THE FORMER SHADOW
4. Heart Crossing

Not long after that Elmira came, standing beside Arshaka. Elmira looks at Danish, not expecting them to meet again. The woman returned to neutralize her shock. Elmira and Danish know each other too, Danish her late husband's friend.

Even at the last moment, her late husband advised that Elmira be guarded by Danish by marrying the woman. Danish is considered to have good emotions as a husband and Elmira will easily love Danish if they get married.

Elmira disagrees with even disappearing from Danish life two years ago and does not expect to meet at this restaurant with Arshaka.

Danish was a little awkward, he was also able to normalize the sense back within him.

"Okah Shaka, I go first. Have to go back to the office again," said Danish to Arshaka without greeting Elmira.

Along the way to Arshaka's office, Elmira asks about Danish.

"So your friend worked?"

"La. Operational section manager. The good guy is still single. Want me to know no?" Arshaka glanced, Elmira who glanced over did not overreact to what she heard.

"You want to mate with me the story," Elmira responds later.

"Yes, you've only started to open your heart after 4 years."

Elmira laughed, and so did Arshaka. Elmira's next words make the atmosphere in the car covered with silence.

"Why don't you just be single, right?"

Elmira is a brave woman. There has not even been a month of Arshaka's divorce, he immediately took a brisk walk even though it was delivered in a joking state.

Elmira has long harbored a sense of belonging with her best friend, Arshaka, unfortunately Arshaka's marital status makes her not free to approach him. With Arshaka's current status, there is no longer actually a barrier for the two of them to be close as lovers.

"Udah until nih. You go straight back to the office again?" Arshaka did not respond to Elmira's words.

"Yes, I didn't go up. Mm. I hope my last words can be considered, Shaka."

Elmira got out and headed for her car in the parking lot below. Arshaka remained silent in his car until the sound of the car horn in the back resuscitated his daydream.

The afternoon of the day after, Cantara was playing with Badrina. Badrina had told her son that her father was going home to see her.

Arshaka kept his promise, he came to their old house. The man was greeted by Cantara, invited to the family room. Badrina went to the kitchen and prepared drinks and snacks to taste.

Badrina gave space for a meeting between father and son. He stayed away not involved in the conversation. Badrina decided to go into her room. He chose to sit down to read the book that Danish had given him. Badrina is interested in starting to understand herself, re-nurturing herself who in childhood was not met her emotional needs.

Not to mention that there were 30 minutes of reading, the knock on the door of his room shifted his concentration. He opened the door and found his son Cantara. The little girl came in and closed the door.

"Mama.me and papa waiting for mama. Mama was in the room a long time ago," explained Cantara.

Badrina thought that after meeting her father, Cantara would focus on playing with Arshaka.

"Oohs... Mama's trying to rest, honey."

"Mama's sick? I'll call papa ya." Cantara who flipped her body, Badrina's call stopped her small steps.

"eek... Canta doesn't. Mom's just tired."

"Then mama asked for a massage as papa," proposes Cantara enthusiastically.

Cantara just said what he often saw from his father and mother. Although they often fuss, in fact the husband and wife also care for each other once.

"Canta, don't do it, son. Mom's resting for a moment."

Cantara was silent just staring at his mother's bead, he actually did not find a sign of fatigue on his mother's face. He saw his mother was fine.

Cantarq looked down sad and did not force Badrina again, although he longed to play with his father and mother.

The boy felt he had to understand the condition of his mother who needed rest. Cantara turned her body, pinching open the door without saying goodbye to where the father was.

Badrina went awry, a heavy thread coming out of her nose. He did not want to meet his son's father. However, his son's heart was hurt to see he did not want to spend time together.

"Malurin...."

Cantara looked back, her mother came, immediately excitement enveloped Cantara. His mood suddenly rose with joy.

"Mama... want to come play with me and papa?" It is easy to change the mood of children, inner Badrina.

"Yes.mama's rest is over. Canta play what?"

"Here, Ma. I'm the same papa again play scrabble while learning letters and English, Ma." Happy rays emanated from Cantara.

Yes, Cantara despite the age of 5 years, he has known the letter A-Z. Despite this, Badrina never forced her daughter to learn to read. However, they provide educational stimulation tools so that Cantara likes letter and language recognition.

Badrina sat next to Cantara, who was sitting in the middle between her father and mother. The ex-husband looks awkward. They try to secure themselves.

Cantara was so happy, long time he did not feel able to be with his father and mother. When the scrabble game is finished, Cantara is then willing to continue playing the doll alone.

"Aren't you feeling well?" ask Arshaka

"Hm.. ngga. " Badrina didn't want to talk to her ex-husband much. Arshakah who asked Badrina a lot, it was answered short and did not reply asked.

Arriving at dinner, Badrina invited Cantara to eat after performing the afternoon bathing ritual. Arshaka wanted to go home, but Cantara did not accept.

"Why the hell are you leaving again, it's already night?"

They don't know what answer to give.

"Yesterday my mom left, now my dad left. Why anyway? Canta doesn't like to be alone." Cantara folded her hands in front of her chest.

Cantara started crying, she did not understand the condition that for her was as awkward as it is today. Badrina tried to hug her daughter, but was pushed aside and wept bitterly.

Arshaka takes a stand, he invites Cantara to dinner.

The boy still refused, he threw his toy in any direction to vent his emotions. Arshaka finally says he will stay with Cantara. The boy was happy to hear his father's words.

"Really, Pa? Papa didn't lie to Canta?" A bit of Cantara talking.

"Yes, Papa promised."

Cantara keeps a question mark in her heart to see the relationship of papa and his mother who is not as usual. However, he himself was confused about what to say to his parents.

Arshaka is willing to accompany his son to play in the room, until Cantara fell asleep on his own due to fatigue.

"Canta's asleep?" ask Badrina. Arshaka was sitting on the sofa right next to Badrina, they were in the living room.

"It." Arshaka answered.

"We should talk about our status to Canta. I don't want him confused and keep asking for togetherness like he used to. It'll just hurt her." Badrina opened the conversation, she proposed something.

Arshaka looked at Badrina. He was also awry in this regard, his momentary emotions had apparently brought about an unexpected effect before. They are not ready for what is called divorce. Arshaka is putting on her black hair.

"Mh... Lina, can I talk to you for a second. It's serious!" pinta Arshaka to his ex-wife.

"What just say," Badrina replied without turning her head.

"Can we... Can we talk about a reference? For Canta's sake," Arshaka said slowly, he was still staring at his ex-wife from the side.

Hearing Arshaka's request, Badrina felt angry. Her ex-husband so easily said divorce, then wanted to pull her back.

"You think marriage is a game! You want to refer to Canta, so that Canta is calm and comfortable. You're thinking about me!?" Badrina gave her husband a fierce look. Badrina's breath went up and down.

"Yes, Canta is still too small to try to understand us. This divorce will hurt her a lot." Arshaka made clear his reason for asking for a referral.

"Lantas, what lessons did you learn from our unhealthy relationship? Are you ready to accept me with all my emotions up and down?" asked Badrina chuckled against Arshaka.