Because I Don't Want to Lose
48 - Surprise

Ridwan sat in front of Anaya. He noticed the side of Anaya's table that was still filled with empty plates.

"Tumben ate you a lot" Ridwan said. He can judge by the number of plates and bowls available. There is no cynical tone like usual. It just sounds like a joke.

"Ngapain so take care of eating me, anyway? It's up to me to eat a lot of nothing!" ketus Anaya's. Although he admitted in the heart, he ate more portions than usual. Since last night, he just filled his stomach with a slice of pizza in Sandra's apartment.

Ridwan continued to develop his smile.

"How's your father doing?" ask Anaya.

"Neo know." Ridwan answered lazily.

"Kok don't know? You went to his house yesterday, you want to protest about stocks?" Anaya.

"My father, don't want to meet me. He told me to just meet his lawyer."

Anaya. How come?... But, given how hard the old man's heart was, Anaya understood.

"And have you seen his lawyer?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Then?" Anaya was curious.

"ah! I'm sorry I'm talking." Ridwan refused to answer. His face looked lethargic.

"But, you're still helping me work there, right?" ask Anaya. At one time, since he and Ridwan divorced, Mr. Arsyad hired Ridwan in his company.

"I don't want to talk about it, Anaya!" Ridwan tried to soften his voice even though he was still a little upset.

"Then, now what do you want to talk about?" Anaya also scattered herself.

"Hmmm... Can I order some food first?"

"Please!" Anaya folded both her hands on her chest.

Ridwan called the waiter. Anaya notices Ridwan's order. Her husband's favorite menu remains the same. Fried rice and lemon iced tea.

"Your wife knows you didn't find me?" ask Anaya after the waiter leaves.

"Just a second!" Ridwan went after the maidservant. He said something Anaya could not hear. The waiter nodded, and Ridwan again sat down in front of Anaya.

"Sorry, I forgot to ask for a little ice" said Ridwan.

Anaya did not respond.

"What were you doing? My wife?... Oho! He's been gone a month since he left me."

Anaya. He did not know what to react to the karma that befell Ridwan. He was the one who left Anaya for her, and now he's the one who left her.

"How's your husband?"

"It's fine." Anaya covered up the problem she was facing.

"You didn't fight because of yesterday?"

"It's none of your business" Anaya replied coldly.

"It could be my business if your quarrels had an impact on Naira."

"You want to make an excuse to take over Naira again?" ask Anaya cynically.

Ridwan. I'll admit, I was scared back then, Nay."

"Khilaf because of your own son's inheritance? It's crazy for you" Anaya said. It doesn't matter if Ridwan gets offended.

However, Ridwan laughed instead.

"Why laugh?"

"Yes, it's funny in my opinion. You think I'm crazy treasure, and you're so scared, you're gonna waste your money paying people so I don't take Naira."

"Whatever I'll do for Naira. Maybe, we used to think I was a selfish mother because I was concerned about work. But, if you're sensitive, I'm doing that for my son's future. And actually for you that time too!" anaya.

Ridwan.

"Now I get it, Nay. I only realized your sacrifice after my wife ran away because I couldn't fulfill all her wishes. I'm sorry, Nay!"

Anaya stunned. Only this time Ridwan immediately admitted defeat when arguing and apologized.

I'm also sorry that because of me yesterday, you and your husband got into trouble."

"Who said we had problems?" Anaya still trying to cover up .

"I made a promise to you in this place because I met a client here. I want to be anywhere, none of your business, right? If this is all you want to talk about, it doesn't really matter." Anaya was upset and regretted that she had not made an appointment elsewhere.

Ridwan gives up arguing Anaya the head of the stone. Along with that, the food he ordered came and served.

"Not that, Nay. I know your relationship with your husband is none of my business." Ridwan bribed his fried rice.

"Then what?" Anaya began to dislike the long-winded attitude of Ridwan.

"I'll finish my meal first, yeah!"

Anaya complained. He was restrained and diverted by checking the screen of his phone. A moment of his heart hoping to appear the name Izzar in a new message or call. But, he realized the man's number was still blocked. There was a message from Sandra. Anaya opened.

"Where are you, Nay?"

Anaya did not answer. He chose to exchange messages with Mba Kemi asking Naira. Mba Kemi sent some photos and videos of Naira who was accompanying Mr. Arsyad playing cards in his backyard. Both seem to be having fun. Especially Mr. Arsyad. His face looked fresh and radiant.

Ridwan gulped down half a glass of his drink. The contents of the plate have been finished.

"I'm here because someone really wants to see you. He asked for my help in order to facilitate," Ridwan looked at Anaya seriously.

"Who?" Anaya curious.

"Sasika's."

Ridwan's reply made Anaya stunned. He shook his head while smiling in disbelief.

"Yesterday, you said to him. Tell him he's cunning all sorts... So now you want to facilitate my meeting with him?" Anaya raised her eyes looking at Ridwan. "You're both weird!"

"So early in the morning he came to me crying. He regrets that he upset you and left your husband yesterday. He feels guilty, Nay. He wants to apologize."

Anaya immediately understood Ridwan's reason for asking about Izzar's news.

"That's why? I think he's happy that I and Izzar are splitting up?

Ridwan shrugged his shoulders. "She said someone threatened her."

"Diancam what? Who is threatening? Izzar?"

"What did he not say. And he doesn't want to tell me who."

Anaya breathed her.

"He has his own access if he wants to find me. Why ask you to help?" ask Anaya.

"He's afraid you're rejecting him. Because, have contacted your office, no one wants to help he said. Your cousin's out of the country, too?"

Anaya nodded. Two days ago Randi said he was going to Japan, a delayed honeymoon with his wife.

"Where, Nay? You want to meet him?" Ridwan asked.

After some time of pondering, Anaya firmly replied, "Ngga!"

Ridwan raised both his hands. Surrender. There would be no point in persuading Anaya anymore.

"OKAY. I'll tell Sasika. Now, there's something else I want to say." Ridwan waved his hand at a servant.

Anaya thinks Ridwan is asking for the bill. How surprised he was when the servant girl brought a piece of cake with a small candle lit on it. With a big smile he placed it in front of Anaya.

"Happy birthday!"

Anaya. He looked at Ridwan.

"Happy Birthday Anaya!" Ridwan smiled broadly.

Either Anaya has to. Kept or happy because Ridwan remembers his birthday while he himself does not. His anger and disappointment made him forget, besides, he did not really like his birthday celebrated specifically.

"Blow! Melt the cake later!"

Anaya concentrated on staring at the piece of cake. Her eyes instantly hot as soon as she realized the breed was a Strawberry Cheese Cake. Izzar's favorite cake.

"Why is this cake?"

"There's nothing else" replied Ridwan.

Anaya. Blow the small candle until the fire dies and leaves the smoke that immediately disappears.

Ridwan clapped his hands alone. While Anaya smiled grimly because she was stranded here and was given a surprise by her ex-husband.

He sighs. His heart asked, does Izzar know it's his birthday?

...***...