20 Years Adrift
Chapter 76. Old Friend

There were still some employees who were overtime when Affan and Aira came home from the company. Although work sometimes piles up, Affan does not allow them to overtime until late at night. At six o'clock in the afternoon they had to go home.

Affan will be responsible for delays and compensation if the service users or companies that cooperate demand it. But so far no one has done it. They strongly believe in the performance of Affan's company.

"Darling, I want to take you to the cafe. I haven't visited him in a long time" Affan said when they were in the car.

"Can. We haven't been out for a long time." Aira hugged Affan's arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

A little thing like this made her feel very happy. Despite being the wife of a wealthy businessman, she did not like to squander money.

"Sir! Take us to the Tendean cafe, yeah!" affan orders the company driver who drives him.

"Good, Sir."

The car carrying Affan drove away from the company to Affan's cafe. The cafe is full of memories that became a life support when he married Kayra.

He hadn't been visiting the cafe for a long time. Affan always remembered Kayra when she was there. However, after she was able to accept Aira's presence as a wife, her heartbreak slowly faded.

Kayra's departure left her stuck in memories that left her slumped. Before meeting Aira at all she had no desire to marry again.

Affan's cafe is right in front of the campus where he studied. Not much has changed from the building and the layout inside. The spacious courtyard was filled with vehicles of students who visited there.

Affan looks hesitant when he gets out of his car. His body was sweating in an air conditioned car. It seemed like he was trying his hardest to bury all of his past memories.

Very understanding of what Affan felt, Aira did not think how to get rid of the tension that occurred. Her husband should be completely detached from the excessive guilt and sadness.

"Mas Affan! There are so many cafes. Must be good food. Can we go down now?" asked Aira with a glowing face.

"Of course." Affan tried to smile.

'Thank God Mas Affan could soon take control of him. Hopefully after this he is more courageous in facing the reality of life. What had happened in the past was a destiny he had to accept sincerely.' Aira smiles seeing Affan get off his car first and helps him to get off later.

They walked hand in hand into the cafe area. From outside the cafe can already be seen if the situation in it is very rame. Quite a lot of people work there, they are on average students who take part-time jobs.

"That's amazing! The arrangement inside the cafe is very good, did Mas Affan design it?" ask Aira lirih.

Cafe visitors noticed them so Aira was more calm in speaking. Although it can not be said to be mature but Aira can carry herself and respond to the situation around her.

"Yes, Honey. It was me and Kayra who designed this cafe. I didn't change it on purpose" Affan said.

Aira nodded.

"I'm thinking about it too. Maybe there will be an addition of color also when painting so that the painting on the wall can look more alive," Affan added.

"Yes, Mum."

They finally found an empty table after walking around the entire room. Affan pulls out a chair for Aira.

"You wait here. I want to see things in the back. You also order drinks and snacks for me as well" Affan said.

"Good, Mas. I'll wait here." Aira grabbed the menu book lying on the table.

There are a lot of food and drinks sold there. The price is quite competitive and varies according to the contents of a student's pocket.

A man wearing a hat suddenly appeared and sat down in front of Aira. His face was less clear as it was covered by a mask. The sitting position of the man was right next to Aira.

Feeling uncomfortable about this, Aira immediately moved up and took another seat so as not to get too close to the foreign man.

"How are you, Aira? You must have forgotten me." The man's boulevard lisp accent felt familiar to Aira.

"Alhamdulillah, fine. I'm sorry we can't talk for long. I'm afraid others feel misunderstood and think we have closeness." Aira was trying to avoid slander.

"I'm steve. Do you remember?" Steve immediately introduced himself before Aira threw him away.

Aira rounded her eyes. Steve was the one who hit Faya's car and went to the same high school as her. It was certain Steve knew all the news about Aira having married his best friend's father.

Aira was a little relieved when a cafe waitress came to her desk to record what she would order. To tie it up longer Aira ordered slowly and pretended to be confused choosing the menu.

Steve looked impatient and waited for the right time to speak to Aira. The opportunity came when the cafe waitress left in front of them.

"Aira, listen to me. I'm so sorry I met you at the wrong time. From the beginning of the meeting until now I have put my heart on you. I'll accept you if you're unhappy with that old man, Aira." Steve spoke in a soft voice.

"You're no better than my husband. I love him so much and will not give anyone a chance to hope. Please get out of here, Steve! Don't let anyone think we're close." Aira deliberately spoke in a rather high voice.

Steve did not expect Aira's reply to be so resolute. However, instead of giving up, Steve even more admiring the figure of a girl who is difficult to get like Aira.

****

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