
The Alvaro family, Indonesia
One week later ....
Rafli's return and his small family after almost two months of living in Tokyo were welcomed by all close relatives. That day they held a welcoming party for the first granddaughter in the Alvaro family.
The atmosphere looks frenzied. From a safe distance Arumi just looked at the luxurious house like a palace. Actually last week he wanted to go straight to Japan and tell Rafli everything. But the intention is not to remember Rafli and Aika will return from Japan one week after the inauguration of their new branch of cafe in Tokyo City. Arumi chose to wait while collecting some evidence to show Rafli.
"At least Rafli should know that Yuna has deceived us all."
The woman swung her legs towards the sturdy gate of the house. In order to disguise his face, he used a mask and infiltrated among some of the newly arrived guests.
As soon as he entered the house, Arumi's gaze swept around. Rafli is seen being with Evan and some other friends. Arumi dropped tears. He wanted to hug the body of the man who had captured his whole heart. Though only one week apart, but the longing for Rafli and Aika has been mounting.
In another corner her mother-in-law looked so happy while chatting with guests while holding Aika. Yuna has not been seen among dozens of close relatives of the Alvaro family. This is an opportunity for Arumi to talk to Rafli.
"Can we talk to you for a second?" Arumi ventured closer to Rafli.
The man immediately turned his body. He was silent for a moment while looking at the woman before him.
"Of course, honey. Come on, let's just talk inside." For a moment Rafli glanced at some of his friends. "I'm sorry, I have to talk to my wife for a second. "
"Please" replied one of them.
Arumi thumped as Rafli took her to a private room quite far from the guest room. It seems like Rafli has not realized anything. So was Arumi's mind.
Upon entering the reading room, Rafli closed the door tightly. Without buying time Arumi intends to express the purpose of his arrival.
"Rafli, there's something important you need to know. This is about—" Arumi's remarks hang. Somehow he felt the air around change in a split second.
"About what? Why not continue?"
"I ...."
"What's? You can't stand ... Arumi?"
Arumi jerks. His eyes were fully rounded. "You know it's me?"
The corner of Rafli's lips lifted thinly. "How do you think? Do you think a year together isn't enough time for me to know you?"
Braving himself to look up to look at the man, Arumi was sure that Yuna had distorted the facts and slandered her. "I'm sorry, Rafli. I didn't mean to lie to you all this time. I just ....."
"What only? You came to tell me about you and your disguise? That you were framed by Yuna and you were forced to do it to save your mother? I see, right?"
Arumi's breath was restrained. He wanted to say something, but his tongue felt stiff.
Within seconds Arumi's eyeball melted the clear liquid. It must not be rash, and now he must tell the truth to rafli, despite the risk that Rafli will hate him.
"Please listen to me first, Rafli. I have a reason for all that and I have proof."
Instead of listening, the man pushed Arumi violently. Luckily there was a table where Arumi was holding, otherwise she would have fallen to the floor. Never before has Rafli been this rough for a year together.
"I don't need an explanation from a swindler like you!" shout Rafli. "Only for the sake of money can you take away your own brother's rights, ask him to be your mother's donor and deceive everyone?"
Arumi nodded quickly. "It's not like that. Yuna lied to all of us. Please listen to me first!"
"What else should I hear from you?" the man was full of anger.
The more tears flooded Arumi's cheeks. Rafli was even reluctant to listen to his explanation.
"You know what I regret the most?" He paused his words with a breath. His eyes lit up emitting anger. "I'm sorry that my son had to be born from the womb of an evil woman like you!"
Rafli's speech was like a sembilu that scratched the deep wound. Arumi never imagined the painful sentence would come out of the mouth of a gentle man like Rafli.
Shortly after, two large men standing guard in front entered the room. Rafli threw out a glance. Like not staring at Arumi.
"Take that woman out of this house! And remember, don't let him set foot in this house again."
"Good, Sir."
As much as possible Arumi rebelled when the two men tried to take her out of the room. He ran towards Rafli and hugged him tightly.
"Please give me some time to explain everything. This was not what Yuna said. I did switch positions with him for a year, but he forced me to."
"Whatever your explanation will be of no use. From today I ask you to forget about me and Aika!"
Rafli felt the corner of his heart throb after finishing his sentence. Arumi, that disguise woman didn't even take long to seize her whole heart without leaving empty space for the others. But the lies and deceit have turned love into hate. Moreover, for one year Rafli spent his days sinfully with a woman who was not his wife.
"What are you waiting for! Get this woman out of here!" Rafli's orders.
The two guards instantly pulled Arumi away, though he continued to put up a fight. But unfortunately his weak body lost to the two men.
Arumi was still trying to rebel with the rest of his strength. "I beg you to listen to me! Otherwise, let me hug Aika just once!"
Everyone's attention was on the figure of a woman resembling Yuna who was being forcefully pulled by the guards. Some are just looking, but some are whispering to each other.
Aika's cries echoed in every corner of the room. The tiny baby seemed to be able to feel the hurt that Arumi felt.
...****...