THE FORMER SHADOW
18. Another Figure

Nuraini remained at Badrina's house until nightfall. Accompanying his grandson through a hard day becomes important to him. Badrina asked her former mother-in-law's opinion regarding Cantara's desire to leave tomorrow day from school.

"If it's good for Cantara, mama agrees with Rina." Nuraini has always felt like a mother to Badrina, even though Badrina and her son have divorced. "The struggle now is not a trivial matter, if it used to be childhood, there are ordinary things like Parama. Ideally, Cantara went through his Kindergarten happily," continued Nuraini.

Badrina smiled happily at Nuraini's thoughtful-sounding opinion in her hearing.

"Thank you, Ma. All for the good of Cantara," he said.

To Arshaka, Badrina informed him of the plan via a short message. Badrina asked if Arshaka would come to her house or not. However, until the afternoon, her reply to the message and her call had not been answered by Arshaka.

In a three-bedroom apartment and a large room, Arshaka was sitting leaning on a large sofa while closing his eyes.

Currently, Badrinalsh is the main thought because it concerns his daughter, Cantara. Arshaka turned off his phone, as he was distracted by credit card offers many times, out of nowhere they got Arshaka's number.

"Mas Shaka, the tea is drunk first" said one woman, after putting a cup of tea and sitting next to her. Arshaka is still immersed in his thoughts to the point of not hearing the soft voice of the woman he has been talking to for five years.

"Mas... While sleeping?" Arshaka's arm was shaken slowly.

Arshaka opened as she rubbed her eyes, "Eh, what time is it?" ask Arshaka.

"Hour 7, Mom. I see Mas is so tired. What... would you like to stay here?" ask the woman shyly.

"Ah, no! I should've gone to Badrina's house again by now seeing Canta. It was at school that Canta bullied a classmate" Arshaka explained as she straightened her body.

"Oh, what a pity for your daughter, Mas. I can feel it, it must be heavy for a five-year-old, "the woman's response.

"Papa, look at Pa. My picture is good isn't it?" A five-year-old girl enthusiastically ran towards the sofa, breaking up the conversation. A piece of paper containing colorful drawings is shown on Arshaka.

Arshaka held her in his arms, "What is this picture? If Papa guessed the sea view picture yes." Arshaka greeted him enthusiastically.

"That's fine, Pa. It's the three of us, walking to the beach. It's me, Mommy and Papa." There was a beautiful smile on the little boy's face as he looked at Arshaka.

Arshaka also smiles and kisses the top of the head of a child named Ameera Narasya. Ameera's a kid who's easy to get close to anyone. Easy to get along and liked by many people.

Unlike her daughter from Badrina, she was not the type to smile and laugh easily. He will show excitement to people who are known only.

Arshaka was amazed at the woman beside her who was so gently nurturing Ameera.

"When are we going for a walk, Pa? It has not been a long time to the beach" asked Ameera with a cheerful face.

"Em.. when will it be. later if Papa is not busy, yes. But if you want, both Mami just don't wait for Papa. Papa's work piled up," Arshaka raised his hand showing the sign of a high stack.

"OK on, Pa. I'm going to the room again, Pa. There's still schoolwork, tomorrow collected." Ameera descends from Arshaka's lap.

"Later Papa comes home, Meera. Fine school," Arshaka said as Ameera stepped into her room again.

"Ready Papa!" Ameera gave a sign of respect to Arshaka. The little boy ran to his room. He closed the door and resumed his schoolwork.

Arshaka took a sip of the tea served, "Get healthier. Alhamdulillahot. But, we still haven't told you about the divorce, more about Badrina who hasn't dared to" Arshaka explained, then put the cup back on the table.

"Why hasn't Badrina dared yet, Mas?"

There are so many considerations of Badrina. Arshaka knew that, but he could not tell anyone the details.

"Because of pity" Arshaka briefed.

"How are you reporting? Is there an unmet need for Ameera?" Arshaka looked at the woman sitting next to him. The woman blushed because the man in front of her cared so much for Ameera.

"Mas is so considerate. I'm fine, ma'am, said the doctor increasingly showing progress. I need to continue therapy. When Ameera went to school, I went to therapy twice a week" she said.

"Thank God, I'm glad to hear that. Are you still being bullied by that unknown person?" search Arshaka.

The woman's face warmed up, Arshaka was so considerate of her, "Not anymore, Mas. I threw out the old phone number and changed it. I type into your phone, huh, Mas."

Arshaka nodded, giving her phone to the woman to type a new number. When Arshaka activates his mobile phone data, notifications of messages and calls are sent. Some of the credit card bidders, Nuraini, and Badrina.

"I have to go home. Canta's looking. Take care and Ameera yes," Arshaka's message after reading a series of messages simgkat from Badrina, while using the outer back.

The face that was originally blushed turned flat. He nodded and led Arshaka to the door of his apartment.

Arshaka drives his car at a moderate speed. The streets were quite quiet, so it was not until 40 minutes that he had reached Badrina's house.

Nuraini has returned home first. He delivered it through a short message to Arshaka.

"How, Canta?" arshaka asked as soon as she met Badrina.

"Just gone to sleep" Badrina replied with a slight expression of sewot.

"As far as school is concerned, I want to transfer him to another school. What do you think?" Badrina asked directly into the topic, they were currently sitting in the living room.

"Why transferred?" ask Arshaka.

"His friends will stop at nothing to tell us about our divorce. That's not good for Canta" Badrina explained. For him, whether Arshaka agrees or not, he will still move his daughter.

"Only, we need to consult with the school because the transfer requirements require a letter from them. Also Canta we need to ask, do not make your own decisions even though Canta does not want to move." Arshaka reminded Badrina.

"Yes, definitely. I'll go to school again. I asked because you were his father. Anyway come here already at eight, Canta's sleeping hours. Worked up to that busier?" badrina asked as she pushed a glass of Arshaka's favorite tea when she became her husband. Tea aroma jasmine. Badrina had prepared it when Arshaka replied that the message was coming to his house.

"Em, I've been drinking tea" Arshaka said, recalling the tea that was served to her earlier.

Badrina's hand stopped, "Ohh, yes, no need to drink." Badrina again pulled the cup containing jasmine tea towards her.

Suddenly, Arshaka hurriedly pulled the cup back, "No, let me just drink, it's made, baby not to drink." One breath Arshaka managed to sip the jasmine tea. Badrina saw him without blinking, Arshaka looks like a very thirsty person, even though he says he has been drinking.