The Honorary Owner
36

Ruby did not expect that Iqbal still wanted to see him. He knew, Abinya had informed kyai Marzuki after Ruby received Hiko's proposal. And surely that's the reason Iqbal stood on the porch of his house this early.

Not yet, Ruby is not ready to meet Iqbal. Neither he nor Iqbal, they are still both injured. But why would Iqbal have to see him? opening their wounds that have not even been treated or even will even add new wounds to Iqbal himself.

"Do you allow me to talk to your wife?" Pinta Iqbal on Hiko.

"Yes, Please." Answer Hiko without burden.

"Sir kyai, forgive my impoliteness. I'm asking permission to see Ruby for a second." This time he asked the owner for permission.

Kyai Abdullah nodded, knowing that there was a heart to heal because of her daughter's marriage. " Ruby's room is across from the fish pond." Kyai Abdullah.

"Thank you, kyai sir."

Iqbal went inside the house, quickly finding the blue door across the fish pond. Long he stood there without making a sound, just for a greeting sentence alone made him breathe repeatedly to find strength.

"Assalamu'alaikum's chat..... Ruby." Finally the greeting was said.

There was no answer behind that door.

"I can accept if you decide to leave. Because I was sure my longing would still be reciprocated, in my silence it still crossed a speck of light. Even if my race is broken, the wedge of my heart remains your name, By.

But now things are different after you no longer belong to your brother. My hope is no longer with you, my miss is already haram for you."

Iqbal was silent for a moment, taking a breath to eliminate the roar in the chest that made his voice tremble uncontrollably.

"I didn't come to hold you accountable, By. I also won't blame you for the pain I'm feeling. I'm just here to say your name in my last prayer for you."

Iqbal touched Ruby's bedroom door, leaned her forehead there. This time he could hear if the woman he still loved was crying inside.

"I pray that God bestows upon you the blessings and blessings of your marriage, and gathers you both in kindness.Tabina Ruby Azzahra, may you always have happy days. Aamiin's."

He moved his forehead and removed his palm from Ruby's room door. Again he took a deep breath and took it out slowly. "Don't cry too long over this story, you have a husband that you have to take care of his feelings. I'm going, By. This time I went with my feelings. Assalamu'alaikum."

Iqbal lowered his head, shedding tears until he felt the presence of someone beside him.

" Mrs Nyai." Iqbal wiped his tears, closing his hands to greet Nyai Hannah.

"Thank you for loving our daughter as well and as perfectly as this, son Iqbal. I pray you get a better and more perfect woman than our daughter." Nyai Hannah.

"Thank you, Miss. I'll go home first." Iqbal nodded his head while kissing the fingertips of his two palms together. "Assalamu'alaikum, Nyai's mom."

"Wa'alaikumsalam, son of Iqbal."

Iqbal stared at Ruby's bedroom door before he actually stepped out of the house. Kyai Abdullah had welcomed him to the door.

"I want to go home first, kyai sir." Iqbal said, he grabbed Abdullah's hand and kissed him.

Once again kyai Abdullah embraced Iqbal, "May you soon find happiness too."

"Thank you for the prayer, kyai sir."

Kyai Abdullah let go of his embrace on Iqbal. "Send my regards to Abi and Ummimu."

"I'll say goodbye, sir." Iqbal grabs Handoko's hand and kisses her.

"Yes, kid. Be careful on the road." Said Handoko by patting several times Iqbal's shoulder.

Iqbal and smiled and turned to approach Hiko, He stretched out his hand. "Hopefully you can make each other happy" he said.

Hiko welcomed Iqbal's hand and nodded without giving an answer.

Iqbal and Hiko let go of each other's hands. Iqbal looked back at Kyai Abdullah and Handoko. "Assalamu'alaikum" he said then left.

"Wa'alaikumsalam warahmatullohi wabarakatuh."

Iqbal's car had left the yard of Kyai Abdullah's house, while Nyai Hannah and Maria joined their husband.

"Son, you should take the flight later in the afternoon." ask Maria to her son.

"But, Ma. Hiko's got a shooting schedule this afternoon."

"Ko, accompany your wife. You have a wife now." said Handoko.

Hiko sighed, arguing with her papa was just a waste of energy. "All right."

"The company of your wife in the room, calm her down." Pinta Mary.

Lazily Hiko went to Ruby's room. Not to forget he sent a message to Genta to divert his flight in the afternoon.

Without a knock, Hiko just walked in because Ruby did not lock the door to her room. He saw the newly married woman sitting on the floor leaning against the edge of the bed, burying her head between her arms resting on her knees. His shoulders rose and fell in rhythm with a whim of his cries. Her long black hair was not bound perfectly, the hijab she was wearing was lying on the floor not far from her.

For the second time Hiko sees Ruby crying over the man she loves. First when she accidentally sees Ruby crying herself in a nature studio after deciding to part with Iqbal, she must pretend not to see him and instead tease him with hurtful words. and this was the second time he saw Ruby crying for the same reason.

Hiko sat down beside Ruby, not one word out. Now he realized, because of his mistake, Ruby and Iqbal could not unite. And because of his mistake, he was trapped in this marriage and had to postpone to be with the woman he loved.

Ruby cried for a long time, until she felt tired and engulfed. He raised his head.

"When are you here?" Ruby asked with her voice.

Hiko looked at Ruby. With teary cheeks and messy hair it was able to make Hiko bewitched with the beauty of Ruby. His hand slowly rubbed Ruby's wet cheeks, flicked away a few strands of hair that stuck to Ruby's face and tidied Ruby's hair with her fingers.

Without asking Ruby for permission. Hiko pulled Ruby's hand slowly, pressed Ruby's head against her and hugged her. "I'm sorry, by" he said softly.

- Connected

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