Should We Divorce?
3

Adreano Prahadi tapped his index finger over his faded blue jeans. Both of his hands are deliberately focused on his thigh to dispel the anxiety that suddenly makes the atmosphere stuffy in his CRV. His head lowered, his eyes moved anxiously, and his brain worked to think what the first word was rightly spoken as the opening of this conversation. 

As powerful as he tried to dare to glance at Serena. Moaning the only sentence that appeared in his brain. "How are you, Re?"

"Two minutes thirty-seven seconds," Serena replied arrogantly. His hands were closed, and his eyes were straight ahead. Look at Aunt Lisa's bakery across the street. "After I waited, it turned out to be just that cheap question you asked."

Reno's mouth is small. He was too shocked by Serena's drastic change in attitude. Gentle intonation five years ago, changing cold tones seemed indifferent at this time.

"Sorry, Re, I'm confused where to start." Honestly, it was still as good as before.

"It's to the point. Pleasantry will be a waste of your time that you have left a little." Serena was still staring out the window. It's more fun to see what's out there than it is next to it.

Out there are a bunch of kids coming home from school, a tissue seller wiping his sweat, a beggar who is feeding his son with packaged rice taken from the garbage can, and then the parking lot of the minimarket-the place where the Reno car is now parked.

"You're a little changed now." Reno gave a discordant smile that looked sliced.

Serena grunts. "Change is better? Course. Thanks for the compliment. By the way, you've also changed since the last time we met."

"Is that?" Reno shakes her head. Feeling a little desperate because Serena was apparently paying attention to him. Even in silence.

"Hm." Serena muttered slightly, then turned to look at Reno's appearance. Honestly, he did not dare to meet with his ex.

Following where Serena's eyes roamed, Reno also researched her appearance. Grey and black plaid flannel shirt wrapping her plain white shirt. Faded blue jeans that look clean and still new. Sneakers with famous brand logo, and the complement of Italian production leather watches.

"Am I still looking like a boarding boy who doesn't like to take a bath and is skinny dry because of the constant eating of instant noodles?" Reno asked with a small smile. Trying to melt the atmosphere.

Serena was stunned for a few seconds. Didn't expect Reno to still remember the swipe that Serena often throws when they were still together.

"Still, huh? You're having a hard time answering that?" Tempted Reno with a careless look. Like old times.

You're handsome, Ren.

Holy hooch! Indeed ask to be smothered once his mind is this. Hells!

"Nope," Serena replied lightly. This time he looked up at Reno. Doctrine his mind to relax while sipping green tea with Hana. "Because now I'm sure, the boarding boy who used to rarely take a bath and the flattened already has a house like a palace and can even buy instant noodle companies."

Reno's crisp laughter loomed. "Wow. I'm flattered for your compliment. So, you wanna try to stop by my house, don't you?"

"Attracted?" serena's shreds are as mocked. "Do you think after our meeting, I still want to see you?"

"Sorry? You mean...what, huh?"

"Yes, I hope this is our first and last meeting." Serena shook her shoulders lightly.

Reno was completely confused by Serena's attitude. When they had met, Serena without much consideration agreed to her invitation to chat for a while. But now? Really, women's minds are hard to guess and understand.

"God! Don't tell me, you think I'm sorry for you?" Ask Serena dramatically.

Reno died a flea. It was true that his mind thought that way. Thinks that Serena has forgiven him, and gives him a chance to re-enter her life.

Then, Serena's turn to laugh. Heads shake. "Come on, Reno. So you really think like that?"

Seeing Serena who seemed satisfied laughing at her stupidity, made Reno seem offended. The man's gaze froze slightly not as warm as before. "Well yeah, am I wrong, Re?"

"Really did you ask me to, Ren? After everything you've done to me, can your attitude be called right?" Pout Serena with the rest of her laughter.

"Everybody can make mistakes." Strictly Reno who is starting to look serious.

So did Serena who did not want to lose, she looked back at Reno defiantly. "But not everyone deserves to be forgiven."

"Everybody deserves a second chance. Make repairs to what he's broken."

"But if something he has broken already can not be rearranged, then the second chance will only be in vain."

"And you know me, Serena. You know I'm a person who doesn't give up easily to get what I want. So I'm gonna-

"So this second chance discussion is about you, Ren?" serena asked softly. "You know, look at this" Serena raised her right hand. It shows a small piece of jewelry encircling her ring finger. "You should understand enough for that."

"So you're nik-nik

Serena's cell phone rang from inside her bag. The woman was forced to dampen her emotions a little and took out her square object.

All of a sudden, his lips involuntarily pulled upwards. Can you feel so dear to God now? Seeing the name Ares emerge from his screen is a miracle that he is waiting to be free from problems named Adreano Prahadi who takes care of emotions.

"Yes, Honey. I'm still on the road. Yes, I stopped by the Aunt Lisa's shop. Uhm, in a minute. No, no, I'm trying not to be late. Yes, I'm careful. Bye, Honey. Haha... I know you love me."

Wake Reno up if this is a dream. Reno really doesn't want any longer in this nightmare. His heart crumbled dimly, his eyes light dimmed, and his breathing was slightly tight. He was really disturbed when the woman he still loved was having a friendly dialogue with other men. Oh not another man. Her husband's. Su a mi's.

"My husband," Serena explained proudly, without question. "Sori, where did our discussion go? Oh, it's still about you needing that second chance, huh? Sorry, Ren, it turns out that besides the second chance, your time to talk is also over. It's more than ten minutes of the time you're asking."

"I'm not done talking, Sere."

"But if my husband had spoken and told me to go home, I wouldn't have been able to refuse. Besides, I have to deal with that," he pointed it at the paper bag of Aunt Lisa's bakery that he put on the dash board. "Make in-laws. I'm going to their house and I can't be late."

"Let me talk in five minutes. Please."

Serena shook her head while carrying her paper bag. "I can't. Thank you for these very important ten minutes."

"Serena, wait," Reno clasped Serena's wrist because she had already opened the door of her car. "Can't we really like it anymore?"

"Should I answer a question you already know?"

"Okay, if that's it. We're friends. Yeah.friends. I don't have a problem with that."

Very politely, Serena took off Reno's hand. "May think. But I'm not sure I have time to think about it."

• • • • •

While on her way to Ares's parents' house, Serena's mind was completely foggy. His feelings are far from comfortable. Lots of things are raging and going back and forth. Can not be lied to everything about the meeting with the ex. Flashbacks from the beginning of his love story, to the end of his relationship with Reno, suddenly burst forth without permission.

The silence again struck his heart. Seeing Reno in front of his eyes, it was not as easy as he imagined. Everything's difficult. Removing the shadow of someone who has been with us for three years is in fact not as easy as removing scribbles in a sheet of paper.

"Are you okay, honey?" Tanya Ares who had noticed the clouding of the wife's face.

Ares again looked at Serena. It was impossible for people to feel fine, even when breathing heavily sounded like that. But Serena's unwaveringness made everything feel hard to solve. So Ares himself must guess.

"You're tired of all this, stop pretending. I don't want my wife to feel burdened." Seloroh Ares relax.

"You mean?" Serena was confused.

"In front of my parents, we behave accordingly. No need to pretend to look friendly and romantic again," then Ares turned to look into Serena's eyes, rubbing the top of his wife's head with affection. "That's what's bothering you right now?"

"So you think that's it?"

"At least that's what I guess." Ares shook one shoulder.

So Ares thinks like that? Serena in my heart. Truly, if only she could, Serena wanted to say that that was not the case. But it doesn't feel good to talk about an ex-lover in front of her own husband. Better to just shut up.

"By the way, I love the sound of you just picking up the phone." Goda Ares's.

Serena's cheeks suddenly felt burning. Embarrassed. During their marriage, Serena never heard the sealay on the phone with Ares. But just now, because there was Reno, Serena had no other choice but to do that shameful thing.

"What the hell. Ordinary aja. Don't talk about it, deh." Serena swearing jutek.

"Other times, if you call me, say it as sweet as before yes let me work."

"Udah said do not discuss ish. Anyway.it was forced time. There was Aunt Lisa. Not good."

"Oh yes already that, later I call it right there Aunty Lisa aja let you say sweet."

"Cats, ish! Bummer." Serena stomped her feet in annoyance, and Ares instead laughed in satisfaction.

• • • • •

In this classic European-style house, Serena is embraced down the stairs by an elderly woman with a short haircut. Whether because of nervousness or because of his high heels stuck on the red carpet title steps this ladder, Serena felt her body slightly vibrate. Walking is also less balanced. Indeed, in the past few months he often felt uncomfortable side by side with the mother-in-law.

But as if understanding his anxiety, it was fortunate that Ares faithfully remained behind him. Walk one step further with himself and his mother-in-law.

"I'm sorry, honey, your father-in-law is sleeping right here." Said the graceful woman.

"Father, Ma, I understand, really. You need a break."

"Yes. Papa Abis took medicine to sleep. The effect of the drug is like that, on average make drowsiness." Yolita's gore with slow pangs.

Arriving at the last footing, Serena could breathe a sigh of relief because she was finally led to sit down. His feet are really weak.

"Want a drink, honey?" Bargain Yolita as they just sat down.

"No, Ma, I'll take it myself."

"If you are, Res?"

"I'm finally asked too" Ares pretended to be annoyed. "From now on I feel invisible creatures, not invited to talk at all."

"It is you. Same with my own wife. Partially if you talk to him not connect, ngalor snide."

"I am a man. Where does the discussion of women."

"That's why it's so ngaco. Mama was just drinking, you know. But it's spread everywhere." Cibir Yolita to his only son.

"Who? Mama said, yes I'm ladenin. Mama wants to talk to herself?"

"Haduuuh, what dream is this Mama, Serena. Mama used to have a daughter. But how does God love a boy more than a girl."

Serena chuckled softly. "Maybe God wants to give double happiness to Mama. On the one hand Mama is loved by boys, but on the other hand Mama is also given the opportunity to fuss out how to have a girl."

"Yes that's the case," Yolita smiled brightly as she tightly grasped Serena's hands in her lap. "Mama's chatty son is lucky to have you, honey. I was beautiful, calm, graceful, smart again. If Ares sampe glanced at the others, it means he belied the favor of God."

Seeing the Mama sneak a jutek at him, made Ares feel accused. "What?"

"Well, if you dare to hurt Mama's favorite daughter-in-law. Attach Mama Jewer ears you get off."

Ares simply clucked and cast a gaze in the other direction.

"Oh yes, dear," Yolita returned to Serena. "Where? Any sign of stuff?"

"What fists?" Even Ares is puzzling.

"Fill the fridge." Answer Yolita jutek.

"yeah. Just a regular time." Ares.

Now Serena knows what makes her not as comfortable as she used to be with her in-laws. Because this. This topic is always a discussion that will not be missed if you visit here. Actually not only here, his biological parents are also both looking for him to immediately have a baby again.

When he was not ready.

"Where, Re?" Repeat Yolita with eyes sparkling expectantly.

"Uhm. I'm sorry, Ma, I don't think so." Answer Serena carefully.

"Oh. not yet yes," Yolita's tone slightly decreased and her eyes dimmed. But for the sake of making Serena comfortable, she tried to keep smiling even though her heart felt a little disappointed. "Yes already. It'sit's okay. Maybe God has not given. Or... Would you like to join the program, dear? It just so happens that my mother has contacts. Mama's acquaintance was---

"No. What the hell, Ma, program everything? This Mama's son is a hundred percent fertile. Can still make your own child without medical intervention."

"Mama is just nawarin. It's also for your own good. It was time for Altan to have a sister. You guys want to delay until when else?"

"We don't-

"Nobody's delaying, Ma," Serena cut because she didn't want the child and the mother to keep fighting. "Maybe they haven't been given. I hope Mama is patient. I don't want Mama and Ares fighting over this."

"I'm sorry Mama, honey. Mama didn't mean to pressure you and make this a burden. But you know if Mama really wants to have a daughter? Mama was not given a chance to have a daughter. And when you have a grandson, that's a grandson. Not that Mama is not grateful and does not love Altan, just that Mama hopes our family, your family, will be more crowded if plus one more child. Thank goodness that her daughter's the girl you want."

"Yes, Ma, I understand. I'm definitely trying to have another mom. And I hope God will allow it."

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