened the food hood and prepared whatever food would be heated.

"Let me, Madam," said Bi Sumi carrying two plates for them.

"Thank you, Bi." Aira sat back down.

He had never used a microwave either. It could be the food he heated to become a charred if not the right use. While waiting for the food to be heated, he took two glasses of water for her and Affan.

"I'm sorry, Om. Looks like Ms. Amanda looks really disappointed after finding out about our marriage. I ... I know a little story about him from Faya." Aira looked at Affan full of regret.

"Nothing to forgive. It's not your fault. I won't be in a relationship with Amanda."

"If I were in his position, it would be very painful." Aira looked down sad.

Affan grabbed Aira's hand and held her on the table. She did not want to burden Aira's heart with the matter between her and Amanda.

"Help me to forget my past, Aira. Amanda's existence will only keep me trapped in memories. Kayra's shadow always appeared whenever I was nearby. I've said this a thousand times to her but she continues to force her love. If it wasn't for Faya, maybe I'd have been a fragile man. I'm just a normal human being that sometimes my faith gets thin."

Aira is thrilled to hear Affan's story. It turns out that Affan did not accept Amanda's love not because Faya forbade him. A pretty reasonable reason considering Amanda is Kayra's best friend.

"Lying if I say I love you. I'd feel guilty for you if I said something that wasn't true. I hope you can be patient until I can truly love you as a wife." Affan again revealed his heart.

What Affan felt was not too much different from Aira. At the moment he also does not have any genuine feelings of love for Affan. However, Aira strives to be a good wife and a good connecting mother to her best friend, Faya.

"I didn't expect much, Om. Only time can answer. If God wills, what can we do. Like this marriage we never imagined before." Circumstances forced Aira to deal with everything with adults. Life made him think and behave more than his age.

Affan. Aira's words were so cold and made her heart become serene. No matter what people say about their marriage, Affan feels that Aira is indeed his match.

"Geek!" Faya.

I don't know how long he's been standing behind them. Bi Sumi and Nami who were in the room like getting a code from Faya to keep them quiet.

"Faya, are you home?" tanya Affan hurriedly let go of Aira's hand.

"Assalamualaikum, Dad, Mama." Faya grabs Affan and Aira's hand and kisses the back of her hand in turn.

"Wa'alaikum salam." answered the two in unison.

"I'm so hungry. I'm sorry dad, change the uniform later, okay?" Faya turned around and washed her hands in the sink.

"Yes, already. We eat together." Affan waited for Faya to finish washing her hands.

Bi Sumi took out dishes and drinking water for Faya. Nami brought Faya's bags and books to her room.

"I smell the fragrance of affection between you. Looks like I'll be getting a new sister soon, nih!" yelling Faya makes Aira look very embarrassed.

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