The Story of Aira
34

"Come, eat a lot, son." said the mother. "You're Iusan, Aira. Didn't my son feed you?" mom glanced at Arlan, her son.

"Mother could." replied Aira with a slight laugh.

Not because it was not fed, in fact Arlan had given everything that Aira asked for. It could be that his weight is decreased because he is depressed living his household life.

"Do you miss your parents?" asked Aira's mother-in-law while rubbing the back of Aira's hand.

And again, the mother cornered her son. He glanced sharply at Arlan.

"Mom, I that always bring him a visit there every Aira asks" said Arlan.

"In fact, for a few days Aira was not feeling well" he added, Aira turned to him.

"Geez, why don't you call me, son? What pain?"

"Ah, not ma'am. Just catching a cold." said Aira.

"Other than fill?" sahut. "Yet catch a cold for a few days" he said.

"Where is it from? Sleep together yet.." Arlan's mind grumbled.

"yes too. Let's go check it out, tomorrow morning mommy's with." her mom's really enthusiastic.

"No, ma. Still negative." Said Aira.

"Oh, have you tested?" ask dad. Aira nodded. "Father pray will be hastened, yes." so said the father.

Arlan just listened to the conversation between the two of them.

That night Aira was alone in her room. He's texting the princess.

Aira :

How many months?

Daughter :

It's 3, Ra. Geez, Ra.., I wasn't aware that I was pregnant. There's no sign of anything.

Aira :

Congratulations yes. Adit must be happy.

Daughter :

He'em. He's getting me. I'm moved, Ra. You will feel the same later.

Aira :

Just pray, Put.

Daughter :

Definitely dong.

Btw, it's been a really good night. Yes, yes, you have a husband too. He'll need you more at curfews like this.

Aira :

What the hell are you.

The princess really did not answer his message anymore.

Chequelek

Without even looking, Aira knew who was coming. Because other than Arlan, everyone will knock on the door before entering.

"Not sleeping yet" he said.

"Mas Arlan is going to bed?" ask Aira.

"Em." he just answered with deheman.

Aira put down her phone. She caught up with her husband who had already laid himself on the bed.

"How many days will we stay?" ask Aira.

"Why? You don't feel at home here?" sahut Arlan without looking at his wife.

"No, mas. I just asked" said Aira.

"Oh. Yes, now go to sleep!" Arlan pulled the blanket, then turned her back to Aira.

Aira did the same. He shed his tears. It happens every night. Because every night Arlan's attitude turns cold on him.

Arlan wasn't really sleeping. He kept daydreaming behind Aira's back. Until midnight he was awake. Arlan sat down and resuscitated his waiting at the head of the bed. He saw his wife who was asleep. His position had also changed. So that Arlan can see the beautiful face. Even though his mother said he was thinner.

And again, Aira was delirious. This time it's not Ryan's name he's calling.

"Mas Arlan.., please forgive me..."

Arlan's surprised. Body bristling. After several times hearing his wife mention the name of another person in his sleep. Suddenly Aira said her name.

Arlan approached her, grabbed her hand and kissed her.

"May this be a good start. Love me like I always loved you, Aira..."

......................

Aira squirmed, she felt a warm roar of breath hitting her face. And someone hugged him.

"Mas.." he murmured softly.

"Eemmm.., shut up.., it's not yet dawn.." replied Arlan with eyes still closed.

Aira is not struggling. Because as the sentence ended, she felt the embrace tighter. Arlan smiled in him. Actually, he was awake too.

"I won't let that man rule you. From now on I will make you love me more. And forget that guy." so inwardly Arlan.

"It's not comfortable for my heart. Did Arlan hear that?" aira's Aspat.

The inner war of the two continued, until both of them fell asleep again.

They slept so well that they did not listen to me at dawn. They just woke up when they heard a lecture from the mosque.

"I just help mom in the kitchen, mas." said Aira after tidying up her face and words.

"Yes." reply Arlan.

When Aira arrived at the kitchen, everything was ready and just served on the dining table. Aira is very bad, because of bad luck.

"Sorry mom, I'm bad luck." said Aira.

"There's no need to apologize, let's help you bring it." her in-laws replied.

"Yes, ma'am." reply Aira.

After breakfast, Aira and Arlan leave to go home. But Arlan takes Aira to the store.

Aira left Arlan who was focusing on checking the reports. He went around to look around. Although this was not the first time he had come to Arlan's shop.

"There's wet wipes?" aira asked the headscarf officer who was guarding the cosmetic storefront.

"There, madam. A moment." he said. Soon the hijab girl returned with a wet tissue.

Apparently Aira wants to clean the lipstick tester container that is straw.

"Let me, mbak." the girl immediately wanted to take over what Aira was doing.

"It's okay. Continue yourjob. I used to work like you. I think..., it seems like we are the same age." said Aira. "What's your name?" ask Aira.

"Chinese. I just graduated" he said.

"Oh, you're my underclassman." Aira smile. "I'm in?!" Aira asked Chika for permission.

They both began to be busy. Chika checks the goods in the storefront, while Aira cleans everything making her eyesight uncomfortable.

"How could they do this...? No one is interested in trying." Aira grumbled.

"Chika, I go upstairs first huh" Aira said.

"Yes, thank you, ma'am."

Aira met Arlan who was busy behind her desk.

"Mas.." call Aira.

"Yes, you want to go home?" sahut Arlan's.

"Ah, no. Are you busy again?" ask Aira.

"Continue that moment." replied Aira with a smile.

"What's going on?" ask Arlan to himself.

Shortly after, Arlan finished his work. Then he sat down beside Aira.

"What's wrong?" ask Arlan.

"I was looking down below" Aira said.

"Continue...?"

"There's no BA in cosmetics?" ask Aira.

"No. Why why anyway? I don't think we need that, unlike the big selfies." Arlan replied.

"Yes, I was right. But at least with the BA, can educate customers about cosmetics that fit them. It could also make Arlan's civil servant's job easier." Aira began to explain things to Arlan.

"Mas don't pay attention to that cosmetic counter..? Everything is neatly arranged, there is no appeal. Keep that lipstick tester, my goodness. It's slovenly...!!" Aira was like scolding a kindergarten boy.

Arlan focused on watching his wife, he did not expect his wife's chatty fashion was very adorable. Until he kept smiling.

"Mas...?! Can you hear me talking?!" reprimand Aira.

"Ah yes." Arlan. "Then what do you think I should do?" ask Arlan.

"Although there is no BA, you should show to the civil servant how to do a good display. Which can attract customers. Who did not want to buy, so interested." explained Aira.

"Then you help me. Don't mind, do you?" arlan.

"Me?" Aira pointed at herself.

"You've worked in this field before. Try to share your knowledge with them" Arlan said.

"Can?!" Aira was still doubtful.

"Have it, let's go down!" bring Arlan.

When it comes down, the customer at the cosmetic counter is already quite a lot. There were even four employees there, including Chika. Arlan gave the code with a glance of his eyes, for Aira to intervene.

"I want to see how great my wife is" whispered Arlan.

"Aah?!" Aira did not understand Arlan's intentions.

"Please help them" Arlan said.

Aira comes in and helps Arlan's employees.

While Arlan remained standing on the steps while watching his wife.

"Looks like he's more comfortable here than at home" Arlan murmured.

......................

From then on, Aira took part in the shop. He changed all the shop's order like a big neat supermarket, always clean. Cosmetic counters are no less beautiful. Every time there is a product sales coming, he will ask for a tester for his product. Especially lipstick.

Since Aira was there, people didn't just buy and then go home. They sometimes spend a lot of time consulting with Aira.

"Mbak Aira can know a lot ya.." praised Chika.

"Not much. I only hear a lot when BA talks to buyers. So I know a little." reply Aira.

"Because Aira is here, we also learn many things." said Rani, Chika's friend at the cosmetic counter.

"We both learn" Aira said.

Aira decided to go up to the 2nd floor when she heard the sound of the ashar Adhan. Not yet into Arlan's room, the door of the room opened.

"Where are you going?" ask Aira.

"I just called you" he replied. "We pray first, just go" he said.

"Where are you going, mom?" ask Aira.

"I miss daddy's fried rice" he said as he closed the door to his room.

"OKAY. Okay...!" Aira was getting excited.

They prayed ashar in the room. After saying do'a, Aira kissed the back of Arlan's hand. And Arlan kissed her forehead.

Arlan pairs a helmet for Aira, then helps Aira pull the zipper of her jacket.

"Later to catch a cold" he said.

"Thank you." Aira smile.

"Come on!"

Aira went up carefully. Arlan pulled Aira's hand to hold onto her. Aira according to.

At the red light.

"What do we buy for the house?" ask Arlan.

"Just mind you." replied Aira.

"Don't say whatever. I if jajan likes a slur." said Arlan.

"I'll hit the brakes later." joked Aira.

"The brakes are blong, how?" arlan's reply won't lose.

"Turn her ears" said Aira.

That's how they are now, more relaxed when breaking into bed. Although the two have not fully carried out their duties as a whole couple.

The Aira family was very happy to see the arrival of her children. They just visited last week, but missed it.

"Spicy fried rice plus ceplok and pickled eggs" Aira said while serving fried rice to her husband.

"Thank you. It looks so good." Arlan replied.

"Here, eat fast." said grandma.

"Yes, Grandma" said Arlan.

"Grandma doesn't eat?" ask Aira.

"Same as grandpa. Grandma ate salted fish and saucer sambal" said grandma.

"Still, grandma?" ask Aira later.

"There's inside. Grandma get it."

"Ah, no. Just let me. Grandma's just gonna go with Arlan."

Aira went to the kitchen to pick up the salted fish that the grandmother had said. Aira looked around her house. He was grateful to have Arlan. He loved his family, like his own parents. Little by little the Aira family home is restored by Arlan. Although his father had refused, but Arlan continued to force.

Bamboo walls were replaced with brick. The floor that used to be ground, is now ceramic-plated. The kapuk mandu mattress is also replaced with a springbed. Except in the grandparents' room. They have trouble sleeping when their old mattress is replaced. So Arlan took the springbed to his house.

"We sleep here?!" pinta Arlan to his wife.

"Yes, mas." answered Aira.

Shouldn't need to be asked, Aira is obviously very willing to stay at his parents' house.

Until nine o'clock in the evening Arlan still hasn't returned from the stall. He was so comfortable talking there. Until Aira had fallen asleep, when she entered the room.

Carefully Arlan flushed down his body. Hope not to disturb Aira. But it actually failed.

"Mas is home." murmured Aira.

"Yes. Already, sleep there again" he said.

"Eum..." Aira, who was very sleepy, fell back to face Arlan.

Arlan smiled as he stroked his wife's cheek. Then following Aira wading through the dream.

......................

"Said my father, man cannot ask God much. Moreover, imposing the will. Shame...!!

As human beings the place is wrong and sinful, we do not deserve to ask Him much. Just pray for everything to be made easy. That'sthat's all.

And if it all feels easy, don't be proud. Don't be too happy, eventually end up arrogant.

For the test of God is also the pleasure of life."