Sun Princess & Snow Prince
Episode 79 - Sad in Silence (2)

~ Sad but silently it is much more poignant ~

Seeing her husband speechless looking at the full dining table, Lily sighed.

"This is the first time Zaid has responded to something after a month, Mas! It's only natural that Ave is this way! He wants a photo of all this cooking so Zaid can respond. Although they don't talk to each other, but that's how Ave knows that Zaid is fine and so Zaid knows he's fine. Just imagine if Mas is in the position of Zaid."

"Yes, yeah... I understand, Li. But this...he means after that Ave took pictures and posted all his photos, right? Then is there a response?"

Lily's shoulders slumped. He shook his head languidly. "That's her. Lily did not understand either. Today for the first time Ave is back. Today he first wants to post again on his social media. But who would have thought that just because one of her first posts was like Zaid, she went straight to the kitchen and cooked all day. Lily also doesn't know if she wants to post all her food photos at once, or just to stock up so they can communicate. Lily doesn't know."

Ajie was silent again.

"And can you tell what this cuisine is?" ask Lily. Ajie.

Lily's eyes are getting wet. "Yang Mas tried earlier Gulai Kambing Kawah. The pastel-like one is called Karipap. Ave makes two kinds. The one in the white bowl is Bihun Soup. There the Tenggiri Fish gravy of Spicy Acid. That's... Halia Fried Chicken... Inside he was still preparing Fat Rice and Percik Chicken. In the glass is Milo Pudding... "

Although Ajie is not too fond of the culinary world, he is well acquainted with the names of dishes that his sister usually cooks. All that was called Lily sounded very foreign in her ears.

"... Do you know where all this cooking came from?" tanya Lily breaks Ajie's daydream.

Again Ajie chose to shake. His brain recognized, but his heart denied.

Lily's lips trembled, looking at her husband wistfully. "From Malaysia. Cuisine he learned to take Zaid's heart there when they visit after marriage."

Ajie was completely speechless. He kept silent. The atmosphere turned silent as Lily tried hard to wipe away her tears. Only Ali's words were heard. Without the two of them realizing, Jaya who was standing behind them with her wife also heard. Just like Ajie, the man fell silent as well.

"I." said Ajie doubtfully. But then he let out a long sigh before going back to saying, "I just want to test Zaid."

Lily lifted her face. Uncomprehending.

Looking at the question in Lily's eyes, Ajie continued, "I know Zaid has changed a lot. But... Avelia's my only sister, Li. I'm really worried about Ave being hurt. Especially with someone I doubt like Zaid. I just want to know if he's sincere or not. I want to know what's valuable to him because all this time I know he's been very loyal to his company. Where there are people as young as he can develop the company that fast if not for his ability and loyalty. Then after hard work, suddenly have to give up for the sake of girls. I know how I'm at risk, Li. But this is about Ave's life, I don't want to mess around. That's why I tested it that way. I just miscalculated."

"Papa? Does Papa know about this?" ask Lily quickly.

Ajie. He lowered. "That's the one I regret, Li. I didn't expect that it would even unlock a secret that Papa and I had been wondering about. I knew Avelia's heart was hurt deeply because of our parents' divorce, but I was really surprised that the effect was so overwhelming. Papa too."

"Mas... "

"When Papa realized, we had agreed to accept it. But I couldn't find him" Ajie said helplessly.

"But why don't you talk to Ave?"

"You know what Zaid left behind after he disappeared? Me, Hazmi, and Danu are in a rift taking care of The Crown. The eagle stopped talking to me because he was also noisier with Natasha. I'm busy taking care of these two companies, Li. Not because I was intentional. Anyways... Ave been avoiding me lately. He was in the hospital every time I came home and refused to talk about Zaid despite being lured to Papa."

Ajie turned to look at Jaya who was standing nearby. "Can you find Zaid? I called Zahra and she was confused. Zaid has been to Malaysia but only briefly. I also contacted Rizky, Hazmi, the staff at his office. Everything is nothing."

"Just calm! You forgot I'm a cop?" there was a grin appearing when Jaya said it. Ajie smiled wryly.

Lily smiled as well. There was at least a good gap for Avelia. She looked at her husband who had recently always heard the words ketus and judes from her. "Mas still has to talk to Ave. Anyhow. Who knows if Zaid sent him a message. The post is proof."

Ajie. He took his wife's hand. "Tonight... I'll talk to Ave tonight."

Lily agreed.

"Keep this much cuisine diapain? I eat, right?" tanya Jaya with her tongue barely drooling. Tiar and Lily both nodded.

With lightning-like movements, Jaya sat on one of the chairs and grabbed a still warm caripap. His mouth was 'hufh hufh' overheated as the contents of the karipap entered. While Ajie looked, waiting for a response like he had.

But there's no. Jaya even took another piece of karipap once the one in her hand ran out. He also picked up an empty plate and started scooping the dish in front of him.

Ajie's forehead wrinkled and he patted Jaya on the shoulder, asking for a karipap to try. Worrying about getting the new jolt of pain as before, Ajie bit down a bit.

There's nothing weird. Even until the karipap in Ajie's hand ran out, only the crisp skin and savory curry taste were felt. As delicious as ever.

This...

Ajie looked at Jaya who had already moved a piece of spicy sour fish to her empty plate, while his wife was picking up rice for him. The young policeman seemed to be enjoying the taste of the food without any problems. Also occasionally sipping vermicelli soup in awe. His eyes even brushed so good.

With a meaningful gaze, Ajie shifted the plate containing the Goat's strange taste to the front of Jaya. Thinking it was Ajie's good intentions, Jaya's hand moved to reach for the plate, but one hand stopped her.

"Don't that one, Bang! This one's... It was added salt three spoons equal pepper by the Lily. Not good!" said Tiar while thrusting another plate with the same menu.

Jaya looked at his wife lovingly before scooping her dully in the proffered plate.

While Ajie's head turned quickly towards his wife.

What he was looking for was standing towards the family room again while muttering to their son in his arms, "The dearest child of Mama, and if it's already big don't like it even-even cama Auntie Ave ya cayang. Ental is stirred a lot of the same Galam Mama. He he he."

Ajie was helpless in his chair. His face was flushed red withstanding embarrassment and annoyance. Can only condemn his misfortune. He should never forget his wife's high-level pranks.

*****

Notes Editor:

There's a lot more to Ajie and Lily. Their love story can be read on Watt** titled Boss Galak and Secretary Badung. Googling also found.