TWENTY
SEASON TWO ~ Cold

Since the incident this afternoon until now Mas Alif still silences me. The dining room that was usually warm with chattering we both now suddenly quietly swallowed quietly. Only the clanking of spoons with plates sounded. Even for just commenting on my cooking, he was reluctant.

Oh God!

I would rather face an angry Mas Alif than be silent like this untouched iceberg.

"Mas, I want-,"

"I'm done." He cut off my words and immediately walked away from the dining room.

I saw him enter his study. Even that innocent door became his impingement by slamming him so hard. Makes me squeak in shock. Is it in that jealousy?

The huft! Stupid you Na! You idiot!

Look at Radit who incidentally as his friend only he is jealous. Especially this stranger! Even Mas-mas a hawker who does not know me and Kak Rio just think of us as a romantic couple. Must be Mas Alif also considered so in his point of view.

Okay. Maybe it's time for me to fight to melt his heart.

The first step is to give them attention. So now I'm in the kitchen to make some warm milk as his friend works.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

Knock on the door to his study. Although I am his wife, knocking on the door for me is a must if he is inside. The workspace is its privacy space. If I go straight in, I'm afraid I'm bothering him.

But I knocked on the door a few times and he didn't answer at all. "Mas! I'm in?!"

There is still no truth from within. Come on, I knocked on the door and told him. So I just go straight in. The door was not locked either.

I saw that he was busy flipping through the sheets of documents on his desk. I slowly walked up to him and placed this glass of warm milk on his desk.

"Mas, this is me making anget milk. Let the work be more upbeat!" I said with a face I made as cheerful and smiled as sweetly as I could.

"Hm."

Hm? His reaction was just that? This is Mas Alif! Usually also see me mesem a little directly complacent. Well this? It was made as sweet as possible plus two kilos of java sugar and he still did not glance at me at all.

Not out of sense I immediately approached him and walked to the back of his chair. My hands haven't massaged for a long time, hopefully it still feels good. "My mom's a massage, huh? Pity you work every day but rarely rest. Must be tired, huh?" I started to have sweet mouths.

Just as I started to massage her, she had already brushed my hand off her shoulder. "No, no" he said very briefly.

"It's okay, Mas. I've never even mocked you." I still ngeyel still scold him. This time not on his shoulders, but on his upper arms.

"Neither do it."

"It's okay, Mom."

So next. Mas Alif who tried to get rid of my hand and I who remained keukeh tried hard to massage him. In the midst of the debate Mas Alif brushed my hand a bit rough, and accidentally my hand hit the glass and finally the milk fell into the documents. As soon as he died from shock, I was no less surprised. So I stupidly used my hijab to wipe her desk.

"Sorry Mommy! Pardon me! I didn't mean it." Obviously I panicked because the water spilled over some documents.

Moments later my hand was blocked by her. It made me stop my activities and switch to staring at him. Those cold eyes were like they weren't the Mas Alif I knew.

"Get out." That one word came out of his lips.

"But Mas-,"

"Na? Exit. I can clean it myself." He immediately let go of my hand and started sifting through the documents.

With a red face and heated eyes I left the room. Walking quickly to the next room was none other than my room. I closed the door as hard as I could. Expose all the claustrophobic that there is. Some kind of scene in the movie, my body inching right in front of the door. Bending my knees and burying my face and crying all over there.

"Hiks! Hicks! You are evil, huh Mas? You, hiks! Not like Mas Alif, hiks! The ones I know!"

I stood in front of the mirror. Looking at the reflection of this pathetic woman. My eyes have explained how long I have been crying. His coldness was honestly scaring me. But it's worth it. It's my own fault. I'm not as strict with Kak Rio, acting as if it's still like Nala as it used to be, letting him put his hopes on me. Until finally Mas Alif himself who got me with Kak Rio.

Know if Mas Alif jealous like this, I will not repeat the same mistake again. But, speaking of Mas Alif, it's ten o'clock. And I haven't found him in the room at all. Is it possible that he fell asleep in his study? Inner asked.

So I decided to check it out in the workspace. But before that I first wash my face, justifying my appearance. At least I didn't appear too pitiful in front of him.

Geck! Geck! Geck!

I'm back to that door. And just like that, there is no truth from within. When I was about to turn the doorknob, the door was already open. Featuring Mas Alif standing right in front of me.

"ah! Mas Alif just finished it."

There is no reply or reply from him. Seeing that he was about to step up, I stepped aside for blocking his path. I followed him who was walking towards the room. I saw him preparing a change of clothes.

"Would you take a shower? I'll get the warm water ready first!" I grabbed and walked straight to the toilet. But when I was already at the doorway, the next sentence made my steps stop. And my smile faded.

"no need. Tonight I sleep in the guest room."

Even he did not look at it the least when he said that. Casually just pick up clothes and pants and walk out. I could only catch him with a pushy look. It seems like tonight I will sleep accompanied by the roar of tears.

*******

In the early morning I did not find him in the guest room. Does he want to avoid me? To the extent that skipping breakfast is a mandatory activity. So this morning I was alone eating breakfast in the dining room. There's no one I'm taking to the front door. There are no bags I brought. There is no warm kiss on the forehead to start the day. And there was no smile for me this morning.

The huft!

Yes already. If I continue to lament this turmoil, I may not go to teach. But to teach, my mind must fly everywhere. Maybe I'll bring some food to his office later. Who knows, he hasn't eaten. By giving constant attention, I hope to make his heart melt and forgive me.

With a lazy step I tidied again my used equipment to eat. Wash it, dry it, and put it on a dish rack. Then go back to the room and prepare to leave. Very lazy actually today to leave. Like losing all your spirit and energy. Outside the sun, he smiled brightly. But how else? Teaching is my duty. And there's no way I'm just gonna take responsibility.

*******

"Mom!" I vaguely heard someone calling my name.

"Mom!" The longer the sound is heard the more clearly.

"Eh yes?!" I was immediately shocked. Clearly, the one in the class shouted my name. Apparently again I daydream in the middle of my teaching activities.

"What's wrong?" my many. Because obviously I didn't listen to them because I was daydreaming.

"It's time to change lessons, ma'am" replied one of them.

"Ah time anyway?"

"YES MOM!" They were again shouting. Looks like anxious with me. But it's true, I saw a clock in my hand and it's time to change lessons.

After cleaning the books and other equipment in the bag, I immediately paid them a farewell. This clock change ended my teaching hours today. Makes me breathe a sigh of relief when I step out of class.

When the bell rang, I rushed home. Then prepare lunch for Mas Alif. No need to cook anymore, just warm the chicken opor I cooked this morning. Put it in Tupperware. After that I changed clothes and immediately slid into splitting the always densely creeping streets.

So in the office I immediately stepped foot into the elevator and headed to Mas Alif's office. Unlike when I first came here, there are now many friendly gazes directed at me. There are even some employees who bow when they see or cross paths with me. Makes me feel awkward plus awkward.

Arriving upstairs as usual I was immediately greeted by his secretary Mas Alif. This time Nita was behind her desk. Looking at me, he immediately stood up and hugged me. Of course I welcome you warmly. There is no such thing as jealousy like before. Even if I see Nita, in my heart I laugh at myself for misunderstanding it.

"Hi Na! Haven't seen you in a long time?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"You never came here!" He acted like he was sulking.

"Yes-yes. Pardon me! I'm also busy every day." My reason is right. If I could come here, it would be Friday as it is today. When the school came home early. Going to Saturday or Sunday is also impossible because the company is closed.

"Hm. It's understandable that's it."

"Oh yes Nit, Mas Alif is in the air?" my many.

"Oh Alif?" I'm nodding. "Nothing is." This answer from Nita makes me lethargic.

"He's having business outside the office?" ask me one more time.

But instead of answering, Nita laughed with satisfaction. "Any! Directly sad that his face fit know his love does not exist," he said still trying to stop to laugh.

Can't he lie again?

"I was joking Na!" Aren't you! Get anxious! So I pinched his waist. Let him complain of pain. Who is lying to people.

"So Mas Alif is not in his room?"

"Yes. There's kok!"

"OKAY. Then I'll go in first!"

My steps stopped when Nita called me back. "What's wrong?"

Nita then walked over to me. "You guys have a problem?" whispered.

"Can you think that?"

"So she left early in the morning. Even before the other employees were present, he was already sitting at his desk." Because he's avoiding me Nit. He left early in the morning blind.

"The aura is also grim. The vow! His face was very asem. Can't stand to see it. Usually if the boss comes his aura is already gloomy so there must be a problem with the bininya at home," he added again.

"Hmm yes. We have a little problem," I'm honest.

"Oh that. Btw, hope your problems are solved quickly! Not strong I ngadepin Gini-rich Alif, the innate make a heart sprain. I just got hit with him this morning." Nita said with a grunt. Like I was really upset with Mas Alif.

"Amiinu. Thanks prayer. Then I'll go in Nit!" pamittu.

"OKAY. Good luck!" he shouted but in a weak tone. Complete and his clenched hand he lifted up. Makes me smile just looking at her behavior.

Entering the room I found no one here. His seat was also empty. Nita said Mas Alif was still here. My steps go deeper. I thought maybe he was in the room. So I chose to check it out.

Justright. In this room I saw him. But wait!

"Oh my God!" I immediately ran towards him when I saw him curled up on the bed while holding his stomach.

Don't tell me she hasn't had breakfast yet! It must be that his stomach is relapsing now. So I went looking for a medicine box. But I found none of the drugs, either in the closet or in the drawer. So I decided to order the drug in one of the online doctor's apps. I also ordered chicken porridge. There is no way under these conditions to eat this chicken opor.

While waiting I confirmed his lying position. His face looks so limp. Sweat also sprinkles from his temples. Then I called Nita. Asking him to immediately bring my order in if the courier has arrived.

"Yes!" Nita's voice in the doorway made me immediately move and take my order that she already held.

"Mas Alif maag kumat Nit." As if knowing what question he had in mind, I explained it straight away.

I sat Mas Alif down and helped him drink water. Not to forget also with the ulcer medicine that I have bought earlier.

"Emm, yeah. Then I'll come out first!" pamit Nita's.

"Thank you Nit!"

"okay."

My attention was back with Mas Alif. Then I prepared the chicken porridge and fed it. But when I evaporated, his mouth refused to open. He took the spoon from my hand.

"I can do it myself."

Hadeh! Already sick also still remember the same event.

Lookie! His hand was holding the spoon still shaking. Because of my own anxiety I took back the spoon.

"Udah, ngambeknya diending first! What matters is that you heal first!" my firmness. Then bribe by mouth this chicken porridge goes in his mouth. At first reluctant, but eventually also finished the chicken porridge.