Behind The Boss
We're Not Stupid

Mr. Mahesa snatched the phone that was on the nightstand. Pressing one of the numbers on the call quickly stepped out of the room towards the balcony, leaving Mama Ariana sitting dumbstruck on the edge of the bed.

"Assalamu'alaikum," the voice of the greeting sounded when the call connected.

"Wa'alaikumussalam's chat. Oh, Kiran huh? Radit's phone with you, son?"

"Yes, Pa. Brother left his cell phone in the room," a soft voice sounded from across the room.

"Where's Radit now, son? Does Kiran know? Why did he leave the house?"

"Kiran doesn't know where you are, Pa. Brother said he wouldn't come home if Mama hadn't approved of us."

Mr. Mahesa sighed disappointed. "Why is his mind so narrow? Why is he impatient? Why did you have to split up?"

Mr. Mahesa wanted to hold this question. Waiting until Kiran's grief shrinks. But hearing himself already connected to Kiran, there were also questions that filled his head.

"Sister Radit is sad, Pa. He wanted to calm down there. Regarding Kiran staying here, according to this Brother is the best. Brother Radit doesn't want to repeat the same story as Papa Kiran."

"But not like this either .... The husband and wife should always be together. It's hard to be happy both. This is not how you solve the problem."

"Yes, Pa."

"So you don't know where Radit is?"

"Yes Pa."

"Be honest with Papa Kiran. Tell me where Radit is. No way he didn't tell you where he was going? The effect is so he who left you gini."

"Yes Pa. By Allah, Kiran is honest."

"All right Kiran." Mr. Mahesa does not want to press anymore. "I'm sorry for the commotion, son. We shouldn't have interfered in your household. Papa promises to solve this problem soon. Papa promised you'd be back together soon."

"Aamiin .. O Allah. Thank you, Pa."

"You take a break. Don't think of anything."

"Yes, Pa."

Mr. Mahesa turned off the phone after greeting. He breathed slowly. He returned a number. Then make a call back.

"Assalamu'alaikum." Sounding from the voice.

"Bara, where's Radit?" Mr. Mahesa to the point. There's no way Bara doesn't know where his eldest son is.

Silent

"Bara, tell me where Radit is!" back again, sounds more assertive.

"I'm sorry, sir. Radit threatened to skin me if he told you where he was." The voice across sounded honest.

Mr. Mahesa snorted. "good. You guys agreed it was." He no longer wanted to force. "Tell Radit ya Bara, I'll persuade mama soon. Prepare to go home soon."

"Good, sir."

"Thank you, Bara. Assalamu'alaikum."

"Wa'alaikumussalam, sir."

Mr. Mahesa sighed softly. The middle-aged man then stepped towards the room. As soon as he entered the room he saw that Ariana's mother was still sobbing on the edge of the bed.

"Ma ..," he said softly as he gently touched his wife's shoulder.

"Bad you, Pa. You know everything but just now tell Mama."

"The moment's not right yet, Ma."

"But Papa has made Mama like a bad person to Mama's own son," said Mama did not want Mr. Mahesa to see his face. He looked away.

"You're too busy with Ari, Ma. Papa doesn't want to burden Mama with Radit's problem anymore. Papa also just found out that Kiran is Karina. Papa didn't know either."

"So how, Pa? Mama was confused as to what to behave. To Ari, Mama promised. But Mama also understands Radit's feelings."

"Slowly we understand Ari, Ma. This is all a process of maturing him. Hopefully he'll be more mature than ever."

Mama Ariana's eyes blinked but then she nodded. Gently Mr. Mahesa wiped away the tears of Mama Ariana who had spilled.

"Sorry Papa yes, if the words Papa had hurt Mama too much."

Mama Ariana did not speak. Only a nod with tears was the answer.

...***...

"Dad?"

The face in front of Kiran looked bright with a smile.

"Sorry, Ari. I was having no taste for conversation" Kiran later regretted. Intend to close the door but Ari's hand prevents it.

"I just want to find Brother, Kiran. Can you call him for a minute."

Kiran looked at Ari blankly. "He's gone Ari."

"meaning?"

Kiran sighed softly. "Where do you want us to talk?"

Ari looked at him flatly. "Don't force yourself if you don't want to talk to me. I'll be back later."

"Wait, Ari." Kiran's call stopped Ari's footsteps who wanted to turn away.

"Hmmm ...."

"May I know if there's any need for you to look for Brother?"

Ari was silent for a moment. "I just want to make sure of something."

"Something what?" reply Kiran with a quick question.

Ari was silent again knowing Kiran's enthusiasm. "So he came to see me and I thought there seemed to be something."

"Yes. There's something." Kiran scolded. "We better talk there, Ari." Point Kiran at the lounge on the third floor. Leisure space before Radit workspace.

Kiran came out of the room and closed the door. Ari simply followed him then sat down on one of the chairs.

"Sister is leaving the house, Ari ...," Kiran said after a while they stared at each other. Ari faithfully waits for every word to come out of Kiran's mouth.

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, Brother left this house and stayed somewhere else."

"Then you were left alone here, was it?" Ari chuckles. "That's not my sister's type, Kiran," he continued.

"Yes." Yeah."

Ari fell silent.

"He doesn't want to hurt you, Ari."

"Then he's free to leave you, isn't he?"

"Are you aware, we're all tormented here?"

"We love each other, Ari. But to keep your heart, he left. Me, you and Radit, we're all hurt."

"Then you want me to let you go. That so?"

"We are not fools, Ari. God has brought us together and God has brought us together. Even I didn't expect, we could meet and get married like now."

"From before?"

"Yes. We've met since we were kids, Ari. He's the man I've been looking for until I came to town."

...***...

Tina gasped as she opened the door. He knew this man well, who had long since disappeared. His sudden appearance in this house was so shocking to him. He just stared at the middle-aged man before him.

"Call Mahesa and Ariana, Tina. Tell them, I want to meet." Those straightforward words instantly resuscitated the sculpting Tina.

"Okay, sir," he answered obediently. "Please wait a minute. I'll call Mr and Mrs." Tina reflexes answered. He's been trained for that.

"Please sit down, sir." He still had time to invite the middle-aged guest before moving on to call his master.

Unfortunately, both employers even asked for dinner in the room because they still felt bad because of the departure of Mr. Radit. Now, there has to be one more problem. He did not not not know the relationship of all of them with the newly arrived middle-aged man. His heart was pounding, wanting to know what happened next. Pushing his footsteps galloped swiftly towards the second floor.

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