TRAPPED IN A MARRIAGE
LOOKING FOR OLD LOVE

Haris sits in a chair on his papa's private jet. His gaze swept over the clouds that were marching along. His heart is full of every taste.

This was the first time he had ever been dishonest to his wife. He was allowed to go to Batam for work, when in fact he would meet a woman who for a dozen years lodged in his heart.

Again he recalled how his heart was so strong that he loved the woman in silence and in the absence of the guts to express love.

Years of torment in foolish longing. Yeah, stupid because the person you miss doesn't know at all. It was just a one-sided longing, a passionate longing that left his years wasted away.

Now Haris has a wife. Although initially only a pretend wife, but now she has loved him, even loved him very much. A good woman who is good. A woman who demands nothing but give and serve.

I don't know what would happen if Ninu knew that he had lied, that he went to Batam not for work but to meet a woman. There was a worry in Haris' heart, worried if it happened.

Maybe he will be angry, anyway I will also be angry if I know my partner is not honest. Haris recalled when he found Ninu talking and laughing with Andre. The jealous flames were so tempestuous in his heart. Andre is just a friend of Ninu's.

Then how much fire of jealousy and anger will be generated if his wife knows the woman he will meet is the woman he used to love? But it's impossible to be honest with him, right?

Haris turned his gaze on the paper he was holding. This is the address where Tyara lives now. He was already looking for information about that address, and what he got was that the area was a slum area.

Could he live in the slums? Isn't it as far as he knew Tyara was the one with it? He even went to college and worked in Paris. Then why did he now live in the slums?

Let's not say this is a fake address like Ayu Tingting's song. But Budi assured her that the address was correct.

Haris breathed. It was a journey that weighed down his heart.

It wasn't without reason that he made this trip, risking his household by lying to Ninu. He just wanted to prove that his heart was for his wife.

He wanted to know his own reaction when he met Tyara. Is that love still there? Does he still expect the woman to be his companion? Will his love for Ninu disappear when he meets Tyara?

He was just trying to establish to whom this love was residing.

⚘

It was late afternoon when he arrived at the airport. Because this morning there is work to be completed, he can only leave for Batam after Ashar prayers.

Haris immediately headed to the hotel that Budi had booked for him. The plan is to find Tyara's address tomorrow.

Resting for a moment while lying on the bed, he immediately grabbed his goal. It had just been a while leaving Ninu his heart was already wracked with longing. It's like a long, long journey.

“Assalamualaikum bang,” heard the voice he missed across the phone.

“Waalaikumsalam dear, brother has arrived at hotel.”

“Alhamdulillah... again what now?”

“Again sleep while sleeping dear.”

“Ngebayangin what the hell?” the voice of his wife was spoiled.

Haris smiled, his longing was treated even by just hearing a voice.

“What else is going on? Not the same brother?”

“Newly finished shower bang, soon will Maghrib” replied Ninu, “Kangen bang, kangeeeen bangeet” Ninu laugh.

“Ih... even kidding, really miss?”

“New also two hours”

“So please, for this brother kayak has long since”

“Manja”

“Can't spoiled same wife by herself?”

“Ih.. older sister kayaking women, likes sulking.”

“Biarina. Anyway later if brother comes home, just get ready yes, paid in full.”

“Apaan sibang, like aja debt,” Ninu chuckled.

They called long enough for the Maghrib to stop him.

⚘

After breakfast Haris prepared to leave for Tyara's address. The private car he rented was waiting in front of the hotel.

More than an hour drive, finally the car stopped in front of a mini market.. Haris had to walk into the village because the car could not get in, the driver said.

Trying to ask some of the people he met, Haris finally arrived in front of a house. The house is separate from the other houses.

Is this where Tyara lives? His heart does not believe.

A simple house, even too simple. White paint using green color on the windows and doors, even one of the window glass cracked. Haris estimates that the house may only measure 7 m x 10 m only.

Hesitating Haris stepped closer, then knocked on the door slowly.

Tok tok…

There's no answer.

Tok tok…

Repeated again.

“Who to look for sir?” ask someone behind her.

A little surprised Haris turned his body, “Sorry to ask, this is really his house bu Suti?”

“Betul. Just try being tapped again, maybe still sleeping” said the middle-aged man who had greeted Haris.

It's 9 o'clock and the guy's still sleeping? Think Haris.

“The kid's gonna hurt so he likes to stay up” that guy kind of knows what Haris is thinking, “Try me who called” he approached then knocked on the door quite loudly while calling the name of the owner of the house.

“Bu.. bu Suti.. This is no guest!”

Before long, the door opened, an old woman stood up with a ruffled appearance, it seemed like she had just woken up.

“Who?” tanyanya while squinting eyes because of glare.

“Well, this person is awake, please nak” said the man did not care about the question bu Suti.

“Thank you pak” replied Haris nodded.

“Who is it?” ask Suti again after the man has passed.

“I Haris bu, my friend Tyara” replied Haris, “What's the Tanya?”

Ms. Suti looked at her for quite a while, like she was suspicious.

“Now Tyara is sick. He hasn't done that in a long time. It has stopped” he said again.

Stop doing what? Haris wondered in his heart.

“Sorry mom, can I meet her for a minute?”

Madam Suti looked back at him sharply.

“I am a friend of Tyara in High School, I happen to have a job here now, so I stopped by” Haris explained.

Finally Suti let Haris in and let him sit in the living room.

Haris circulated his gaze through the room that was not too big. So messy. Clothes stacked on the chair, either clean or dirty. On the table were a few used glasses, ashtrays filled with ash, some of the ashes littering the table surface.

This house, besides being small and dirty, is also stuffy. It smells bad. Maybe the inhabitants are dirty.

Ms. Suti returned to the living room while carrying a glass filled with water. His appearance is now better, maybe he was washing his face and combing hair that is mostly white.

“Please drink” he said, then sat in front of Haris.

“Know where Tyara lives here?” ask without further ado. His view did not imply hospitality at all.

⚘⚘⚘⚘

The author can't put words together for Haris. Please read only who created it in the comments field.

Thanks to loyal readers. May it be healthy always and many rejekannya, aamiin...