NOT PERPETRATORS
Deepest Regrets

"Imania!" Secretary Ve took the ID from my hand.

"Sorry, Brother Ve."

Secretary Ve looked a little nervous. He immediately stored the ID card into a bag.

While Rangga who followed him, stole a look at me again.

"Sister Ve, did you say you wanted to talk to me about something?" I tried to melt the atmosphere by diverting the conversation.

"No, that's. You ... go to your room."

"Good, Brother."

I also left Ve's secretarial room.

***

As usual, at 16:00 WIB, working hours are over. I was standing in front of the office waiting for Ve's secretary. And we went home together.

On the way to my house, I thought for a moment about what happened this morning. Ve's younger secretary photos are a bit like Fania's. I wonder if it was just a coincidence.

"Sir Ve," call me.

"Yes, Imania."

"Are you not mad at me?"

"For what, Imania?"

"So morning .. I've seen your ID without permission" I said.

Secretary Ve chuckled, then said, "No problem, Immania."

"I thought you were mad."

"I just .. don't want to see my old face. I want to forget the past. Leaving behind all regrets, due to the carelessness I once did. I really hate myself. Until I don't want my past face to be known by people anymore. I ... I've done something wrong, to someone who means a lot." Secretary Ve said with a bit of emotion.

"Then, why do you still keep the ID card, if you yourself want to remove traces of your face first?" manya curious.

"I thought, when he found out about me, there might still be an apology for me, for my unforgivable mistake" Ve's secretary said with a sad-looking face.

However, he immediately corrected his words. "Eghem! I mean I just forgot to put it in that novel. I forgot to keep it again."

I don't know which words are honest. "Sir Ve, the photo of your youth is fleetingly similar to Fania."

Suddenly the secretary Ve braked his car. I almost hit my head.

"Cooking, anyway, similar, ha-ha! You are all there, Imania. How could I possibly be equated with that brash girl?"

"Hm .. but Brother Ve. Your picture is also similar to the one in Wibowo's room."

"Photos in Wibowo's room?" This time, the secretary Ve looked at me seriously.

I'm nodding. "Yes, I had a chance to see a 4x3 cm photo tucked behind the Dimas picture frame during graduation in California."

Secretary Ve paused for a moment, then said, "That's definitely not my picture. Didn't I tell you, I'm just the baby sitter. Which was then appointed as a secretary in his company," explained Ve's secretary.

Ve Brother? Is there anything you're hiding from me? First, you said you sent Dimas to take care of me at the company. Second, it turns out you know everything about my relationship with Dimas. Third, you've been so curious since you saw Fania. Fourth, you are willing to take the time to find out about the ins and outs of Fania. Fifth, you said you were just a friend of Fania's late mother. Sixth, you also took care of Fania's problem when she got tangled in a case with Reza. And .. now, I've discovered a new fact, that your young photos are at first glance similar to Fania's.

After a short stop, Ve's secretary turned the car back on. He drove me home. When I got in front of the gate, I went down. And the secretary Ve left.

When my hand opened the gate, a car suddenly honked. I also looked. Bastian's black car. He got out of the car and approached me.

"Imania, do you live here?" ask Bastian.

"Yes, Mas. How do you know that I live here?"

"I just followed you."

"You following me? What's the need?" many wonder.

"I miss Arka. A few days ago, I went to your parents' house. But you're not there anymore. Since when did you move?"

"Em .. We just talk inside then, Mom, yeah?"

"Alright," replied Mas Bastian spirit.

I opened the gate, allowed Bastian to come in and take his car. Then I rang the house bell. And Fania opened the door.

He was surprised to see me coming with Bastian.

"Come, come in, Mas."

Mas Bastian also entered while sweeping a look at the entire room.

"Just sit down, Mas. Let me make you some coffee" I said.

"This ... Did you contract the house or buy it?" asked Bastian by staring in admiration at my new home.

"Em .. I ...."

Not yet able to answer, Fania immediately cut my words, "This house was given Dimas for Immania."

Mas Bastian looked surprised to hear that. However, he did not respond.

"Please sit down, Mom."

"Where is Arka?"

"Arka is playing upstairs" said Fania.

"Well, my mom" I said.

Mas Bastian also went up the stairs, while still paying attention to the state of my house.

"Imania, why is Bastian here?"

I gave Fania my bag to put it in my room. While I went straight to the kitchen to make coffee for Bastian mas.

Mas Bastian always liked coffee that is not too sweet. I remember exactly how much the comparison between sugar and coffee was. After making a drink and bringing some snacks and a plate of cookies, I headed upstairs.

I put the coffee, the snack, and the cake on the table. "This is the coffee, Mas."

"Thank you, Imania" said Bastian, who was sitting talking with Arka on the sofa.

"I'll take a shower, okay?"

I went to my room to clean my body.

***

After taking a shower, I came out of the room and approached those who were sitting on the sofa. I sat next to Fania.

"Imania, your house is pretty big, huh?" said mas Bastian.

"Yes, that. That dimas, loh. He always gave his best for the happiness of Imania. It's you!" sahut Fania's.

"Fania!" my sergeant.

"Fania's right. I'm sorry, Imania. Because you can never give a house as good and as big as this to you" said Bastian.

"Mas, what are you talking about, anyway? Want a big or small house, if not comfortable, yes, free. The most important thing is the harmony in the house. Not the luxury of his house," I said feeling bad because of Fania's words.

"Yes, you're right. Harmony is all that matters."

There was a different tone when Mas Bastian said the sentence.

"I'm gonna take a shower, okay?" fania said then headed to her room.

"Please drink the coffee, Mas. It's gonna be cold."

Mas Bastian took his coffee and sipped it. "Your cop never changes, Imania. It always feels the same. We have been separated long enough. You still remember very well my coffee taste," said Mas Bastian with a smile.

"drink. Later, let me make it again," I said gladly.

After sipping it in half, Bastian put his coffee back on the table.

"If Abel could make me coffee as good as you are" said Mas Bastian suddenly.

I frowned looking at him. "Why, Mas?"

"Abel is not like you. He's too spoiled. It's even too demanding. It is true said mother. He is far from being compared to you, Imania" said Mas Bastian with a sad look on his face.

I feel, like Bastian is not happy living his current life. His face looked tired every day. In fact, in the office he became very quiet. Rarely does he show a cheerful face like before. I don't know what's going on in her household story right now with Bella. I always hoped that this farewell was the best decision for both of us. Thus, none of us suffered as a result of this divorce, including Arka.

"How's Bella doing, Mom? Is the content good?"

"The news is good."

That short. Mas Bastian doesn't seem to want to talk about his wife.

"Mama, Arka's hungry," whined Arka.

"What do you want to eat, son?"

"Arka wants to eat fish" replied Arka.

"alright. Mama fried fish first to eat, huh?

"Hey!" sahut Arka happy.

"Mas, we're eating together, huh? I'll cook a lot!"

Bastian nodded as well. Arka and Mas Bastian followed me down to the kitchen. They said they wanted to see me cook.

I took some fish from the fridge. I always stock up on cooking supplies once a week. Then I washed the fish and some vegetables as a side dish complement.

I cook with pleasure. For a long time, I was able to cook again for my ex-husband. Sometimes I feel sorry to see her body being a little skinny now. Perhaps, as a result of the burden of the mind or what, I don't know either. His face and body were not as fresh as before.

After cooking, I put the side dishes and rice on the dining table. Mas Bastian and Arka who had been chatting while waiting for me to cook also smiled happily.

"Let's not eat your cooking for long, Imania."

I sat down and invited them to eat together. Arka seemed very happy to be eating with her papa. Time and again Arka fed her papa. I smiled happily at their closeness. Although we have divorced, but our relationship is still like a friend.

"Imania, your cooking is delicious. I miss this cooking every day, after divorcing you," said Mas Bastian suddenly.

I looked at him surprised to hear his words.

"Abel is not good at cooking. He rarely cooks. I often starve her, Imania," she said, trying to put a smile on her face.

"Mas, maybe Bella's tired. She's, right, pregnant."

"No, Immania. Bella changed after we got married. He was too wasteful and always demanded everything. Her lifestyle, it's so much different from yours when it comes to being my wife."

I caught the sad mimic of Bastian. It made me feel so sorry for him.

"Imania, if only all that had not happened. If I had done nothing wrong. If only I ...." Mas Bastian held back his words. His eyes began to glaze over.

"Mas, there's nothing to be sorry about. I'm sure Bella can be the best wife for you."

"He always yells and defies when I command, Immania. She's not like you, obedient and devoted to the husband." Mas Bastian chewed his food while sobbing.

"Mas, don't be like that." I really can't bear to see him like this.

"Bella doesn't care about me. Even when I got sick. He even scolded me." Mas Bastian feeds his mouth and goes back sobbing.

"Imania, I .. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I divorced you."

Regret is always at the end of the act. It has become a law of nature. Therefore, be careful to act and decide everything. Because sometimes, as a result of a cause, it gives an amazingly regrettable effect. Don't waste your chance to be with loved ones. And do not waste the one who always gives you love, so as not to feel the pain and sadness of the deepest regrets in the future. (By. Thamie AK's)

- CONNECTED --