For A Husband Who Doesn't Love Me
26. Meet Kirana

Hidayat sat quietly at the dining table flipping through the pages of the book he was observing. Sometimes he looks at Maira who is busy preparing breakfast behind a mini bar.

"Maira's got to be a hassle, huh?" Hidayat asked as he closed the book in his hand.

Maira came closer with a bowl of hot chicken soup and a plate of rice in her hand. "Tomorrow Brother do not get sick again, yes, if you do not want to trouble Maira..."

"Don't know why you got a fever last night... Nor did he know anything..." Hidayat answered while pulling out his books, then helped Maira arrange the food.

"It must be exhaustion... Not to mention thinking thesis, financial kiosk, also family in the village... Many more burden Brother, and Brother is not a robot who can do anything without feeling tired... Let our bodies sometimes feel pain, Bang... You know, right? Illness is the cause of forgiveness for the mistakes we have made with our heart, hearing, vision, speech and with all our limbs. Sometimes that sickness is also a punishment for the sins we once committed." Maira said she intended to comfort her husband.

Hidayat was stunned for a while. Instead of being entertained, he even felt slapped by Maira's speech. He was so sure that his pain was a rebuke from God for all his wrongdoings against his own wife.

"Did you?" Call Maira while shaking Hidayat's arm.

"Eh i-yes?"

"Come, eat..."

Hidayat forced his smile, then began to eat the rice that Maira had moistened with soup sauce. "Alhamdulillah, Maira always gives you what you need... Thank you, yes..."

They were like happy newlyweds, but there was no thought Maira Hidayat was hiding something big from her.

This afternoon, Hidayat decided to end his relationship with Kirana. He couldn't stand the lies he kept from his wife. He felt guilty and kept thinking about it all. And he was very sure that he would not regret taking Kirana off.

Maira to him now, like a diamond diamond that is very difficult to find, like a moon in the sky that he misses so much. Maira was precious, and she would not let go of her at any time, no matter how much she denied her wish at previous times.

It wasn't time for him to pick up Maira, but he left the stall so soon. He had made an appointment with Kirana, meeting at the cafe where they used to drink.

"I'm so glad you invited me to meet, Yat... I miss you at all... I-"

"I love my wife, Kiran... I'm sure of that, and I can't leave him..." Hidayat's words immediately cut out Kirana's words.

Kirana. His face turned tense, then before long he forced his smile back. "You're kidding me, aren't you, Yat? You're not talking the truth, are you?"

Hidayat. "I asked you to come, because I want us to end our relationship, Kiran... I can't hold it much longer... Every time I see my wife's sincerity, I'm gonna be more sinful about it."

"I don't want to..." Push Kirana fast. He did not stare at Hidayat, only bowing his face to the table. His heart was like a sharp knife, poignant when he heard Hidayat's confession.

Hidayat was flabbergasted at Kirana's rejection of her decision. He was nervous for a moment. Thinking, so hurt is Kirana's heart right now because of it?

"You're beautiful, Kiran... You're a famous actress... You can find a better man than me..." Hidayat tried to persuade him.

"I don't want to, Yat... No anyway... There is no man better than you who can understand me without me having to tell him everything... No one cares how I am but you... No one wants to ask me why I made a mistake other than you... No, no, Yat..."

Kirana's shoulders shook as her cries exploded. He sobbed, making the atmosphere become quiet again for a moment.

"It's just you, Yat... You're the only one who can make me tough through this... You think I'm not haunted by guilt? I'm a girl too, Yat... I-i understand... But why should I give up? Aren't you mine first? Wasn't he the one who took you from me?" Kirana's words were still chortling in her defense.

"Kira..."

"You want me to always dress like this, right?" Press Kirana while pointing at her own clothes. "I follow... You want me to quit the entertainment world too? Okay, I'll stop... I will do it for you, not to lose you, Yat... I've lost everything... I beg you not to..."

"Sorry, Yat, I'm tired... I want to rest..." Cut Kirana fast, then get up from her seat and then leave Hidayat just like that.

"Kiran, wait... Kirana..." Calling Hidayat tried to hold Kirana back, but Kirana did not press her. He continued walking quickly while holding back the crying.

****

Kirana was crying in her car. He hopes evasive this time can change Hidayat's decision next time. His whole body was sore, and he felt lonely again.

The door of his car suddenly opened someone from outside. He was surprised to find Arya sitting next to him.

"Okay, you've changed now..." Arya sounded cynical.

"I-you mean?" Kirana asked while looking at Arya fixedly.

"It's like you're turning to Brondong, huh? Didn't you like the benefits of om-om?" Sindir Arya without caring about the tears on Kirana's cheeks.

"Take your word, Ar..." Ketus Kirana looks upset.

"Stop interrupting Hidayat's life... He already has a wife... And you witnessed their marriage, didn't you? They love each other and live happily..." Press Arya.

"You don't have to interfere... You're not who I am, and what do you care?" Kirana said stubbornly.

"Hidayat was like my sister, and Maira was like that... Until you interrupt their lives, I won't stay silent..." Threaten Arya while pointing her index finger.

Kirana smiled bitterly. "Can't he have his brother, and then pretend to make his sister a brother?"

Arya's teeth crackled upon hearing Kirana's cynical speech. His clenched hands held back the anger. "If you are not a woman..."

"You're gonna hit me?" Cut Kirana fast. "Hit! Hit me now..."

Kirana is no less angry. His breath seemed to vent his sadness, but Arya could not find the true feelings of Kirana.

"Whatever you will do, this time you will not succeed... Evil intentions will never come true... You have to believe that..." Arya gave up, then opened the car door to get out of it.

"Then, what if I really love her?" Kirana's speech made Arya stop her steps.

Arya was stunned for a moment. Her face was increasingly visibly irritated at hearing so confidently of herself Kirana saying love to Hidayat. He slammed the door of Kirana's car hard, then left with an upset heart.

Kirana breathed a heavy sigh. Her tears rolled back down her cheeks. He was so hurt to hear every word Arya said to him, as well as the view of his former lover who was very humiliating himself.

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