The Nick's Life
Memory Manipulation

Nick turned his head when a soft clap landed on his shoulder. Diah approached the child who was busy compiling his coffee maker equipment. A chair was drawn, and the woman sat down near the child.

“Nick. forgive mommy if there are many things that mommy covers from you. But you should know, mommy did all that for your good.”

“*I*t’s okay, mom.”

Nick continues his work without looking at Diah. An employee who would later help Nick manage his coffee shop came . Nick explains what coffee menu they will sell. The officer just nodded his head. He should be quick to learn, as the coffee shop will open in the near future.

“Mommy will tell you what you want to hear,” Diah said when the employee left them.

“Ngga need mom.”

“Azizah.. You want to know about him?”

Nick's attention was immediately distracted when Diah mentioned the name. His chest immediately rippled, just by hearing his name, his heart was instantly unkillful. Nick believes the name is closely related to his former life. Nick leaned his butt into the work table behind him. His eyes looked seriously at Diah.

“Azizah..she's the woman you love, first. You planned to get married but failed because her parents did not agree because of mommy's past. You love her so much, but she reciprocates your love with betrayal. Once he heard about mommy's past, his attitude changed 180 degrees. He even accepted the proposal of the man his father had arranged for and married him without telling you. You're fucked and so down. You quit your job because you don't focus on working. Then came someone new. Someone who can take you out of the dark, someone who treats your heart wounds. You guys were planning on getting married, but before that happened, you had an accident.”

“Who is that person?”

“Bila.”

“Bila? You mean mommy, doctor when is assistant doctor Rafli?”

“Iya.”

Diah nodded slowly. Nick seemed stunned thinking about Diah's words. His hand felt slowly dadany, there was no sigh when Diah mentioned the name Bila. Neither his heart nor mind could remember the figure of the resident doctor.

“But why can't I remember it? I mean, my feelings, I don't feel anything when I talk to him or get close to him. Unlike Azizah, just hearing her name alone has made me flutter.”

“That's a natural thing. Sometimes the person who has given the deepest wound gives a stronger memory. You've been in a long relationship with Azizah, so it's only natural that you remember her more. When.. it's only been one year you guys are in touch.”

“Mommy wasn't lying to me, was it?”

“Try you ask him, where were you found after leaving the hospital? You went to his father's boarding school. That's because you want to meet Bila. Then ask who is responsible when you will be operated on? If and his father did. Do you think they would do it if you were just a stranger? Then ask if he knows you? He'll definitely say no, because he's afraid of something bad. Imagine how she felt, she had to pretend not to know the man she loved for the sake of the man's safety. Imagine how sick he is, you remember more about the woman who hurt you. Think it's Nick, you can believe it or not. But that's the reality.”

Diah woke up from her seat and then passed leaving Nick who was still contemplating his words. Hurry up the man cleaned the equipment that was still scattered on the table, then leave the rest to his employees. Nick got out of the store and drove to the hospital. He needed to ask everything Diah said to Bila.

When he had just finished consulting Rafli when Nick stood before him. The girl couldn't believe Nick had come to the hospital to see her. He then invited Nick to speak in the cafeteria. After ordering a drink, the two sat waiting at one of the tables.

“There's something I want to ask you,” Nick said without further ado.

“What?”

“Is it true that I went to your father's boarding school? When I escaped from the hospital in Jakarta.”

“Iya. You are in Apep kang car and Jaya kang.”

“You and your father are also responsible when I will be operated?”

“Iya.”

“Why?”

“What is wrong?”

“Do we know each other before?”

“No.”

“Have we ever had a relationship before?”

“No.”

When confused by the series of questions asked by Nick. Nick's face looked confused. The atmosphere was silent for a moment, before finally being interrupted by the arrival of the waiter who delivered their order.

“Nick.. is there anything you remember?”

“Not yet. I'm just figuring out what I'm feeling.”

“Don't think too hard. Just follow your feelings, sharpen your intuition. I'm sure sooner or later you'll find the answer. As Dr. Rafli says, your memory is stored neatly in your subconscious. Let it lead you to remember everything that happened first.”

“Thank you. You're a good woman, sorry that I've been rude to you.”

“It's okay. Don't know then no dear. We can get to know each other from now on. Do you want to be my friend?”

“Hmm.”

When reaching into his snail coat pocket when feeling the vibration from his phone. An incoming message came from Rafli's doctor who asked him to go to the room immediately. The girl finished her drink.

“Sorry to Nick. I have to go, there's an emergency call.”

“Iya. Sorry to interrupt your time.”

“It’s okay. You can meet me whenever you want. We're friends now.”

“Thank you. Drink it let me pay.”

“Thank you too,” When reached back in his suit pocket then pulled out a lollipop from inside.

“If the mind is dizzy again, try a sweet consumption. This is a gift from me. It's special candy, it's sweet and made from selected ingredients.”

When she threw her sweet smile while putting candy on the table. After that he rushed to Rafli's doctor's room. Nick took the candy gift when then looked at him fixedly. It seemed like he had heard someone say the term candy to him. Is that when? His heart began to wonder.

🍂🍂🍂

“Nick!”

Just now Nick got off his vehicle when Apep called him. He was surprised to see Apep, Jaya and Kyai Ahmad already in his coffee shop. With long steps, the three men approached. Nick kissed the back of Kyai Ahmad's hand and greeted Apep as well Jaya.

“Pak Kyai came with no news, let's please come in.”

“Pak Kyai just want to meet his former candidate,” Apep chuckles. Kyai Ahmad just shook his head while following Nick's steps. Apep and Jaya always tell him to match Nick with Bila.

“Please sit Mr. Kyai. Sorry it's still a mess.”

“When is the plan this store open?”

“In Shaa Allah in two days. There's still equipment I'm looking for. Mr Kyai what do you want to drink?”

“Black coffee only, which is thick and not too much sugar.”

“If Apep kang equals Jaya?”

“I want rich coffee in the cafe. existing ice-ice...” replied Apep.

“Yang no cinema,” connect Jaya.

“Iced cappuccino?”

“Tah eta.”

Nick smiled at her. He then headed to the table work where his coffee equipment was located. He used apron to cover his clothes from the splash of coffee and then began to roast the coffee he would make. Apep and Jaya, who were curious, immediately approached Nick. They were amazed to see Nick's skill in serving coffee.

“Kang if the pictures are rich on tv can?” ask Jaya.

“Can. What do I want to draw?”

“What aja.”

Nick poured the cream into the coffee cup then his hands began to move painting over the coffee. Jaya and Apep continue to pay attention to what Nick is doing. Sometimes I hear compliments from their mouths.

“Completed.”

“Euleuh.. euleuh. geulis pisan, asa wilah rec nginumna oge (a very beautiful. So dear want to drink it too).”

“Poto heula atuh.”

Jaya pulls out her phone and takes a picture of Nick's newly created coffee. Back Nick was stunned. The words and scenes before his eyes felt familiar. It was just the voice of a woman he remembered first, was it Azizah or Bila? Nick muttered in his heart.

“Nick.. when or want to sleep with neng When,” Apep speak in a soft voice, afraid to be heard by mr. Kyai.

“Apply When?”

“Iya kang, apply. You're a good fit, one beautiful, one handsome. Getting to KUA."

Nick rests his hands on the table work in front of him. These two days he was made to doubt what he felt. At first he was so sure that the woman named Azizah was a lover or maybe his wife. But Diah's words, bila's answer made her a little doubtful. Coupled with the attitude of Apep and Jaya who always direct themselves to Bila.

🍂🍂🍂

“Nick.”

Bryan sat himself next to Nick. After returning from the store, Nick noticed more daydreaming. Not responding to his call, Bryan patted Nick on the shoulder slowly.

“Dad..” daydreams Nick buyar.

“Somebody bothering your mind?”

“I'm just confused.”

“Soal?”

Nick told me what was a burden on his mind today. Bryan's always open attitude to him, making the man trust Bryan more to exchange ideas than Diah. Bryan is shocked to hear what Diah tells Nick. But as much as possible he behaved normally so that Nick does not suspect.

“According to daddy, keep following your intuition. It is not only people who incise pain that can leave strong memories. But a very precious person in our lives, will forever be stuck here and here,” Bryan pointed his head and chest.

“Like daddy. As long as we are apart, your memories and memories will remain. Again, follow your intuition, because the heart never misrecognizes.”

Bryan patted Nick's shoulder slowly and then left. The man went straight into his room. Diah who was sitting while playing her phone. He took his wife to the terrace in front of his room.

“What did you do to Nick? Are you trying to manipulate his memory?”

“I told you I would do anything for her happiness.”

“Covering his past? Keep her away from Iza? Herding him to Bila? You said it was the best for her?”

“Do you want Nick back at Iza? Do you want to see your son again receive ill-treatment and humiliation from his in-laws? I don't want to! Their accident, Nick's lost memory, it all shows Nick and Iza are not a match. I just want to see my son live a quiet and happy life. Although I had to manipulate his memory.”

“We'll see, Di. The false memories you instill in her or her heart will lead her to her love. And I'll make sure Nick gets back to where he was, c'am it!”

Bryan went back into the room, took a pillow and bolsters and laid his body on the sofa in the room. Diah let out a long sigh, her relationship with Bryan straining and spaced away.

🍂🍂🍂

There was a clinking sound, a message from Rivan went into Ridho's phone. The man asked for the Arnav number that Meta had promised. It had been two days Ridho waited but Meta had not also given him the Arnav number. He finally did it himself. And how surprised he was when Rivan said he had given Arnav number on Meta yesterday.

Meta seemed to be pacing around in his room. Ridho kept asking Arnav's number to him. Actually, he got it from Rivan. But he was also surprised to learn Arnav had already moved to Bandung. If he contacted Arnav, it was not impossible that the man would ask to meet. Or worse, he will meet with Ridho.

“Met.” Meta was struck when he heard Ridho's voice behind him.

“I. yes bang.”

“Arnav number, already exist?”

“Be.. not yet bang.”

“Abang has been removed from Rivan. Try you contact.”

“A.. I bang?”

“Iya. You know Arnav. If I'm the one who called, he's not necessarily going to lift.”

“I..Yes bang.”

With a shaking hand, Meta copied Arnav's number from Ridho's phone and then dibliya. The corner of Ridho's eye captures Arnav's name on Meta's phone. His wife had kept the number. Seeing the suspicious Meta scene, Ridho became suspicious. He began to wonder what kind of relationship Meta had with Arnav.

“Ngga raised, bang,” greeting Meta stop Ridho daydream.

“Try again.”

“I.. Yes bang.”

Meta has not had time to dial back Arnav's number, suddenly his phone rings. The phone in Meta's hand was almost thrown to see Arnav's name calling him. Ridho took the phone and rubbed the green button, he also activated the loud speaker mode. The man gave Meta the code to answer the call.

“A. assalamu’alaikum.”

“Waalaikumsalam. You called me, Met?”

“I. yes.”

“What's up?”

“A.. I want to ask Nick's address stay.”

“Met.. I told you, please give it a minute. I promise I'll help you put Nick together with Iza. Time is not right. You cannot go directly to Bandung.”

“A.. I and Iza have moved to Bandung.”

Silence, no answer from Arnav. The man was surprised, the woman he avoided was in one more city with him. Arnav's residence and Meta's nervousness further reinforced Ridho's suspicions. There is something between the two that he does not know.

“I sent you the address. But if you want to go there, please let me know. It's not a good thing if you meet mommy alone.”

“I. yes. Maybe I'll go with bang Ridho.”

“Oh.. great then.”

“Thank you, Ar.”

“Sama-sama. Met.”

“Ya.”

“Congratulations on your wedding. I hope you are happy. Thank you for being present in my life, for being the light of my path. Even if only for a moment but leave a good memory, like a rainbow.”

Meta glanced at Ridho who was standing right beside him. She could not figure out how her husband reacted because Ridho was just flinching in his place. His face still looks calm.

“I'll send you the address now. Greetings to Iza. Assalamu’alaikum.”

“Waalaikumsalam.”

Arnav ended his call and shortly thereafter a notification of the incoming message was heard. Arnav sends Nick's address. Meta gave his phone to Ridho. The man forwarded the location to his phone and returned Meta's property.

“Bang.. I want to see Iza, first.”

There was no reply from Ridho, the woman rushed out of the room. Arriving outside, inhaled as much oxygen. Meta needs to fill his parachute cavity that feels empty. Seeing Iza was just the reason he made up. Meta then sat himself in the dining chair. His heart was agitated, he did not know what Ridho's reaction would be if he knew about his relationship with Arnav.

Ridho had asked about his closeness to other men before marriage, and Meta was forced to lie at that time. But now, maybe her husband was suspicious of hearing Arnav's words just now. Meta does not know how Ridho's reaction, the man is too difficult to read his mind.

“Met.”

“Astaghfirullah.”

Meta was surprised to hear Ridho's call. The woman grew even more restless when she felt Ridho's gaze so piercing.

“Come in.”

“I. yes bang.”

With heavy steps Meta goes into the room. Ridho sat down on the side of the bed, then patted the empty side next to him, asking the wife to sit down. Meta walked over and sat down next to Ridho. The woman crumpled her fingers, trying to shake off her nervousness.

“Met.. May I ask?”

“So.. about what bang?”

“Arnav. Was there anything between you guys before we got married?”

“Ng.. no bang.”

“Do not lie. I'm not stupid. Looking at your attitude, hearing his words, there must be something between you. Speak honestly, it's better than I know from others.”

“Sorry bang. sorry.” Meta lowered his head.

Instead of answering, Meta cried. This made Ridho even more confused. The sound of Meta's hand then gently grasped it. Meta directed his gaze, venturing into Ridho's face.

“Do I scare you? I just asked, not angry,” Ridho rubbed clear circles on his wife's face.

“His brother serem.”

The wife's answer made Ridho chuckle. Drawn over Meta's shoulder then hugged the woman. Gently he rubbed the wife's back. It seemed like he had a lot of patience to have a wife who was too sensitive to his feelings.

“Sorry if it scares you,” Ridho kissed the top of Meta's head.

“You told me?” continued again.

Meta nodded his head. Slowly he broke away from Ridho's embrace. Inhaled as much oxygen before he told about Arnav. There should be nothing more to fear, his relationship with Arnav is just the past. Ridho was also her husband. It was impossible for her husband to divorce her just because of the past.

“Before I apologize if I lied. Actually.”

Meta Stories about Arnav start to flow. The beginning of their introduction, the relationship that began to be established, Arnav's proposal until the rejection of the proposal he did. Meta also says the reason for rejecting Arnav. Everything is told without lies and nothing is covered anymore.

The mood was silent for a moment. Once again Meta could not figure out what her husband was thinking. Ridho's face always looked calm and expressionless. Meta lowered his head again.

“Do you still love her?” Meta raised his head, staring at Ridho inside.

“Do you still love her?” ask again.

“I.. I don't know bang.”

“What about me? How do you feel about me?”

“A. I also don't know. But I am comfortable with my brother. Good and responsible husband brother.”

“Thank you. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for staying beside Iza. It doesn't matter if you don't love me. I'll make you love me and forget how you feel about Arnav.”

Ridho lifted Meta's body and sat on his lap. Meta reflexes draped his hand to the husband's neck. His heart was beating fast as a result of what Ridho was doing. Her heart also warmed to hear her husband's words. Ridho pulled the nape of Meta and then pressed his lips while sticking his tongue into the mouth of his wife. With a gentle movement fenced off Meta's lips. The lips that had made her opiate and wanted to continue to taste it.

🍂🍂🍂

Next scene please imagine for yourself.

What if Iza and Nick meet?

What if Ridho and Arnav meet?

What is Abe's MP?😂