The Nick's Life
Already Not in Line

Arnav rushes out of his apartment unit when Typhoon tells him he has found evidence and witnesses that can free Denis. The man went to the elevator on the floor. Waiting for the elevator to arrive, he calls Denis to give him the good news. After talking to Denis, Arnav calls Abe. The man walked a little away from the elevator.

“So Typhoon has found the proof?” ask Abe.

“Iya. I'm not going to Bandung tomorrow. I want to take care of Denis' problem first to settle. How's Nick?”

“The situation has improved, but yes like I said, Nick is rich in blank paper. No one is interested in his past, blank.”

“Important that he is doing well. I'll pull it off first, greetings to Nick. As soon as Denis's business was sorted out, I went straight to Bandung. I miss the same kid. Assalamu’alaikum.”

“Waalaikumsalam.”

Arnav ended his call. Put the phone back in his pants pocket. The man turned to head for the elevator, he gasped as he saw Meta already standing before him. Meta deliberately went to Arnav to ask about Diah's situation, because Iza was worried about his father-in-law. The girl came to Diah's apartment unit and it was empty. Meta took the initiative to see Arnav because the man changed his phone number without telling him. But he was surprised to hear the man talk.

“Meta..”

“Nick.. is he still alive?”

“Meta...listen to me first.”

“Nick.. is it true he is still alive?” meta Reset.

“Met.”

“Jawab!!”

“Iya.. Nick is alive.”

Meta limbung's body heard Arnav's reply. The girl was holding onto the wall beside her. Arnav could not say anything, the thing he feared happened. Meta knows his lies.

“Why did you lie to Ar? Why did you say Nick was dead?”

“Met.. listen to me first.”

“Therefore you change the number? You want to disappear, right? You guys hid Nick from Iza, didn't you?”

“Meta.. let's talk, please.”

Arnav stared at Meta full of pleadings. Finally the girl complied with Arnav's invitation. The man took her to a chair near the elevator. Arnav took a deep breath several times before starting his story.

Meta's tears kept flowing as Arnav told him all about Nick. Nick's state of amnesia, his condition is prone to keep remembering his past, Diah's decision to hide Nick's whereabouts from Iza until Nick's disappearance and has now been found.

“Sorry Meta, I didn't mean to lie to you or Iza. I had to, it's for Nick's sake. So did mommy, she did this so Nick could survive. I hope you understand.”

“Then what about Iza? Do you think Iza isn't suffering? She had to lose her future son, lose her eyesight and you made her worse by making her lose her husband too. Aren't you guys worried about her condition?”

“Nick lost memory. There was nothing he could remember about his past, including Iza.”

“But that doesn't mean you have to call his whereabouts.”

“Didn't you listen to my story? Nick's condition is also risky. If he keeps on pushy remembering his past he could die. You know how Nick and Iza bond. What would happen if Nick met him? He would definitely not stop to remember who Iza was. If anything happens to Nick, Iza will lose Nick forever.”

“Then how now? Iza has lost her husband. Do you know how difficult it was for him to survive to this point? Do you know how hard it is for him to swallow his daily food? Iza..he is still alive today but his soul is dead. Can't you be kind enough to tell her that her husband is alive until he has a reason to survive and the spirit to live his life again. If you let Nick know, he won't force you either, he'll hold back for Nick's sake.”

“Do you think Iza would be fine if she knew her husband didn't remember her at all?”

“But at least he has a reason to live!”

Arnav took a deep breath. This is the first time he's seen Meta so emotionally. Usually the girl always looks calm. To his sadness, this time Meta's eyes filled with disappointment while looking at him.

“I'll tell Iza.”

“If you do, mommy will take Nick away even further.”

“I do not understand with mommy attitude, why mommy could separate Iza with Nick.”

“Mommy is just a mother trying to save her child.”

“Then where will you stand?”

“Met.. Please give it a little more time. Until Nick's condition stabilizes, I'll help Nick meet with Iza.”

“When? Until when should Iza wait?”

“Meta.please you also have to be rational. If Nick meets Iza with Iza's condition right now, don't you think it'll be a burden for him?”

“What do you mean? You mean Iza will only be a burden on her life?”

“Not so. I mean, it's gonna be a burden for Nick is he's gonna be racked with guilt if he finds out his wife was blind to the accident that hit them both.”

Meta shook his head. The thousand reasons Arnav gave her remained unacceptable to his heart and mind. For him, a lie is a lie. And that caused his best friend's life to suffer. Meta rubbed his tears violently. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

“Our paths are not unidirectional. I know you love Nick and want the best for him. So do I, want the best for Iza. So.. let's just end this relationship.”

“Met..” Arnav turned towards Meta.

“We will be on different side. I don't want to put you in a dilemma, support mommy or me. Mommy's trying to separate Iza from Nick, and I'm going to try to unite them.”

“I'll help you, Met.”

“Ngga Ar.. If you really want to be by my side, help Iza, you will do it a long time ago, you will not participate in this lie.”

“Met.. please understand my position.”

“I understand Ar.. That's why I made this decision.”

“Ummi also knows about Nick. Can't you just close your eyes for a minute until Nick's state is stable.”

Meta was surprised that Ummi had found out about Nick. But the girl was unmoved, she could not see her best friend for too long. Although not saying it directly, Meta knows how much Iza suffered and suffered.

“I stick to my decision. About ummi, I'll talk to her. Ummi agree or not, I will keep doing it. So Ar. forget about our future. Maybe you and I are not a match.”

“Meta please don't be like this.”

“I rejected your proposal. From now on we have no relationship. I am free to accept other men's proposals and you are free to propose to other women. We're still friends but I can't be with you anymore. Thank you for making me the reason for you to change. I hope you remain interested in your changes. And I pray you get a better soul mate than me. I go, assalamu’alaikum.”

“Meta...”.

Meta doesn't care about Arnav's calls. He went straight into the elevator when the iron box door opened. Arnav tries to catch up, but quickly Meta finger presses the close button. Arnav was only silently glued as the door began to close.

“Waalaikumsalam,” the answer is clear.

Meta leaned his back against the elevator wall. The crying broke again. The girl covered her mouth with the back of her hand to muffle her crying voice. It was not easy for him to make this decision. Undeniably, a feeling had already grown for Arnav in his heart. But Arnav's lies, Diah even Mina, make Iza's life suffer. And he doesn't want to be part of this lie. Either way, he'll take Iza to Nick's front.

🍂🍂🍂

After his dealings with Arnav were completed, Meta chose to return to the Iza residence. The girl had obtained permission from both her parents. Meta gets off the taxi online then goes into Iza's house while saying hello. He was a little free to go in and out of Iza's house because Rahardi didn't live there. When Mina decides to divorce, Rahardi chooses to live in a different place. The man rented an apartment unit near his teaching campus.

The atmosphere of the house looks lonely. There was only a housekeeper ironing in the back room. Lately ummi was busy at her shop because there was a friend who ordered a uniform for the wedding. Ridho itself more often back and forth Bandung-Jakarta. The man was serious about taking care of his move to the city of flowers at the request of his sister.

Meta climbed the steps one by one, then entered Iza's room. His best friend was reluctant to move to the guest room below. He chose to stay in his old room so he could continue to remember Nick's whereabouts there. Iza also rarely comes out of his room if not with Meta.

“Zi.”

“Met... Where are you going? I was waiting for you.”

“Sorry Zi. I have business. Wh why? Anything important?”

“You why Met? How do you sound that way. You're crying?”

“Ngga.. I love flu.”

“Oh.. drink a lot of water angel.”

“Iya.”

Meta shrunk the corner of his eyes that were back in water. As much as possible he neutralizes his feelings so that Iza does not realize his sadness. The girl sat side by side with Iza by the side of the bed.

“Met.. I want to ask you please?”

“Ask what please?”

“I want to hijab. You want to help me, right?”

“Masya Allah. Yes Zi. I want to help. For now, you better use an instant hijab first yes.”

“Iya. Nick has bought me a lot of Muslim clothes and hijab. It's all in the closet. Can you please choose what I should wear?”

“Definitely Zi. I will definitely help you. I'll be a wardrobe team for you.”

“Still Yes Met. You're a light for me.”

“Because I love you, Zi.”

Meta hugs Iza. He couldn't hold back his tears any longer. With the back of her hand she wiped the tears that drenched her cheeks. Iza hugged the back of her best friend.

“Met.. Why are you crying?”

“I'm nothing, Zi. It's a shame that you finally want to hijab.”

“Nick. The day we had an accident, I planned to surprise him. But I have not yet realized his wish, God has called him first. I don't want him to take away sins because of me who is still showing off. That's why I'm going to be hijab from now on. He must be happy Met, if you know.”

“Definitely.. she must be happy.”

“You all right, Met? Why does your voice sound so sad.”

No response from Meta. The girl was still trying to quell the sadness that had plagued her heart. Hearing Iza bring up Nick, making her cry break again.

“Met.”

“I'm just sad. My relationship with Arnav is over. I've already rejected his proposal.”

“Why Met? Don't you like Arnav?”

“We.. just not a mate, Zi.”

“What does it have to do with me?”

“Ngga Zi. This has nothing to do with you. It's purely my own decision.”

“But why Met?”

“Where?”

“Make over.”

Meta stands up then opens Iza's wardrobe. He opened the door for the clothes hanging. There were more or less ten gamis hanging there. Meta selects one peach colored gamis. Then his hand searched for an instant hijab with a color that fit the gamis. After finding a suitable one, Meta helps Iza change clothes. The girl smiled with satisfaction at Iza who had been wrapped neatly from top to bottom.

“God is so beautiful, Zi.”

“Still, Met.”

“I photos yes.”

Meta took his phone and then aimed at the camera of the phone a few times. Iza's little laugh was heard when Meta directed her in style, already like a professional photographer. Meta heard the voice of Mina who had just arrived, he ended the photona session.

“Zi.. You want to go down? I'd like to see ummi for a minute.”

“Tumben, what is it?”

“Custom.. business.”

“Ok. I'm here aja.”

“If there is a need to call. Oh yeah, I'm here tonight.”

“Bener?” iza's face looked happy.

“Iya. I went down first yes.”

Iza nodded her head. Meta rushed out of the room and then went downstairs. He has to meet up with Mina and talk about Nick. She saw Mina sitting in the dining room. The girl approached and pulled the chair next to her.

“Meta..tumben clock is not home yet,” Mina saw a clock on the wall that shows eight o'clock at night.

“I'm granted permission to stay here, ummi.”

“Still yes, Iza definitely seneng really.”

“Hmm.. ummi someone wants me to ask.”

“What's the problem?”

“Nick.. she's alive right ummi?”

There was a change on the middle-aged woman's face. Mina was surprised, of course, Meta found out about Nick. As soon as she was overwhelmed with anxiety, she was afraid that Meta would tell Nick. Mina knew very well their relationship was so close.

“Ummi is calm, I haven't told you Iza.”

“Sgratitude.”

“Why ummi? Why did Ummi lie to Iza? Do you feel sorry for Iza? He's an ummi boy, don't you see how Iza suffers?”

“Ummi has no choice, Met. Ummi could not refuse Diah's request. You know that Iza and Nick's accident was indirectly caused by Iza's ashes. How could ummi refuse Diah's request. Ummi has also seen for himself how Nick is doing. When he saw ummi, he was like recognizing ummi and forcing himself to remember. It's really hard. Ummi was afraid that if he saw Iza, his condition would get worse.”

Clear circles began to wet Mina's cheeks that began to be decorated with wrinkles. Meta held Mina's hand, the girl also cried. Mina clasped Meta's hand, her eyes staring deeply at the girl.

“Have you told Iza?”

“Not yet, ummi. But I'll take Iza to Nick.”

“It's dangerous, Met. How about Nick's bad return.”

“Nick is in Bandung, ummi. Iza also wants to move to Bandung. Do you not think that this is God's plan so that they can meet again? Ummi just calm down, I will find a way so that their meeting does no harm to Nick. I've let Iza down once, I covered up the wedding of Kang Anang first. I don't want to do the same thing again. Either way, I'll help Iza. I hope ummi supports me.”

“Ummi. Thank you, Met. Thank you.”

Mina hugged Meta tightly. The water is getting bigger. Her heart truly wished her daughter could find happiness again. He believes, not forever cloudy will envelop his son's life. The rainbow will surely appear, whether when and where.

“Assalamu’alaikum.”

“Waalaikumsalam.”

Mina parsed her embrace when she heard Ridho's voice. In a hurry he wiped away his tears, as well as Meta. Ridho entered and approached Mina in the dining room. The man kissed the back of his mother's hand. His forehead frowned looking at Mina and Meta's eyes that looked flushed.

“You why? Ummi sick?”

“Ngga.. just talk woman,” to Mina.

Ridho moved to the other side of the table then pulled the chair there. Ridho's face showed fatigue. Almost two weeks ago, he was pacing Jakarta – Bandung. In addition to taking care of the equipment to start working on one of the campuses in the city of flowers, Ridho is also busy looking for a place to live. He wants everything ready as soon as Iza moves there.

“Ummi. In the Lord next week I have started teaching there. I have found a home for us too. But sorry ummi, I can only buy a small house for us. There are only two rooms and now again the renovation process. Maybe two more days are over. After that we moved to Bandung.”

“As for Dho, you must be tired of taking care of everything alone. Ummi can sleep together with Iza. You don't have to worry about that.”

“But.. ummi boutique how?”

“For a while Asyifa can take care of it. Later also ummi can come to control once a month. You don't have to worry. Ummi want to see Iza first yes.”

Mina got up from her seat and climbed the stairs to get to the second floor. Meta stood up then made two glasses of sweet iced tea. Put one glass in front of Ridho. The man immediately gulped it down to half.

“You haven't come home?”

“Abang ngusir?”

“Ck. It's just weird that this hour hasn't come home yet. Not afraid of passing the grave?”

“More serem see brother's face than see satan.”

“Hahaha.”

Meta looked at Ridho who was laughing. It was a miracle to see the usually stiff-faced man laughing as well. Never laugh, sit face to face with Meta to talk never. But now Ridho always took the time to speak a word to the girl. And now there was a series of words coming out of his mouth.

“You can drive home?”

“Abang really ngusir?”

Ridho leaned his back against the back of the chair while folding both of his hands. His eyes looked sharply at Meta, making the girl shudder. Just now the man was laughing but now it was showing the face of his feet again.

“I'm serious. What do you want to go home with Nginep?”

“Nginep bang.”

“From yesterday just answer, what is the difficulty.”

Ridho snatched back his glass and gulped the contents until it ran out. He took the glass to the sink and washed it. After putting the glass on the shelf, the man left the dining room. Just walking a few steps, the sound of Meta calling him.

“Bang.”

Ridho stopped his steps then turned to face Meta. The girl stood up from her seat and walked over to Ridho. For a moment Meta seemed hesitant, but finally the words came out of his mouth.

“Bang.. on campus where you will find vacancies?”

“Why?” the man folded his hands back.

“I'm looking for work also bang. Hmm.. I want to work in Bandung.”

“Why?”

“Why what bang?”

“Why would you like to work in Bandung?”

“Hmm.. Let me deket same Iza. Later when moving, can not ask about cooperation vacancies please find a boarding house that deket same house brother later. So, I can often look at Iza.”

“Ck. nyusahin.”

If you do not remember the man in front of him is the brother of his best friend, it would be like Meta threw the man with a pot and his friends or apply oil to his face so as not to look stiff.

“Bang.. please yes.”

“Males.”

Ridho turned his body but again Meta held him back. I heard her heavy breathing. Looks like he made a mistake already making small talk with Meta earlier. Now the girl is acting annoying.

“Bang.”

“What else?” Ridho turned his body lazily.

“I want to move to Bandung as well.”

“Whatever but don't bother me.”

“Bang I'm serious.”

“You think I'm not serious?”

“Ya if so please help me find cooperation where boarding. During Iza in Bandung I also want to stay in Bandung.”

“You why the hell ngintilin Iza continues? What do you have not done?” pissed Ridho.

“Yaa I will help Iza aja.”

“Ok..thank you for always being next to Iza. But once we move on, your job is done. There's me and ummi who'll take care of Iza. Please live your life as usual. Iza is not your responsibility.”

Ridho turned his body then with long steps walked towards the stairs. Not giving up, Meta went back to chasing the man. He must be able to persuade Ridho to find a job as well as a place to live in Bandung so that he can meet Nick with Iza.

“Bang.” Ridho ignored him and continued to climb the stairs.

“Bang.”

Upset at being unconcerned, Meta rushed over. He ran up the stairs then blocked Ridho's steps. The man looked annoyed at Meta. his body was tired, the thing he wanted was to take a bath and then lay the body on the mattress.

“Nick is alive. He's in Bandung now.”

🍂🍂🍂

**Waduh Arnav kira² round no?🤭

Bang Ridho really jutek, who is friendly napa bang, rich I😎

Tomorrow don't go up first ya gaesss, want a family event. Must be physically ready to make a photo with wakakakak**...