Should We Divorce?
27

As always, Monday mornings are a busy start for everyone. Everything should be done earlier and faster than a typical day. If not quickly, the densely creeping streets are ready to welcome. Therefore Serena looks a little faster to arrange breakfast on the dining table. A plate of pancakes for Altan that had been sitting neatly on his right side, and a plate of toast for him. Not to forget a glass of warm white milk is available.

"Mi, where's Papi? I'm off to work, huh?"

"Yes. He said hurry."

"The fire kept hurrying. Altan wants Papi kayak yesterday." The boy seemed to be pouting while just playing his pancakes.

"Father, Honey. There is still Mama. Altan Seneng will eat Mami's food?"

Anxiously the boy nodded. Making her bloated cheeks sway. "Yes, Mi."

"Yes, I'm going to eat it" Serena smiled and briefly stroked her son's head. "Oh yeah, then Altan don't play outside. Inside the same Mbok."

As usual, the boy's forehead shriveled seriously like an adult. "What's wrong, Mi?" Serena looked slowly with an unreadable look. "Mommy afraid of what happened yesterday again?"

Serena sighed softly while putting down the tableware. His head was small. "Yes. Mami was very afraid Altan went away from Mami. Mami's afraid Altan is okay." His whisper.

"Mami's sad that Altan left?"

Serena's faint smile flung. His eyes dimmed. He cupped both of Altan's cheeks gently. "Mommy must be sad, Tan. You see Mami I'm very much the same Altan," he said raucously. "So don't ever leave Mami again, huh?"

"Altan loves Mami too. Altan doesn't want Mami to be sad. Altan promised not to go again."

"Thank you, darling," let out Altan's long forehead. "So? Altan would be recited if Mami told Altan to play in the same court Mbok?"

"But Altan wants to play outside, do not want to be in the dalem. Om that's good, Mi. It's not evilin Altan."

"Omm?" serena frowned. "Who's that?"

"Yes, Om, the one who took Altan away yesterday."

"Altan knows the guy?"

She shook her head. "His face did not look. Om that's wearing the same hat mask, keep sunglasses on too."

Serena for a while. His brain looked far away trying to figure out who was the person who brought Altan yesterday. His enemy? Or could be his rival? His forehead is getting deeper. Serena has no enemies. As she remembered.

"Uhm... What are Om's characteristics, Tan? Altan inget no?"

Altan nodded. "Om is high. His hands are big, there are muscles. Keep the skin white."

Errr! Serena is confused. Not a single candidate was depicted in his brain.

"Om that's a hell of a baiiiiii, Mi. I like Superman too. Altan was adorned with vidio-vidio superman right in his car."

"Oh yeah? That's kalo... Altan knows what car it is?"

"Altan doesn't know what the car is. The color is an item."

"Oh yeah," Serena's smile thin. "But Altan's not in anything, right?"

"No," the bell is plain. "Om just take Altan to the park, keep buying ice cream too."

"But yesterday Altan didn't come home the same Om? Where is that Om?"

"Om said he wanted to go to the toilet, but didn't even go home. Altan was left alone in the garden chair. Abis Altan was looking for a way home, but did not meet. Altan keeps seeing you with Aunt Anye."

Serena shakes her head for fear of mishearing. "T-tan..te...who, Tan?"

"Tante Anye."

"Tante Anye?" I don't know why Serena's heart was racing fast. "But the aunt who yesterday Anterin Altan returned her name is Aunt Michelle."

"His name is Aunt Anye, Mi."

"Maybe Altan was wrong."

"The aunt said it herself when she met Altan. Her name is Aunt Anye. Altan is not wrong."

Positive thinking, Serena. The one who has the name Anye in this world is not just the sweetheart doang.

• • • • •

Serena was dumbstruck as a white envelope landed on her desk. The flickering hand that thrust the envelope shifted it slowly closer towards him. Serena looked down at the envelope, then looked up at the giver.

"What's this?" Ask wonder.

"My resignation letter, ma'am."

Both of Serena's eyebrows raised. He was confused of course. All of a sudden, he was given a resignation letter without any previous news, who wouldn't be confused?

"Why?"

"There's a reason I can't explain. For sure this reason makes me unable to survive here any longer."

"But your contract is still two months away, Michelle."

Anye fell silent flat. Her eyes looked at Serena unreadable. "I know that, Mom. I'll pay the final and return the DP money I love."

"No... I mean. It's not about that, Chelle. But why? Why would you stop? Why is this suddenly? Is everything okay?"

Anye held her breath for a moment. "Everything's good." Everything will be fine if I'm not here.

"So? Why?"

"I won't be living here anymore. This afternoon I'm leaving."

Losing words. That's how Serena felt. Although the frown on his forehead clearly implied some obvious confusion, he could not say anything more.

"I hope you understand and accept the decision I have made. I'm sorry for the inability to continue this contract. I understand you might be upset or angry."

"Michelle," Serena sighed softly while cupping Anye's hands. "Its okay. If that's your decision, it's your decision. I will not be disappointed or angry. I'm just shocked and would be sad to lose you" the corner of Serena's lips pulled up. "You're one of the best models I ever had."

Anye stared at her hand with nanar. Now the excitement was sweeping his heart. There was anger, disappointment, disbelief, and I don't know what his name was anymore. I don't know whether the feeling is aimed at myself or at the person who is looking at him sincerely. Really, this feeling cannot be explained with words.

If only Serena wasn't Ares' wife. If only Serena wasn't the one who hurt Ares. If only Serena wasn't someone she admired. If only he hadn't gotten this close to Serena. If only he didn't work here. If only he hadn't come back here. If if only! It's all about the word if.

Now he knew whose unbecoming feeling was meant for him!

Show me your own bidat, Nye. For you! It's all your fault! Now it's time to stop! Go awayl. You shouldn't be involved in their household affairs! Now is the time for you to escape from that bad feeling!

"I'm sure the decision you made was the best one. Do what you want, Chelle." Serena said, smiling broadly.

As if not wanting to linger with that uncomfortable feeling, Anye gently removed Serena's hand. Not even smiling. He really doesn't know what to behave like.

"Thank you for understanding, Mom. Then let's say goodbye," Anye shifted her chair while standing up. "Thank you."

"Eh wait," Serena moved out of her comfortable position and approached Anye who was looking at her in surprise. A sweet smile featuring her dimples was created as she stood in front of Anye. "No hug for me, huh? As a farewell, maybe?"

Anye's body stiffened as Serena pulled her body in a tight hug. Percis is like someone who lets his best friend go. Very warming. Anye can feel the sincerity.

Serena, if the 'in case' I mentioned above had never happened, maybe our breakup wouldn't have made me this sad. Honestly, I still don't believe women as good as you can be that bad as Ares. But on the one hand, I also can't accuse Ares of being wrong about you.

This position is too difficult for me.

I can't possibly stand the feeling of admiring and hating you at the same time.

Maybe going is the best way.

• • • • •

In a pitch-black square room, someone was laying their feet on a large sofa. His gaze was sharp straight ahead. His long fingers tapped on the hand of the sofa as if impatiently waiting for something.

Until the next minute, the flat object lying on the side of his body rang loudly. He grabbed the object and found the name of someone he had been waiting to contact.

"The woman resigned, boss.

He just got out of

agency office."

"good. Accordance with

what I expected."

Without the hassle of waiting for an answer or just saying goodbye, the phone is turned off unilaterally. The man smirked like a demon. His smile like that adds a sinister impression and makes this room even more frightening. It feels cooler.

"It's time to bring this bad news to someone." Hisses.

Then his hand nimbly typed the numbers he had memorized outside his head. Put that flat object on the left ear.

"Rispads."

The sound of the baritone at the other end was heavy as if saying anyone who heard his last name would shrivel in fear. But in fact the doctrine did not work on someone who even smiled thinly. He looked relaxed even while whistling a little.

"Who is this? I don't have any

lots of time to listen

You whistle."

He said firmly, which makes

this guy is getting bigger

pull on the two corners of her lips.

"Then make plenty of time. I'm sure you can do it for this one."

"To the point."

"Why hurry, man?

Do you also want people who

You dear go in a hurry?"

"Is this a joke? Seriously I am

not joking."

"Just like you, too,

I am serious too.

The figure of the woman you care about in a moment will go far from you. He's already prepared the suitcase and the flight ticket."

"Who do you mean?!"

"Think carefully, Mr. Risjad.

I'm sure your smart brain will figure it out quickly."

"What does all this mean, huh?!

Say it clearly!"

"I'd really like to explain it for a little longer, but I'm afraid your time is up to prevent that person from leaving. So, don't waste time talking to me."

"For God's sake, who are you

actually?!"

"Please stop this, man. Quickly rise from your comfortable throne now. Run for. If necessary fly with a private iron horse. Because for just information, today the streets will be crowded creeping by the mass demonstrations. Don't waste your minimal time. I hope you're not late."

"****! Whosoever

Tut!

The man firmly pressed the red button and turned off his power. He believes Mr. Risjad is confused half-dead over there. Her sexy lips again spread a demonic smile. He stroked his rough-looking chin by the newly trimmed little feathers.

"Antares, this is a painful and resounding reply for you. On one hand you lose that figure, and on the other you will find the figure you have been ignoring. Hopefully everything will get better soon..."

"...Goodbye, Carnations. Happy return, Serena."

• • • • •

Limply. That's how Ares feels right now. Not because he ran up the emergency stairs to get here. It was also not that his chest that was still descending rose rapidly due to being tired. All of this came from the empty room he was looking at.

Plain wall without polaroid patch. A white-clothed bed and neatly lined pillows without tucked away a lion doll. The side of the closet looks empty without Milo's cat cage.

His limp and suddenly numb feet stepped up to open the closet door. Staring at the two parts of the closet was as empty as this room. Carnation Room.

The sledgehammer seemed to have just hit his head hard. Makes the joints in his brain stop working. He could think of nothing but Anye's face, which was pictured waving at him.

If only he was faster, perhaps at least the wave of the hand was not just an illusion, but happened right in front of him. Although heavy, at least he was on Anye's side. Not stupidly holding sobs.

Brak! The closet door slammed hard.

"Hhhhhh!!!! Damn it, Antares, damn it! Loe moron! Dumbass!" He cried with tears that flooded the two sides of his face.

He clenched his hands at the two closet doors sobbing in tears. His head lowered and the muscles around his jaw were prominent.

"Why are you going, Nye? Why am I being disowned?" Frustrated scream.

Ares was lashing the closet weakly. It's like a lost direction. Missing support. Missing home. Lost everything.

"Why don't you say goodbye, Nye? Why?" whispered raucous. "This way, where should I look for you? Where can I find you, Sweetheart?"

In the drift Ares cried, the corner of his eye catching a light blue box lying on the closed balcony door. The man shrunk his rough tears and walked over to pick up the rectangular box.

When opened, the contents turned out to be all a collection of polaroids that were originally affixed to the wall of the room. There is a medium-sized glass jar with a black marker engraving that says "migraine medicine for you". There are circles of papers that have been scuffed. And another thing tucked away is a small gray tape recorder. Curiously, Ares pressed the red power button at the top of the device.

"Hi, Res. I actually bought this tape recorder because I was confused about what to write about. Did you see a lot of scuffed papers in that box? Hehe. Sorry I went in there. I intentionally. Let you know it's not easy for me to write this farewell..."

Ares carefully listened to Anye's voice, even as the woman was heard sighing deeply.

"...Antares, I know this is surprising to you. It's too sudden and without news. But not for me, Res. After that day, all night I thought about this. Looking for what path I should take and what steps I should take..."

"...Everything feels confusing until I'm dead-end and can't think of anything else. Brain's stuck. And the only word that stopped by my brain last night was to leave. That one word..."

"...I don't know what I'm feeling right now, Res. Everything's empty. All I want is calm. And that I won't be able to get if I stay here..."

"...I hope you understand what I have chosen and decided. This is so hard for me. So don't make me feel guilty with you who's drawn into grief..."

"...We're LDR once again okay? Can not? It should be able to. I've tried hahaha..."

"...If I miss this, yes. Or if not, make a noodle with raw egg. But do not go away, later stomach pain. He also ate his migraine medication. Polaroids don't get thrown away, I'm having a hard time with the moto. Oh yeah, I brought a picture of a gapapa, right? The photo you again wear a fake mustache fitting the theater in school first, because I really like the photo, you look funny hugged me..."

"...Yes, no, no length. I thirst. May you keep the spirit of your days. Don't be sad I'm gone..."

"...Don't forget to fix everything, too. In particular, your home. Honestly, I still feel like your wife is not wrong about this. Maybe you're just lacking communication..."

"...Keep doing well. Bye, Antares. REMEMBER THAT! DON'T FIND ME UNTIL I GET HOME BY MYSELF!..."

"...Greetings from Carnation."

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