Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 26

Dark curdle night. Sayup-sayup heard the voice of the night beast rang out. The moon looks beautiful hanging on the night sky so dark. A bit of light smuggled in through the cracks of the hospital room pentillation hole that Nadhira now occupies.

Nadhira felt his right palm that was freed from the infusion hose warmed up. A second later he saw a pair of hands holding him. Nadhira smiles.

Happy and sad Nadhira felt at the same time.

Blissfully. When he saw the man who had now tied him up in halal bonds a few hours ago was waiting faithfully for him who was lying weakly in the hospital gurney.

Mournfully. Tonight, the night that Nadhira often heard the newlyweds looking forward and proud. The night Nadhira was supposed to enjoy together with Reyhan as a couple.

But who can guess. The disaster comes whenever he wants.

Nadhira looked at her husband who was fast asleep with his head bowed and arm-pouched. Nadhira pulled her hand very slowly so as not to disturb her husband's sleep.

“Poor” Nadhira Says.

Nadhira stroked Reyhan's hair which was originally neatly combed now looked a little messy it gently.

“Sorry to me, yes, Brother.”

“Great sleep, Husband.” Nadhira continued with a smile after mentioning the word husband at the end of his sentence.

Feeling disturbed. Reyhan lifted his head and blinked his eyes to adjust the light of the light coming into his retina. Reyhan saw Nadhira looking at him with a smile.

“Lho, how to wake up ?” Ask Nadhira.

“You yourself since when to wake up?” Instead of answering Nadhira's question. Reyhan threw a question at his wife.

“Not answered. It's even back.” Nadhira Protest.

“Nothing. Why did you wake up ?”

“Mmmm.. is okay.”

Kruukk..

Nadhira's reflex hand moved holding his stomach which sounded without the command. Nadhira longs to mourn her stomach which knows no time and place to fill.

Reyhan looked at his grinning wife and held her stomach.

“Wait for me to buy you a minute ya, Darling.”

“Do not, Brother. It's been too late. I drink water only.”

“Your stomach needs to eat, not drink. Wait for me here. I'll be out for a minute to eat.”

“Tap.”

“I don't need rejection, yes, Nadhira Aleeana Prayudha.” Reyhan's words cut off Nadhira's speech.

Nadgira could only nod.

Nadhira looked at Reyhan's back which was getting further away from his sight. Then it disappeared behind the door that was closed.

Getting bored. Nadhira changed his position to lean. He looked around the room displaying only one color. Whiter.

Waiting for Reyhan to return. Nadhira tried to close his eyes that still felt sleepy.

Chequek.

The open door revealed Reyhan with a large plastic bag in hand.

Reyhan looked at Nadhira who was asleep with a leaning position.

“Honey,” Reyhan slightly shook Nadhira's shoulder.

Feeling distracted. Nadhira blinked his eyes and saw Reyhan was back.

“Sorry I was long, yes ? Until you fall asleep gini.”

“Nothing.” Reply Nadhira smiled.

“Eat first. I bought fried rice. Let me take a bribe.”

“Neither do it, Brother. I can still eat by myself.”

“Sorry. I don't need rejection anymore.”

Inevitably Nadhira just follow the orders of her husband.

A spoonful of fried rice fed to Reyha was devoured by Nadhira. Feed the worms that have been screaming for food.

“Dik ?” Call Reyhan while feeding Nadhira. The one who is called only looks without answering.

“Other times if you're allergic to food or drink, you say it's the same with me. Let it not happen like this. I'm scared, Dik.”

“Iya sorryin me. Next time I say it to sister."

“Ya. Do not repeat again. Same promise me.”

“Iya I promise. But.” Nadhira's hanging speech made Reyhan frown.

“But what ?”

“I'm full.”

“Hahs. Only a few times have they been full. Eat a little, Dik. Pantesan aja tuh petite body like that.” Reyhan said as he looked at Nadhira's body from top to bottom.

“Udah full, Brother. Cannot be expanded yes.”

“A little more yes, dear, yes.” Persuade Reyhan.

Nadhira shook his head in refusal.

“Ya. It's drink first.”

Reyhan gave me a glass of water. Then drink up to half a glass by Nadhira.

Reyhan's eyes glanced at the round clock attached to the wall of the room and showed it at 01:24.

“Body is still long. You rest again, yes.”

“Kak how ?”

“Rest first. Don't think about me.”

“No. Your body needs rest, too, brother. From yesterday, my sister must have been lacking in rest. I see brother also looks pale.”

“Acting sister ?” nadhira.

“Ngak. I don't get sick.”

“Yakin ?” ask Nadhira again.

“Iya, Darling.”

“Sorry to me, Dek. It is not your intention to lie to you. It's just not the right time for you to know the truth. If it's time, I'll tell you everything without missing a single one.” Reyhan muttered inwardly with his eyes closed at Nadhira.

Not a bit Reyhan pubris questions Nadhira because he is still busy with his own mind. The thought that led to his lie against Nadhira. I don't know when Reyhan will keep covering up the truth about his condition with his wife.

“Kak!” call Nadhira by shaking Reyhan's arm.

“Ehh. Yes, Darling ?” Reyhan replied in shock and awakened from his daydream.

“Kak why the hell ?” Ask Nadhira (again).

“Nothing. You rest. So that your condition will recover soon. And tomorrow we'll go home.” Reyhan smiled.

Nadhira grabbed her husband's hand and grabbed it.

“If you have a problem. Tell me. My ears will be faithful to hear every grievance. Don't hesitate. I am now sister's wife. Whatever problems you face are my problems too.”

Reyhan's hand held Nadhira's hand. And smiled at the word for word that came out of the little lips and ranum belonging to the girl.

“And if now brother is not ready to share problems with me. Thats okay. I won't force. I'll wait until brother is ready.” Nadhira.

“Thanks, Darling.”

Nadhira nodded her head and her lips offered a smile to her husband.

“You don't smile often with your sister. Sister scared.”

Nadhira's forehead shriveled.

“Why ?”

“I'm afraid of diabetes. Abis your smile is so sweet.”

“Idiihh..have started gombal yes now.”

“Both wife herself is okay, Dek.”

“Iya deh I lug.”

“Now you rest, yes.”

“Kakak also.”

“Iya, Darling. Sleep well yes.”

Reyhan kissed Leea Nadhira's forehead gently. Then he stepped foot towards the sofa located near the door of the room that Nadhira occupied.

“Where are you going?”

Nadhira's question made Reyhan's reflexes stop stepping. Then he turned his body toward the source of the sound.

“And I also want to rest, Dek. There.”

Reyhan pointed at a cream-colored sofa near the door.

“Big brother won't sleep with me ?” Nadhira asked shyly.

The smile returned from Reyhan's lips. His feet again stepped with certainty approaching his wife who was bowed embarrassed and twisted the typical hospital blanket used to cover half his body.

“Which man does not want to sleep with his own wife, Dear ?”

Nadhira looked up at Reyhan who was standing next to his bed.

“But, I don't want if you sleep uncomfortable later.”

Nadhira shook his head.

“Sleep here with me. From now on I will share the place with my sister. Not just a place. However, in every way.”

“Iya, Darling. I'll accompany you to sleep here.”

Reyhan had not yet settled himself. His hand was held by Nadhira.

“Sleep is here with me.”

Nadhira's eyes glanced at the sleeping place he was in and slowly shifted his body to make room for Reyhan to sleep beside him.

“Yakin ?” Reyhan asked hesitantly.

“Iya, Darling.” Nadhira replied steadily with her sweet smile.

Hearing Nadhira's words of affection, Reyhan rounded his eyes in disbelief.

“What did you say earlier ?” Ask for clarity. I hope he doesn't hear wrong.

“Sayang.” Answer Nadhira plain.

Reyhan's lips curled into a sweet smile that added to his good looks.

“Kakak want until when stand continue like that ? I want a break.”

Without thinking long Reyhan immediately laid his body beside Nadhira with a sideways position facing his wife.

“Thank you, my wife.” His whisper was in Nadhira's ear.

The sweet smile that Nadhira had, he threw for the man beside her.

Reyhan kissed the top of Nadhira's head full of affection and then carried her into the deck.

Nadhira drowned her head in the field belonging to Reyhan who got a warm hug reply from her husband.

“Sleep, Deck. Let me temenin.” Reyhan said as he gently stroked Nadhira's hair wrapped in hijab.

Reyhan felt Nadhira's head nodding in affirmation.

“Kak!” call Nadhira with a head up look at Reyhan's face.

“Why, Dear ? Hmm?"

“Sorry, yes. First night we have to end like this here because of me.” Nadhira said regretfully but sounded timid.

“Hussttt.” Reyhan put his index finger on Nadhira's lips.

“You can't say that, yes. It's not because of you. It doesn't matter to me either. The most important thing now is that you have to heal and we go home.” Further.

Nadhira smiles.

“Now you sleep.”

Nadhira's eyes slowly closed. For the first time she fell asleep in the arms of her husband. Comfortable to feel,

Reyhan has his fingers on Nadhira's cheeks. His eyes that had not been closed also stared fixedly at the face of the girl in front of him.

I don't know how long Reyhan spent with his activities staring at his wife on their first night, until finally, he also closed. Following his wife who first headed to dreamland.

___To Be Continued__