20 Years Adrift
Chapter 8. Different Expressions

Affan came out of the bathroom in full clothes. His face looked fresh after the shower and his wet hair made him look more masculine. Aira barely blinked as she looked at him. He could not believe that the man before him was 20 years old.

"Bandah! Your clothes are right here. I'd like to add a cupboard to you sometime .. in .. here." Affan shows an empty place that can be used to place an closet.

"Y-yes, Om." Aira calls Affan back with om. Affan doesn't mind that.

Aira quickly picked up a change of clothes and took her to the bathroom. Ashar prayer hours have passed, he must immediately bathe and perform prayers.

Affan's bathroom is bigger than Faya's. Although the facilities in it are the same, but the design and details of the room are different. Affan's bathroom is also wider than Faya's.

After closing the door and locking it from inside, Aira was stunned to see the bathroom that was the size of her previous room. He touched the wall and all the furniture that was there. However, Aira soon realized that she had to shower immediately and pray ashar.

'Fortunately, this morning, Faya taught me to wear a shower and others. Can be ashamed of my seven descendants if released alone in the bathroom.' Aira laughed at herself who was used to bathing with the dipper from the bathtub.

Affan had finished praying when Aira came out of the bathroom. He then glanced towards Aira who was wearing a mukena.

"You haven't prayed?" affan asked as he shifted his body from above the prayer mat.

"Not yet, Om."

Affan pointed to his script for Aira to occupy it.

"Know that I was waiting for. We pray together," Affan said and then continued his dhikr.

Deg ....

Aira remembered that she was no longer alone. For a moment he lost his concentration. After calming himself down, he had just started his worship.

Affan was still sitting in his place and waiting for Aira to finish worshiping. His face lowered when he saw that Aira was not wearing her hijab. Her long straight hair was beautifully draped. The smell of the bath soap so fresh filled the room.

Just like Affan, Aira was embarrassed. He pretended not to see when Affan was secretly watching him. To the extent that Affan did not blink when he saw he was combing his hair.

It was undeniable that Aira's beauty made her heart churn. As a normal man, Affan certainly has the desire to touch a woman. Moreover, he had been a widower for eighteen years. However, all that intention he tepis, Affan trying to refrain from being tempted.

"Let's go to the dining room," asked Affan not to linger alone with Aira. His attitude turned cold as if he did not care about Aira's existence.

'Am I not attractive? It seems that Om Affan really doesn't like me. Fiks, this marriage is just a formality for him.' Aira looks disappointed.

"Yes, Om."

Tucked a bitter taste in his heart when he saw Affan standing on his back. Aira looked at her face in the mirror then smiled, a forced smile. Whatever happens to him right now, he's sincere. Affan had helped her so much that she felt indebted.

'I have to be patient. Marriage is not a joke. Everything needs a process and it's not for a moment.' Aira strengthened herself.

Aira hastily grabbed her instant hijab after getting a mysterious glance from Affan. He recalled the time his father was so upset while waiting for his mother who was too long to prepare.

"I'm done." Aira put on her headscarf quickly then stood beside Affan.

Aira felt drifting as Affan gave her a look of attention. His feet felt like they were not on the ground. However, when remembering Affan's cold attitude suddenly his feelings change quickly and become mediocre.

"Thank you, Om." Aira.

"Hm." Affan asked Aira to walk in front with a gesture of his hand.

'Am Affan is very attentive. Behind her cold demeanor, she harbored a high sense of caring.' Aira doesn't know much about Affan's habits and everything about him.

They continued their steps towards the dining room. Even though they were trying to be mediocre, but that awkward feeling was evident on their faces.

I arrived early in the dining room. He looked towards Aira and his father with a warm feeling. Although the two still looked like two strangers, but Faya saw signs of attraction on the faces of the two.

"Dad, it looks like you've forgotten something." Faya was shaking her lips.

Affan scrunched his forehead. He felt that no one had forgotten.

"Sit, Dad. I need to talk openly about Mama Aira's needs."

Affan patted his eel. He just remembered if this morning did not give Aira cash because it does not have an ATM. The quiet Aira couldn't possibly ask him for money.

"Astagfirullah, I forgot, Faya. It's a good thing you remember it right away, if you don't know how much longer things will last."

"It's okay, Om. All my needs are met here. I'm so grateful to have been well received in this family." Aira felt bad.

"What's? What did you call my dad, Mam? Try repeated," Faya felt the call impressed a relationship that did not match their current status.

Faya set up a call for them. Aira had to call her father 'father' or mas. While his father had to call Aira just as he called her.

Affan and Aira did not dispute what Faya said. They obey Faya's wishes like a pair of parents who must succumb to his daughter. That very night, Affan gives money to Aira's needs.

The next day they went to school as usual. Affan drove them before they left for work. Affan's luxury car attracts the attention of Aira's friends. They were stunned to see Affan who was so understanding opened the door for both.

On the way to class, Faya heard someone telling her about the arrival of a new student. The students who were gossiping did not explain exactly who the new student was.

Aira also quietly listened to their conversation. It seemed like the disciple was a man as the facial expressions of the female disciples looked extremely excited when talking about it.

"Ma, who are they talking about?" asked Faya in a whispering voice.

"I don't know either. Maybe he's a famous artist who's about to move to this school." Aira.

"Hm. Or maybe he's the son of an official." Faya guessed too.

****

Connect ....