THE FORMER SHADOW
13. Aunt Poppy's Plan

Monday came, time to get back into the routine outdoors. In the morning, Badrina and Cantara returned to their home after having breakfast together at the Nuraini residence. Arshaka's situation is getting better.

As Badrina was about to book a taxi, Arshaka offered to drive them home. Badrina. Arshaka constantly requests that he who delivers by reason of directions to the office in line with Badrina's house. Finally, there was no reason for Badrina to dodge the offer anymore.

Arshaka himself felt ready and healthy to drive a car, did not seem to have any trouble for it.

Cantara sat side by side with her papa in the car, while Badrina sat on the back bench a bit to the middle.

"Rina," Arshaka glanced at the deep rearview mirror, "schedule intervention therapy to address your phobia. I'll accompany you when needed." hail Arshaka when the vehicle has driven on the road.

Badrina is shocked to hear Arshaka's offer. After so many years of marriage, Arshaka has never been so serious about paying attention to the cure of Badrina's phobia. It was just a visit to a psychiatrist, but they didn't follow up.

Last night, Badrina was afraid when she knew there was a beetle on her shoulder, Arshaka today suggested therapy, even ready to accompany. Badrina judged that Arshaka used to be indifferent to his phobia, why now it seems to pay attention to him?

"Mama," call Cantara looking back, "pa's talking to Mama." With great difficulty Cantara who was wrapped in a seat belt shifted her body.

"Mama." Badrina's daydreams fell away instantly.

"Ah yes, Mama listen, son," he said smilingly looking at his daughter.

"Yes, I'll schedule it later," Badrina responds briefly to Arshaka.

After which, he took a deep breath, feeling a sigh in his heart. Badrina tried to relax, trying not to interpret Arshaka's words as a special concern.

Arshaka looked at Badrina's face glued to the streets, translating the expression of his current ex-wife. Since the divorce, Arshaka admitted that Badrina slowly changed unlike before who always responded with long words that make Arshaka often saturated made.

His ex-wife is not his wife anymore, sometimes Arshaka feels homesick with the old Badrina. Now they were so distant, it even felt far away like strangers.

Just what does Arshaka expect from her relationship with Badrina as they have divorced?

Suddenly Arshaka braked the vehicle after a turn in the fork towards the house. Cantara who was wearing a seatbelt was only shocked, her body was protected. Meanwhile, Badrina who was not ready so bounced forward and his head until hit the dashboard of Arshaka's car.

"Ouch!" Badrina tried to sit up, pat Arshaka on the shoulder, "You're driving around daydreaming? I became a victim. This pain knows!" amuk Badrina at that time, "We all got hurt earlier," he added.

Arshaka's smile expands receiving Badrina's grunts. If something like this happens, Arshakah who will rebuke Badrina should be ready with all the possibilities like a sudden brake. However, now, "Yes, there was a cat passing by all of a sudden, so shocked. I'm sorry, yes" said Arshaka turning her body towards Badrina. "You hit not in front of the child" whispered Arshaka as her hand reached for Badrina's reddened temple.

Badrina pinched slowly the hand that had rubbed her temple without having time to dodge, "Yes, next time be careful," Badrina said again sitting well.

One lesson this morning was obtained Arshaka, it turns out that if he answered well the grunts of his wife, the woman was even very soft to respond to him.

Upon arrival at the office after delivering Badrina and Cantara, Arshaka so sumringah. Every time he met someone he smiled, no matter the lower staff or superiors. The rest of the people were astonished at Arshaka's changing attitude today.

He works with good spirit. Saturday's incident brought wisdom to Arshaka.

"Rina, Auntie heard you were staying at Arshaka's house. Have no shame on you yes, divorced, but still like a husband and wife," her tearful tantrum in a snarling tone.

As soon as Badrina felt innocent, "Aunty, there was Nuraini's mama not only Shaka," Badrina explained.

"While it's embarrassing, you acted behind Canta's reasoning. Arshaka is a normal grown man, so there may still be a push for you. Still in your right mind? It should be enough just Canta to get there!"

Badrina massaged his forehead, his tantric often making Badrina feel guilty and questioning his sanity.

"Yes Aunt, next time no more." When communicating with Poppy, Badrina never gets angry. His heart always said that it was not worth being angry with Poppy, because she had been taken care of as a child. If there were no tantrums, Badrina would live.

Such statements are also often repeated Poppy on Badrina since childhood until he was released from marriage.

"Rina, do you remember a aunt's friend's son, Hafez Irsyad? Now a widower with no children, his wife died three months ago. Aunt wants to know you." Badrina's forehead frowned while remembering the figure of the man she mentioned earlier.

"Yes, Auntie, I know. Why introduce me, Auntie?"

"Yes, to be your friend. How do you know you fit," Poppy replied lightly.

Badrina understood in what direction the word 'your friend' meant'. "My aunt is still in iddah," Badrina reminded her aunt.

"From religious talaq, you are not in iddah anymore. You're not in a hurry to get married either, I mean Auntie is good if you have friends."

Badrina was attacked by a sense of dizziness listening to the reason for her tant. On the one hand Poppy does not accept if Badrina has a close relationship with Arshaka, on the other hand she will be introduced to a man.

However, Badrina did not dare to refute his tant. In the past, she was able to marry Arshaka with great effort so that the man could be accepted by her aunt. The main thing for Poppy, Arshaka was able to support Badrina financially.

"Well, Auntie set it up," Badrina put herself in Poppy's aunt's plan.

"Good! You should have followed Aunt. Yes, aunty wants to shop with friends. Aunty will tell you when Hafez wants to meet." Not yet Badrina replied, the phone connection has been cut off. Badrina took a deep and long breath.

Cantara entered when Badrina was about to leave the room, "Mama, Canta cariin," said her son.

"Dear Mama, what's wrong?" badrina asked with a sweet smile.

"Canta when are you going to school again, Ma? It's healed." pinta Canta, he felt bored playing at home. It is more fun to play with friends at school.

"Well! Mom's son high school spirit. Yes, Canta school Wednesday yes, son. Two more days" Badrina said.

"Oh Wednesday, Ma. Tomorrow is Tuesday, and then Wednesday. Canta school. Really, Ma?" The happy binar comes out of Canta.

"Yes, really. Canta already remembered the names of the days huh. There's a Mama's progress." Cantara smiled happy to get compliments from her mother. The boy can't wait for Wednesday to see his teacher and friends.