Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 65

The morning he usually greeted cheerfully was no longer the same as this morning. His bright face turned cloudy and uninspired. His sparkling gaze remained only a narrow and sad gaze.

"Ra, breakfast first, yeah, son. Mama's bought you some food." Mama gently touched his shoulder.

He just smiled and shook his head.

"You don't be like this, honey. You will be sick later. Mama doesn't want that to happen to you."

"Nadhira isn't hungry, Ma."

"Ra, if you're sick too. Who's gonna look after Reyhan later ?"

He's speechless.

"Breakfast first, yeah, kid. It's okay just a little."

He took over a box of food that Mama had given him. Open and take it slowly. He forced the food into his mouth and swallowed it with great difficulty. The food he ate felt so bland.

"How can I eat in peace if I see you lying weak and helpless like that, dear ?" his screams in the heart. Her tears spilled from her beautiful eyelids. He bit his lips to hold his stuffing so that no one could hear him.

Mama who saw him held back tears so pitying. "Nadhira ?" Mama took him in her arms. Shamelessly he poured out all the pain he felt.

"Until when is Reyhan like this, Ma ? Nadhira can't see it."

He felt Mama's soft hand stroking the top of his head. "Patience, yes, dear."

He looked up at Mama.

"Sir Reyhan will be fine, won't you, Ma ?"

"Of course, son. Don't be sad and stay strong. You can't be sick either."

"How can Nadhira not be sad if she sees Nadhira's husband like this, Ma ?"

"Praying's the best for Reyhan, yeah. He's a strong man. Will definitely be able to get through the hard times."

The food that he could not afford to spend was given back to Mama. "Sorry, Ma. Nadhira can't finish this meal. Nadhira's appetite is somewhere."

"That's okay, honey. Just don't let your stomach fill up at all."

Her gaze returned to her husband who was still lying with perfectly closed eyes and a whitened face. His hand never took Reyhan's hand.

"Wake, Honey. I've missed your embrace" he whispered.

He hung his head on the edge of the gurney Reyhan occupied. Trying to close his sore eyes and tired of crying.

"Nadhira ?"

He lifted his head as Mama's voice recited her name.

"If you are tired. Rest, Son. Since last night you must have not rested at all. Poor your body, honey."

"No, Ma. Nadhira will wait until Reyhan wakes up. Mama doesn't have to worry. Nadhira will be fine."

"Mom stay home for a while, yeah, son. Your sister doesn't have to take care of it at home. Let Farhan Mama ask to accompany you here."

"Yes, Ma. I'm sorry Nadhira's been bothering Mama to accompany you since last night."

"Don't talk like that, Nadhira. Reyhan is also Mama's son."

"Ma, help pray'akan Reyhan, yes," he said.

"Without you asking Mama to do it."

She smiled sweetly. Kissing Mom's hand ready to go home.

After Mama. He rested his head and made his two hands focus. His eyes immediately he tried again to shut. And this time it worked. He can sleep.

Because, too sound in his sleep. She did not realize her husband was awake and complaining of pain.

"Swshhh!"

Reyhan didn't even have the heart just to wake her up. He was too much trouble for his wife. With all his might he squeezed the blanket that wrapped half his body. Wreaked the pain that had ambushed him.

Reyhan repeatedly said in his heart.

"Oh Allah, why does it have to hurt ?" reyhan complained in a small voice.

Feeling his throat dry up. Reyhan with the rest of his strength tried to reach the drinking water glass on the table beside his safe. Because, his condition was too weak. The glass he reached fell to the floor and made a successful noise making Nadhira jumped from his sleep.

"Astaghfiullah!" he said while stroking the chest.

"I'm sorry, Al" said Reyhan.

"Why didn't you wake me up if you needed something ?"

"I can't wake you up."

He just shook his head.

"Darling I want to hold you," Reyhan spread out one hand.

She quickly embraced her husband's body. He felt the roar of that irregular breath.

"Al ?"

"Hmm."

"I.no... Akkh!" Reyhan complained strongly.

"Honey. Dear. Why ?" She panicked to see her husband.

"My body, Al. My chest. Akhhh!"

For the first time he saw Reyhan screaming in pain without shame. His heart grieved at that.

"sickness, Al. It hurts."

"Have my hand firmly, dear. Wreak all your pain on me. Come on, honey."

Reyhan really grasped tightly his hand.

"Sister strong. Brother can definitely get through this."

The door of the room opened and featured a doctor and several nurses following him from behind.

"Mom can wait outside for a minute. I'll check on Mr. Reyhan's condition now."

"Don't go! Don't." Don't."

"I'm not leaving. I'm just waiting outside while the doctor checks on my brother."

He looked at Reyhan who shook his head strongly.

"Never go anywhere, Al. Aakkh."

"Doctor, let me accompany my husband here. I can't bear to leave him. I beg you, Doc."

"All right, Mom."

She stared at the activities of the Dharma Doctor who was examining her husband. His hand held Reyhan's. He felt Reyhan once in a while very firmly grasping his hand until it turned white.

"Sir Reyhan, your condition is getting worse and worse. Do you not want to accept the advice I have given to your parents to perform the operation ?"

Reyhan did not comment on the words of the Dharma Doctor. Because he never wanted to talk about surgery. With whoever it is. Even with his parents.

"Just give me painkillers, Doc."

"It's only temporary, sir. Besides the drugs that I have given since the past even the Father rarely to consume them. Don't underestimate this serious disease, sir."

"I'm sorry, Dharma Doctor. Don't force me!" hard snapped.

"Sister, don't be like that!"

"Let me talk to my husband, Doc."

"Alright, Mom. Excuse me first. I hope you can persuade Mr. Reyhan to have surgery. Because, surgery was the only way to help him not feel this kind of pain anymore."

"Thank you very much, Dharma Doctor."

"For a while give the drug already there is this prescription."

He took a white paper with an indistinct streak which of course was difficult for him to read from the hands of the Dharma Doctor.

"Later please Madam Nadhira to meet me in the room. There's something serious I need to talk to you about Mr. Reyhan's condition."

"Good, Doc. I'll be in the doctor's office soon."

He looked into the eyes that were staring at him.

"Why, Honey ? Hmmm ?"

"Don't be like a Dharma Doctor or Papa and Mama. Please don't force me to perform the operation. I'm fine, Al. And I just need pain medication. That's it, Al. Trust me."

"Yes, Honey. Get well and don't be like this anymore. So, no one will ask for let alone force sister to surgery."

"I'm strong, Al. Really am. It's just this fucking heart that makes me this way."

"Rayyhan!" he snapped with a stare.

Reyhan who heard his snaps and just said his name was shocked. He looked at the netra of his wife who had emanated the emotions of money overflowing.

"I don't like you saying that. Keep talking!"

"Darling, are you really yelling at me ?" reyhan asked in a small and pitiful voice.

He was silent and full of regret.

"Well, isn't it, honey ?"

With his head still down. He squeezes his fingers. I regret what he said to Reyhan.

"Don't yell at this useless sick man, yeah, honey. Because, this man just needs your mercy. Need your help until this frail body is lifeless. In a minute, dear."

"Sister, what do you mean ?"

"I won't be bothering you soon, honey. Patience first, yes. Because, I'm leaving. So, no more of these useless men will take up your time, waste your energy."

She hugged her husband's body. "No! You can't say that."

Reyhan laughed in his wife's arms. "I'm tired enough, honey. I'm ashamed of Mama, Papa, and Farhan for worrying them too much and wasting time caring for me. Now, you are just like them. Must be stuck to take care of this sick man."

"Darling, I'm your wife. So, I'll take care of you under any circumstances. Please don't say that again."

His sight suddenly twitched. He took off his embrace from Reyhan's body and massaged his temple.

"Why are you, Al ?"

"It's okay, brother."

"You sick, honey ? Hmm ? It's all because of me. I'm sorry, yeah."

"Sister, stop blaming yourself. I'm fine."

She only found her husband's side by side. He quickly hugged Reyhan's weak body back and whispered.

"You never troubled me. I'm your wife and I love you, my husband."