RUSTING BOAT
Chapters. 6

The life and destiny of man and all the creatures of this world has been outlined by Him. All written in the pages of fate in the records of Lauful Mahfud.

My destiny line is also God who rules. But the life choices I live today are not God's, but I choose. I choose the path of life full of twists and turns and tears of suffering. Until finally it only ends with regrets.

I believe this life is God's rule. However, whose name is human, we do not escape from greed. It is this nature that dominates the human side of life until it sometimes plunges man into endless suffering.

That night, after knowing my status, Mas Haris immediately invited me home. Along the way, Mas Haris was more silent. I realized that I felt sad. But I understand his current condition.

I know how hard it is for him to accept the reality of my status. My widow's status is hard for her to accept. I realized which man could accept a woman who was already a widow while she herself was a pure virgin.

I failed at building a home. Naturally, he felt hesitant to live a married life in the future. I can't blame him if then he finally backed out and picked another one. I'm resigned.

Time is slow. A month has passed since that night. Mas Haris never again came or sent a message just to inform me.

" At 08:00, meet me at a regular cafe. Don't be late! I'd like to talk. "

I was shocked when I read that message. This is the first message I have received since Mas Haris ignored me for one month. He never came to pick me up or take me home again. When he met at the office he was indifferent, not greeting me. Like the wind.

" Yes, Mas." I replied to Haris's message briefly.

Today, I deliberately went home quickly. I don't want to be late as I promised Mas Haris.

I don't know, in my mind it never hurts if I open my heart to start a new chapter in my life. After a long time I was in pain and silence. There's no harm in me starting to open up.

At 07:30 p.m., I was in front of a cafe on the edge of Samarinda. The atmosphere of the cafe was already quite crowded by visitors when I set my foot into the place.

From the inside, there was the sound of a cafe singer singing 'Heart Guard' from Ari Lasso with a voice that was almost similar to the original singer's voice.

My eyes glimmered all over the room in the cafe. Understandably, this cafe is always crowded by visitors every night. Its strategic location overlooking the Mahakam river, a plus makes this cafe a good reference for hangout for some young people in this Tepian city.

" Asthma, over here!" Mas Haris waved his hand, grilling me. I was a little surprised as my gaze greeted Mas Haris. My heart raced erratically, Mas Haris came with a young woman I didn't know.

White sleeveless dress with V-shaped collar in a mix with black denim, matching blend. Her arms and neck were perfectly exposed showing off her smooth white skin. Her beautiful face is more perfect with long hair half back that just melted away. It's pretty..! praise me in my heart with a sense of insecure.

" Assalamu'alaikum! " i say hello even with an unbecoming heart.

" Greetings waalaikum, Asthma. I'm glad you finally came too. Meet this Lisda! " Mas Haris introduced the beautiful woman who came with him.

" Hey! " the beautiful woman sitting next to Mas Haris greeted me, friendly.

" Hey too, I'm Asthma.! " I returned his greeting while sitting in front of them.

" Who is Mas Haris? " he asked me with a seductive clatter.

" Work buddy, I'm Mr. Haris' subordinate! " answer me with a smile.

The atmosphere of the cafe boisterous by the laughter of cafe visitors mingled with the noise of music that flowed makes me have to put on a vigilant ear in order to hear the voice of my opponents.

" I'm Mas Haris' cousin" said Lisda. I just nodded to hear Lisda explain who she was.

Lisda looked at my face, then the woman said to Mas Haris.

" Oh, my goodness, Mas Haris. This is the woman whose picture did I show you yesterday?" Mas Haris nodded confirming the woman's speech.

" God. My cousin was rejected, anyway. Kasian knows. he's married enough." I looked at Mas Haris. Apparently this man in front of me had already told his grievances to the woman.

I was so embarrassed by his words. Apparently this was known by Mas Haris.

" Lisda, you go first, I still want to talk to Asma! " Lisda scowled spoiledly at Mas Haris.

" So Mas Haris kicked me out, huh! " Lisda sipped her drink.

" Okay...okay! For the sake of the success of Mas Haris' love life, and for the sake of the Wicaksono family lineage, then I willingly leave from here, hehehehe. Good luck, my. And hopefully get to the bottom soon. Assalamu'alaikum!" Lisda took out a piece of tissue while smiling ignorantly. The woman passed from before us without our having time to return her greetings.

" What do you want to eat? " tanya Mas Haris broke the residence between us.

" False. I ate this afternoon, "I replied.

" Serve a drink, please! " again.

I'm nodding. " Bittered coffee." Mas Haris nodded then called the waiter and ordered as per my order.

" Thank you, Mom! "

Mas Haris nodded. The mood was silent again. We were swept away in each other's minds.

" He's beautiful, Mas! " my words reopened the conversation.

" He's my cousin! " answer Mas Haris. I was silent and felt like I had failed to open a conversation with him.

" Asthma, I've thought of everything. For almost a month I've been thinking about why you rejected me. And I think I can accept your sorry status. I don't care about the status of your servant, just so long as it's you. "

" Well....! " I can no longer say. I was tired for almost a month of this rethinking of my relationship with Mas Haris.

" Stts, Asthma. Hear me..! I don't know what your past hurt like, but all I know is, right now I love you. I want you to be a part of my life. I will remove every scar in your heart and will not let one more wound re-scratch in your heart! " Astma lowered her eyes rubbing her tears silently - silently. He was deeply moved by the man's love and genuine concern for him.

" But my wounds are very deep, Mom. Your past is dark. Let me take the bitter gulp myself without having to share it with you." I said coldly.

" Asthma, I know maybe the past you've been through is very dark. Maybe in the past, you've been hurt by someone. And I'm sorry, when you got down with the wound you went through, I wasn't there to erase your wound. But right now, I make sure that in the future there will no longer be the same injury that will happen to you. I will try my best to make you happy and stop shedding tears. " The syahdu-eyed man grabbed my hand gently and brought it to his lips.

" She, this problem is not that simple. It's not a matter of like or dislike. It is not a matter of love for a moment. I don't want to get hurt a second time. I want to build a household not just for a year and two. I want forever. But my past seems too dark to share with you. So. mas. Let me alone eat all that suffering without wanting to share it with anyone, not with you" I said.

Mas Haris was silent at my words. I also snarled after it. I'm lyrically a watch that's a hand that's coiled around my wrist. Time is 20:30.

" Astma, I don't care what reason you rejected me. But for sure, I will marry you. Tonight, here I am telling you that I will propose to you as soon as possible. My family has accepted your status. So get ready, my family will come to propose to you! " the words of Mas Hari are like the hammer of a judge who decides a case. Telak, indisputable and immediately handed down the verdict. I choked.

...-----...

I woke up from my daydream. Scroll a gucci clock that stuck pretty on my right wrist. At 20:00, that means I've been waiting here for almost two hours. But no one showed up.

The long, exhausting journey made me feel tired. I was so tired that I started to feel sleepy. Unknowingly I started sleeping. I usually never sleep under twelve.

The roar of a car engine entering the yard flew away the drowsiness. I froze, my guts went straight out. I dare not look back. My courage was suddenly lost to stand up to the arrival of the man behind the wheel.

I closed my eyes trying to think of the words I wanted to say to my brother-in-law. And I panicked even more when I heard the open car door and the steps that were getting closer to me.

I was not stopping praying in my heart. The more nervous the more trembling my body feels. A cold sweat was pouring down my forehead. My chest was tight as if the oxygen supply in that place was thinning. And I felt like I couldn't breathe when I heard footsteps stop right behind me.

" Excuse me... Who are you looking for, huh? " the heavy voice of a man sounded from behind me.

Wait, that's not my brother's voice, but I think I've heard that one.

No. There's no way that sound. I must have heard wrong. I muttered in my heart. I was trembling to realize the badness of my mind.

With my eyes closed I turned my body. Brave to open my eyes and see who was standing behind me.

And when I opened my eyes... The sight before my eyes made my body tremble even more. The figure that I had been avoiding for ten years, was standing there right in front of me. I'm riveted....

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