Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 106

His fingers weaved with flickering and deftly with a light blue ballpoint pen above the orange-covered diary. Conjoint each character into a word that he will conjure as a beautiful sentence nan poetic. His brain spun rapidly thinking of the diction he used.

The night breeze that slipped in from the wide open window of the room gently swept across his face. Sometimes he stared at the perfect sky. The moon that is not yet fully full co-exists with the stars that are glittering. His smile came out instantly.

"In the meantime my journey with you enters the fifth full moon, Reyhan Akbar Oktara," he murmured softly.

The door caught his attention. His gaze turned towards the wide-open door. There stood her husband with a look not as neat as this morning when leaving for the office. With an already irregular tie, the sleeves of the shirt are rolled randomly up to the elbows and gray suits that are no longer worn. Reyhan entered the room with his pale face.

"Assalamualaikum" Reyhan said in a small voice.

"Wa'alaikumussalam," he replied pretending to be a bitch.

He saw Reyhan putting his briefcase and suit on the bed. Lose his body without opening his shoes let alone changing clothes. Not as usual.

His gaze was thrown far back at the nabastala that had been locked up at night. Trying to stay indifferent to her husband's unusual behavior. No more greeting after the greeting. No other word follows.

Without being asked that worry suddenly whack. "What's up ?" ask in the heart. For a moment he stared at the body lying in that arbitrary position. He saw that the man was fast asleep with a regular rhythm of breathing.

"Have he grown tired of my attitude ? Until now he's been the one who started living me like this."

He took a long breath. "Ah... Let it go." His hands again danced on the pile of paper wrapped in orange color. Pouring all the images that roam wildly in his brain.

"Is he too tired to sleep ? In fact, he does not usually sleep with work clothes. He hasn't cleaned himself up yet."

His steps he swings. While the diary he used as a container poured his imagination he let it glide near the window without being closed. His hands began to shake slowly Reyhan's body covered in sweat and a face that paled as white as a wall.

"Sister ?" call slowly.

No answer whatsoever.

"Sir Reyhan ?" His hands shook the body even harder. Panic is gnawing. He wiped away the cold sweat that soaked the pale face before him with his hands.

"Mama!" he screamed as hard as he could. No matter who heard the scream.

"Ma! Please Nadhira, Ma!" screamed once more.

"What's up ?" farhan asked who suddenly appeared from behind the door of the room that opened violently.

"Sister... Reyhan's sister," he said stammering and unable to continue his sentence.

"What happened to sister, Brother Nadhira ?"

"I don't know, Farhan, either" he replied with a sob that began to sound.

Farhan immediately sat down beside Reyhan who was still lying on the bed complete with his work clothes. "Sister! Brother!" call Farhan while patting Reyhan on the cheek.

"We're taking Reyhan's brother to the hospital now" Farhan said.

"What's Reyhan's sister, Farhan ?"

"Farhan is not sure either, brother. It's just that Farhan feels brother anfal again. Wait for Farhan here for a second. Farhan will call Papa and Mr. Amin to help Farhan bring brother."

He just nodded at hearing his sister-in-law.

_____

His gaze could not be separated from Reyhan's body which lay weakly on the gurney. With an infusion hose that reinsert the left hand and a breathing apparatus.

"Ma ? Reyhan's brother will be fine, won't he, Ma ?" ask her heartbreakingly without looking at Mama. He found no answer from his mother. All he heard was a sob that was not much heartbreaking with his sobs.

"Jawab Nadhira, Ma!"

Mama wiped away the tears that ran down her wrinkled cheeks. "Pray 'alah may Reyhan be fine, yes, son."

He looked up and looked at Mama with a pitiful look. "Ma ? Is this all because of Nadhira so that Kak Reyhan anfal again like this ?"

Mama shook her head. He turned his gaze again on Reyhan's pale face. "Wake, Honey. Don't keep going like this. I'm the one who can't see you lying in helplessness." His voice sounded clear and heartbreaking. His hand grips increasingly tightened on the burly hand that now began to take care of it.

"I'm sorry I've been lingering for you."

Feeling the movement of fingers on his hands. "Darling ?" call gently. He stared at the eyes slowly trying to open it.

"Aleea ?"

"Yes. I'm here, honey."

"I'm sorry" Reyhan whispered softly.

"I've forgiven you" she replied with a smile.

"I'm sorry I haven't been a good husband to you."

"No! My brother is my best husband."

Reyhan laughed heartily. "I'm just a sick man who usually troubles many people. Including you."

He shook fast. "I never felt bothered. Because, it's my duty as a wife." For a moment he was silent. Wiping away the tears that were still dripping. "I'm sorry for my attitude yesterday that inhabited you. I was just disappointed" he said.

Reyhan chuckled at her behavior. "Yes, Honey. I get it."

"So, now we're at peace, yeah. I can't be in that state of silence for you."

It's not just Reyhan. My mom laughed at his innocence.

"Don't laugh at me. I'm ashamed" he said spoiledly, covering his face with both hands.

"Come here! I want to hug you" Reyhan said.

Without thinking for a long time she hugged the body of her husband who was still lying. No matter to Mama who still stands and becomes a loyal audience.

Mama cleared her throat hard. "Can't you guys ask Mama out first before doing that dangerous scene ?"

Suddenly he took off his embrace on Reyhan's body and looked at Mama. His eyebrows linked into one. "Dangerous scenes ?"

"Mama probably means a romantic scene, dear," Reyhan explained with a small laugh.

"Well, I mean Mama. But, nevermind. Mama better get out. Mama doesn't want to disturb the romance between you two. Understand that you guys have just made up. Must've missed romantic things, haven't you ?" tease Mama by rolling one eye.

"Mama always understood the condition of her son," Reyhan replied half-jokingly.

"alright. Mama get out first. When you're done complaining about romance. Just call Mama outside." The mother immediately came out without waiting for any comment from her son.

"I'm sorry" he said shyly with the head he bowed to after Mama actually walked out of the room where Reyhan was being treated.

"Sorry for what else, Al ?"

"For everything."

Reyhan nodded and smiled sweetly at her.

"Darling," he called her cheerful.

"Why ?" reyhan was confused.

"We're at peace, yes."

Suddenly Reyhan laughed at his words.

"Why ? Is there something funny about my words ?"

"No. No," Reyhan replied still with his laughter.

"Then why is my sister laughing like that ? Huh ?" tanyanya pretends to be angry and ruffled waist.

"You're funny and innocent. Just like Latisha."

He grumbled annoyed.

"Yes. Ja. I'm sorry and at peace."

Stare sparkles. Smile expands. He hugged Reyhan's body back.