Tarnished Before Accident
Chapter 73. Demanding Rights

The pitch of the night added to the tightness when my voice was swallowed by the night air. Rey looked at me with a look of disbelief. Maybe he thought I was just joking around so the guy laughed off-the-beaten-track.

"You're kidding me, right?" He shook his head slowly, then went back to sipping the tea I made.

"Do I look like I'm kidding? I seriously. I want us to get divorced." Tears that want to spill I hold on with all my might. My gaze turned upwards, trying to dispel the warm melt of liquid that had accumulated in the eye fertilizers.

"Alea, do you realize what you're saying? Don't play the word divorce. I don't like it." Rey looked at me furiously. I saw his eyes sharply pointing at me.

I know what Rey meant, and for now I'm very conscious of everything that comes out of my lips.

"I've decided it. I want our previous agreement to be reimposed. After Althaf was born, we separated. You don't need to think about the matter of possessions because I didn't ask for anything. Thank you for being responsible to me and Althaf."

I stood up after saying it, letting Brother Rey reflect on what I just said. I haven't had a chance to step away, my hand was blocked by him.

I felt my body being hugged from behind. He put his chin on my shoulder. Our cheeks clung to each other with his hands coiled around my stomach.

"What are you saying, Alea? Why you suddenly want to get divorced. What's wrong?"

Really, being hugged by him like this makes my heart fragile. Rey is so warm, contrary to the night air that shivers the body. My feelings are still very strong for him. I love her so much that I'm afraid she'll suddenly leave me behind because she's stalking another woman.

A heavy breath came out of my lips. I try to resist the excitement of the feeling. "You're not wrong. There's nothing wrong. This is my decision. I want us to separate."

I bit my lower lip, hoping that no crying would come out and be heard by her. The heavy hand turned my body to face him.

"What happened to you? Why should I divorce? Alea, look me in the eye! Lookatme!" Rey said with a slight snatch. I couldn't just look at his face, let alone his sharp eyes. "Is it because of Rena? Didn't I say that Rena is the past. I will not divorce you. Never will."

"Sir Rey, don't lie to yourself. You two still love each other, don't you? I can see it when you look after Sister Rena. It's not just a concern and a form of responsibility. You love him, brother. You love Sister Rena."

I strengthen my heart when I say all this. My heart is too fragile to accept the reality. Realizing that the husband I love still has feelings for his ex-wife.

"Rena of the past, Alea. Right now I just want to make you happy, to make Althaf happy. Don't force me to leave you! Think of Althaf's happiness!"

I looked at her with teary eyes. Verily every word of hers sounded sweet and soothing to my heart as a woman. Still, all of this feels bad. Rey was just trying to love me for not wanting to disappoint me.

There's nothing wrong with what he did. He's a responsible man. I know it. However, there is someone out there who needs him more, expecting his presence as a life booster. How can I be selfish by forcing my true feelings on Rey.

Rena has changed. Had they reunited, I'm sure Rey would have been happy and treated well by her.

He has regretted all his actions, and I should not have taken the opportunity to off guard Kak Rena by attracting Kak Rey's attention. All their problems can be discussed well at that time. And now the temporary happiness that I have had to be willing to let me express it and return it to its owner.

"Althaf is still very small. He did not understand a farewell. Please, fulfill my request!"

"Alea, this is a wedding not a toy. You know playing with marriage is sin!"

I'm looking down inside. I know all that. But, my feelings don't accept that Kak Rey's heart actually belongs to another woman. I also felt unsettled as each eye looked at me as a woman snatching people's husbands. Maybe I should have retreated, disappeared from the life of both Rey and Rena so that they could both solve the problem without thinking about me and Althaf because they felt they had a burden of responsibility.

"Certify me! Let me go!" I try to strengthen myself in my decision. Although this is very difficult, but my determination has been round.

The crying I was originally holding broke just like that. There was regret seeing the disappointment in the look in his eyes. I know this is wrong, but this decision is the best for everyone.

His back disappeared behind the door. A few moments later I heard the sound of the car being turned on. Immediately I ran to the end of the balcony, peering downwards. Rey left home in a car with a car in the middle of the night.

***

This morning my life changed. My quarrel with Rey last night was still shedding tears. Mama who was preparing breakfast with me in the kitchen seemed to know that I was not okay.

"Alea, what's wrong? You guys had a fight last night?" ask Mama after tasting the vegetables that have just matured.

I nodded weakly, my eyes back in tears remembering last night's quarrel. Rey didn't call me until this morning. I don't know where he went. I don't know. There was something missing in my soul when Kak Rey's whereabouts were unknown to me.

I hugged my mom, crying there. I poured out all my feelings, my grief all this time. Telling me about my relationship with Rey from the beginning until we had Althaf.

"Alea, no matter what you decide, Mama will always support and accompany you. But, if your marriage can still be saved, then go ahead! Althaf deserves to be happy and have a whole family."

I nodded after wiping away the tears. This choice is difficult, but I believe I can make Althaf happy even without the figure of a Papa though.

***

Two days ago Rey didn't come home. I don't know where he is. My calls and messages were not answered either.

Until that night ....

The rain came down hard. Rey's sister came home with a soaked body at exactly eleven p.m. It just so happened that Mama volunteered to look after Althaf tonight so that when the sound of the door was knocked, I opened it myself.

Rey stood in the doorway with her clothes on and her head wet.

"Sir Rey, come on in!"

Without asking much I held his hand, taking the man into the house immediately. I closed and locked the door again, then pushed Rey up to clean up. He just complied without much to argue.

"Change your clothes, brother. I'm getting hot drinks ready."

However, just as I was about to step away, Brother Rey blocked my arm.

I felt her hands so cold cupping my hands. Then I turned my body around to face him.

"I agree we're divorced." Kak Rey's voice jolted into the air, blending in with the intense cold of the night. I could hardly believe that it was that easy for him to agree to my request. However, I tried to smile in response even though my heart felt sore. "But on one condition."

"What?"

"I want my right tonight" he said, pointing a sharp eye toward me.