KANAYA
06. Meet Mama Elva.

I put a cup of warm tea on the table while Julian just looked at me. I don't ignore it even though I know he wants me to say something a friend should do to his friend who soon met, such as “aku kangen” or “where aja”. I didn't even smile at him when I asked him to come inside. I sat next to him without looking into his eyes. Julian knew that he owed a thousand explanations about his disappearance all along. Julian and I were very close when we were in college even though our majors were different. We met when I was the student leader at the college and he became one of my members. At the graduation ceremony, I didn't see him on campus and I heard from friends that Julian was going abroad. There's no news. There's no notice. I'm so mad at him.

“Nay, are you angry?” julian asked broke the silence.

I'm still quiet. Julian just smiled at my childish behavior. I don't even care what he thinks.

“I'm sorry for not contacting you while I was away. I changed my number and forgot to tell you.” Evidently.

“Not to apologize. I'm nothing to you.” I'm upset.

“Do not do that. You're everything to me. You are my best friend one forever.” She smiled while smiling.

“Know where are you my home?”

“From Arief. I just came from America. I happened to meet a college meeting there and I asked Arief for his cell phone number. I also told him before going home.”

“Oh, so. Why didn't you ask for my number to Arief?”

“I don't think hehehe... I was going to meet you and I'm finally here. Oh yes, Nay, I also heard about you failing to marry Arief. I'm so sad.”

I let out my breath. I'm still pissed at him but I always give up and can't be mad at him for too long. I miss him so much.

“You should have time I passed that. You're not there when I need you, Julian.” Whiney.

Julian approached me and grabbed me with his right hand. I looked at him and saw him smile. It's still the same as it used to be, I mean its nature. Physically, I think he lost a lot of weight because his face was getting thinner. Despite that, Julian still looked as handsome as before.

I talked about my problems with Rian until my meeting with Faridh. Julian listened to me intently as he occasionally drank his warm tea.

“I never knew you were that sick, Nay.” His word.

“I think you're suffering the most. Are you home now?” my many.

Julian shook his head, “I stayed at a hotel not far from here. Come by sometime, yes.”

“Why don't you stay at my house? This house has two empty rooms.” My toot.

“Hahaha...you want us raided citizens?” candelessly.

I laughed too because of the joke. Sometimes I forget people's views when I see my closeness to Julian. I always felt he was my brother even though we had no blood attachment. I asked the reason for his return. Next week is the anniversary of his grandmother's death and he hopes to come. I volunteered to be with him because I thought Julian would have a hard time meeting his extended family. Julian was evicted from his home and decided to go abroad. His extended family knows me so well so that's why I think my presence will help Julian so much. Julian agreed and asked me to accompany him.

The night was getting late, Julian came home. I drove him to my fence. We exchanged mobile numbers before parting ways. I went inside the house after seeing Julian drive away in his booked taxi. I heard my phone ring and I saw a short message from Faridh. He just said good night to me. It's normal but it's quite memorable for me. Unconsciously I smiled reading it until I realized, I shouldn't be happy until I knew who Faridh really was.

I woke up so early like never before, probably because I couldn't sleep all night. I reached for my phone that I put in the bedside drawer. I sent Tony a short message about the search for Faridh but he didn't reply or tell me at all. I got out of bed and took a shower. After taking a shower, I got ready to go to work.

I saw some employees already coming but they were just chatting with each other. I approached them because I was astonished. They seem to relax when they should start working.

“Why amass here? Mr Dody hasn't come yet?” my many.

“Udah. He's in a meeting with Reno and Dita.”

I left them to go to my desk. I saw Uni sitting in his chair while playing a cell phone.

“If Mr Dody important meeting samma Reno and Dita, it means we have started to run out of consumers?” my word.

Reno and Dita are the finance team and production team. In recent days we have been more unemployed due to reduced production. I think today people prefer e-books to printed books, although a handful of people still prefer printed books. I called Julian and asked him about his activities today.  Julian said he'd be a speaker at a college in two days. I asked her to meet but she said she couldn't and would stop by my house later that evening.

“Woy, why smile for yourself?” ask Uni to surprise me.

“Ah, nothing. I'm just texting.” again My answer.

“Who? Farid? By the way how's it going? Faridh ‘nebak’ you?”

“Not. It's Julian.  When it comes to Faridh, I'm not sure about him. I don't know why, Un, I have doubts about him. Though he was a good husband candidate, considerate, polite, diligent worship again. But I have doubts about him.”

“Well, maybe you haven't known him for a long time. I'm sure Faridh is a good man. Although I have never met him.”

I hope so too, my heart.

For a few days the office felt like home. We relax more than work. Of course this is worrying for the staff including me. I was so scared that this company went bankrupt and I ended up having to find another job. We are not too worried about our salary because there are still two textbooks that are still printed and published. Fortunately, the two published textbooks sell well and are still printed in our company. But if it stops, somehow our fate is next. I see Mr. Dody still seems calm even though he doesn't talk to us much. I hope he gets a bright spot for this company's problems.

I sat on the porch waiting for Julian to pick me up. As we had planned, this weekend I will accompany her to return home and attend the day of her grandmother's death. My daydreams ran out instantly as the sound of a car horn shocked me. I stood up and found out the origin of the sound and I saw Julian coming in a black sedan. I half ran to him. I saw the car looked a bit old but it was luxurious.

“Whose car is this?” my many.

“Mobilku it. I just bought it last week. Nice, right?” inexplicably.

“Wah, you have a lot of money apparently.”

“This second item. So it's not so expensive. Come log in!”

“Although so, this car is worth my salary for one year.”

Julian laughing. I got in the car too. Julian helped me to put on my seat belt. The car drove slowly and left my house. We took half an hour to get to Julian's house. Julian stopped his car across the street from his house. It seems that he is not yet sure that his arrival will be welcomed by the family. I clasped his hand and tried to strengthen him. I smiled at him and he returned my smile. Julian and I got out of the car. Julian looked at his house while sighing deeply. I'm sure it's hard for him. We walked together and entered the courtyard. The three-story house is still the same as it used to be when I visited here. I saw some vehicles parked in the garage of the house, it seems that the nuclear family is already inside the house. The front door opened but Julian kept the door on the doorbell. Sounded from within the approaching footsteps. A young woman came out from inside the house, looking surprised by Julian's presence. His eyes glazed over and then half-running he approached Julian and hugged him. Her tears broke in Julian's arms. Some people started coming out from inside the house that seemed to hear the young lady's cry. Some of them came and hugged Julian, except for the middle-aged man who was just standing glued to Julian's presence. He was Julian's father. Julian was herded into the house while I just followed him from behind. The atmosphere of the haru turned tense as Julian stood before his father. None of them spoke but seemed to be their unstoppable longing. Julian just looked down, not daring to look at his father. Suddenly a slap landed on Julian's cheek which seemed to be ready with what was about to happen to him. Everyone in the room was shocked, including me. But then the unexpected happened. His father hugged Julian while crying after slapping him. I think he spills frustration, disappointment, and longing in such a way.

Julian's family is as kind and friendly to me as ever. I saw a delicious dish on the dining table that was rectangular in shape. We all sat down at the table to enjoy the meal. Julian's mother approached me with a plate of food and a glass of orange juice.

“This is for you, Nay. Auntie is glad you can come here let alone you bring Julian to this house.” He said with a smile.

“Why aren't you coming in?” ask Julian.

“I think it's a moment of togetherness for you and your family. Julian, I'm coming home, yeah.” My word.

“Let me take you. You took me home so I had to take you home. After that you take me home again.” Candidates

I laughed with his crisp joke. I said goodbye to Julian's family and he drove me home. Arriving at home, I was surprised to see a car parked in front of my house.

“It looks like you have a guest.” Julian.

Julian parked his car not far from my house. We went down and saw Faridh sitting alone on the porch of my house. He stood up when he saw me coming. I introduced Faridh and Julian. Julian stared intently at Faridh then shook his hand. Julian only frowned as he looked at Faridh. He didn't talk much and went straight home. I don't understand why Julian was acting that way to Faridh as if Julian didn't like him. I let Faridh in and chatted with him. Unfortunately he could not linger because there was something he had to work on. I thought he came to Jakarta because he wanted to see me but I was wrong. It seems he came over business. I shouldn't have overconfidence. I changed my clothes and sat on the television when my phone received a message from Julian. He said something that I thought was impossible.

Nay, the man you introduced earlier, he was staying at the same hotel as me. The problem was yesterday I didn't accidentally see him with a woman going into a hotel room. If you don't believe it, you can go to the hotel.

I can't believe what Julian said. I do suspect Faridh already has a lover but staying in the same room with a woman feels impossible. Am I wrong to know Faridh as a good man? I replied to Julian's message and asked him when he was coming home. I hope Julian saw people wrong.

I knocked on Julian's hotel room door. I saw my watch showing at 19:00 WIB. Before long, Julian opened the door to his hotel room. He immediately pulled my hand to enter his room. I was confused and was about to ask her but Julian asked me to shut up. I was silent as he commanded. We're still behind the door. Julian gave me a code that I should close my ears to the bedroom door.

“What's the matter?” my whiskey.

“Sstt... I saw them having dinner downstairs and not coming back yet. Soon they will come.” Julian said in a whisper.

I soon heard footsteps approaching. I put my ears closer to the door. I heard Faridh's voice which was then answered with the voice of a woman. I was very shocked when I heard the call ‘sayang’ for the woman. There was a crackling sound of an open door coming from beside Julian's room. When I heard the door close, Julian asked me to approach Faridh and see for myself the woman in the room with Faridh. I took a deep breath and tried to strengthen my heart with what I would see later. I opened the door and knocked on Faridh's door. A voice sounded from within. The door opened and I saw a hijab-wearing woman standing at the door with a surprised face when I saw her. Soon Faridh appeared and was surprised when she saw me.

“N-Nay, what are you doing here?” ask Faridh.

“I just want something. Then I'll say goodbye.” I said and hurried to leave the place.

I heard Faridh's voice calling me and running towards me but I was faster than him. I got into the elevator and got out of the hotel. I didn't even say goodbye to Julian who helped me. My heart feels hot. I don't want to cry, but without my tears flowing. I felt disappointed, betrayed, and fooled. Many times I blame myself for always thinking Faridh was a proper priest candidate for me. He was even more insolent than Rian. I didn't expect Faridh to commit adultery with a hijab woman anyway. They are really shameless.

The distance between my hotel and my house is not too far away so I arrived quickly. I lay down on my bed without changing clothes. I feel like a fool falling into the same hole.  I mourn for myself who was always fooled by men. As my mind and heart were busy blaming each other, my phone rang. I saw Tony's name on my phone screen. I raised the call from Tony in a raucous voice.

“Teh, cry out, yes?” ask Tony who heard my voice.

“Neg. Why call?” my many.

“Sorry, yes, the new tea can tell you now because the exam is busy. Tony wants to tell Teteh if the guy named Faridh, his son Miss Endah was married.”

“What?”

I immediately got out of my bed and ran out of the house. I hope it's not too late to get to Faridh. Tony told me before I hung up. He said Faridh was married to a woman from Bandung and now they live there. I thought there was a correlation to this incident so I wanted to ask Faridh directly and find out the truth. It took me ten minutes to get the online motorcycle that I ordered. I prefer to use an ojek that can easily pass through traffic jams. Shortly after, I arrived at Julian's hotel. I rushed into the elevator that led to Julian's room floor. I knocked on Faridh's room. The door opened and I saw the woman who opened the door now welcoming me again. With a soft tone he allowed me to enter. I was surprised to see Julian in the room having a serious conversation with Faridh. Faridh got up from his seat. He looked surprised to see me coming, again. I sat down next to Julian. The silent atmosphere felt. The woman who greeted me was now sitting next to Faridh with an anxious face.

“Nay, they are actually..”.

“I know.” I cut Julian's words.

“You're a couple, right?” ask me without further ado.

Faridh only sighed while nodding. The woman is still silent.

“Why didn't you tell me you were married? What do you want?” just pissed.

“Nay, first listen to my explanation before you get mad at me.” Faridh.

Faridh told me the reason for approaching me. His mother asked Faridh to come near me and try to have a serious relationship with me. His mother wanted to make me Faridh's second wife because she now has a cyst and is less likely to get pregnant. At first Faridh disapproved because he would hurt my feelings and his wife. But his wife supported him. During the time we met, Faridh always told me about his newly discovered wife Aisyah. I was more and more annoyed to hear Faridh's explanation for wanting to make me his second wife. Aisha saw me angry. She approached me and asked me to accept her husband as my husband. Of course I refused. I can't even imagine what it's like to be married to a married man. Aisyah cried in front of me and said that she only wanted Faridh and Endah's mother to be happy. Because in this way, Faridh will get offspring. I'm speechless. I was still angry but I also felt sorry for Aisyah. I reached into my bag and looked for my wallet. As soon as I found it, I immediately took out a business card that I kept. I handed the business card to Faridh.

“That's dr business card. Tiara's. He is a renowned obstetrician at a renowned hospital. You better consult this matter with him. I'm sure, he can help you guys.” My word.

Faridh and Aisyah looked at the business card and looked at me.

“Listen, I'm sure your problems can be solved without having to sacrifice someone's feelings. What you guys did was wrong. Don't you guys think how I feel?” i'm upset.

“Nay, I'm sorry.” Faridh.

“Ya. You should come to the hospital dr. Tiara's. I hope you can have children as you wish.”

I stood up and left Faridh's room. I heard Julian's footsteps following me from behind. I could only be silent and daydreaming as soon as I came out of Faridh's room. Julian took my hand and led me into his room. He gave me a bottle of mineral water to calm me down.

“You okay?” ask Julian.

“I'm like a stupid woman, Julian. I even thought the no-no and had time to curse about the two of them without me knowing the truth. And now, I feel really stupid.” I clearly.

“What will you do now?” tanyakanya.

“I have to go home to my hometown. Tomorrow morning.” My word.

Julian volunteered to drive me to my hometown tomorrow morning. Right now I'm very shocked and feel like a fool. Julian told me to stay with him because it was getting late. I also approve. I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes. Julian covered my body with a blanket and then he took a pillow for him to sleep on the sofa. I try to sleep and get my energy back. I have to ask and speak directly to my uncle and aunt about this matter. I hate things like this happening again in my life.