Giving Birth to My Brother
40. Breakfast for Sinta

"What have I done?" Ariel took a deep breath after she closed the door of her room. Restlessly, he touched his lips. He had just pressed his lips against Elin's red lips. Cold, soft and without resistance even for a moment.

Ariel shook her head slowly when she realized she was pounding. He had tried to act as if nothing had happened in front of Elin, but he could not lie, he was very nervous now.

Ariel rubbed her face with a huff. I don't know what Elin was thinking about because of the action just now. He feels uncomfortable, guilty and stupid. He had indeed enjoyed the lips even Elin's body, but it was only solely because he needed it. And now? What's he doing?

Ariel could not find the answer to the question in her head. He doesn't want to be complacent, he has a deal on paper. He can't do that to Elin anymore.

Ariel sat on the edge of her bed and looked at Sinta's deep face. Nor could he do that again for Sinta. Sinta is already deeply hurt by her marriage, with their decision to impregnate Elin. If he behaves like that again to Elin, he will only make Sinta more miserable.

"Sorry, dear," he said softly. He kissed Sinta's forehead before finally lying down.

Sinta moved slowly as Ariel hugged her body. She frowned when she smelled strawberries on her husband. "You're not sleeping, are you?"

"Ehm, just woke up. You're bobo again, dear." Ariel rubbed Sinta's back gently so that his wife would immediately go back to sleep.

"You eat something, Mum?" ask Sinta with a suspicious tone. As he remembered, Ariel did not really like foods that taste strawberry.

"Yes, that was .. I tasted your cake," said Ariel lying.

Sinta just nodded softly in Ariel's arms. He was still very sleepy and weak because he was sick. So, with Ariel's gentle caress, she fell back asleep quickly.

Meanwhile, Ariel is still awake, unable to sleep because she still remembers what she did in the kitchen to Elin. Ariel tries to shake off what he continues to imagine, but he can't. He rubbed his hair in agitation.

'No way, I can't fall in love with Elin.' Ariel's mind churned. Impossible because of a kiss he began to like elin. However, their relationship is already further away than a kiss. And Ariel couldn't understand her unwelcome feelings that night.

***

The next day, Ariel really did not leave for work even though Sinta was already much healthier. Ariel was always like when Sinta was not feeling well, she would choose to work at home for 1 or 2 days. And that morning, he was about to prepare breakfast for Sinta.

"I can cook, Mom. If you are the one who cooks later it will be strange," ledek Sinta while trying to get out of bed.

"No, Honey. You're here. I will bring the food to the room. Okay?"

Sinta. "What can you cook? Buy it instead of later the kitchen is not crowded."

Ariel pinched his wife's nose. He was not talented in cooking, at most he could only make porridge, it was sometimes he would empty the bottom of the pot and it was a bit palate.

"Burning bread. You want? I could if it was. I'll make milk later too" said Ariel.

"It's up to you" Sinta said. "Ehm, isn't Elin cooking? What will he have for breakfast?"

"I don't know, I'll see you later" Ariel replied nervously. Hearing Elin's name made her palpitate a little, the shadow of last night's scene came back suddenly.

Ariel went down the stairs with slow steps. He closed his eyes to see if anyone was in the kitchen. If he was alone with Elin, he didn't know what would happen. Ariel took a deep breath when she found Elin struggling in the kitchen.

"You cook?" tanyanya opened the bread storage cabinet. He put bread into the grill.

Ariel turned to look at the pale-looking Elin. Elin was always pale every morning, perhaps because she had not eaten or maybe because she was vomiting. "You still nauseous vomiting?"

"Tell me just now" replied Elin without looking at Ariel.

"You should have said you wanted something. You will be tired when you cook. I don't work today either" Ariel said.

"No papa, rather than in the cork room. Sinta's mother also did not cook so I can use the kitchen daft," said Elin. He took 1 small bowl and filled it with porridge. "Sister want? It's a lot, for Sinta's mother is also enough."

"Yes, I'll." Ariel is shocked by the toast sticking out of the grill. He took 2 pieces of bread and prepared them on a plate. He glanced at Elin who was arranging the topping on his homemade porridge.

Doubtful, Ariel approached towards Elin. He wanted to talk about what he did last night. He didn't want Elin to misunderstand.

"El, I said, by the way" said Ariel. Elin glanced at him then looked back down and sprinkled the fried beans over the porridge. "It's about last night. So, actually I ...."

"No need to be clear. I understand, "cut Elin fast. Elin took the spoon off the shelf and lifted the bowl. "ah! It's hot!" his screeches.

"Be careful dong," said Ariel panicked. He pulls Elin's hand and takes her to the sink. He poured cold water on both of Elin's hot palms.

"This is not papa. It's just a little hot" Elin said in a trembling voice. He was clearly pounding as Ariel held tightly to his hand.

"Later red if not handled, your hands will make a screech. Don't get sick" said Ariel. He turned to Elin's porridge which was still pumping hot steam. Maybe the conversation he had brought earlier had made Elin nervous.

"It's not hot, brother. Seriously." Elin pulled out her hand, this time Ariel let go.

Ariel picked up the plate then carefully moved Elin's porridge to the dining table. "Wear the plate so it doesn't get hot." Elin nodded. He's still leaning in the sink. "Yes, you eat first. What drink do you want me to make."

"No need, just water," said Elin as she passed from the kitchen.

Ariel looked anxiously at Elin's back. He took a deep breath and remembered that he had to prepare breakfast for Sinta. He immediately placed a plate filled with toast on the tray. He prepared some of Sinta's favorite jams there because he did not know which one his wife wanted.

"I take the porridge, yes" Ariel told Elin.

"Yes." Yeah." Elin answered briefly.

Ariel still felt a wedge in her heart because she had not finished her words about the incident last night. Should he just forget it? Elin didn't even want to talk about it.

Ariel immediately took the bowl, filled it with porridge and put some of Sinta's favorite toppings there. He lifted the tray. "I'll ride first. Maybe Budhe Sarti will come. We'll have breakfast later."

"OKAY. Brother don't forget to eat breakfast too" said Elin reminded.

Ariel left the dining room quickly. He wanted to accompany Elin to the meal below, but he also had to bring breakfast for Sinta to the room.

"Well, Mas. You bought chicken porridge too?" ask Sinta when looking at the breakfast menu brought by Ariel.

"Not buying it. Elin cooked it." Ariel felt an uneasy look from Sinta. Sinta even looks sullen. He did not know that yesterday Sinta and Elin had a feud. "Why, Honey? You don't want to eat Elin's cooking?"