Dusk (And Taste)
Chapter 73

He put back the bag that already contains his needs to the campus. The thick black glue that he had used earlier was again hung neatly in the closet. Also the pashmina hijab that she used wrapped her head and already looks tangled it she returned to the place she was.

Along with the rest of his tears, he cleaned up the room that looked messy. The neatly arranged table he tidied back. He did it just to busy himself so that his heart and mind were seized full of the events he had experienced since yesterday. Tragedy golden yellow box in the corner of space.

"Oh!" He breathed a rough breath. Slowly slap the body on a soft mattress.

His ears caught the sound of the door slitting open. He knew very well that the one who opened the door was Reyhan. He immediately pulled out the blanket and covered his entire body. Pretending sleep.

"Aleea, I know you're not asleep" Reyhan told her.

He still doesn't budge.

"Al, I need to talk to you. So that there will be no more misunderstandings."

He surrendered. He opened a blanket that covered his entire body up to half his body.

"What do you want to say ?" he said with a forced smile.

"I want to explain to you."

As fast as lightning he cut Reyhan's sentence. "Sister doesn't need to explain anything. I heard everything just now. And I will learn to understand my own husband's feelings and desires."

"But, it's certainly not what you hear, Al. I don't love Elmeera."

He laughed discordantly. "Elmeera ? I think my ears caught the name of the person you were calling wrong. I wish it was a mistake I heard. Actuallyno. It was a fact that stabbed me."

Her swollen eyes narrowed as the sliced smile that was printed was clear from her tiny red lips. "Help me digest well that my husband misses other women besides me now. Women in his past, who had fought together through hard times."

"But, I never had a special relationship with Epmera as you thought it would."

"Did you know what I'm thinking ?"

Reyhan's lips were tightly clenched.

"No, right ?"

He got up and changed his position. Sit down with the blanket in her arms.

"There is no friendly relationship between a woman and a man that does not involve heart and feelings" he said with a sharp look.

"I don't love Elmeera, Al."

"But, he loves you, Reyhan Akbar Oktara," he said, quickly snatching Reyhan's words.

"Let's. Even if you have the same taste as him. What can I do ? Is not no one able to control the hearts and feelings of others ?" he continued with an indescribable look. And also a very nice smile.

"How should I explain it to you, Al ? That I really didn't put any feelings on Elmeera."

"Have trouble explaining anything to me, brother. Besides, I don't know what this is about either."

"Aleea ?"

The ringing of his phone that he put next to him was able to take his mind off for a while. He stared at a mobile phone screen showing a call with the name of a Sicilian Mikayla contact. Without a second thought he touched the green phone icon to receive his best friend's call.

"Assalamualaikum, Kay," he said with a wist.

"Wa'alaikumussalam, Ra. I was waiting for you at the college. Have you left home ?"

"Sorry, Kay. Today I can't go see you on campus. I can't leave my husband at home. Just yesterday he was out of the hospital. And now his condition was still not fully recovered," he replied with a gaze that pierced Reyhan's net.

"Ah... I have been waiting for you since. But, it's okay, Ra. I-i understand. May your husband improve soon."

He smiles. "Aamiinu. Thanks, Kay. We can still meet on another occasion."

"Why should you lie to your best friend like that ?" reyhan asked after seeing her disconnect the call.

"I lied ? What does it mean to lie, brother ?"

"You didn't go to college because I didn't let you. Not because of anything else."

"Indeed, brother wants to be said as a husband who curbs his wife ? And do I have to say that and let people judge you ugly brother ? Of course not! I don't want anyone to label my husband anything he shouldn't."

Reyhan. His wife's words were able to pierce his heart. When he cut the wound. However, the girl was still able to think about it well.

He stared at the wall clock for a moment. Then switch on Reyhan's face that has begun to look paled.

"It's time for my sister to take the medicine. Wait a sec. I'll get you some water downstairs."

"I don't need medicine. I just need you to hear my explanation."

"I'm not interested in any explanation at all. And my husband's health is far more important than just an explanation that I won't be able to properly digest. My brain can't learn that fast. Sorry."

He got out of bed and left Reyhan alone in the room. His steps swung down the stairs one by one.

"Where are you going, Ra ?" asked Mama who was sitting with Raina studying in the family room not far from the stairs.

"To the kitchen, Ma. Taking drinking water for Reyhan's sister to take medicine."

Mama nodded in understanding. "Why not go, son ?"

"How can Nadhira leave a husband who is still recovering, Ma."

Mom smiled proudly at him. "Thank you for caring and paying attention to Reyhan that far, dear."

"Yes, Ma. Reyhan's sister Nadhira's husband. Of course Nadhira will do his best for him. Including taking up another time."

Mama just smiled in response to that innocent phrase.

"Hi, Brother Nadhira. Comehere! Learn with Raina."

"I'm sorry, brother, honey. Brother can't accompany Raina now. Because, you can't leave Reyhan's sister."

"Sir Reyhan why, Ma ?" raina asked innocently while looking at Mama.

"Sir Reyhan's still sick, honey. So, he had to rest and Brother Nadhira had to accompany him."

"Ma, Nadhira stay first, yeah."

After getting the answer, Mom. He stepped back into the kitchen and picked up a glass of water for Reyhan.

He returned to the room with bland steps. A flat face accompanied him.

In the table drawer he took a small bottle of drugs that Reyhan must consume. He took only two pills and put the bottle back in again.

"Take the medicine first. After that brother rest."

"Aleea ?" call Reyhan slowly.

"Don't do much twitching. Just take the sister's medicine. I don't want to see you until you're lying in the hospital again. Hurry on!"

"I don't need that medicine, Al!" royhan Bengkak.

"And I don't need your explanation either!" He turned back to Reyhan with a stern look.

"Take your medicine or not ?" he said with a threatening tone.

"No!"

"alright. I will not force. If brother anfal again. Don't lookfor me. Just find Elmeera or Shalumu's mother."

He put the medicine and the glass of water on the table. Without speaking, he went to the door.

"Where are you going ?"

"Where do I want," he replied without me.

"Don't go! Stay in the room."

"I'm sorry I can't be with a husband who misses other women."

"Listen to me, Al! Don't argue with your husband! Don't leave the room."

He turned his body and walked back towards Reyhan.

"What does my sister want again ?"

"Listen to my explanation. That's all."

"All right," he said and sat down next to Reyhan.

Reyhan looked at her intensely.

"Elmeera is my best friend, Al. The rest I just think of him as a little brother. Raina was not born at that time. I so wanted a little sister to be so happy when I met her who was cheerful and innocent."

Reyhan took a deep breath before continuing his sentence. "My love for her is no more limited to my sister. Especially when Ma'am Shalu came with all the attention given to me was no different to Elmeera. Since then I've felt like I've found a new family there."

"Elmeera's feelings for you. How ?"

"I never responded to anything about it. Besides, Elmeera knows that I have a wife now."

He's speechless.

"I just miss my little sister, Al. Jua misses Mbak Shalu with all his kindness. There really is no feeling or intention."

"If that's true. Give me time to learn to accept it well. So, in the future I no longer feel the feeling of my husband being divided with other women besides me."

"I love you, Aleea. It's hard for me to share this feeling with anyone. Believe it."

"I've received brother's explanation. Now take your medicine."

"But, I've been feeling better, Al."

"Don't be stubborn!"

"alright. I've started to get scared when I see you angry like that."

He gave Reyhan two small white grains and a glass of water.

"You're not going to college, Al ?"

"No. I don't want to be a dissident's wife who doesn't hear her husband's words."

"good. So, today you must carry out your duties as a wife."

His eyebrows raised next to. "What does brother mean ?"

"We're going to make a grandchild for Mama" Reyhan whispered right in her ear.

"Biggat!" his yell.

Reyhan chuckled.