Should We Divorce?
31

On a night that seemed sad and gray because of drizzling, Ares sighed softly while leaning his head on the bed. Today it is still lit up yesterday and the days before. Her heart had always been troubled since Anye's departure. Moreover, there is still no news until now. Anye is very adept at closing her information meetings.

It's the same as before. Just like when graduating High School Anye fled to Singapore because he did not want to live with his grandfather who he considered as the cause of his parents' death. Anye always does this. And Ares was never ready to take it off.

"Hey."

Ares turned his head lazily as Serena came up on the bed and sat down beside him. The woman seemed to have just put Altan to sleep. His face looks cheerful with his big smile.

"Not sleeping yet, anyway? Not sleepy?"

Without answering anything Ares grabbed his phone on the nightstand. He was too lazy to serve Serena who would definitely not let this night pass by. That chatty woman would definitely not waste the opportunity to disturb him. Sure.

"Res."

Ares sighed lazily. Tuh. Five seconds ago, he guessed it.

Lord, please give me the ease and patience. The depth in the heart.

Serena who realized Ares' tormented mimicry instead stopped even smiling herself.

"Antareees." His tone was made like a boy who wanted to play with his friend.

Ares is still flinching. He chose to open a game app.

"Dear." Godanya by elbowing Ares' arm.

"Gee!" Ares. "What, anyway?! Disgusts."

Serena pokes her lips because Ares wants to also say. "What is so serious?"

"Decorate the christmas tree."

This time Serena chuckled. "That's funny, anyway. So it's more dear."

"Nyesel is funny." Mumbled.

"Disayangin pretty chick kok nyesel, anyway?" Serena held back her smile.

"Damf. Who's the pretty girl?" His fingers are still playing.

"I, dong," he upheld his seat. "Who else tried?"

Ares chuckled small. "Such a big one."

"People are really pretty, really. Look here that's why. Don't watch out for cell phones."

His shoulders were only raised indifferently in response.

"I'm so pretty tonight" she brushed her hair. "Are you sure you don't want to look at it?"

"So. Thanks." Thanks."

Instead of giving up on Ares, Serena smiled because she had a good idea. With his ugly face he took his own phone. Find Ares' contact, then call him.

Let's see how Mr. Ris--- reacts

"Woi! Who's calling?!" Ares glared at his screen.

Serena grimaced with a stifled smile. Then when Ares turned to him fiercely, he pretended not to know.

"What?" Plain asking.

Ares tightened his teeth in annoyance. "I'm blocking your number."

Serena's eyes widened to see Ares fiddling with her phone. He reflexively rests on his knees and picks up Ares's phone.

"God! What the fuck, here! Here's balikin."

"No, no. I'm not going back." He moved it behind his back.

"That's my phone."

"I'll hold on until you promise I won't block me."

"So. I'm going to block."

"That's a damn thing, anyway. Wife time alone on the block?"

"Who is bothering me to play games? Cepet herein."

Serena shook her head and retreated slowly with both knees.

"Reverse no?" Ares' voice sounded threatening.

"Don't want to."

Ares got up from his seat and Serena, feeling threatened, refused to stop retreating.

"Reverse." Ares's gaze was ready to prey.

"No, not until you promise."

"Now?"

"Promise me you won't be-aaaaa!"

Seeing Serena lose her balance Ares spontaneously catches her. But instead of helping, he fell over Serena.

Serena opened her eyes slowly and found Ares' face very close to her. He who had been feeling agitated for fear of falling, now felt his heart not beating. He looked at Ares.

Ares, who was looked at so deeply by Serena, felt ashamed. He swallowed his saliva stiffly and tried to get up. However, just like that both of Serena's hands casually covered her neck.

"Where are you in such a hurry?" Serena smiled sweetly.

Ares is getting the wrong way. "A-awareness ah. Step aside. The weight of this spindle on my neck."

Serena even tightened the hook of her hand to make Ares more bent over her. Their position is getting more intimate and close.

"What's the weight of a seneng?" His one eye blinks mischievously.

"Don't keep joking. Herein my hand phone."

"So. I'll pinjem first."

"Don't be weird, deh!"

"Minjem doang, honey, just stop. I'm not so good with my husband."

"Don't use all minjem-minjem. Turn around now."

"Yes, I'm back. But I pinjem first."

"No***---

"Minjemin me or am I not returning at all?" Ares glanced at his phone at Serena's chant from his left hand. "I'm minjem bentar. Promise not macem. Ok?"

Yes already. How else would you like? Ares didn't have the ability to argue for hours like Serena. Let it. Let this be over quickly. He didn't want his phone until he didn't come back.

"Just a minute." Mumbles soft Serena.

Her hands draped over Ares again and began typing behind her husband's neck. I don't know what he typed Ares didn't know. Ares did not think about it because he instead mis-focused on Serena's neck that looked shiny. The neck is so smooth and smooth. His senses as a man are eager to immerse his lips there and a little mischievously give ****** or even a bite. It must make it feel like it's floating and---

"Udah, here."

Serena's sudden voice made Ares flinch from her wild daydream. Her reaction made Serena's forehead shrivel with a suspicious smile.

"Why you?"

Ares's voice turned nervous. "Eng..no."

Serena rolled her index finger in front of Ares' face with ignorant squeaking eyes. "Macem-macem sure, huh? Aye, right? Hm?"

"What, anyway?! D-don't accuse me, deh!"

"You don't have to be ashamed of that. Say aja. Baby what do you want? Wanna kiss? Here and there." Serena cupped Ares' cheek and brought her lips closer.

"Appaan, anyway. Don't want to." Ares rejected him in annoyance. He took his phone out of Serena's hand. "I want this."

Ares quickly rose from the body of Serena. He didn't want to stay in that position for long. He was not nervous like this. If it continues later it can be bad.

In order to cover his nervousness Ares leaned back on the bed and opened the game application. Serena who was still lying on the bed even chuckled to see her beloved husband misbehaved. Ares who used to look like a Sumatran tiger turned into an Angora cat. He felt sorry to see it that way too. Maybe enough of his pranks for tonight.

"Yes, deh," he broke up as he got up to Ares who was busy looking down. "I slept first, huh? Sleepy, here."

"From now on, cake." Ares' grunts could still be heard by Serena and made her smile thinly.

"Yes already. I sleep. You don't sleep in her sleep."

"Hm."

Serena kissed Ares' left cheek which made the man turn his head. "Good night."

Seeing Ares so fixated that he did not blink his eyes made Serena happy. Without hesitation he brought his face closer and kissed Ares' lips.

"Bonus." He said, winking one eye.

Serena chuckled a little and then threw herself down. He pulled the blanket and looked at Ares who was still flinching from his place.

"Hey," he poked Ares' elbow and finally the man regained consciousness as well. "Awas lost the game." Then he turned his back to Ares.

Ares widened his eyes and immediately looked at his phone that was already lying unconscious. The game is not asked again. It's been game over from before.

"Damn!" Ares sighed in frustration.

Serena grabbed her blanket and bit her to hold back a smile. Tonight he felt very happy. He had also managed to type something on Ares' phone. He's sure Ares won't forget. Serena was impatient to rush the morning. I can't imagine how much happier it will be tomorrow.

...• • • • •...

Ares sleeps disturbed when he hears the voice of people singing with noise. The man frowned with his eyes still closed. His eyes opened slowly and peeked into all corners of the room.

It turns out that there's nobody here. The sound seems to come from outside. Heard, his voice was getting crowded. The most dominant one was Altan's voice. What the hell is this really?

Because he could no longer be curious for longer, Ares also revealed his blanket and shuffled. He went down the stairs to get down and only then did he realize that the song sung together was a birthday song.

On the fifth step of the stairs he stopped looking towards the kitchen. Ares sees Serena, Altan, and Mbok surrounding a small table in the middle of the kitchen. They laughed happily. Moreover, Altan is the most spirit with a chef-style hat towering above his head.

"Battle!" Altan suddenly shouted like this which made Ares jerk.

The boy waved to his father to join in, and it was secretly Serena whose eyes immediately sparkled to see Ares.

"But let's come here." Reload Altan.

With hesitation Ares continued his steps towards the kitchen. After arriving, he stared one by one at their happy-looking faces. Then the last one on the small cake located on the table. The cake was seen wrapped in uneven liquid chocolate and sprinkled with colorful choco chips. If it looks like this, it's definitely the boy who made it. And the only kid here is the little chef wearing that big hat.

Ares tried to remember. It's not Altan's birthday. In what order did the boy make the cake?

"My homemade cake is good, isn't it, Pi?" Altan's voice appeared suddenly and sounded carefree.

Ares nenby still with his confused face. "This...why does Altan make cookies?"

"That's a birthday cake."

Ares asked innocently. "Who's his birthday?"

The atmosphere suddenly quieted down. Ares was immediately stunned to feel that something was wrong with his question. With a stiff look he stared one by one at the people. All their gazes turned sad. Ares can't guess whose birthday he's forgotten if everyone seems disappointed.

Damnit damnit! What date is it now?! Why is there no calendar in the kitchen? Why didn't he bring a cell phone?!

"But forgot?" tanya Altan. "Today's Mommy's birthday."

Ares glanced at Serena right then and there. The woman fluttered in place with and twinkled eyes dimmed. Ares' heart dumps. He felt very guilty seeing Serena grimly.

"Um, Altan," said Serena with a voice made as cheerful as possible. "Cut the cake now yuk? I can't wait to try Altan's cake. Can, right?"

"But Papi...

"Father. Mami gapapa, really. What's important now is that we cut the cake first, huh? The cake was hunted down by ants, you know." Serena chuckled at the end of her sentence.

Ares was completely glued to where he stood. The sight of Serena and Altan singing a piece of cake made him curse himself. Serena may be able to laugh happily with Altan bribing each other over cake. But his eyes could not hide his sadness.

That made Ares feel more guilty. Why should he forget now on August 25th?!

...• • • • •...

"Where are you going?" Ares asked this as he almost collided with Serena who was about to leave the room. Serena's appearance is neat, beautiful.

Where's the lady going this afternoon?

"Go to the same place." Answer with a flashy smile.

"Who?"

"Hana is Cecil."

"Well?"

"Hangout. I haven't been together for a long time," Serena paused her words with a bitter smile. "All my birthdays."

Ares' muttered look at Serena's gaze so wistfully. She knew Serena would still be disappointed.

"I'm going, Res. Titip Altan is back."

A second after Serena passed him, Ares called out to her. "Wait."

Ares took a step forward and stood behind Serena's back.

"I want to apologize about it," his voice was tried to remain firm without leaving a fierce impression. "I totally forgot your birthday today. There's a lot more I think. And that's more important than you. So it's natural that I forget?"

Serena felt her heart slashed with pain. It could be that now Ares said that while he had never been absent to give a surprise to him.

Have you changed that much, Res? His whisper in his heart.

Serena's throat rose and fell as she endured the cries she could not shed. He squeezed his fingers and then ventured back to look at Ares. With great difficulty he published a single smile from his lips, albeit only slightly and faintly.

"Yes. Reasonable. I understand if you forget. Howdy, Res. Its okay's. I'm fine."

Ares was silent for a moment, eliciting Serena's reaction. "You are wondering why from the morning you are saying to me? Don't want to talk, don't want me to get it? Intentionally make me feel guilty? Intentionally make me feel bad?"

Serena was stunned to hear Ares saying that seemed to corner her. There was no gentleness or at least guilt like Serena expected. The man remains haughty.

"Do you think it's good? Tasty chasing guilt? All day I can't even stop thinking about how to apologize to you. But you even complicate it with unclear cravings. Keep going now from home. Do what, anyway? Find attention?"

"This is why you're angry with me anyway, Res?" serena's eyes were visibly hurt from being offended by Ares' remarks. The man did not apologize, but instead hurt his heart even more. "You're the wrong one here. And what you're doing is apologizing."

"Yes. I'm mistaken. But you're also wrong for making me sprain. Just say I want a gift is really hard, anyway?! Is that what you want? Is that what makes you angry? Now say aja. I must be buying it, really. Let's take care of this obscure cramming event."

Ares didn't know he was wrong. He knew he should apologize. It's just that she was upset that Serena kept dodging as she wanted to apologize. After the cake dinner this morning was over, Serena refused to be spoken to by saying;

"Not now. I don't want to talk anymore."

Then after that he busied himself with bathing, cooking, watering plants, watching with Altan, doing whatever made Ares no chance to talk. And now that it appears, it will leave. Who wouldn't be upset trying?

Serena's arm signifies she doesn't believe what Ares thinks. "Narrow it down, huh, Res, mind you? I didn't mean to make you feel guilty. I also don't ask you to think about how I feel. And I don't need a gift from you either. I'm not an angry kid just because I'm not given a gift."

"Instead by being this you're like a little boy you know?!"

"How do you think, Res? Is this how we are now? Outlandish. Spaced. Why do you bother to think about me? You're the one who said it yourself that things about me don't matter?"

"Yes but----

"I'm leaving. Forget about my birthday."

...• • • • • ...

Serena arrived home at seventy-thirty p.m. It's too late for a housewife like her. But this is totally unexpected. He was stuck in traffic because of an accident. After spending time with his friends, he came home at five in the afternoon.

Fortunately he immediately gave the house to meet the needs of Ares and Altan. So he's kind of calm. They can be trusted. Just look at it now. His little boy was already sound asleep.

Seeing Altan's peaceful face made him feel guilty. Serena is an independent woman who loves work. But since there Altan he was willing to cut his work hours and always go home before dinner.

But tonight, for the first time he's gone on a weekend and gone home tonight. He was too upset with Ares and got even more angry because of what he said this afternoon. And because of that man, even his son who had to bear the pain.

"Sorry Mommy, honey. Mami went on. Altan had a good night's sleep. Good nights. Have a good dream." His whisper ended in a kiss on the forehead.

After closing the door to Altan's room, Serena is stunned to find Ares in front of her. The man showed up when he didn't want to see her. To be honest, Serena still could not forget her anger about this afternoon.

"Follow me."

"I'm tired. Mau isti---

Ares took Serena's hand. "Not many alesan. Come with me."

"Where, anyway?"

"Follow it out."

Forget about that anger. Serena chose to resign under Ares. He collapsed again without a fight. His heart could not lie if he was happy to feel the grip of Ares' hand again despite his anger and whether to be taken anywhere.

And 'where to go' it's just a question that floats for three minutes. Now Ares has taken him where. It turned out that the man led her into the backyard of the house.

But what made Serena shocked was what was presented in front of her. Their backyards are vast. But he did not expect Ares would make a tent here.

Yes tent. Camping tent. Big one. Complete with fire and everything.

"This... Why are you making a tent here? Who wants camp?"

Ares looks timid and prestige. His body gesture was stiff. "Y-yeah, we are."

"We?"

Ares instead mengengos sat first on the mat to avoid Serena. He could not look at the woman for long. "Yes." Yeah."

"Wow," Serena looks excited rubbing the tent and looking at the contents. "Are we really going to camp here?"

"Hm."

Serena's pupils instantly widened in spirit. He jumped in Ares' arms and shocked the man. "Yes!!! Thanks, thanks. I'm so happy, Res, thanks!!!!"

It felt like Ares' heart was happy to hear Serena this happy. That means he paid for his mistake this morning. Hopefully after this Serena will not be sad anymore. Ares smiled faintly. His hand hesitated wanting to return the embrace.

"Res," Ares did not hug Serena because the woman was in a hurry to release her. "You made all this?"

"Y-yes, no. Where can I. This is helped by Mr. Rapto and Gaius. Keep the food Mbok choose."

Serena still smiled broadly even though Ares' answer did not match her expectations. She wrapped her hands around Ares' neck and kissed her husband's cheeks briefly. "Thank you, yeah. Even if you're not the one who made it, I'm still pricing it."

Serena then moved on to sit next to Ares. His head looked up at the sky. And his lips as if they were not sore continued to curl wide.

"I like it, Res. Very good sky. Lots of stars."

It was noticed Ares with a stick. That big smile that used to make Ares hooked on Serena. And today he feels proud to have succeeded in being the reason for that smile.

"How can you think of making this camper?"

"You said on your birthday three years ago."

Serena looked over without removing her smile. "Inget, anyway. I forgot you ever said that when."

"Hn. I always want your birthday every year."

The atmosphere was quiet within a few moments. Time froze their eyes in silence. Ares was deep in Serena's eyes. And Serena was fixated on staring at the twinkle of Ares's so tender eyes. Affectionately. So shady. Like old times.

"Sorry I didn't. I forgot your birthday. I was angry with you too. I know it must have made you really sprained. That's why I'm sorry..."

"...i didn't mean to do that. I just sprained because you didn't give me a chance to talk. Honestly, it was very disturbing. I feel bad. I feel guilty. Sorry yes."

Serena's lips were attracted again. Somehow he felt touched by the softness of Ares' voice and his gaze. This is what he had hoped for from the beginning. This is the Ares he missed.

"I know, Res. Sorry for making you sprain too. I shouldn't have been like a kid. I should have given you a chance to talk."

Without interruption, Serena just hugged Ares' arm. Tuck his head on that sturdy shoulder. Feeling the warmth of the man's body that he so longed for. His embrace was so close that Ares had no power to twitch.

"I was sad because you didn't want my birthday. I sprained because you do not want even though yesterday malem I accidentally minjem hand phone you make install the reminder. I feel like you don't love me anymore."

"And I told you I had more thoughts. Where do I want those things? The wrong part itself singing tightness. I will be curious and not be able to open HP for the clay reminder."

Serena looked up slowly. "What do you think a lot of his thoughts? Think about that girl, huh?"

Somehow Serena's voice sounded cute in Ares' ear until the man became misbehaved himself. "Well, when should I think of the burden of the country?"

Serena's eyes turned soft. "Can't I ask you to just think of me? I don't want another girl in your heart and mind. I'm jealous."

"What, anyway? This is why the discussion went so far in that direction?"

"I'm just afraid you're losing you. I'm afraid you left me because I found a better girl out there. I'm afraid you don't love me anymore."

"Don't think of the distance, deh. You like to think about it."

"So that means you won't leave me, right?" seeing that Ares was silent, Serena shook her arm. "Jawab first. Not gonna, is it?"

"Hm. I'm working on it."

Although it sounds insolent and lazy, but Serena knows what Ares says is honest. Ares's eyes said so. And Serena's heart warms to realize that Ares' love is still there for her.

"Thank you, Res, for giving me today's most beautiful gift."

"meaning?"

"Here" he whispered softly. "Sit both with you. In your arms. Stories. This camper," he chuckled at the end of the sentence. "Even if you forget my birthday, you don't forget what my dream was. And I'm grateful to be able to make it happen with you..."

Serena smiled rubbing Ares' jaw. "...My wish for my birthday is to stay with you. Although there is no guarantee that I will continue to be happy, but I am sure I will be fine because you will take care of me as well as possible. With the love you have..."

"...i am too late to realize the magnitude of your love, but I still want to say that I love you too. This may be an ironic whimper because I just said it when we were like this. But trust me my love is sincere..."

"...if not as big as your love, but I'm sure my love can restore us. If you want, we can treat each other through our love..."

"...loving you is fun. And I'm grateful to have you with what you are..."

"...I love you. And it's gonna keep growing all the time."

Just like everything happened. Serena kisses Ares' lips softly. And unexpectedly Ares reply *********** also.

The kiss is not just lust, but also the transmission of longing. They enjoy it as sincerely and as pure as love. It is undeniable that longing is so passionate. It feels the same as a traveler who has not found a spring for a long time.

Imagine how much time they have spent without appreciating each other's love? Every day there are only wounds that continue to be aggravated.

Now might be the time to build them. It's time to put together another puzzle that's falling apart.

Ares's grudge, Serena's heartache, Ares's anger, Serena's disappointment, all seemed to wear off by her saliva on their lips.

The mischievous decapan of the two men was mutually unpretentious in the middle of the sunyinya night. Demanding, hasty, and unequivocal.****** as if you don't want any other choice but to accept. Smoke as if you do not want any other thoughts other than resignation. Cuddling as if the most important thing they had to do right now was just make out to each other.

Under the star-filled sky, the wind was calm and warmed by the blazing flames. Ares and Serena hugged each other as tightly as they could. Making the universe and its entirety a witness of the terrible longing for those who had not been delivered.