Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 137

"Nadhira. Reyhan. What's the matter?"

The heavy voice of Papa who had just arrived home after work stopped the steps of the couple. The two took turns saluting and kissing Papa's hands respectfully.

"As usual, Pa. The scene of Papa's eldest son's drama is lazy to take medicine," Nadhira quipped as she glanced at Reyhan with her eyes tails.

"Why don't you just pinch your husband, Ra? Act like a child."

"Why is Papa so compact with Nadhira?" ask Reyhan astonished.

"Because, we're one goal. Yeah, right, Ra?"

"Of course," replied Nadhira proudly.

Reyhan let out a long breath. "alright. Papa and Aleeana prefer rocking, yeah. Reyhan admitted defeat this time," Reyhan replied giving up and leaving the two humans who were not aligned with him.

Laughter Papa and Nadhira immediately on the air.

"Please keep your long-term husband, Ra. That's the consequence if it's too spoiled."

"Who's really spoiling Reyhan, Pa?" reyhan shouted from behind the wall of the living room.

"Leave it, Pa. No need to be timpali. Better go to the room. Papa must be tired" Nadhira said attentively.

"Yes, Son. Remember Papa's message, yes, Ra."

The girl nodded definitely with a fluffy smile that managed to make her eyes narrow. "Of course, Pa."

"But, Papa does not yet know how Kak Reyhan's true condition is now," Nadhira continued in his heart. He looked at Papa's back which was getting away with a flat and pushy expression. His brain was again occupied with wild thoughts.

"Al." Reyhan's calls and slow claps on his shoulders made the girl flinch. He then stroked his chest. Bummer.

"Why look at Papa like that? Has anything changed from Papa?" reyhan asked puzzledly and threw a look through the staircase where Papa was still gallantly stepping.

"Oh, no." He stepped his foot without touching Reyhan who was still standing near him. Empty look.

"Where are you going, Al?"

"To kitchen. Want to cook for lunch" he replied without looking back.

Reyhan just shook his head. "What else is going on with my girl, Lord?

...***...

The girl gently stroked her stomach. She was cross-legged sweetly on the balcony of the room. His eyes stared at the fading orange streak that stretched across the Western horizon. Signs are coming up soon night.

Inside his brain was still spinning every piece of events that made his heart ache. The incident where he was faced directly the husband lying helpless, groaning in pain, and or sometimes trying desperately to hold the pain just so he did not worry. Similarly, the words of the Dharma Doctor that are still ringing in his ears.

God is Good.

At dusk that will be ready to turn dark. In his heart he complained. "The pain of my heart saw the pain that ensnared the man of my choice. The man who will soon be titled Papa. How can I help reduce the pain? Lord, I know You will not give trials beyond the means of Your servant. But, if I may ask. Please, take the pain out of my husband's body."

Drop by drop falling tears cause marks on his old blue robe. Mournfully. Sure oes. Shocked? Moreover. Before, he knew that Reyhan was fine. There is no shortage of anything. However, the ticking seconds he went through with Reyhan presented a reality that made him claustrophobic.

He sipped the sweet tea that Reyhan made earlier, the warm was perfectly changed to cold. His gaze was sharp and straight forward. His heart is so turbulent.

"Dear." The heavy sound of someone on the bed made him turn his head. She smiled sweetly. And left the remains of orange at the horizon. Also sweet tea that has not been used up half.

Before sitting near Reyhan who was still focused on the quadrilateral object in front of him, the girl first rubbed her cheeks that were still wet. Afraid if Reyhan finds out he's crying.

"What's wrong?"

"Get me the file in the blue map in my workspace. Can, no?"

He nodded. Although, he knew Reyhan didn't see it. "That's it, isn't it?"

"Yes, honey."

Nadhira then swung his steps outside the room. Doing what her husband tells her.

In Reyhan's workspace he looked for the intended file. After finding her, the girl again stepped towards the door. Before leaving he took time to look at each inch of the room with the old ash paint. He smiled and came out.

"Is this what you mean, brother?" he said while handing the dark blue map to Reyhan.

Reyhan nodded and commented a smile. "Thank you, yeah, honey."

The girl did not respond. She sat next to Reyhan after handing over a map she had taken from her husband's study. She put her hand on Reyhan's arm. Also his head that he rested on the most comfortable backrest.

"It's time for some medicine soon, huh, brother."

"Later tonight, Al," Reyhan replied indifferently.

Nadhira could still face gently. Remembering the words of the Dharma Doctor who managed to drag Reyhan down in pessimism made the twenty-year-old girl determined to restore her husband's spirit. He knows that the work that is currently focused on the man is only because he wants to divert attention. "If it's late tonight, it's the same as leaving one time on the medication schedule, dear."

"Taking regular medication won't change everything either, Al. Let it go." The man's voice sounded loud. However, tucked into a great sense of resignation there.

"God is Good. Along with the do'a and the effort we put in. God must have helped us. Trust me, please, Reyhan Akbar Oktara."

Reyhan's lips were tightly clenched. The man refused to respond. He did not do what his wife said. For him now live a happy life with his wife without remembering anything that makes her physically sick. After all, the healing rate possessed was less than fifty percent.

Nadhira put her husband's hand on her distended stomach. There clearly feels small movements made by the baby. "Little wants the same thing as me. If you no longer think of me. So think of our child. He needs a strong Papa figure, who is strong, which will accompany his growth later. Until he became a proud adult."

Reyhan is still flinching. His gaze was straight ahead. Every word that was softly thrown from Nadhira's rancid lips touched his heart. However, his brain still remembers very well the words spoken by the Dharma Doctor. It's like a self-trapping when the heart and mind are out of tune.

Nadhira's small hands were coiled around Reyhan's body. Hugging tightly and stretching the warmth he had. "Whatever happens in front. We're going through it together" he said before drowning his face in Reyhan's arms.