Dear Om Rey
Chapter 13: The Night of the Fires

Behind Om Rey's house, there was a round area about three meters in diameter. In the middle of the area there is a place that is intended to make a bonfire. That's where I am and Om Rey is now. Under the moonlight, sit next to each other facing a burning bonfire while burning marshmallows. The rain had just stopped falling by then, so the night was a little cool.

"Well, Om Rey made this house really think of everything. Even make an area for a gini bonfire." My praise.

"Om design this house for a small family Om. If you want to camping do not need to go to the camping place, it can be in this backyard. While the barbeque's there." Om Rey pointed to a gazebo area that was a little bit high about one meter from the ground level to the west of the campfire. There is a combustion device and also a table with garden chairs that are aesthetically arranged and comfortable.

"Keep if you want to swim stay in the pool. Want to play running around or make a garden party for a birthday or family event, can be in the area." Om Rey pointed towards the swimming pool located on the east side and the large area next to it which was covered in green grass.

Everything is very family oriented.

"But after five years all have never been placed." I heard a sad note from Om Rey.

"Because Om same Aunt Manda moved to Japan huh?" My toot.

Om Rey nodded. "Manda was transferred to Japan from the company where she worked when we were married for two months. The house was just finished at that time. But because Om didn't want LDR, so yes, Om ended up joining Manda to Japan."

"Where do you work in Japan?"

"Om that time interned at one of the companies. As an intern Om nyari freelance while working on Om license as an architect. Continue to pursue certification as a specialist urban building architect."

"To be an architect is a long struggle, Om."

"Yes, Dan. Almost as a doctor. After getting a bachelor's degree there are still many stages that must be taken to be an architect."

I nodded in understanding.

"Om, can I not?"

Actually, this has been bothering me for a long time. I'm really curious about Om Rey's relationship with Aunt Manda. But I didn't dare ask. It doesn't feel polite. But this time I feel pretty close to Om Rey. I need to know about his relationship with my aunt.

"By, dong. What do you want?"

"Indeed, Om same Aunt Manda was not staying together since when? Sorry yes, Om. I want to know about wherever I should be living with Aunt Manda. Mother I'll take my nitipin to Aunt Manda. But I'm the same here Om. Where is he going? All my costs are Om's responsibility. I honestly don't feel good about you, Om."

"Why doesn't it taste good, Dan. I told you, Om even likes to have you in this house."

Om Rey looked at me.

I averted my eyes, for some reason it felt like his gaze was so disturbing that my heart was pounding strangely.

"Yes Om will tell you everything is the same. At first Om the same aunt you met when we graduated. We are one class, but different. Om in architectural engineering, your aunt in resort management and leisure. We're hanging out and finally going out. Because he felt fit, Om proposed him. At first Om was rejected several times but because Om was sure of Manda, Om did not give up. Until finally Manda nerima Om and we married. Not long from there the manda who had been working was assigned to Japan. And that was like Om said, Om came to Japan because he did not want LDR even though Om was an apprentice at that time. Finally Om found a new internship in Japan and Om repeated from the beginning."

I nodded in understanding, listening to Om Rey's story.

"At first we were fine, everything was normal. Although we are both busy we always welcome to spend time together. But over time, we rarely meet. Manda often overtime until sometimes not coming home. Until we are at a point like not having a marriage relationship, even more like a temporary meeting, so rarely do we talk and interact. Even if we interact, we fight. Om decided to return to Indonesia after 5 years of staying there, and just then Manda was also placed back to the office in Jakarta. And we came home a few months ago."

"But the situation remains the same after we are in Indonesia again. It's even worse. Manda didn't come home a day or two but now you know how." Sad speech.

Om Rey laughed bitterly. "Yes. He's a workaholic." There is an emphasis when Om Rey says workaholic. Makes me even more curious, especially with the words of Om Marcel who said that Aunt Manda used a tool to delay pregnancy. I wanted to ask Om Rey that.

But I swallowed my curiosity. It would be impolite if I asked him that personal question.

"Why are you so dumb, Dan? Is there something you want to ask again?"

I was surprised to find Om Rey guessing what I was thinking so precisely.

"No, Om." My lie. "Hopefully the same aunt can come back good again ya."

Om Rey just shook her head. "No, Dan. I'm gonna give up on this marriage."

In total I was stunned.

"Om has survived that marriage thinking that Om will fall in love once and marry you once, your aunt. So Om survives in this household even though Om is very tired and tasteless." Om Rey looked at me again so closely. "But it turns out Om was wrong."

"Wrongly what...Um?" I don't know why Om Rey's gaze made me unable to pucker. Until I was stunned not separated from the two black beads that reflected the light of a fiery bonfire.

"Om is too tired to maintain Om's relationship with Manda. When Om is at his lowest, someone comes and gives Om the comfort and all the simple things Om has dreamed of."

My heart is pounding more and more. Om Rey's face lit by the bonfire looks more handsome and the atmosphere becomes more romantic.

Also Om Rey's words, and her warm hypnotic gaze, made me unable to help but misunderstand.

"It's as simple as jogging in the morning, having breakfast together, leaving together, going home together. Make lunch, watch movies and eat pizza, take a walk to the Mall, to the tourist attractions, to the bookstore. Chatting in free time. Arranged at work and meet clients. All of those things Om always dreamed Om could do with Manda, but never materialized."

And all those things he did with me?

"It's all Om does with you."

Unknowingly I was stunned. Have I misinterpreted Om Rey's attention all along? I thought we were just friends all along. His affection for me was like an uncle to his nephew. I even consider his attention to be like my father.

But it turns out I was wrong. Since when did Om Rey actually have feelings for me?

"Om's been in love for the second time but not Om's wife, but you. Danisa, niece of Om's own wife."

Instantly my brain stopped working, my body brushed, and my body was warm, then cold, warm, and cold again. My breath even started roaring.

Slowly her big, warm hands grabbed my cheeks. I was silent. I don't know, I lost control of myself.

Om Rey came closer and immediately her lips touched mine.

Om Rey... kiss me? Any more?