(Not) The Substitute

Eps 12 - Trying

Arfan calls Doctor Mike to take his place today in the hospital, as Arfan wants to spend time with the current Elnaz. For two days, Arfan was lost in a world of ashes. But now he had gotten a hint of light for him to pass through.

While on Elnaz, he feels so awkward that Arfan continues to be in his shared room. Elnaz was busy playing mobile phones while sleeping on the sofa, while Arfan just sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed and continued to look at Elnaz.

"El.." cried Arfan while crawling down. Elnaz ignored his "Eat, yuk. Sister is hungry" she said while holding her stomach which indeed feels very hungry. Elnaz was still busy with his cell phone and pretended not to hear Arfan, but he himself was also very hungry what else the day was getting more and more noon.

"El, come on.." cried Arfan again.

"First off, I'm full"

"Me?" hearing Elnaz say the word 'me' sounded so strange in Arfan's ears. During this time his sister always called herself by name as well as when calling or calling Arfan, he always used the word 'Sister'.

"Yes, my sister also did not want to eat" said Arfan and he sat beside the foot of Elnaz. Arfan leaned against the back of the sofa while closing his eyes. Elnaz who saw it felt sorry, Arfan was always like that. So easy to attract the attention of Elnaz what else with his 'guggling' style.

"Yes, come on" cried Elnaz as he stood up and walked out of the room. Arfan followed her from behind.

When they reached the kitchen, Elnaz felt bad if he ate what was served at the dinner table because he did not help with cooking.

"We cook spicy fried rice, yes, El would like it, right?" asked Arfan and Elnaz just nodded.

They also work together to make fried rice, the second feeling begins to feel better. But while busy cooking, Yuni arrived.

"When Mama has cooked a lot, Fan. Wh why? Don't like your cooking, do you?" yuni asked as she glanced at the cynical Elnaz "Or Elnaz wants to eat fried rice instead? Though it was delicious, the morning in-laws were already masakin, he went out of the room to eat" his quip that made Elnaz immediately looked down sad.

"I will, Ma" said Arfan quickly "El, get ketchup" his orders and Elnaz took soy sauce for Arfan.

"Why are you cooking, Fan? Can't Elnaz cook on his own? Cook it's the wife's job, Fan. You will work from morning until night, cook it must cook too. Don't pamper Elnaz too much, now he's not your little brother anymore" Yuni said again which made Arfan sigh heavily.

"Ma, the one who wants to eat is me, the one who wants to cook is also me" said Arfan "Don't talk like that to Elnaz" he exclaimed.

"You've always defended Elnaz, you've only been married for two days, and you've been a surrogate"

Elnaz's tears could not be stifled anymore, he lowered his head and bit his lips holding his sobs. Arfan who saw that also felt sad.

"Here you go, let's eat." cried Arfan pulled Elnaz to the dinner table.

Elnaz kept blinking repeatedly to hold back the tears that wanted to spill, he scooped the rice and fed it to his mouth. Elnaz chewed heartlessly and swallowed with fretful puffiness. Arfan who saw it felt like he wanted to cry too.

True, Liam said, he destroyed Elnaz's feelings and self-esteem.

"We ate in the room." Arfan asked and without waiting for Elnaz's answer, Arfan pulled Elnaz's hand and brought his plate to the room.

Arfan closed his bedroom door, closed the window then turned on the tv and played a funny cartoon movie.

They both sit in front of the tv, the same as trying to swallow the food because both are equally tasteless. But the funny cartoon slowly made the corner of Elnaz's lips interested in forming a faint smile, and it certainly did not escape Arfan's attention. Seeing Elnaz who started to smile, Arfan also smiled.

Because while watching, the two unconsciously finished their food and now they feel very full.

.........

All day Elnaz and Arfan were in the room, but not a single moment did Elnaz open his mouth. Arfan tried hard to try to remove the distance between himself and Elnaz.

In fact, the two used to be like twin brothers who were always very close as if inseparable. But now?

The two together, in the same house even live in the same room. But their distance seemed so wide and high, as if it could not be crossed.

Even so, now they began to pray in prayer, berdizkir and read the Qur'an.

By nightfall, and all activities are done. Elnaz crept up onto the bed and was surprised that Arfan had also climbed into the bed. Elnaz had already opened his mouth about to protest but he undoed his intentions.

While Arfan, he himself felt very nervous if he had to be in one bed with Elnaz. Although they used to sleep one bed, but now their status makes Arfan gerogi.

The two lie on the sides of each bed, without sound, without interaction.

"God, may this be a good start for me and Elnaz"