Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 72

Nadhira's POV

I tried with all my might to close my eyes. Expel and throw as far as possible thoughts and questions about the golden yellow box that I accidentally found in the corner of Kak Reyhan's private room. The box that caused the look on his face to change in an instant.

The effort I put in so much seems to have ended in vain. My eyes are not able to close perfectly. My brain even refused to compromise destroying all the thoughts I shouldn't have thought of. Because, obviously, it bothers me a lot.

"Oh!" I violently exhaled. Wiping away the thick blanket that wrapped part of my body.

My gaze turned to a round object with a rose motif attached to the wall of the room. Then, switch again on the phone that I put neatly on the bedside table.

Exactly it. My phone rang when I could hold it perfectly.

"Mikayla ?"

I stared for a few seconds at the phone still ringing and vibrating in my hand. Look at the name of the person who called me. For a moment my brain spontaneously recalled Brother.

I don't know why lately I've been feeling weird about myself. Every time I remember Kayla, my best friend. Or someone accidentally mentioned his name near me. My brain was quickly aroused and thought about Brother.

"Assalamualaikum, Kay," I said with a greeting after sliding the green button on my phone.

"Wa'alaikumussalam, newlyweds. Have I interrupted your time with your husband, Ra ?" he said half-jokingly from across the phone.

"Of course you've been bothering me, Kay. I'm busy making you a big nephew" I reply with a laugh I can't stand anymore.

There was a loud voice of laughter there. "Oh really ? Forgive your best friend this one if that's the case, Mrs Oktara."

"No, Kay. No. gabe. I was just kidding. What's up ? Tumben once you called me ? Have you missed this beautiful girl so much ?" ask me with a very high level of self-confidence.

"His confidence level hasn't changed at all since I've known you, Nadhira Aleean Prayudha. Gosh darn. God hasn't given you consciousness yet ?"

"I am indeed beautiful, Sicilian Mikayla Tjoeandro. My husband used to say that I was really pretty."

"Alright, Ra. That's not what I'm really talking about."

"Then ?"

"Can you go to college now ? Mr. Aryo just asked you about your final assignment. You also meet me. How ?"

"Oh okay. I'm going to college now. But I asked my husband for permission. Because he still has not fully recovered. So, I'm afraid to leave her anywhere."

After returning Kayla's greeting, I disconnected the phone. Hurry up from the bed and grab a towel.

I quickly splashed all over my body with cold water. Refreshed my muscles and body that felt bad. Especially my brain and heart that are not yet calm.

The deep black gimmick I put in the closet was a selection of clothes I wanted to wear to college. Then I combined it with a light blue pashmina hijab.

It didn't take long for me to get ready. With all the necessities I had prepared and put them in my bag. I went out of the room. Walk into the room in the corner of the second floor of this house.

My move is so sure. I can't wait to ask for permission and go to college. I met two humans who have been with me for the past four years. Two distinct human traits that give color in the bonds of friendship.

"Nadhira!"

I looked back and found Mama with a glass of fresh juice in her hand. Also a plate of food that I believe was his creative handmade.

"Yes, Ma."

"How's the wound on your hand ? Have you cleaned and treated ?"

"Already, Ma. It was cleaned by Reyhan's sister."

I walked over to Mama who was standing right in front of my door.

"Make this juice for you. And a snack of Mama's experiment today" Mama said proudly, smiling widely.

My eyes are sparkling, of course. Now I've transformed into a human being who can't help myself when I see food. Moreover, the food made by Mama whose delicacy I do not doubt. Also the cleanliness he always maintained.

"Gee... Is this really for Nadhira, Ma ?"

"Yes, Honey. You have to take care of your health and diet. Moreover, you're trying to make Mama a grandchild, aren't you ?"

Really am. For whatever reason, I'm embarrassed not to hear Mama's words. But I also confirmed his words. Because, I'm trying to get hold of junior Reyhan right away.

"But now Nadhira wants to go to college, Ma. There is a task that Nadhira must complete immediately" I explained Mama.

"You drink this juice first. You can keep the food in the refrigerator and eat it after. Or you just give it to Reyhan. Let me make you some more."

"All right, Ma." I grabbed a glass of fresh juice Mama made. Gulp it up the toilet in one gulp.

"It's food. You just take it to the room and give it to Reyhan."

"Yes, Ma. Thank you for paying more attention to Nadhira. Also to Reyhan."

"You're Mama's kids. Of course Mama's gonna give you as much attention as you can, son."

I hugged Mama tightly and kissed her cheek. Hugging her as hard as I hugged Mother's body. Comfortable and warm.

"Mama get down first. Raina is waiting for Mama in the back garden."

I nodded at Mama.

After Mama's death I'll be back in the room. Putting food that Mama made. That's later when Reyhan's brother comes back from his study. He found the food and ate it.

My move back I swing towards Kak Reyhan's private room in the corner there. Trying to knock on the door.

And...

My hands hang in the air. The voice coming from inside made me undo my intention of knocking on the door.

I sharpened my sense of hearing in order to hear the sound clearly. However, I heard him mention someone's name.

"Who ?" ask me to myself.

I'm taking another step. And stand right in front of the door.

Degs...

My heart stopped beating. My earth stopped rotating. I don't think my blood flows all over my body.

"I miss holding that hand. To brush your long hair that you've always been reluctant to tie, Meer. Which you've always let down, blown by the strong wind and will cover your beautiful eyes."

The sentence managed to touch the deepest space he occupied by himself. Moreover, the sentence was accompanied by a laugh that I heard was very happy.

My chest's tight. My eyes began to blur. I make sure there is a puddle on my eyelids that at any time is ready to flood my cheeks.

"Astaghfirullah's. My husband may miss another woman." I tried to take part repeatedly. Raised my head to ward off tears so as not to spill carelessly.

Step by step I took a step back. Until my body hit the ladder. I kept shaking my head. Shooing away the sentence I caught earlier so as not to fall in my senses.

A drop.

Two drops.

Tears are no longer just a trickle. But, it turned instantly into a very swift flow of water. Quickly swamped my cheeks which I had already smeared a little make up.

I tried to wipe away my tears that were still flowing. I intend to go back into that room. However, just as my hand touched the door. The words I should not have heard returned were as well memorized as the poems the poets read.

I put my hand down from the door. Stand up straight without wanting to back down again. Let me force my ears this time to hear the sweet words of my husband to that woman named Elmeera.

I just smiled when I heard all that. Perhaps all this time I was too confident that the full heart of Reyhan was only mine. Even the slightest miss will not be owned by anyone but me.

And this moment. The surprise I never expected came and managed to hit me by force. How can I believe all this ? While my hope is so great that no one else will be a character in my household story.

At times like this I hate to shed tears. Hate being a whiny girl. I should be someone who can make himself strong without asking anyone.

And I was actually wrong. I'm still the same. Being a little Nadhira who likes to shed tears mercilessly.

I wipe my tears with my arms as I hear the sound of footsteps approaching. I believe it was the sound of Reyhan's footsteps.

Unfortunately, these tears never stopped coming out. Until the door of the room opened wide and showed the handsome face of my husband who was shocked to see me already standing in front of the door with tears.

"Aleea ?"