Under The Rain's
Chapter 20—Compromise

Rafael's motorbike which suffered minor damage was forced to stay at the workshop, as he tried to avoid a collision with a speeding mini bus. The fog and chaos that enveloped his brain caused him to be unable to respond properly, when the mini bus that seemed to be in a hurry sounded the horn many times. Without careful calculations, he switched lanes to dodge, but the speedy motor racing behind him left him very surprised, to his surprise, so that his favorite naked-bike was shrewd and to make it mired into a large ditch on the side of the road.

The injury suffered by Rafael is quite severe because his body is sandwiched between the rocky base and his very heavy motor. He was crushed long enough there, until finally local residents who witnessed the accident rushed to him to help. Understandably, it was already night, and the crash site did not have good street lighting.

Rain, wet soil and hollow roads also contributed to the slipping of Rafael into the gutter that almost looks like a small time. Because he was taking overtime, Rafael came home later than usual, so the streets were starting to be quiet.

Rafael's younger sister Sheila soon arrived after she called that she was at the clinic, not far from the crash site. Fortunately, Rafael did not have to be treated even though Sheila had to divide him into walking because both of his legs were seriously injured.

“Kok, can you do this, sis? Do we want to go to the hospital? Sister, ‘kan, have insurance from the office.”

“No need, La, all his wounds have been cleaned as the doctor earlier. Just sore, not until infection.”

“Later you diomelin Nadia if you go home in a state like gini. At least if in the hospital, there really is a take care of.”

“Males, ah, treated. Also, after all, can't reference.”

“Your hands, crooked, you know, brother. Mending us x-rays, yuk?”

“We go home to Papa, deh.”

“No way, Brother, Mama must be hysterical to see your appearance like gini.”

Rafael did not want to be rushed to the hospital. It's just that, he always could not sleep every time he underwent hospitalization in that place. For him, the air in the hospital was stuffy, and the situation was very noisy. To use VIP class facilities that are private and have AC, of course he has to change a lot. That's because it's not in the insurance coverage of his office. And of course Rafael has no charge for things like that.

“Nothing, La, we go back to Nadia. If he doesn't feel right, he'll find a reason to run away. Uda regular.”

Sheila looked at her sister's face with pity. Her marriage was so sad like that. The whole family of Rafael also already knew that the man was not happy with his wife, even felt tormented. However, Sheila promised to always take care of her brother if Nadia did not want to.

“Yes, already, if that's what you want Brother. If Nadia suddenly leaves, I'll take Thalia there, yes, make it wait for Brother.”

“Iya, La, thanks.”

Then, Sheila who was asked by Rafael to pick her up immediately ordered a taxi to take her brother home. She then began to prepare herself to hear the ravings of Nadia who was ready to interfere with her husband because she came home in a mess and dirty full of mud.

***

There is no need to discuss in detail what Nadia slurs Rafael, because it is just a series of stupid questions that Rafael himself does not know the answer. It is better that these things do not even need to be questioned at all, because it will only make the victim more dizzy, instead of getting the right help.

How, nabrak? How, falling? How come you're so careless? How, fell into the gutter, anyway? How, it rained there? It's hot in here, you know!

Raphael wished that his ears were deaf when he knocked on his door. On the other hand, Sheila began to fill her mind with sweet, beautiful things, even when they were both still in the elevator. The reason is, so that the catfish who is his sister-in-law is not to make it into a bad mood instantly.

“Sister Nadia want to go?” sheila asked as she finished taking care of Rafael, helping him change clothes and preparing dinner for her. The man had already fallen asleep on his favorite soft sofa in the living room.

“No, lah, it is malem,” replied Nadia insistent. “Kok, are you like that?”

“Finally, every time Brother El is sick, he must have come home. Because he said, Brother Nadia always goes.”

“That, ‘kan, because I do a lot of work, La. Kasian even if El's here. Nobody takes care of it. Meanwhile, boutique can not be left that way, dong.”

“Ya, already. So, I can say yes, Kak.”

“Eh, La, but you're still standing by, yeah. Just in case I get out early tomorrow. You see, we want to launch a new product.”

“Iya, Brother, let me know later. I'm going home first, yeah!”

***

Kaia, who was taken care of by Rafael, became a night when her father lay with such injuries on the sofa, unable to help her at all. That day he was suddenly very independent preparing himself to go to school. The boy miraculously managed to make his first sandwich, using a video tutorial on the internet.

Nadia's? Don't ask. Of course busy yourself with makeup, outfit of the day and accessories. That day he will be very busy with launching and gathering. Clothing brand that he grew up began to gain considerable popularity on social media. So, it is ready to expand.

“You really want to go, Nad?” asked Rafael who had been awake since the commotion his wife dressed up.

“Iya. Sheila will be here, relax.”

“Neither good ngerepotin Sheila, she has to go to college.”

“How's it going? Do I have no job?”

“Do you cook, make me?”

“Where was, oruh, Akang, I was in a hurry!”

Before the nine-year marriage debate continued, someone knocked on the front door of their unit.

“Eh, Mama Vino!” greet Nadia kindly. “Sorry, yes, so make a fuss.”

“Repot what, atuh, Neng? Same close neighbor, trouble time, anyway?” mama Vino replied no less sumringah.

Mama Vino who wants to take Vino to school was deliberately asked for help by Nadia to leave Kaia. They do live in the same apartment building despite the different floors.

Nadia thanked him once again as she waved her hand to Mama Vino, before finally the middle-aged woman disappeared at the end of the corridor to head for the elevator, with two children who began to grow up on the right and left side.

“You have to ask someone to make Kaia, Nad?” Rafael who witnessed the scene of Kaia's pickup just shook his head resigned without being able to do anything.

“Yeah, you are early in the morning making emotions, deh!” ketus Nadia while struggling again with her makeup. “Mean it don't hurt!”

Rafael can't stand Nadia's attitude anymore. Coincidentally, Kaia had already left. During those nine years, it was rare that he had time alone with his wife to really let go of talking.

“Nad, I guess you can't keep acting like a gini, deh.”

“How's the afternoon, huh? Because as far as I am, I want to work! I make a living, just like you!”

“At least, take care of the real Kaia. You seem so far away from him. I was busy all day at the office, so I picked Kaia up with you, Nad.”

“Gini, yes, what are you busy doing, anyway? You give a living to me? No! Never from the beginning! There's not a dime! Am I nudu? Not too!”

“Kok, so get there, Nad? We're talking about Kaia.”

“I never know, you know, how much you pay. I never asked either. Because I know, it's all gone for Papa's treatment, Sheila's college with Thalia, Yarra's school with Zaira. I don't have a problem. So, about Kaia, I also ask for your understanding, dong!”

Rafael again can only bow down. It is true, since the beginning of marriage, he never gave a living to his wife. His role as the backbone of the family replaced Pak Pram drained all his income. His mother's catering business is just enough for the daily needs of the household. The rest was borne by Raphael.

On the one hand, Rafael is very grateful that Nadia who is already financially independent never asked for anything from him. In fact, for a place to stay, he had to hitchhike in Nadia's apartment. And Nadia never counted on money. It's very royal. However, on the other hand, he was also very careless with his wife's careless attitude. And there was nothing she could do at the time, at least until Sheila and Thalia graduated college.

The situation was even worse when Rafael was newly married, because the entire needs of the Rafael family were borne by Danang Sugiarto, Nadia's father. In fact, his in-laws also always encouraged him to continue college until graduation. And he was willing to bear all the costs.

Finally, when Rafael started working and had a good career, he took over all the responsibility to support his parents and four younger sisters. There was not the slightest bit left that he could give to Nadia, and there was not much he could set aside for Kaia.

The harsh reality that Rafael had to accept at the time was that his marriage was merely a compromise. His ego lost heavily if pitted against Nadia's ego. His position and contribution were greatly inferior compared to Nadia. And he had to learn to accept that even though his heart was hurting. To give up his personal desires for the benefit of his entire family, in the hope that his whole struggle will not be in vain.