The End of Two Semesters
Chapter 29 – Victims of Selfishness

Arya came out of her room. When he came home earlier, and there was Fano in front, Arya went straight into his room, he cleaned his body, and calmed his heart that was a little bit unwelcome. Arya sat blankly, not knowing what to say to Santi. Moreover, the status of his marriage is only a contract, but Arya does not feel welcome, there are other men set foot in the house while at home. Santi should know, she is a wife, even though Fano is her former lover, Santi should know what her status is now, even if only kontarak only. Arya squeezes the paper in front of her, not knowing why her heart is so angry, seeing Fano return to meet Santi.

“You can't gini, Ar. Remember your marriage and Santi is only a contract marriage, even though you and Santi are legitimate husbands,” Arya murmured.

Santi confused himself. She felt very guilty because she had invited a male guest into her house, when her husband was not home. Santi from earlier was still in his room, he actually wanted to talk to Arya about Fano who had been to his house.

“I have to explain all this to Arya, I don't want Arya to misunderstand all this. I'm sure Arya was angry because I dared to meet a man when he wasn't home. I don't want Arya to think. For God's sake I didn't do anything with Fano, just talk, and he apologized to me.”.

Santi came out of his room, hesitating to approach Arya who was sitting on a chair in the middle room. Santi really doesn't know that Fano will know where he is. Fano said three days ago, he was performing at a Night Club in Pekalongan, and he accidentally saw himself entering a boutique that was still one area with the Club.

Fano tells her female friend to go inside the boutique, and look for information about Santi. Santi is the owner of the boutique. Fano followed Santi when Santi came home, and finally Santi let Fano in, thought Santi, it's okay he let Fano in, because there is a Tati Mbak, so he dared to invite Fano in.

“Ar?” Santi approached her, then sat down next to Arya.

“Ya, how? Oh yes for a moment I get the salt, maybe it's a little cold, because I put it in frezer.” Arya immediately moved from her seat, leaving Santi and taking the clothes that Santi wanted.

Santi sat down and looked at Arya who was taking a pickle in the refrigerator. Santi wants to talk about Fano with Arya, but Arya avoids.

“Hmmm ... fresh once this, San,” said Arya while carrying a cup containing sauerkraut, then open it. “Try tasting.” Arya put it in front of Santi then sat down again next to Santi.

“Ar, sorry for that, I can explain everything,” said Santi.

“Have eaten first, here I feed. You from yesterday will ask asinan continue, let's open mmulutnya.” Arya scoops the pickles, then feeds Santi. Santi hesitates to open her mouth, then Arya hints to open her mouth.

“How, good right?” ask Arya.

“Enak, fresh, fit exactly what I want. Thank you, Ar,” said Santi.

“Sama-sama,” Arya replied. “By the way you've eaten yet? How come I've had a pickled napkin?” ask Arya. Santi answered only shaking.

“Why not tell me not to eat, San?”

“Yes you don't have it?” answer Santi.

“Eat outside, yuk?” bring Arya.

“Ar but I'm be—“

“Have not discussed earlier, what is important you eat first, what would you like to eat? Megono rice, or what? I'm hungry too.”

Santi can only obey Arya. Santi knows Arya is actually angry, but Arya does not appear to him. Santi was just silent, usually he can not be silent if Arya comes home from Jakarta, there are just things he wants to tell as long as Arya is not home, but at this time it feels like his lips are withered when going to the story with Arya. On the way to the place to eat, they just stay in the car, until they reach the restaurant destination they are still silent to each other.

Arya orders food for Santi, she doesn't have to ask Santi, because she knows what Santi wants.

“You ordered it, Ar?” ask Santi.

“OK, I also want to eat asem vegetables,” replied Santi.

Arya sat in front of Santi, waiting for the order to come, Santi tried to explain what Arya saw this afternoon after returning from Jakarta.

“Ar?”

“Iya, why, San?”

“I'm really sorry, I have dared to allow men to enter the house when you are not there,” said Santi by looking at Arya.

“Iya, it's okay, besides there is still Madam Tati and Mbak Sri, he is also the father of your son, right?” answer Arya.

“Ar, I didn't know he was following me,” Santi said. “He said look at me in the store. He's here because yesterday was two nights perfom at the night club,”.

“You still love him, San?” ask Arya.

Arya does not know why suddenly asked like that to Santi, even though she did not want to discuss about feelings, because obviously, Santi still loves her very much.

“Love? Maybe there's still love left, but to come back I don't want to, Ar. I want to babysit my own son, without him I can,” replied Santi.

“She already regretted her actions, she already apologized to you, and wanted you back, didn't she?”

“Yes, he got down on his knees apologizing to me, and wanted to take responsibility for his actions, but I think he's too late,” Santi replied.

“Why late? There's still plenty of time, don't you want to give him a chance?”

“He was indeed the biological father of my son, but was it because he was the biological father of the baby I was carrying, so I wanted to fix everything? Back her? No, Ar,” Santi replied firmly.

“Why? Didn't you then want her to be in charge?”

“Iya back then I wanted it, but now no, Ar. I'm better off on my own, once our marriage contract is over. I also know, you are struggling to get your mother's blessing right? Because you want to be with Naira?”

“If the problem is, easy, San,” replied Arya. “Why don't you want to go back with him? She seems sincerely apologizing to you?” ask Arya.

“Because I'm comfortable with you, Ar. I'm in love with you, but do I deserve your love back? I'm not a good woman, Ar. I can only be silent, I am better alone, than having to live with a man who is still thick with the night world,” said Santi, but only crossed the heart.

“Hey inquired silent only? Even daydreaming?” Arya waved in front of Santi's face.

“Yes I don't want to, Ar? It's the point I won't be back with him again,” replied Santi. “We eat first, later we continue to talk, I'm hungry, Ar.”

Arya is also not willing to return with Fano Santi. Arya believes Santi is a good woman, but because of the selfishness of his father who greatly curbed Santi, so Santi is increasingly rebellious, and be Santi who is like now, he is only a victim of the selfishness of his father, he is only a victim of the selfishness of his father, the victim of the restraints of his father, who made Santi up like this.

“I make sure, she can't take you back, you're a good girl, but because of your rebellion, you became like this,” muttered Arya.