20 Years Adrift
Chapter 47. Complex Park

"Assalamualaikum, Aunt. Sorry we're in a hurry. Next time we'll come to your house." Affan did not want to make a fuss and tried to be polite.

Reni seemed to snort in annoyance and was trying to contain her anger. He felt that Affan was blocking Aira from speaking and suppressing her.

"Greetings kum. Aunt ... auntie! Remember the age, Mom. From the face it also appears that it is older than me. I'm talking to Aira, not to you! Or are you the one who blocked Aira and taught her to hate us?" Now Reni attacks Affan with unreasonable charges.

"Astaghfirullah's. Istighfar, Mrs Reni. My wife is a righteous man. She couldn't have left without asking my permission even to her own uncle's house. But that doesn't mean I press it." Affan looks angry.

Aira knew that her husband was refraining from getting angry at her.

"Sorry, Aunt. We will find a good time to visit. We are in a hurry right now. Assalamualaikum." Aira pulled Affan's hand away from the place.

It was still clear in Aira's memory how happy Reni and Agung were when they saw her departure that night.

All the property of his parents had been taken by Agung not to mention all their debt to Rehan which had been repaid by Affan. However, Reni's greedy nature still demands her to be devoted to him.

Reni holds Aira's hand and forces her to stop.

"Om you're sick. I don't have the money to take her to the doctor." Reni doesn't want to mince words anymore.

Aira looked at Affan as if she wanted to ask him for his opinion. All this time he did have monthly money from Affan with a small amount. However, he did not want to use it carelessly.

"Let me just." Affan took out his wallet and took out the cash unang stored in it.

Reni smiled happily when she saw Affan take out his entire wallet.

"This is a little donation from us. May the Great Om be healed soon." Affan gave the money to Reni.

With a quick movement Reni took the money and stored it in her bag.

"Well, gini dong from earlier. You can leave now. Remember don't forget to visit our house."

Affan nodded then took Aira away from there. Reni's attitude made her very sad. He imagined how much Aira suffered while living with them.

***

Affan did not continue his journey to the boutique and chose to go home. His mood was uncomfortable after meeting Reni.

It was not a matter of money that he thought of but a matter of family. On the one hand he wanted to be kind to them, on the other hand their bad attitude made him feel riled up.

Along the way they fell silent until Aira took the initiative to ask.

"Mas Affan," call Aira.

"Yes, honey," he replied with a smile.

No matter what the circumstances, he still did not want to make Aira sad.

"I knew. But I don't like the way that justifies all the ways to earn money. Including making you a debt guarantee. They really don't have a heart."

The wedding night between the two of them also happened due to the actions of Reni and Agung.

"God saved my life by meeting me with you, Mas. I can't imagine living with Rehan." Aira looked down sadly reminiscing about her past.

Affan grabbed Aira's hand and grasped it tightly. He drives a car with one hand.

The car they drove slowly passed through the park near their residence complex. Seeing the interested Aira while staring out the car door, Affan stopped his car.

"Do you want to walk here? We can stop for a moment if you want." Affan looked at Aira meaningfully.

"It looks like it's fun. I like kids." Aira turned to Affan and looked out again.

The two got out of the car and walked around. There are several rides to play and well-appointed benches in the park.

Affan took a friendly hand of Aira to one of the benches directly adjacent to the street.

Some visitors to the park live in the same complex as Affan so they get to know each other. In certain occasions such as thanksgiving and celebration, they occasionally meet.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Affan," said a young mother carrying a small child.

"Good afternoon, Mom. Another walk, huh?" ask Affan kindly.

"Yes, sir." The woman looks glanced at Aira.

Affan seemed to understand what the woman was thinking. He looked at Aira who looked awkward as she was about to greet the person he had not known.

"Oh, yes, introduce this Aira, my wife." Affan introduced Aira to the woman.

"Campaign, Aira. I'm Sasa. Well, Mr. Affan knows you're married. Where I was, yeah, when you were married." The woman tried to remember.

"We married very simply, Mom. Only the family knows."

They chatted casually until several others came and congratulated them.

At the end of the road a woman gazed in envy at the happiness of Aira who managed to conquer Affan. During this time Affan was too sturdy to make a defensive wall that made it difficult for women to approach him.

****

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