Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 55

Reyhan's bright red car drove at speed through the city streets that never escaped traffic. Especially in the morning, at work hours like today. The car drove towards the city park.

“Honey, what do you want for breakfast and where ?” reyhan asked as he glanced at his wife who was enjoying the flow of the road from the car window.

She looked back at her husband driving. “I want breakfast at the place of the Father at that time, Brother. I don't know why I miss his Gado-gado. But, not with his orange ice.” She slightly ticked her husband.

Reyhan chuckled at the joke of his wife. “Iya, Darling. You mean at our first dinner, Al ?”

“Iya, Brother. Can ?” tanyanya hesitated.

“Bby, Darling. For you I will fulfill whatever you want as best as I can.”

“Sister is seducing me?”

“Of course not, Al. I just want to make my wife happy.”

“Thanks, husband.” She hugged her husband's arm and kissed Reyhan's left cheek.

“Darling, why do you kiss me so often so suddenly ?”

“I just love it. After all, the one I kissed was my own husband. So, no matter how much I kiss her, there's no problem. Yes ‘kan ?”

“Iya, My dear.”

Reyhan pulled the car over and stopped.

“Why sister stop here ?”

“You want to go where you were then, not ?”

He nodded.

“We have to turn the direction. Because, place

eat Father that's the opposite direction from here.”

“Oh yes.” He nodded in understanding.

_____

“Al, let's get down!”

“Open the car door first for me, Honey,” he said spoiled and winked one eye teasing Reyhan.

“Ready, Mrs Octara.” Reyhan got out of the car and opened the door for his wife. He took Nadhira by the hand and walked into the eating place by the roadside. His gaze swept around the place in search of an empty chair.

“Only there, Kak.” Nadhira pointed at the empty table in the corner where the meal was. She walked ahead of her husband.

“Isn't this our seat the first time here, Al ?”

“Oh yes. What a coincidence, yes, Brother.”

He circulated his gaze and stopped at a sight at the table beside his seat. His face changed immediately.

“Aleea ?” call Reyhan after seeing his wife's sudden silent change.

She just looked at her husband and smiled.

“You're fine, Darling ?”

The answer is just a nod of the head. He looked back at the table beside him. There a woman sits alone with an enlarged stomach. Occasionally he caught the woman stroking her distended stomach with a smile. He smiled seeing her. Without in command his hands also stroked his stomach which was still flat. Before long the smile disappeared and changed with his own eyes.

See the look on his wife's face. Reyhan turned his gaze towards Nadhira's gaze.

“Sayang.” Reyhan clasped his wife's hand which was not also flinching to look at the pregnant woman. He caught the sadness emanating clearly from Nadhira's beautiful face.

Reyhan got up and sat down beside him. “Al, don't be sad like that, dear. Someday you will be in that position. We've only tried once. And we'll try even more later. We can't give up, sweetheart.”

“I've been expecting more. I also shared my hope with my sister. Without ever thinking, that my hope would break and hurt us. As it is now.”

“Hei! Why talk like that ? Hope it's become commonplace for anyone, baby. Which newlywed couple does not expect to have a baby quickly ? I thought there wasn't. They will definitely expect big. Including us.”

He lowered.

“However, can we impose ? Of course not. For it has become the decree of the All-Giving. Believe that! With relentless effort and do’a that never broke up. We will soon be entrusted with that gift someday. We just need time to be patient.”

Her tears were unbearable. He looked down and grew stronger. Before long he felt a pair of hands hugging him tightly. He gives her warmth, strength and calmness. He leaned his head against Reyhan's field and cried as he pleased.

“Already, yes, Dear. Shame to see many. Later people think I've hurt you.”

“His sister why is crying, Mas ?” Suddenly the voice of someone shifted the eyes of the two. They find a pregnant woman who makes Nadhira sad while standing in front of the table.

He wiped his tears violently and smiled at the woman.

“Sorry, Ma'am. This is my wife,” Reyhan replied.

“Oh sorry, Mas. I guess his sister. Why cry ?”

“Sabar, yes, Ma'am. I just had to wait four years to get pregnant. How long have you been married ?”

“Our wedding is just entering the second month.”

“Wah. I do’ hopefully soon given baby.”

“Aamiin,” said simultaneously.

“Mbak ? Can I stroke my distended stomach, Ma'am ?” tanyanya. Reyhan was staring in disbelief at his wife's strange behavior.

“Honey, don't be weird.”

“It's okay, Mas.”

He immediately gently stroked the pregnant woman's distended stomach. He felt the movement of the baby in the belly of an unknown woman. Smile expands.

“Thanks, yes, Ma'am. May it always be healthy until the day of giving birth.”

“Iya, Ma'am. Hopefully, Mama will also be given a mandate soon. Excuse me, yes.”

He just smiled. “I'm sorry for my hope that has hurt us. And from now on I will try to patiently wait for the presence of the baby in my stomach.”

Reyhan. “No. I don't feel hurt at all by that. I was hurt because of your crying. Therefore, if you do not want me to be hurt. Never cry again. I also really don't like your tears dripping just out of sadness, Al.”

He smiled widely even though he was occasionally as excited.

“Always smile like that, Aleea. Because, I always find peace when I look at you with your sweet smile.”

She was so excited to hear her husband's praise.

“Excuse me, Mas, Mbak. His order. Two servings of Gado-gado and two warm teas, yes,” said one father while putting food in front of them.

“Thank you very much, Sir,” reply Reyhan.

“Sama-sama, Mas. Enjoy breakfast in this simple place. Hopefully Mas and Mbak feel comfortable and bored visiting here.”

“Iya, Sir.” Reyhan smiled and lowered his head slightly in honor of the older Father.

“Al, do you want me to take a bribe or not ?” bargain Reyhan after the Father who delivered the order passed.

“No need, Brother. Just leave me alone. I am not a child to be fed,” he said with a sweet smile.

He enjoyed the food that was in front of him. Eating it very well. Without realizing it the food he ate stuck to the corner of his tiny lips.

“Al, I told you. If you eat slowly. Don't be like a child. See the seasoning of the food until it sticks so bibirmu.” Reyhan cleaned his wife's lips with a tissue that was available on the table.

Reyhan brought his face closer to Nadhira's. Then, whispering. “If we were at home. I've made sure to clean it with my lips directly.”

Hearing her husband's words. He immediately choked.

“Drink first, Al.” Reyhan gave the warm tea he had ordered to his wife.

“Kak! Why is my sister talking like that ? Brother didn't see I was eating?” said annoyed.

“Iya. Ja. I'm sorry. I'm just teasing you too, Al.”

“Terdenah,” he said indifferently.

“Continue eating.”

His hands again scooped the food in front of him. Slowly until it is left.

“Alhamdulillah.”

“Their portion of your meal is increasing, yes, Al.”

“Entahlah. Perhaps it is,” he replied with a big smile and displayed a row of white teeth.

“After this where are you going?”

“Which way my husband wants.”

“Good. We're going to Mother's house.”

“Created ?” tanyanya excitement.

“Iya, Aleeanaku. No way not this handsome husband of yours will lie to you?”

“This time I acknowledge your good looks, dear. Because, it's been kind to take me to see Mommy.”

Reyhan laughed at his little wife's words.

“Thank you, dear,” she said and hugged her husband shamelessly.