The Time Limits
DBW 5 Late

The Time Limit (5)

" Sister, for those who need my job, any salary is fine. Moreover, finding a job is not easy."

Yes, in a big city it is not easy to get a job let alone just armed with a High School diploma. Because before Fitri worked for Adel, he already felt it was difficult to find a job. When he gets a job, his environment makes him uncomfortable.

" Assalamu'alaikum.." Suddenly a man entered the store.

The deg!

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" Wa'alaikumsalam" answered Adel and Fitri in unison

A white man with dimples smiled towards the two.

" Adel.", he said.

" Kak Iqbal", Adel nodded in response to the call of the person he had not met for a long time.

Iqbal is Adel's senior on campus. Several times involved in the committee at events held on campus, making them quite familiar with each other. Although not too close.

" Please sit down, brother", Adel invited to sit down. " Please get me some cake and a drink huh, Fit. Thank you ", he asked Fitri.

"Well, brother", replied Fitri and soon passed away leaving them.

Now, the two men remain at one table. Adel sat in front of Iqbal, but he deliberately sat not right in front of Iqbal, but on the side chair.

" How are you?", asked Iqbal after a long silence.

" Thank God be kind, brother". replied Adel. " Sister, how are you?", Adel asked.

" As you can see" she replied briefly. "Oh yeah, where do you live now?. Yesterday's time to go home to town B and visit your house, it was empty. Said the neighbor there you moved in with your husband". There is a sense of disbelief when talking about Adel who is married.

" Yes brother. I've moved. Now stay at my in-laws' house".Adel replied without seeing his interlocutor.

"Please at the meal", Fitri serves a variety of cakes on the table and puts a drink for both.

" Thank you "

" Thank you "

Say both in unison.

"So you're really married? Why not invite me?", asked Iqbal curiously. " Didn't you consider me your friend?", he joked in a smile.

There is a sense of disappointment because someone preceded him to propose Adel. In fact, the plan he will be asking for love when the work contract he signed for two years is completed. However, there was no wind, there was no sudden rain he heard the news that Adel was married.

" It's not so, Brother", Adel argued quickly. " We actually did a contract in the hospital when my father-in-law was critical. He wanted to see his only child get married before he breathed his last. After that, the father-in-law died so we didn't have time to think about the reception." Shut up for a moment. " The mother-in-law actually reminded us of the wedding reception, but we didn't think much of it. So, we just publicized our marriage on our respective sosmed accounts. In an effort to avoid slander if at any time see us together", explained Adel at length.

" Are you happy?" ask Iqbal spontaneously. " I'm sorry if it's presumptuous" he added when he saw the look of astonishment shown Adel.

" Thank God ", the answer is short

Adel was astonished by Iqbal's question. I don't know what he meant to ask about it. What would he do if Adel was unhappy with his marriage? They are not close enough to talk about anything personal.

* * *

Adel was still silent looking at the streets that began to be crowded by vehicles. The density caused by the time coincides with the office breakup hours.

Adel's own store is right in front of the highway. Quite a strategic position.

" Hahh", Adel exhaled violently

" Sister is fine?", seeing Adel who was only speechless after Iqbal's departure made Fitri curious. " What was that ex-sister?", asked Fitri again.

" I don't think it's just seniors, brother. He likes brother. Seen from the look of his eyes to Adel's brother. Also her curiosity about sister's happiness with sister's marriage." Fitri smiled seductively.

" Hey, watch your eyes and ears. So, you were watching Brother Iqbal and eavesdropping on our conversation?", Adel investigated.

" He . Sorry brother. " Fitri is just a whimper.

" Can't eavesdrop on people's conversations anymore!" Adel warned.

"Yes, sis". Fitri's promise.

Adel is not unaware that Iqbal has feelings for her. While in college, many of his friends told him. But he did not want to bother about the chatter of his friends.

Meanwhile, in a car, a man drives a car while remembering his meeting with Adel. Yes, it is Iqbal. There was still disappointment in his heart. And regret for asking Adel late.

" If I hadn't delayed asking you, I would have been your husband by now" he said softly." Astarghfirullah's. How can I suppose that" he said, rubbing his face.

* * *

Day and night come in alternating ways. It did not feel three months had passed since Iqbal's arrival to the Adel cake shop. Since then, Iqbal has been relentless in checking Adel's sosmed. I don't know what he's waiting for.

While in the room on the second floor, at the residence of Sakha's parents, Adel is still busy with the preparation of her husband who is going to the Cafe.

" Well, is there time this afternoon?", asked Adel shortly after he finished pairing the tie.

"What is it?", instead of answering, Sakha asked back.

" Hmm, Ayesha gave birth. The plan this afternoon is to see him in the hospital" Adel explained briefly.

Aisyah is Adel's college friend who both moved from town B because she was with her husband.

" Yes already, later in the afternoon I pick up at the store huh?", promised Sakha.

" Thank you ",

* * *

Throughout the day, Adel looks brighter while helping to serve shoppers. It did not escape the eyesight of its employees. Yes, after the talks the other day, Adel added a few employees. To serve customers as cake makers. Because in the future, Adel will only monitor it. Hands down if needed.

Now, he waits for Sakha in the long chair in front of the store.

" Sister, are you still waiting for an invitation?", asked Fitri

" Yes, maybe stuck in traffic", while looking at the watch in his hand.

" Then we go first, brother", said Fitri and others. " Assalamu'alaikum", they say hello.

" Wa'alaikumsalam "

Suddenly Adel's phone rang. The name of the husband is there.

" Assalamu'alaikum Mas, where are you?", asked Adel worried because it was too late from the promised time.

"Wa'alaikumsalam's chat. Sorry Del, Mas can't pick you up and nemenin you. You see, there are important things that cannot stay" explained Sakha.

" Sakha's fast, that's the car that Lisa's looking like. Hurry up before it's too late ", there's someone's voice on the phone.

The deg!

"I'm sorry, I'm going first. Assalamu'alaikum ", Sakha immediately hung up.

" Wa'alaikumsalam" Adel replied despite the disconnection of his phone.

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