THE FORMER SHADOW
11. Togetherness

This morning, Elmira is happy because Arshaka accepted her invitation to go out to dinner together. When he saw Arshaka's name calling on his cell phone, the woman was excited instead of playing.

Elmira eagerly accepted, "Yes, hello Shaka," she said. A smile bloomed on Elmira's beautiful face.

"E. e's... Mira," Arshaka slightly grimaced at Elmira's reaction upon hearing the cancellation of the promise for the second time, "i want to apologize...." It felt so sad that Arshaka said it. "This afternoon I remember an appointment with Canta for a way out. Later in the night it seems I can no longer meet the invitation to dinner with you, Mira," explained Arshaka slowly.

Both are filled with silence. There was no sound from across, "Mira, hello!" Arshaka guessed his friend was disappointed.

"Ah, yes! No problem Arshaka. I understand that Canta needs your attention as papa, considering that you and his mother have separated." Elmira responds as calmly as possible.

"Thank God Mira, I know you're an understanding person. We have been friends for a long time and have supported each other." Arshaka laughed happily at Elmira's response.

The man hung up the phone and got off his bed slowly to meet Badrina.

Another thing with Elmira, he was upset. Elmira is convinced that it was Badrin who had influenced Arshaka not to go with her.

The failure of their first dinner is due to the bearer of Badrina's speech, so Arshaka changes his mind. Elmira is upset not with Arshaka, but with Badrina.

Speaking of support, of course Elmira supports whatever Arshaka does, except those related to Badrina. Having not supported the marriage between Arshaka and Badrina, Elmira once said that Badrina's personality did not match Arshaka's, although it was later proven.

When the talaq discourse will be dropped on Badrina, Arshaka once told his plan to Elmira. Implicitly crossed women's support for their divorce.

For Elmira, this time was a chance to get close to Arshaka. It's just, it seems that the woman needs to fight hard to get Arshaka's heart.

In the afternoon, Cantara has performed well with jeans and t-shirts as well as sneakers, all pink in color. She loves that color, she thinks it is beautiful. They're going to go for a walk to the mall.

Badrina and Arshaka argued before leaving. The woman does not allow Arshaka to drive, even though Arshaka feels capable.

Badrina imagined that Arshaka suddenly got sick while driving, all could be victims of an accident. He asked to take a taxi. Anyway, just to pick up.

Nuraini could not join them because she had to attend a weekly gathering of elderly single parents. For Nuraini, the tourist community is a second home, there they not only voted for the ceremony but also shared sharing and discussion sessions.

They arrived at the mall that used to be frequented on weekends. Cantara was very happy to visit the mall with the natural design. Before reaching the building, he could enjoy the view of the koi fish pond on the left and right of the road, being the uniqueness of the mall.

There are no special activities they do. Just going around the mall, going in and out of the doll and accessory stores. That alone has made Cantara so carefree to enjoy the company of his father and mother.

Sometimes Arshaka is seen holding her thigh area, it is Badrina's concern, "You are still sick? Wanna rest? We can all eat," Badrina suggested, there is no sense in seeing Xabier in pain.

"I'm not hungry yet, and Canta seems very happy, after all" said Arshaka, with his chin pointing at Cantara.

"Udah. no papa." Arshaka pulls Badrina's wrist. "Let it go, just watch Canta, I'm fine." Cantara had slowed down his path, but briefly he forgot.

No time to show at six o'clock in the afternoon. They enter a restaurant at the mall for dinner, before going home they first fill the energy by filling the stomach.

No need to wait long, the waiter serves their order menu.

Suddenly a woman approached their table. He gently touched Arshaka's shoulder, "Saka happened to meet here" she said with a smile.

"Eh... Elmira," Arshaka is surprised to find Elmira also eating at the same restaurant. The woman did not greet Badrina or Cantara, she seemed to care only for Arshaka.

Badrina tried to be friendly, she smiled, unfortunately got less response from Elmira. Finally Badrina busied herself by conversing with her son.

"I plan to invite you to dinner here, you know, we even meet here. A soul mate indeed," said Elmira while chuckling shyly.

Uninvited, Elmira took a sitting position right next to Arshaka, while Badrina and Cantara sat across the table. They sit facing each other.

Arshaka invites Elmira to eat together, at the same table. Arshaka's intentions aren't bad, for him Elmira is an old friend who doesn't need to be avoided.

Arshaka's female friend really took over the attention. Badrina watched her daughter take turns looking at the two creatures that were busy chatting merrily in front of her.

Although Cantara did not say anything, from the look of his eyes he was disturbed by the presence of Elmira.

Badrina invited Cantara to eat so that his attention was diverted to delicious food on the table. "Canta wants his chicken soup? Mama pour, yes. Later spent. Mama heard this restaurant's chicken soup is delicious, Canta. After eating we can open the package of dolls that you bought earlier." Many more sentences were thrown Badrina. Sure enough, Cantara's attention was slowly no longer towards her papa.

They are four dining tables, but communication is two-by-two. Badrina also began to be uncomfortable with the presence of Elmira that seized the attention of Arshaka as a whole.

Finished eating and opening the doll pack, Cantara occasionally yawned like the boy was tired after surrounding the mall. Badrina sees Arshaka still enjoying a conversation with Elmira, only occasionally she talks to Cantara.

Badrina cleared her throat hard. "I'm the same Canta came home first, yeah. Canta's getting sleepy." Without waiting for Arshaka's response, Badrina stood up, taking a thousand steps away from the dining table towards the mall lobby door while holding her son and carrying a grocery bag.

Arshaka in confusion, he called Badrina. However, the person concerned is not responding.

Arshaka hasn't paid for the food yet, but Badrina's been hunting away, "I'm sorry again. Please pay for our dinner tonight. Send me a message later I'll transfer the fee."

Arshaka passed by in the direction of Badrina's shadow and her daughter passed by.

"Swc...." Elmira clenched her hands, she cursed in her heart. Badrina has always been a hindrance for her to be close to Arshaka, even though they are not bound by marriage anymore, just that her bond is still like husband and wife.