Under The Rain's
Chapter 12—Reuni

Kaia's birthday is held at a fast food restaurant that is quite popularly rented to hold the event. There is a special indoor space inside that can be decorated in such a way as to enliven the event. Kaia chose the theme ‘Under The Sea’, which means that the sea blue is dominating the place. Fifty children attended his birthday. Pretty good for a kid of Kaia's age. One fondant-coated cake perched on the main table, above which was stuck in the number eight.

Of course for Nadia, the event was a proof of her totality as a mother. Nadia worked hard to make the event memorable, and seemed very proud of her when she saw her invited guests seem satisfied after attending the event. Nadia who is already very charming increasingly look glamorous with elegant dress in baby blue. The body of the advanced molecular level is fitting once wrapped with a knee-length wrapped dress made of satin.

Rafael—, who works as a database administrator for a telecommunications company,—, did not get a work leave even though it was Saturday. The reason is, his office is doing program updates. Instead, he got permission time for two hours after lunch. Thankfully, two hours was enough to attend her daughter's birthday party from start to finish. Afterwards, he hurried back to the office.

The event was over when suddenly a friend Nadia chirped to increase the duration of their togetherness on Saturday, and the celebutukan received a welcome from other colleagues.

“Night this week, why don't we all watch, yuk, moms?”

“Bby, Mama Aqila, mumpung is still afternoon, nih.”

“Duh, kumaha or want to watch wearing a splashy dress like this?"

“Nothing, Mama Vino, cuek ajalah us mah.”

“Eh, jerk off, moms, I sent my son first, yeah, take an online taxi. At home there is his grandmother.”

“Why not be invited, Bun?”

“Rewel si Azriel, Mah, Bun. If invited to the mall ask for this it.”

“Ah .. if so I also ask his father to pick up Belinda, deh. Let's be free!”

“Mom-mom, who here brought the car? I'm with nebeng, yes!”

“Bby, yuk, Mama Dennis, same as me. Who does not travel by taxi, yes!”

Such is. As quick as lightning the horde of young mothers made plans to hang out. Even some of them immediately send their children home for quality me-time. Some of these groups are close friends of Nadia, so of course he does not want to miss to meet. Although, at that time Kaia was already very exhausted. Kaia does not have an energetic physique, she often feels easily tired.

“Mother, but Kaia is sleepy,” elak the boy when his mother forced him to take part.

“Before doang, Ka. Nyampe mall also you just sit in the cinema!”

“But Kaia won't come, Mother. Kaia tired.”

“Come, Kaia. ‘Kan, Mommy already made a party that Kaia wants.”

“But, Bun—”

“Except Kaia can go home by herself. Mother pesenin taxi. I went back to the office.”

“Kaia scared, Mommy.”

“Ya, already. Means Kaia is coming with Mommy.”

That compulsion made Kaia's face become lethargic. He really needed to rest at that time, but Nadia did not want to know. Do you think it's hard to sit down sweet? After all, tomorrow is still a holiday, Kaia can rest as much as possible.

The coercive scene was witnessed by one of Nadia's friends named Erin, who later felt compassion for Kaia.

“Nad, sorry, Kaia can come with me if she wants,” bargained Erin to Nadia after she walked up to them. “I don't come with you for a walk.”

Nadia looked at Erin somewhat unconvinced, afraid of being troublesome as well as she seemed. “Later to get rid of nicotine, Rin.”

“No, lah, Nad. ‘Kan, one way. I'll take Kaia with me until she walks into the house. Calm down,” said Erin assured. “Kaia want to join Mama Ayesha? Kaia will be brave, ‘kan, wait for Mother herself?”

A direct invitation to welcome a cute smile on Kaia's lips of course. Very relieved to know that he did not need to follow his mother who was about to gather either until what time. Sometimes Nadia is outrageous, may not be sensitive to the condition of her own child.

***

Erin escorted Kaia to the seventh floor of the apartment building, just as she had promised. Although it was troublesome at that time, because his daughter named Ayesha was still three years old. In addition, Erin also brought the rest of the hampers on Kaia's birthday, while Nadia just passed with her friends without burden.

Arriving at the door of her room, Kaia did not enter directly. He immediately knocked on the door of his next door neighbor.

“Eh, Kaia, ‘kok, to it?” erin asked who was panicking because she thought Kaia had the wrong room.

The door is open. Followed by the owner of the room who slowly stepped outside through the doorway.

“ ... “

“REVA!”

“ERIN!”

“ASTAGA, VA! Where are you going?”

Screeches Erin to make her toddler son jump in shock! Reverberated all over the corner of the corridor and produced an echo that was no less loud than his own voice. The meeting was completely unexpected. The last time he met Reva was more than nine years ago.

Reva was still flabbergasted looking at his old friend. His face and voice did not change at all. Can't believe it's like seeing her again, but they almost always look old.

“You stay here, Va? Holy hooch! Know that I play a lot!”

“I just moved here, Rin. Comeon, enter. But the room is narrow. Sorry, yes.”

Kaia who had been confused finally understood that Erin and Reva already knew each other. And he immediately took the rest of the hampers that he had put on the floor, to give to Reva.

“Not bother, Kaia.”

“Nnothing, really, Kaia already got the problem bag. The briefing is all for Reva.”

Be they all gathered in Reva's studio unit. Kaia didn't even get sleepy, especially if it wasn't for Reva's clay and crayon. Ayesha is also amused without the slightest fuss, playing various fidget toys and doll houses. Meanwhile, two other adult women were engrossed in conversation and joking.

Reva who disappeared without a trace like being swallowed by the earth really made Erin anxious. No doubt, he immediately showered him with various questions. As for Erin, she was one of the few people Reva could trust long ago. Therefore, he did not mind sharing a little story with her.

“You, yes! Really, really! Change your identity, right? Hard to find!”

Reva had only chuckled since just seeing the reaction of his childhood friend.

“You, tuh, outrageous! Phone number changed, sosmed account deleted, residence moved, workplace moved, college unplug .. where, anyway, you?!”

Yes, it's only natural that Erin wonders like that if she doesn't know most of Reva's life storyline. However, Erin was convinced that Reva could not have disappeared without cause.

“What's up, anyway, Va? Please, dong, story. Please ...” please Erin with a face of weld. “.... What is it between you and El?” the whisper was very slow and almost inaudible.

Erin and Reva realize that they don't want to make little Kaia feel uncomfortable. Therefore, they chose to talk on the balcony even though Bandung at the end of the year did not shy to show the dark sky. And if that's the case, the rain will soon fall.

“Last thing I know, you guys are dating, ‘right? After that you like money in the middle of the month, LOST out of nowhere!”

Reva didn't answer, and he didn't seem to answer. What should be told of Rafael's treatment of him? Between too many or none at all because Reva had long buried him. What did he feel in his relationship with Rafael? Everything was. Reva felt everything intensely, until finally it felt nothing more.

“Yes, no matter what, Rin. It's normal for people to date in general. No match, keep breaking.”

It's been. That's all that came out of Reva's mouth. Of the many complicated memories and feelings that twisted back and forth in his brain, only that much escaped out of his mouth. The rest, still well stored in the stubborn mind.

Erin looked at Reva fixedly. A probing gaze filled with doubt over what he had heard just now. He was not satisfied and did not believe. His premonition said there was something so deep hidden behind the two beads of his best friend's eyes. With all his soul and body, Erin was convinced that the disappearance of Reva was closely related to Raphael.

“Va—"

“I want to ask you back, deh, Rin ..” Reva cuts, whispers very carefully, “ ... why did they get married?”

Not wanting the discussion around the past to focus on him, Reva immediately scrolls the topic in the other direction.

Of the many things that bother Reva, the question is the one that most quickly snatched the receptor on each nerve endings. Rafael and Nadia, how could it be? Because if you look at his past, it seems Rafael is unlikely to want to marry the woman.

Reva instead of caring about the business, it just seemed like she really needed an answer. A simple explanation, why of the many women who had been dated by Rafael, the man ended up with Nadia?

“The story is long, Va ... you won't believe!”