Dusk Substitute
Farhat Abiyaksa Son

"Nissa, 3 o'clock!" whispered Amira, Nissa turned her head in the direction Amira said.

Nissa remained motionless, the figure she saw making Nissa's body freeze. Amira senses Nissa's change, her jolly best friend has gone missing. Since marriage, Nissa has been quieter. No more laughter, everything felt quiet and different. Amira feels lost, but she is aware of Nissa's current condition. Amira will support whatever the circumstances of Nissa. Without much talking or asking.

"Nissa, why are you quiet?" amira said, Nissa was shocked. Amira breaks Nissa's daydreams. With gontai steps, Nissa walked over to Rdait.

"What's wrong? Why come here? Zain is fine!" fawning Nissa without pause, Radit turned his head towards his car. Zain fell asleep in Ifa's lap.

"She was crying all the time, Zain was asking you!"

"Why not call me?" sahut Nissa relaxed, without even turning her head towards Radit. This morning's incident, made the distance wider between them. Nissa starts to keep her distance, even Nissa looks reluctant to be next to Radit. The fatal mistake Radit made, has been imprinted in Nissa's heart and mind. Stain on a white cloth that will not be easily erased. Patience and time will be able to remove the stain.

"I'm sorry, I forgot that my status was only on paper. That's why I don't deserve to be in your life or even your phone!" said Nissa coldly, a deep innuendo that made Radit speechless.

"Nissa, I'm sorry!" said Radit, holding Nissa's hand. Slowly Nissa brushed off Radit's hand. Nissa let go of the grasp that a wife so desperately wanted. But believe it or not, Nissa never wanted it or imagined Radit's warmth.

"I have to see Zain!" nissa said, Radit shook his head. I hope Nissa forgives him.

"The word has already been said, the attitude has been seen and the wounds have been imprinted. If only by apology all is done. So, what is the meaning of my pain and crying? What happened should happen? What is said that deserves to be heard? But the pain and humiliation you left behind. I shouldn't have accepted, even if I was just a debt-redeemer!" nissa whispered, Radit let go of her grasp. Word for word that came out of Nissa. The more he was disappointed, angry at the stupidity he did.

Radit was pensive, staring at the back of Nissa who was walking towards the car. Slowly Nissa opened the car door, Ifa smiled looking at Nissa who opened the door. With an eye gesture, Ifa asks Nissa to check Zain's high body temperature. Nissa flinched, looking at Zain's hot body. Then he turned to Ifa, but only his head was visible to Nissa.

"Have taken medicine!" nissa said softly, Ifa shook her head slowly.

"Why? Zain refused!" nissa said, Ifa shook her head for the second time.

"Mr Zain can't take medicine carelessly!"

"Allergies!" as Nissa said, Ifa nodded.

"All right, I'm going home!" said Nissa final, then closed the door again. But Nissa had not stepped up, Zain woke up and cried. Nissa and Radit turned around at the same time. The crying sound of a five-year-old boy broke out and rang out loud among the quiet sounds of nature.

"Mama!" zain shouted in between his sobs. Zain got out of the car. Nissa immediately ran over, she hugged Zain's body and directly carried him. A five-year-old boy who doesn't understand anything? Only crying realized, the mother he missed was gone.

"Zain, mama's tired!" radit said, holding out his hand towards Zain.

"Mama!" zain said whining, Zain's hand draped perfectly around Nissa's neck. Zain brushes off Radit's hand, rejecting the warmth Radit has offered him.

"Zain, mama should take the bag. Zain wait for mama here!" said Nissa softly, Zain shook his head weakly. Nissa began to get overwhelmed holding Zain. With a tall body and a weight of almost fifteen kilograms. Making Nissa tired and unable to hold Zain's body with both hands.

" Mrs Nissa, use this!" said Farhat, while thrusting a long line towards Nisss.

"Thank you!" sahut Nissa, then received the array from Farhat. Radit stared in annoyance, realizing that there was another man who was so familiar with Nissa.

Nissa carried Zain with a batik array given by Farhat. Nissa looked so flexible while holding Zain. Nissa seemed so sincere in loving Zain. A son who was never born from his womb. Now feel comfortable in the deck and warm hug. Nissa kissed the top of Zain's head which was hot. A drop of clear tears, a fall soaked Zain's forehead. Nissa felt pain, as she saw Zain's body limp and shiver.

"Sir Farhat!"

"Bu Amira was right, she needed a mother more. We'll finish it ourselves. I better get home to take care of her!" farhat said, shortly after hearing Nissa's call.

Farhat Abiyaksa Putra, the youngest and handsome headmaster at the school where Nissa and Amira teach. An education that brings together Nissa and Farhat in one vision and mission. They are friends in the world of education and climbing. Farhat and Nissa attended the same university. But Farhat decided to continue S2 abroad. Farhat came back a few months ago and met Nissa. Their status was no longer friends, but principals and class teachers. Both of them teach at schools in the far side.

"Sir Farhat, once again I apologize!"

"No need, we'll finish it. Call me, if you need help!"

"He doesn't need your help!" sahut Radit cynically, Nissa turned her head with an angry look. Farhat was silent, he was silent at Radit's cynical attitude. Amira chuckled, realizing the jealous annoyance.

"Alright Mr. Farhat, I will contact you. If only I needed help!" nissa said warmly, Radit went straight into the car. When he saw Nissa's warm attitude towards Farhat. Nissa nodded goodbye to Amira and Farhat. Then get in the car, sit right next to Radit.

"Who is he? Why are you being warm to her?"

"My school head!"

"Lied, obviously he likes you!" sahut Radit was upset, Nissa turned her head with a sharp look. Ifa lowered her head, she felt awkward sitting between her two masters.

"I'm not lying, he's the principal at the school where I teach now. If you ask, who was he to me a few years ago? Then I will answer, he is the man who once filled my heart!" said Nissa loudly and firmly, Radit was wide-eyed. Nissa's words were like lightning striking her body. Radit doesn't believe Nissa's honesty will sound painful.

"Why not marry him? You even married me!" sahut Radit in a resentful tone.

"Because I have to pay my parents' debts!" nisss said coldly, Radit hit the handlebar. He was angry to hear Nissa's answer that was always the same and the same. Radit seemed to have no gap to defend himself.

"Alley!" nissa said softly, as Nissa looked out of the car window. Radit stopped his steps, Nissa opened the windshield. He stared at the twilight in the hope that his wounds would heal and disappear.

"Is this marriage for him? Until he never smiled and always brought up the reasons for marriage with me. Should I take it off? Letting her run after the twilight, for her to smile sweetly like this moment. And what about Zain? Maybe he could be far away from Nissa. Or actually I'm starting to not be far from him. Twilight, if he wants to chase you. At least let me be dusk to him!" batin Radit, while looking at Nissa who dissolved in her twilight.

"Sorry, why didn't you propose to Nissa so long ago?" said Amira, disperse Farhat daydreams. Farhat was pensive to see Radit's luxury car that took Nissa away from his gaze.

"Maybe!" sahut Farhat, along with the sound of Farhat's breath.

"No need to regret, there's still me!" amira teases Farhat. Sontak Farhat turned with a look of wonder. Amira chuckled, looking at Farhat who was astonished by his words.

"Not wrong, no, offer yourself. It might be acceptable!"

"Silence Amira!" sahut Farhat was upset, Amira laughed while chasing Farhat.

"Stupid me, let go of you without fighting!" inner Farhat was upset, his steps looked full of anger and jealousy.

"What a strange love!" amira said loudly, Farhat turned towards Amira. Suddenly Amira shut her mouth, afraid of the schoolmaster's anger.