THE FORMER SHADOW
22. Dating

The ringing of the mobile phone shocked Arshaka who was sound in bed, even though it was eight in the morning. Arshaka ogah-ogahan checks who has disturbed the calm at the weekend.

While lying down, he answered the call. "Hello, Mira."

"Hey, Shaka. Your voice is like you just woke up, yes," kekeh Elmira.

"Emmm... What's up?" Arshaka justifies the word Elmira.

"Later night out yuk, make up for the delayed dinner. There's something I want to say to you, too" Elmira emphasized the important message in her sentence.

"Well, where are you going?" asked Arshaka without hesitation.

"Will I share a location or will you pick me up?" elmira answered with a happy heart, tucking in the request.

"Oh, yes, I'll pick you up." Arshaka yawned widely, his mind not yet fully conscious. He just answers as he is.

After the call was over, Arshaka resumed his disturbed sleep.

At home, Badrina and Cantara spend the weekend. Later that night Badrina will come out to meet Hafez's invitation.

Badrina and Cantara activities ranging from breakfast, gardening in the yard, walking to the park, lunch, and some other things done together.

Cantara looks happy doing activities with her mother. "If papa had come too, Ma. But, papa is always busy with work," Cetus recalled his father, he advanced his lip line.

Cantara's expression was adorable for Badrina, "Later in the evening, Mama wants to take Canta to Oma's house. Maybe papa was there, too" Badrina's chimpanzee rubbed Cantara's head.

"To the house of oma again, Ma. Canta wants.. wants.. wants..," his response was enthusiastic while nodding.

"Later Canta's night at the oma house, mom stayed a while, yeah. There's a meeting mama wants to meet, she said it's important." Badrina took the opportunity to get permission from Cantara.

"Why wasn't Canta invited, Ma?" tanya Cantara scrunched her forehead. Cantara knows where her mom would take her.

"Because of his meeting at night. Afraid of Canta catching a cold," ringis Badrina for lying to him.

Cantara accepts Badrina's excuse, considering that later tonight she met her omana she was not worried about anything.

Earlier this morning Badrina herself had contacted her former in-laws to inform them that Cantara was going to visit home later tonight. Nuraini was so happy to hear of the plan.

By the afternoon Badrina had prepared to deliver Cantara, today Arshaka did not contact at all even visiting nor did he. Badrina never made a fuss about it. Whenever Arshaka comes, he must accept. If it does not come, Badrina does not feel the need to sue Arshaka, depending on the willingness of Arshaka alone.

Badrina has packed some clothes for Cantara as well as herself. The plan is that they will be until Sunday at the Nuraini residence.

On Monday, Badrina had to go to Cantara's new school to take care of the transfer files, so it is likely that the next day will be a busy day.

Upon arrival at Nuraini's house, Cantara was greeted with great fanfare by his beloved oma. "Older granddaughter has come." Nuraini kissed back and forth Cantara's face until the boy was keen.

"You guys ate? Mama has prepared a delicious dinner bin scrumptious," said Nuraini while holding her grandson's hand to the dining table.

"Em.. mama, I want to leave Cantara for a moment, yes. There are people who want to meet up close here at the restaurant Nuansa Biru not long, Ma," Badrina explained while taking a seat at the dining table.

"Oh that's it, yeah it's nothing. Shaka is also no longer home. But, earlier Mama said Canta wanted to come, had to cancel the meeting with his coworkers. Mama said, no" Nuraini said, recalling her conversation with Arshaka.

Badrina asked in her coworker's heart who her former mother-in-law meant. However, as it was none of her business anymore, Badrina threw the question straight out of her brain.

Badrina headed towards the table according to the message on her phone.

"Excuse me, sorry... table 102 are you, Hafez?" badrina asked politely, smiling sincerely.

The man before Badrina stood up and extended his hand, "Yes, I am Hafez Irsyad." They shake hands. Hafez invited Badrina to sit down.

Badrina's first impression of Hafez was quite good. The man was handsome and polite and had a charming smile. Every now and then in the man's sentence was a temptation. However, Badrina is not so hostile because besides tonight is their first meeting, men will usually do so to women who are being approached.

"Where do you know my aunt from?" badrina asked as they enjoyed the dinner that had been served.

"From my mama. Your aunt is a good person, with my mother who has been friends for a long time" Hafez replied.

Their conversation flowed smoothly until dinner ended. Badrina glanced at her watch which had been pointed at half-nine in the evening, she ventured to close their first meeting tonight.

At the same time, Arshaka is enjoying dinner with Elmira. The time Elmira has been waiting for a long time. At the table around them not many people, because this restaurant is classified as luxurious and rarely visited by ordinary people.

Arshaka hasn't really been so focused since his mother said Cantara will come to the house tonight. He remembered how sad his daughter's face was when she was about to leave with someone else. Was there a feeling this time when he did not meet his father at Nuraini's house?

Arshaka's mind was so noisy.

"Shaka, I want to convey the feeling of my old heart. I put feelings on you. If there's a chance, I'd like to try to tie a leash with you" Elmira said after they finished dinner. The classical music that filled the room supported Elmira's efforts to express her heart.

Arshaka's face frowned, Elmira chuckled at him. "I'm sorry I was too brave. However, I think it's time for me to convey my feelings to you" Elmira said as she played her hair behind her ears while blushing in embarrassment.

Suddenly Arshaka stood up. Elmira was surprised to find Arsahaka's sharp gaze, but it was not aimed at her but at the back of her body.

Elmira also turned to follow Arshaka's gaze, seen a pair of humans walking towards the exit, but quite far from their table.

"Geek!" Elmira shook her shoulders and waved her hand in front of Arshaka's face.

"Eh, Mirah... Sorry I'm lacking concentration. Dinner we'll end first, yeah. I have to see Badrina," Arshaka said quickly and left Elmira alone.

As Arshaka stepped up, Elmira was very upset. Badrina again ruined his plan. He did not like that woman.

Arshaka became unable to hear what she had just said. Elmira leaves some money to pay for dinner and rushes after Arshaka.

"Sorry!" Arshaka blocked Badrina's hand suddenly, Badrina was aghast as soon as she saw the figure pulling her hand.

"Oh.. There's Arshaka here and. new lover." Elmira arrived beside Arshaka with a forced smile.

"We should talk for a while" forcibly Arshaka tightened his chirp and jaw. He ignored Hafez's words.

Hafez immediately put on the body when Arshaka forced Badrina. Badrina smiled at Hafez as if saying 'it's okay'.

Arshaka pulled Badrina far enough away from them, he whispered sternly, "come home with me!" his orders.

"I go and go home with Hafez, take my hand off" against Badrina as she moved her hand.

Arshaka further tightened his grasp, "Go home with me or... Canta will never come home with you" threatened Arshaka with a flash of fury that sharpened towards Badrina's bead.