Under The Rain's
Chapter 42—Bracketed

The birthday celebration was simple. They all ate together and exchanged stories, as well as giving each other jokes and entertaining each other. Erin and Adji who were present there made the atmosphere more boisterous, because the jokester duo was unceasingly making others laugh. Meanwhile, Nadia increasingly felt greget saw Rafael did not know the slightest about what was the cause of his divorce. Throughout the event, Nadia only glanced anxiously at the people around her. Fortunately, that afternoon he was able to control himself quite well.

“Erin! Erin!”

Erin who had just come out of the bathroom located at the back of Rafael's house was startled by Nadia's sudden assault, right on the muzzle of her nose.

“Nad! Ngagetin aja!” reply Erin upset.

Nadia pulled the woman's arm into a small passageway leading to the warehouse. The place was quite secluded and desolate, and there was no one there. While the others are enjoying lunch in the dining room, Nadia secretly meets Erin.

“Rin! How, anyway? El don't know anything yet?” hiss Nadia half whispered. He didn't want anyone else to listen to their conversation.

“They must have their own considerations, Nad. Maybe because his mental health is not stable.”

“But he thought that I

go because of money problems! That's really not good for my image, tauk!”

“Yah! That's a complicated mah elo. Cuekin, please! We all know, really, why.”

“How's it going? Reva any news?”

“Not at all, Nad. He changed his contact number again. And a few times I went to Bi Uma's place, she wasn't there either. Said he did move, anyway.”

“Means the last time we got in touch with him was when Kris was still in the east, huh? How are they?”

“Bi Uma said, after marriage they do not live in Bandung anymore. I don't know, it's suspicious. He is in a relationship with us. Why did it have to be like that?”

“Abducted her time, Rin!”

“No wonder, anyway, if you look at her husband's behavior like that.”

“What do we report to the police?!”

“Police again? Dramatic, lu! Don't .. that, ‘kan, household people.”

“So we have to how?”

“Ndon't know. Yesterday I was busy with Ayesha starting school. And baby number two again on the way, nih!”

“Same, Rin!”

“Lu pregnant too?”

“Ngaco! Yesterday I was busy in college again, and again focused on Kaia.”

“Let's find a way, Nad. I was curious about the same situation myself. Hopefully, anyway, his life is no problem.”

“I just want to help El, Rin. It's so sorry for him. It's not a shame that he knew Reva was married to someone else.”

“Quiet, yes, Nad. May all be its way.”

***

Reva started not living in her own house. She really could not go anywhere but to the market, it must be delivered by her husband. Want to eat chicken noodles or buy a snack should be delivered by her husband. To the supermarket or to the swimming pool for exercise should also be escorted by her husband.

Actually, Reva's no problem. After all, he also cannot go alone because he does not have a private vehicle. It's just that, Kris also always checks the messages he receives, both short messages and emails. His phone and laptop are always controlled, and he also cannot have a social media account. As if he had no privacy anymore.

Every time Reva began to rebel and was about to protest, Kris would give him a gift, just like a parent who was persuading tantrum children. New shoes and bags, or clothes and jewelry. Not infrequently also Kris buy staycation vouchers at luxury hotels, or skincare products that cost millions of rupiah. Really, Reva doesn't need any of that at all. He's not allowed to go out and meet anyone, is he?

Shortly after their return from Norway, Kris again invited Reva to New Zealand, a country that of course was in the women's bucket list because of its natural beauty. In the country located in the southern part of the earth, many places are perfect for stargazing. Looking up at the star-studded sky like jewels strewn across the sky. Reva was eager to have the experience of observing the thousands of planetary clusters in the Milky Way, staring at the white dot that moved from the east end to the west end throughout the night.

In fact, at that time Reva himself disagreed about the idea of a vacation to New Zealand. It was nothing, the trip was only a few months away from a visit to Norway, and Reva thought it was a huge waste. According to him, vacationing abroad should be done every one or two years, so that it always feels special because it is rarely done. Moreover, they also still need some money for business capital. Apparently, Kris is very difficult to leave the extravagant nature that never goes away. While the income is not fixed, even though at that time the nominal is quite large.

“I can play to jail or Mental Hospital, right? I want to know how those places operate.”

Surprisingly, Reva did not dare to even argue with Kris. As if he felt that he was very small compared to the drunken man who could sometimes be very temperamental.

A fairly heavy package landed again on the terrace of the house Reva that afternoon, ushered in by a motorbike courier. The package is wood-plated. Under the wood, there is still a bubble wrap for extra protection, and under it again there is still a very thick packaging cardboard. Reva follows Kris into the living room to see her husband open the package, though she already knows exactly what it is.

A few cans of beer and a few bottles of alcoholic beverages glittered from behind the multi-layered packaging. The bottles look beautiful. Very elegant and exclusive. Reva knew the price per bottle of liquor could reach millions of rupiah, and at that time he saw there were four bottles there, not including cans.

Reva doesn't understand any of the liquid names. He only saw the label on the bottle, and from a distance he could read the words whisky, tequila, champagne and red wine. A few weeks earlier, the package came with vodka and gin. There is also rum and cognac. I don't know how many millions Kris spent to buy alcohol that month.

“You bought again, Kris? Not that there are still many stocks, yes, in the pantry?” Reva asked very carefully.

Kris suddenly chuckled at the innocence of his wife, although still focused on reading the contents of each bottle that had perched gallantly on the guest table.

“One bottle, ‘kan, don't have to run out immediately, dear. Can be saved for months, which is important the description does not change.”

With her hands folded to her chest, Reva sat in the living room chair, facing Kris who proudly photographed the glittering bottles she had just obtained with her beloved camera, to share on social media. Meanwhile, Reva continued to look at him in annoyance. She was actually lazy to interfere in anything about her alcoholic husband, but occasionally it seemed like she had to talk.

“Kris ...,” call Reva with hesitation, “I can talk to you for a minute?”

“Nby the way.”

“It really needs to drink that much? Because every drunk, you get angry, and so often get in trouble. Remember yesterday you almost hit another biker?”

“Va, my workload is a lot. You know yourself, even when at home there is always a deadline, until you do not sleep. I drink for less stress, so I can sleep.”

“There is no other way? I think the money you're out making those bottles is too big.”

“Udah has rations, really. The important thing is I can love whatever you want, ‘kan? What else is on your wish list? What is the shopping money ration is still lacking?”

“Not at all, and that's not what I meant. You know, our profession as artists and writers is unstable. I'm grateful that you handle a lot of projects right now. Lots of work, lots of orders. But, instead of better you just say?”

“What, anyway, makes you anxious? Home got, car got, holiday can—”

“I know, you're at the top of your career, but you're not always there. Our retirement savings are zero rupiah, you know.”

“You're too parno, Va—”

“You remember why I agreed to stay in Sleman? Because we want to start an agricultural business. The result of selling my apartment for capital to there, ‘kan? But, I don't think you're enthusiastic anymore.”

“What should everything be in a hurry? Does everything have to cloud your mind? We just moved here!”

“I'm really worried about your lifestyle, Kris ...”

“I guarantee you won't be lacking, Va! I work for you too, so you don't have to rate how I work. I was stressed for a long time because of you, not because of work!”

“Sorry, I interfered. I'm just worried, your temperament never goes away because of the drink. You may not be aware, but you often make people wretched. It's not just a matter of money.”

“Have I ever hurt you, Va? I do everything for you! Fuck other people's business!”

“Kris ... don't you think I'm happy with the excess material you love. I don't wear all that. So, please ... Don't always make me an excuse as your workload. I never asked for.”

“You don't like it? Do you like to see aurora? Do you like stargazing? Hypocrite you, Va!”

“I appreciate it more if you give me permission to go outside for work .. and you don't have to check every day what's on my phone with my laptop. You can also uninstall all the CCTV at home.”

“You're my wife, Va! I never asked for anything else but you to obey me! Just so doang, why so heavy, anyway? Did I tell you what? Make a living? You are just a hobby! Know, no?”

“Tuh, ‘kan .. only doang material you think, make a living, travel, home and car—”

“Udahlah, Va. I can't relax enjoying wine while you're nagging! You better take care of your own work.”

Reva got up from her seat in a hurry. Although furious, he knew he would not be able to fight. He remembered how Kris grabbed his hair and dragged his tiny body across the floor, like a puffer sack containing two rice quintals. She remembers how Kris locked her in the closet until she could barely breathe. If Kaia did not arrive on time, she might have already taken her life.

With a slash in his chest, Reva lowered her head to walk into his room. Rethinking the decision as to why he had agreed to marry the man. No. gabe. At that time, Reva really thought, there was no one who could fight for him with valor other than Kris. No one ever came to help her out of trouble other than Kris. Kris made it the center of life, and it made her feel very important and wanted. Unbeknownst to him, the same man has taken away the single most important thing he has as a man; freedom.