Tarnished Before Accident
Chapter 23. Forgive Me

I was waiting in the room when Rey took the water. Down there I've prepared two prayer mats for me and Rey.

He invited me to perform the Prayer of Repentance together.

I sat on the edge of the bed, recalling what Rey had previously said.

"Alea, I know that because of my actions you became like this. I'm khilaf. I sinned against you. Every night I think about this. How can I make amends against you." Rey's sister looked down. I've never seen him like this. "I married Rena, but I ruined her sister. I'm the most evil man in the world."

My eyes are dewy hearing Rey's words. Before I thought that Sister Rey would never mind me, indifferent to my life. He thought only of his happiness, his own pleasure. But it doesn't seem so. Sister Rey ... cares.

"I don't want to regret a second time for abandoning you and my son. I know you must hate me so much. But, please, let me take care of you during your pregnancy!" He touched both my shoulders, looking at me with a glare. "Help me to make amends for you" he added, showing a pleading look at me.

"Sir Rey!" I called his name lirih.

Please, don't be so nice to me!

Your kindness will hurt my feelings.

But, those words were only stuck on my lips. My tongue. I can't say a word.

"I know this is wrong. I will not force you to serve me as a wife, but I want to do my duty as a husband and a father. I've decided ... to tell Rena about this child."

I'm shaking. How could I possibly disturb the happiness of Sister Rena? Let me give up. Let me take care of this boy. I promise I won't involve Rey and Kak Rena after this child is born.

"No! Sis, I will keep these secret meetings. Rey took care of me until I gave birth and we'll finish it right then and there. I'll take care of this kid. And sister Rena will remain happy with you."

A faint smile was seen on Kak Rey's lips as the man rubbed my head. I saw sincerity in his eyes. "You know, Alea. There should not be a secret in a husband and wife relationship. A husband is a dress for a wife, and vice versa. Marriage is a relationship that God brings together to complement each other and cover up shortcomings. Although this is difficult, but Rena must know and make a decision."

"decisions? What decision?" Rey's words hang so I can't wait to ask her.

"She's willing to accept my past or not, and I have to accept and respect whatever her decision is. I'll tell him at the right time."

I fell silent, trying to digest what Rey said. For now, all the things that were in my head were mixed together without being sorted out. I don't know what to say.

The opening of the bathroom door brought my consciousness back into place. There, Rey's sister is out with a wet face. The water of the wudu seemed to sparkle dripping slightly under his chin. The man walked towards the wardrobe, picked up a cocoa shirt to wear prayer.

In fact, I just found out that in the closet there are also men's clothes. I haven't checked all of them due to time constraints.

At that moment he also removed the white T-shirt attached to his body in front of me. I want to turn my face away. However, something caught my attention so I stopped doing it.

The thick bandage wrapped around Rey's body looks wet and stained red.

"Sister Rey, your wound?" I got up from my seat and walked towards him. Without hesitation I touched the thick bandage with the palm of my hand. "It's blood?" I just want to make sure. It was clearly blood. The shooting wound five days ago, is it still wet?

"It's okay. This morning the band was replaced by a doctor. I can call the doctor again tomorrow."

Hey, why is he so relaxed? That must hurt, right?

I looked into his eyes deeply. I just want to know what the guy really feels. My hand was still attached to the thick bandage, not moving a bit.

"Sir Rey!"

"Heem."

"Did Rena know about the shooting?"

Our eyes were staring at each other, as if translating what was in each other's minds. He shook his head slowly. "No. He doesn't know."

My heart hears it. Sis Rena turned out to be very busy to not have time to know if her husband had been shot and entered the hospital.

"Maybe I can't do my duty as a wife in general, but .. I want to help you take care of your wounds. Think of it as my gratitude because you helped me back then."

He's nodding. "Thank you" he said. Holy, we pray together!"

"Heem," I muttered. I left him who was changing clothes to take wudu. My mind has opened up a little with Rey, although there are many things I would love to ask her. To this day, he is still very mysterious to me.

On each other's prayer mats, we did evening prayers together. Rey's sister became a priest, while I was her aunt. The quiet and calm atmosphere at night adds to our prickliness in worship. Of course, with tears constantly breaking non-stop.

I heard prayers accompanied by sobs from Rey. The man begged for mercy with all his earnestness. He's not doing a show. I can see that. My eyes were now open and began to understand the man who had now become my husband.

Rey's not a bad guy. He's a good man. Only fate made us end up like this. I also don't know how the story ends with me and Rey's sister. We just try our best to keep it going, look after each other and protect each other. Until the moment this child was born into the world.

He rose from his bow, raised both hands up, and said prayers that only he and God knew.

The back looked sturdy and strong, but I knew a lot of things were borne by it. I promise myself I will always support whatever decision and wish him and Kak Rena a happy ending.

The face turned towards me, then flashed a smile behind the wet eyes. I stretched out my hand, kissing the back of his hand. He then hugged me, hugging so tightly. This feeling turned out to be so comfortable.

I heard a slight nod from her stifled lips. This hug is just an ordinary hug, not a hug of desire or nafsu. He hugged me only emotionally.

"I'm sorry. Sorry," he whispered in my ear.

***

Early in the morning I was in the kitchen. Rey slept in this house last night. Don't get me wrong! We didn't sleep together. There are empty rooms in this house that are ready to use. Maybe Rey deliberately prepared it if she intended to spend the night here.

Today is the first time I've prepared a meal for Rey. Think of it as my time to my husband. This is all I can do for him.

Not fancy cuisine. I just cook what's available in the fridge. Although only a plate of kale stir-fry with shrimp and meat pieces, but I hope Kak Rey wants to eat it.

I prepared everything on the dining table before calling Rey in her room. When my hand was about to knock on the door of the room, but he opened it. The man was ready for work clothes.

I was suddenly nervous when our eyes clashed. However, I immediately said my purpose to him. "I ... have cooked. Does Rey want to eat with me?"

I thought he would refuse, but he didn't. He nodded with spirit. "Come, I'm hungry!"

He walked behind me while pushing my shoulders softly, leading me towards the dining table. We sat facing each other. Like a couple in general, I take rice on the plate, then vegetables and side dishes.

We began to eat quietly, only the sound of friction between the plate and the spoon was heard. However, in the middle of eating Rey suddenly asked me something.

"Alea, did you forget to put salt in?"

"Eh, what?"

"Yes, it feels bland. Did you forget to give salt when you were cooking?" The cuisine that Rey's sister ate and the cuisine that I ate were clearly the same, but I felt that everything was fitting. "You tried mine!" he said while sliding his plate at me.

I tried it a spoonful, then chewed it in a slow motion. No problem. It tastes the same and I think it's pretty good. "No, kok. It feels good" I said in self-defense.

"Cooking, anyway?" He took back his plate, then tasted the food once more. Surprisingly the expression that previously seemed reluctant to eat suddenly changed. "Yes, delicious. Why wasn't there a taste, huh?"

As much as possible I hold back my laughter by thinning my lips while looking down. Obviously it was the same food. I just tasted it and didn't add any more seasoning, but Rey said it was different.

Why can it be like that?

I don't know, I didn't think about it much.

Until when Rey's sister will leave for work after breakfast. He said he would visit me often when I wasn't busy. Hearing that, I could only nod in understanding. I don't demand much of him.

"I'm leaving first. Watch yourself!"

"Heem." He rubbed my head, then immediately went into his car. My eyes did not turn away from the jet black car that had moved away from the view, then my head shook slowly.

Because the dirty dishes were not finished I finished, I immediately went inside to do the homework that was waiting. Something caught my attention when my eyes fell on the dining table.

Jesus, Rey's phone is left behind!

Turns out he was careless too. But, it doesn't seem like it. A moment I found Kak Rey's phone lying on the table, when it also heard the sound of the door being knocked from outside. Hurry up and take a step, bringing the phone with me. I'm sure if Brother Rey comes back to get this thing.

Immediately I opened the door without checking who was coming. And that's when my eyes bought surprised after seeing the figure who had stood up while holding his chest in front of my door.

"Ma-ma?"