Losing Us
Refuge

Being steadfast was never easy, but for Anara who had no other choice but to accept the fate that had been given to her, steadfastness was already a daily meal that she had to enjoy. Being the shadow wife of the man who married her just because of an arranged marriage was also not the worst part. When she had to lose something that she held in high esteem as a woman, yet she could not demand anything because she knew Arsenio deserved it was still nothing. The biggest problem for Anara from day to day is her own feelings. For a long time, he felt incomprehensible.

There was a moment where he felt being friends was the wisest choice for himself and Arsenio. However, on another day, when he found that the man was still so intensely loving his girlfriend, there was one part in Anara that seemed to shout encouraging him to ask for justice. Demanding the right as a wife, deserving to be loved and respected as she should.

But then again, because stoic is daily food, the voices only reverberate loudly in the head. There was never any concrete action Anara could take to claim her rights, especially when Arsenio started to act again as usual; indifferent, as if she did not exist.

The last time Olin visited this house drunk exactly six days ago, Anara was still able to control herself well. He was able to lock himself in the room for a day, until Arsenio told him that Olin had come home and he could come out of hiding.

However, tonight, when Olin came to his senses, folded his arms in front of his chest and looked at him like he was staring at a cheap j*lang, Anara did not know why the desire to slap Olin's cheek so greatly increased.

“Gue wants to stay,” says Olin. They were still staring at each other, standing in front of the entrance that was left wide open.

“Please. You don't have to tell me what you want to do here.” Reply Anara. He wanted to go back to his room immediately, but unfortunately Arsenio had not come home so he could not leave Olin who was a guest alone before giving a decent welcome.

Although arrogant, although it feels like he really wants to scratch the face of Olin who—sialya—purna beauty, Anara still always prioritizes humanity above all else.

“Gue wants to be alone with Gala tonight.” Said Olin again.

“It's also up. Don't you guys ever think I'm here?”

“The real just alone.” Strictly Olin, suddenly made Anara raise her eyebrows next to a sign of not understanding. “Gue will be together with Gala in this house, for the next two days. So, I want to lo packing your clothes and find lodging.”

Ah... Anara had forgotten that Olin had no morals. So no matter how kind he was to treat the woman as a fellow human, he would only get a piercing instead.

But this time, Olin has gone too far. Not considered during the stay of the woman can still be understood Anara, because from the beginning of its presence is only limited to sweeteners only. However, if he had to make her leave, Anara could no longer compromise.

“Sorry to say, Olin. But you are here only guest status, while I am the wife of the owner of this house. Which means, you have no right to tell me to go evacuate.” Anara should have had the strength to say this earlier. So that Olin does not feel big head and think that the guilt and humanity he has can be used arbitrarily. Supposedly, he kept remembering what Asa used to say. That he may be evil to those who do not deserve to be called human.

“Well, you are indeed Gala's wife now, but you yourself also know that Gala will always be on my side, no matter what. Being his wife Gala never make your position so higher.” Olin smiled obliquely, looking pongah laughing at the fate of Anara who had no power whatsoever despite her status as a legitimate wife.

“Gue doesn't want to waste time and effort, so you better packing now before Gala gets home. You certainly do not want it if until your own husband who told you to leave so we can be alone?”

For whatever sake, Olin sucks. But just as the woman said, Anara did not want to spend time and energy serving the stubborn Olin. After all, what Olin said was not entirely wrong. Arsenio will definitely obey the wishes of her lover, no matter if it will hurt his own wife.

So, rather than Anara absorbing more and more negative energy from Olin, she decided to give up. She left Olin, went into her room to pack some nightgowns and put them in a medium-sized tote bag. Then, he went down again after making sure his wallet and cell phone were safe in another bag.

“I'm not leaving because you have the right to kick me out of here, Olin.” Anara said that to Olin who was now sitting casually on the living room sofa while playing her nails painted in bright red.

“I don’t care. The point is I just want to go.” Reply Olin, indifferently.

Anara refused to respond. After taking a deep breath for the sake of wasting the negative energy Olin channeled, he stepped away. One hand carries a tote bag, the other bothers to order a taxi online using a mobile phone. Cold air that is quite piercing is also a challenge in itself.

About 10 minutes waiting, the online taxi he ordered arrived. He immediately entered and the taxi then took him moving through the streets of the complex that was already quiet even though the new time showed at eight.

A 5-star hotel is 20 kilometers from the residential complex to Anara's destination. He did not know if there were any available rooms there because he did not have time to check through the application. He thought, if that one wasn't available, he can shift a little to a cheaper hotel—though that means he has to meet with PSK who used to hang out in the building of a cheap hotel to peddle himself.

Anara was immediately greeted by a standby officer as soon as she got off the taxi. From the front door, he was also directed to the reception desk to make transactions.

It did not take long, Anara immediately made her choice. A single room type room he chose to stay for three nights. Why were the three at the time when Olin had only asked her to evacuate for two days? The answer was because Anara wanted to take some time to calm down. Come to think of it, there was also the benefit of Olin telling her to leave, so she could look for a new atmosphere. Calculate the staycation while clearing back the contents of his head that is cloudy because of the actions of Olin and Arsenio who does not have the annoying drug.

After getting the key, Anara went to her room on the third floor and took the elevator. Arriving on the third floor, he walked through several units until he finally arrived at the room he ordered. The card-shaped key he attached to the door, then the handle he moved and the dark brown door in front of him was opened.

Anara stepped in, hung the access key into place after making sure the door was closed properly, then she just walked towards the mattress. The tote bag he put on the side of the bed, did not intend for him to unload because it would be very troublesome. And before she lay down on the single mattress with the white bone bed sheet, Anara first sprayed a special disinfectant liquid for clothes onto the surface of the bed sheet, pillow and blanket. It has been a ritual since long ago. Long before the covid pandemic struck.

The new clock shows the number 8 past 45, still quite late in the afternoon if he has to go to sleep. So, Anara prefers to play with her phone. Once again the fad of looking for Asa's account on several other social media hers.

A cup of coffee that he managed to brew it then he took it to the front of a large glass window covered in marun— red curtains which he then moved so he could see the outside atmosphere. Anara also pulled a chair, sitting on it and sipping instant coffee made with solemn while enjoying the night view where the lights of the high-rise office buildings across the street collided with the spotlight of the vehicle still berubel on the street.

Unrestrained. For a moment, Anara felt life should go like this. Calm, peaceful, safe.

“As it is, I have to staycation often so as not to go crazy.” He said, then he went back to sipping his coffee. Many times, until the toilet, until satisfied.

...🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀...

Anara's absence makes Arsenio wonder. Because the woman did not say anything to herself, even if only through a short message. Anara didn't say where she was going, how long, and most importantly who she was with. The woman was completely disfigured and left only a thousand question marks on Arsenio's head.

“When you came, he didn't exist?” ask Arsenio again. Despite the fact, Olin had already answered that question before.

“You don't believe me?” Olin. His gaze had already turned into probing. His high enthusiasm for enjoying the day only with Arsenio faded as he, with his own eyes, instead found his lover looking worried for his wife whom he did not love at all.

“No,” Arsenio turned around, looking back at Olin who was cross-sectioned in front of her. “Asma she relapsed yesterday, and it was caught with Mother. I don't want anything to happen with him, Mother continues to be angry with me. You know, lah, why do I always want to keep Anara safe.”

“Because if he is safe, our relationship will also be safe.” Olin continued what Arsenio did not finish.

“Exactly.” Arsenio Sahut. “I have to find him, deh, Lin. Just make sure she is safe. Can, right?”

However much Olin refused, he allowed Arsenio to call Anara. He only prayed, hopefully Anara's mouth did not lemes and revealed that the woman's departure was because of him.

“Still, Dear. I called Anara first, you wait here, I’ll be right back.” Without waiting for a response, Arsenio simply blurred while attaching the phone to the ear.

Growled. Olin felt like he wanted to eat whatever was in front of his eyes at this time to vent his frustration. Why stay away if Arsenio's goal is to call just to ascertain where Anara is? Or perhaps, Arsenio was about to say other things that should not be said.

“Nggak.” Olin strongly rejected the possibility. “Gala can't be like that. I have to make sure she does not care too much Anara.” Reckless, Olin finally catches up with Arsenio who goes to the backyard to call Anara.

The rear door that opened slightly became a spot for Olin to hide away. While sharpening his hearing, he stuck to the wall to eavesdrop on the conversation.

“Lo where?”

“Ngapain? Why didn't you tell me it was the same?”

“It can't be that way, it is. This is my house, you have permission if you want to go in and out!”

“Gue don't want to know, tomorrow morning you go straight home! Don't bother Mother again nothing, you can continue to be as it pleases, yes.”

Beeping.

As soon as the phone was closed and Arsenio was seen going back inside the house, Olin immediately turned around. In the mist he fled, not to be caught by Arsenio eavesdropping. Can drop his level later in the eyes of his lover.

Pretending to be stupid, Olin was pretentious and surprised as Arsenio returned to the living room with a gloomy look. He also pretended to care, when in fact he himself had kicked Anara away.

“Where? Where did he go?” tanyakanya. Originally to check, whether Anara had complained or not. Because all he could hear was Arsenio's voice.

“Ke hotel, want to staycation he said due to bored at home.”

“Ohhh..” Olin mangosteen. Good, thought. Anara is not complaining. Yes, when viewed from her personality, the woman did not seem to dare to do anything.

“Yes, let's go up to the room. I'm tired of taking a break.” Bring Arsenio. Olin mah hayuk only. Straight away he gamit Arsenio's arm and then they walk hand in hand up to the main room. Without caring about the condition of Anara who is alone in the hotel room there.

Seriate