Under The Rain's
Chapter 21—Meeting of Two Women

The shower of hot water from the shower faucet not only shed sweat and body odor Rafael, but also seemed to bring all the negative energy from the body that had not been exposed to water for four days. It was a sultry, sticky and puffy feeling that had been hugging him for days.

All the wounds scattered on various points of the surface of Rafael's skin had dried up, a sign that he would not smell like a goat on the edge of the rice field. For a long time also he enjoyed the water washes it from head to toe. The aroma of mint and citrus that seeps into his sense of smell makes him feel more comfortable in the bathroom that is not spacious.

At one time, Rafael was whistling and humming softly towards his favorite songs. At other times, he actually shouted so that his donated vowels were scrambling in resonance with the sound of water splashing and echoing together. It seems, it was very exciting for him to undergo a bath session that time. To the extent that, Nadia's soprano shrill that usually sounds annoying was not able to penetrate the reverberation. Since then, the woman has been knocking at the door.

“EL!!” erang Nadia has exhausted her patience. “Sketan, dong! I'm gonna pee!” I don't know how many times that sound.

“Iya, bentar,” sahut Rafael with light only from inside the bathroom.

“SHOT! This is Mama!”

For three days in a row Vienna came to Nadia's apartment to visit her son who had just been in a motor vehicle accident. That time, Vienna brought Rafael's favorite pot of chicken soto, after two days earlier the man had only eaten porridge. His mouth that was swollen because it hit the curb border was painful when forced to chew hard food.

A moment later, there was no sound of water. And Rafael with his bright smile stepped out of the bathroom, although Nadia immediately hit him and charged into it.

“Eh ... Mama?”

“That's you, still if you take a long shower!”

“El has four days without shower, Ma.”

“Nadia kebelet, the, son. So shout, ‘kan, dia.”

“Udah biasah, the. Don't think about it.”

Rafael sat beside Vienna on the sofa of pride. Kaia still hasn't returned home from school, as Vienna did decide to arrive earlier than usual. Incidentally that day he had to take care of a catering order located not far from where Rafael lived.

“Udah improved, Sis?” vienna asked as her son leaned his head against her old shoulder. “What do you think, anyway, can it crash like that?”

“Many, Ma ...”

Rafael has not had a serious conversation with his mother, Nadia has come out of the bathroom while shaking her wet hands. “I picked up Kaia, Ma. You want to meet me to talk business,” said Nadia with her challenge. It seems like the volume setting on the female vocal cords has indeed been damaged long ago.

Actually, it was only Nadia because she seemed uncomfortable every time Vienna went to her house. The reason, Nadia felt that sometimes her in-laws were asking too many questions and opinions. In order to avoid conflict, Nadia chose not to engage in frequent conversations with him.

On the other hand, for Rafael, Vienna was his first love. Vienna is a superhero and his best friend. The cook and mentor learned it. Protector and also his listener. Really, Rafael really thinks that his beloved mother is very cool. How not, Vienna took care of five children alone since birth with affection. Although, actually the financial condition at that time was very feasible for her to hire two or three babysitters at once. But Vienna never did. He found peace when he was close to his children.

Viennese heartache as they dive into the real face of Rafael and Nadia's marriage. His son is unhappy. And that makes him unhappy. However, there was not much he could do at that time other than offer sincere good prayers. In the hope that someday the universe will hear and be kind enough to lift the burden on his son's shoulders, and lead him to a better life.

“Kak, Mama knows that household problems are hard to tell to people. Mama knows. But, Mama please be with Brother, never pendam all by yourself. Mama doesn't want to feel alone. Later Brother is sick, ngebatin.”

Although Rafael does lock his mouth more when it comes to marriage, Vienna still knows everything that happens to his son. How he was treated by his wife. And whatever he sacrificed for the marriage. Vienna is guilty. He feels responsible. Had he not forced his will nine years ago, things might not have ended that way.

“Ma, relax. The important thing is that the brothers graduate first. Let them get proper education and work. Let Mama be equally Papa is not worried, there is no burden. No need to think about El's household, Ma. All is well.”

It always is so he said. Everything's fine.

Rafael may not be a good couple, but he is a very good boy. After her marriage, she decided to quit being a total playboy. Totals. Totally straight without ever wanting to turn a single bit. He did not look at any other woman besides his wife. And it's not Nadia the main reason. However, her sisters began to grow up as teenagers. At least he does not want them to be hurt, as when he hurt his ex-girlfriend first, because it will certainly hurt his parents as well.

It is very difficult for Rafael to understand why the togetherness of many years with Nadia can not also make it as part of ‘family’. Is that the connection between the two of them? To the extent that after almost a decade, Nadia still feels very foreign to him.

“Yes already, Mama came home first yes, Sister. Get well soon, son, may you always be protected. Make Mama, the important Brother happy.”

A simple prayer was tucked away at the farewell of the day. Rafael opened the door for his mother after embracing her and kissed her two hands that had begun to wrinkle with respect. It was already noon, Vienna had to return immediately to take care of her husband and other homework.

“Be careful, Ma.”

“Lusa play to home, huh? Mama masakin rendang's. Papa also wants to know your condition. There's no way he's here.”

Before Vienna actually stepped outside the threshold, the figure of Reva who was walking while grimacing pain was seen entering the corridor. Reva had just returned from the hospital after being hospitalized for four days, swinging step by step quietly accompanied by Kris next to her.

“Reva?” vienna asked barely believing what she saw with her own eyes, as soon as Reva's figure limped past her.

“Mama Ina ...” Reva stopped her steps and let go of Kris' grasp. The deathly pale face was increasingly alarming because Reva was so stunned by the great shock she had just received.

“Reva? Japos ...” Vienna walked up to the figure she already considered to be her own, touching her face slowly with her fingers. “This is you, Son?”

Reva didn't know what to do at the time. Next to him, Kris was researching carefully about what was going on, and it was very dangerous. In front of him, Rafael seemed to be crying when he noticed his mother's reaction when he saw Reva back.

Reva's head was suddenly very dizzy like it had just been placed on the edge of a swivel comedy. The breath is getting heavier hunting, so over time it feels very crowded. A moment later all he saw was the darkness that enveloped his vision. Then, he doesn't remember anything anymore.