TWENTY
SEASON TWO ~ Tortured Miss

Alif was sitting in front of me. Sitting with the perfect body facing me. The clockwork seconds rhythm of the wall in the living room became our background song. Her hand clasped my finger warmly, her beautiful eyes looking at me in the shade.

"Mas promised to go home soon Na. Ten days at most. But try one week already can go home," said Mas Alif.

I took a long breath. I took off his hand and chose to squeeze my robe. "Yes Mas. I let you go. After all, you went to work for me too."

"But your rich facial features do not sincerely make me so heavy to leave the house," he said as he again grabbed my finger.

I am clearly not sincere. Married for two weeks, she was gone. If you go out of town still mending. Here, he wants to go abroad. Outside the continent. Yes even though he went to Australia to finish his job that is still left there. But I still am a little unwilling. After three years of waiting and meeting two weeks ago on a contract, now he will be gone again.

I forced a smile to get on my face. "Look! I'm sincere!" I immediately got off the sofa and stepped into the room.

Take out the suitcase and open the closet to put the clothes Mas Alif. The room door creaked, hinting someone in. In the midst of busyness my hands packed clothes, I felt a burly hand wrapped around my waist. My activity suddenly stopped. My breath was immediately blocked and my heart was beating incoherently. My heart is still not fully accustomed to Mas Alif's treatment. Look, my cheeks must be blushing.

"Dearly enough. I still miss you, but I'm leaving." He leaned his chin onto my shoulder.

"Ekhm! Yes, it's time for work again." I loosened my hands slowly to resume my activities. "Sleeping! Tomorrow morning take off."

"Hm." I felt him peek at my shoulder before he went to bed.

Immediately I packed the clothes and equipment that Mas Alif needed. Drowsiness also slowly attacked me. After I finished I put the suitcase next to the closet and went to bed, following Mas Alif. I laid my body against him and confirmed the blanket that covered our bodies.

The test!

Soon I wiped my tears. Huh! Very whining!

Three years left is still strong. This time is only left one week already cry first. You crybaby Na!

After being satisfied to enjoy his face that was sound asleep, I hurriedly turned around. Not long to see his face again, afraid that I might not be able to hold back my tears. I felt the mattress swaying, then followed by his sturdy arm that pulled my body into his arms.

"Don't cry! I promise I'll finish this as soon as possible" he said, slowly peeping at the top of my head.

I immediately turned around and held her tightly. "Promise."

"Hm."

Then I looked up to see his face, then smiled. "Yes already. Let's sleep!" take me.

"No way."

I scrunched my forehead. "Why?"

"Night kiss hasn't." Hmmmm. I suppose what. Apparently he teased me.

"No! Let's go to bed!" I can't hide if I'm embarrassed right now. Decrease eye contact between us.

"Yes already. If my wife doesn't want her night kiss, let me love myself."

The cup!

Her warm lips kissed my cheeks at a glance. Just touch the heat instantly spread all over my face. "Good sleep my wife!"

I drowned my head in the chest of his field. Sipping on his scent that I will miss these few days. "Good sleep!" shirihku.

*******

"Huaahhhhhah! Bored!"

Two hours later, the boredom was eating away at me. If only this were a normal day, I would have been busy with my activities as an English teacher at one of the First High Schools here. The problem is this is the weekend, where I was rested from my work. From earlier I glanced at the wall clock that was beating as if it was very slow, wanting to play tricks on me.

I decided to visit my mom and dad. All right to take Jimmy, my pet cat. Then I rushed up to the second floor to get ready. Not until half an hour I was ready with a flora patterned dress with green pashmina complete with my black sling bag. 

After three days of staying at my parents' house, Mas Alif immediately brought me to a new house. Not too big, not too small. Quite comfortable and simple. And another interesting fact, our house is close to Astri and Rangga. Only three houses away. Though Mas Alif said he planned all this, an unexpected coincidence.

But it's also impossible that right now I want to go to their house. They must be spending time with their little family. I walked into the garage and pulled out my beloved scoopy, not wanting to drive a car. Understandably, the streets of Malang City are very unfriendly if using a car.

About half an hour later I had reached the house that had been sheltering me for twenty-four years. My arrival was not welcomed by my mother, but was instead greeted by a confused look behind her face.

"O Allah Nala! Why did you go home? Where's Alif? You fight, huh?!" Not yet I say greetings, mama has already scolded me with various questions.

"Assalamu'alaikum!"

"Wa'alaikumsalam!" Mama welcomed my hand for kiss.

"Which alif?"

"Ma's Work. Get out of the country, old man! Nala's at home, so come here."

"Uluh-ed! Mom's son is so sorry! The wedding was left to work far away. Can't be dong's ass tonight."

"Gee! Mama!" I immediately ran to the house, avoiding the temptation of my mother.

"Ma! Teach Nala to make yuk cakes!" take me after my mom catches up with me inside.

"No ah. Mama's kitchen is on fire again."

The huft!

I think you've forgotten what happened a few years ago, apparently not. I was in Second Class High School. I try to make a cake that I get the recipe from the internet. I don't know what mistake I made, which was clear at that time the oven was suddenly smoky. I who was alone in the kitchen could not think long and immediately poured a bucket of water into the oven. Not even a spark came. Lucky mama who was back from the market immediately took a light fire extinguisher. And ever since then mom has kept me away from the oven.

"That was Ma! Nala is big now. It was even a wedding. I also want to make my husband Ma!" my whining finally worked. The mother who was sitting on the sofa is now going to the kitchen.

"What cake do you want to make?"

"Kue is dry Ma. Let me make a snack."

"Jaudah here. Help Mama!"

We both started working in the kitchen. No need to shop because my mom already has all the ingredients in her kitchen. Because it is his hobby of cooking, contagious deh to me who finally has a hobby of eating. The dried keu I made this time were kastengel and nastar. Both are made of similar materials. Moreover, I am a cheeseholic. Some time later the oven clinks, indicating that the one inside is ready. When the oven is opened, the delicious aroma of the pastry immediately meets the sense of smell.

"Try one ah!" I took one of the castelles from the pan. "Akhs! Uh! The heat! Shh! It's hot!" I forced the cake to swallow into my throat.

"You are, habit! The cake man just came out of the oven and was about to be eaten!"

I could only nod in response to my mother's nagging. "The smell is so tempting, Ma!"

"Ck.ck.ck.yeah, you took the jar there!"

"Back Ma!"

"Oh yes!" Just remembered. I haven't visited my best friend in a long time. Maybe it's a weekend now, he's definitely on a work holiday.

"Why Na?"

"Ma. I went to Rendi first! Just like giving me this cake." Point me at the nice warm castellan setoples.

"Yes." Yeah."

I cheerfully walked out of the house and walked for a while. I told you not if me and Rendi were best friends since childhood. Even our house is close together. Just a few houses away, I have arrived at the big and luxurious house owned by the Rendi family. Intentions other than wanting to give this cake also want to disturb him. I haven't joked about that kid in a long time. Blocked distance also makes us rarely spend time together.

"Assalamu'alaikum!" I said not to forget the courtesy in the meeting. Well, even though we're already very familiar.

"Wa'alaikumsalam!" His mother Rendi welcomed me with joy. Even hugged me. Very different from my mother's welcome.

"Gee! The nala! You haven't played here in a long time!"

"Hehehe.. Yes Tan, sorry!"

"Eh, oh yeah. Aunty forgot, Nala is married. It must be a long way from home, there will be a beloved husband." Haish. This aunt doesn't make any difference to my mom. I like to tease me.

"Oh yes Tan, this is me making a cake. And this is for Auntie and Rendi." I handed over the setoples of the cake I brought when I entered the house.

"Wahh! Thanks yeah!" Auntie went straight to the kitchen.

The sound of footsteps coming down the stairs distracted me. "Who's Ma?" That typical male baritone voice made me smile.

"I am coming!"

He looked surprised to see me sitting sweetly in the living room. "Bright. You Na? Tumben's here," he said as he sat on the single sofa in front of me.

I sat on the long sofa, spread my original body and drowned my face with the sofa cushion. "Huhuhoo!!! The work of Mas Alif!!!"

"God. Very spoiled! It's only natural that the husband works."

"His work is far away know Ren! To Australia there!"

"Oohs. So the LDRs again?"

"Hmm."

"Yes already. Call you here, help me memorize Na."

Hearing that made me get up and sit up with excitement. Just remember if my best friend this one is on a mission to win the heart of his future father-in-law. Still remember the time Rendu confidently proposed to Salma but back and forth his face immediately pias got the requirements of his father Salma.

"How much juz?"

"Still four. Less than one juz left and I'll see you go up to Na's bail," he said confidently.

"Amen."

Rendi went to the bathroom to fetch water. Then he returned with a little Qur'an in his grasp. While I choose to open an application containing Quranic verses on my phone. Rendi apparently meant to ask Salwa. The proof is now that he can memorize nearly five juz in the Qur'an. In the past, it was very difficult to just devour juz amma. The power of love can change everything. Thank goodness I became a better person.

After the poultice, Rendi apparently still repeated the earlier poultice. In order not to forget he said. I also agree. The phone that originally opened the Quran app now opens a chat app, and chooses to make a video call with Salma.

It didn't take long, the connection was connected. "Hello Na!"

"Salmaaah!!!" I was waving in front of the camera. But my voice was not too loud so as not to disturb the still solemn Rendi' with her speech.

"Look at that! Her husband-to-be is khusyu' read the qur'an, "godaku to Salwa by facing the camera towards Rendi.

"What the hell is Na!"

"Ciee's got a red face." Not expecting to tease people can be this fun.

"I'm dead if you keep going!"

"Yes-yes." I finally gave up. No more teasing Salma.

"What are you doing at Rendi Na's house?"

"Ups! Do I smell jealousy?" Fear if Salma is really jealous.

"No! I want to be jealous of you."

"For bosen at Sal's house. Died Mas Alif work," I said. Saying that name made me miss it even more. Mas Alif last called me hours ago when he got to his office there. 

"Oohh."

"Hm. Go to Sal's house sometime!"

Come to think of it my friends have mostly not visited me in a new home. Still Astri and Rangga, it was because they were neighbors with me. I got the idea to invite my friends to come home. Kangen meeting count.

"Yes Na. But next week, huh? I am busy at home."

"Hmm. yeah."

"Na. Yes, I wanted to help my mother first. Greetings to Rendi!"

"What brandy is Mas Rendi?" This time I couldn't help but tease her again.

"Gee! You Na! Yes already. I'll close it, yes, Assalamu'alaikum!"

"Wa'alaikumsalam!"

With the end of my video game with Salma, Rendi was done with her activities. The Koran was taken to the closet next to the tv. And sit back to face me. "Video call-an who's Na?"

"Just like your future wife" I said.

Uh. Even the mesem-mesem own joints while turning on the television. "But Ren! Your face doesn't match that rich shameless ass!"

"Bright. Letin!"

"That's what kasmaran is all about."

"Well. Tuh know!"

A few minutes passed by me and Rendi chose to watch television with a light story. Sometimes we share our problems and opinions. Accompanied by my homemade castle that Rendi's mother brought here, we both spend time with the memories of childhood. Not to forget also the ridicule that colored this conversation.