Sweetest Scandal
Every One of Us Must Have a Disability

"I'm glad you're still here, yesterday when you brought your stuff I was sad!"

Aileen replied to Adis's words with a real smile just to cover up her now chaotic feelings. "There's something else you're thinking about, huh? Sapphira?"

"No!"

"Oh. I thought Safira. What's your next plan?" Aileen exhaled a rough breath.

The question Adis asked was so difficult for him to decide. The secret that had just been heard about Amee made it even harder for her to walk away.

Safira could be the victim. "Aileen, why?" asked Adis while touching the back of her soft hand.

Aileen exhaled and then shook her head. "Do you have any advice? I should what?"

"Why ask that? Are you still having a hard time letting go of Safira and Kak Randu?"

"Sure!"

Aileen shrugged both of her shoulders. "There are so many things you can actually do!" Aileen looked at Adis seriously. "But now all you need to do is follow your heart!"

Aileen exhaled back her breath. "Say my heart ask that I be here." She leaned towards Adis and again said, "Almost I want to go undercover and apply to be a nanny for my baby. But, I'm too afraid I can't bring myself near Kak Randu!"

He backed off and sighed in annoyance.

Seeing the unrest of his best friend, Adis looked at him pity. "Then go far away. Just accept Bang El's offer. He will definitely help you because he still loves you!"

"Then you?" Aileen stared fixedly at Adis who was confused by her question. "You love Bang El, are you gonna be okay I'm the same as him?"

"If I love him, doesn't mean I have to be with him, right? Never mind, after all I just want to focus on my career!"

Aileen nodded. "I'll think again."

"Sure!"

Tonight he will think about what to take. True what Adis said, there was a lot he could do. Become a nanny for Sapphira, accept El's offer, settle down and teach at the teaching house, or go far without them knowing where she's going.

"I have to go to the room first, I have a job to do!"

"Yes. Let me clear everything up!" Aileen let Adis into the room, while she would clean the dirty dishes after their dinner.

"I miss you guys!" mummified Aileen. She wiped away her flowing tears without excuse.

***

The next morning Aileen told Adis that she was going to meet Faiz and his mother. He also wanted to visit the teaching house which is now more advanced.

Randu was really serious about his words, he helped the education of the people there by bringing teachers who could teach them. Even Faiz and his two friends Randu helped for their school fees.

Aileen knocked quietly on the door of the simple house before her. He was already impatient to meet with Bu Siti, the person who could always calm himself down. But for half an hour he waited, no one opened the door.

"Excuse me, Mum. Sorry I wanted to ask. Miss Siti or Faiz isn't home?" aileen asked one of the young mothers who passed by.

The woman looked at Aileen for pity and said, "Bu Siti and Faiz three days ago went with the man she said was her husband!"

Aileen was surprised to hear that. All she knew was that Bu Siti's husband had died, then who was the man who took them?

"Mom sure?" The woman nodded. "But, not ...."

"I myself do not understand which person, but it was before that the house of Bu Siti the arrival of people who were quite crowded. And yesterday they said they would never stay here again!"

Aileen nodded and thanked the woman earlier. He was sitting limp in the chair and felt sad because two people who cared so much about him left behind.

Unable to meet the person she wanted to meet, Aileen chose to leave immediately.

He chose to go to the apartment to pick up some of his leftover items. Along the way Aileen kept thinking with Bu Siti and Faiz who turned out to have gone far out of nowhere.

"Mom, where are you going?" ask the taxi driver to Aileen.

"Take it to the apartment on X Street, sir!"

No more conversation between them. Aileen returned in her own daydream.

He watched the streets that seemed deserted during the day. It didn't take long for the taxi to reach its destination. "Take the change, sir!" said Aileen who came straight out of the taxi.

He did not enter the apartment building in front of him. He was still watching the building look solid, after being satisfied he decided to step into the building.

"Huh. Why are so many people waiting for the elevator!" muttered Aileen felt uncomfortable, when she just wanted to be alone even had to cram like this.

He finally chose to retreat and accidentally bumped into someone behind him.

"Oh, sorry," he said with regret. However, he was a little surprised and happy to know who the person who was accidentally hit.

"Bi Sri!" Aileen awkwardly hugged the old body.

"Miss Aileen!" reply Bi Sri while rubbing Aileen's back.

"Geez, I didn't expect to see Auntie here!" aileen said after letting go of her embrace. The elevator opened and several people who had been waiting had entered.

"Neng is already the lahiran?" bi Sri asked as she watched Aileen's flat stomach. Aileen nodded happily and then turned sad.

The middle-aged woman sighed softly, as if knowing what had happened to her. He then rubbed Aileen's arm slowly. "We'll talk in the apartment, yeah. Now let's get in the elevator first!"

"Yes, Bi!"

***

"Auntie once a week or two once a week comes here to clean up." The woman handed over the warm tea to Aileen.

"But, Mas Randu did not say that Neng Aileen had given birth. He must be busy!" Aileen simply nodded as she took a slow sip of the tea.

Aileen put down her teacup and looked at the Bi Sri priestess sitting next to her. "What aunt can I be selfish for?"

"Why, Neng? Still hard to let them go?"

Aileen nodded. "Sister Randu and I are no longer husband and wife, but I find it difficult to let go of them especially after I know something about Ms. Amee!" Aileen exhaled slowly.

"Neng Aileen should be able to do it. After all, it's the consequences that you have to face, even though Bibi knows it must be so heavy!"

"Mbak Amee does not love Kak Randu, Bi. I'm afraid he'll make Safira's life imperfect!" Aileen.

The woman smiled softly and said, "There is no one whose life is perfect. Every one of us has a disability, no matter what. So too with Sapphira. Is that your son's name?"

Aileen nodded. "Auntie's right. So, do I really have to leave them even if I know about Ms Amee?"

"Yes!" Aileen was silent. "Auntie says this is not because you don't like your relationship, but from the beginning what happened was all a mistake. Neng Amee had a bad, didn't Neng Aileen and Mas Randu too? You guys have a relationship behind them!"

Aileen gasped at hearing that. Then he nodded weakly. "Auntie's right. We both have bad things. Thanks, it's awakening me!"

"Auntie always wishes you happiness." Aileen smiled wryly hearing that.