(Not) The Substitute

Eps 14 - Back to Pain

After a long day together, Elnaz and Arfan decided to go home. And the look on their faces was much better than before.

"Tomorrow to come with my sister again yes, anyways at home you also do nothing. Yes.." persuaded Arfan and Elnaz nodded while smiling, making Arfan's heart warm.

Arriving at home, Elnaz walked in first and followed Arfan immediately.

"Asphalt..."

"Where was your wife from, Fan? Say the same to him, so the wife does not wander on" such a welcome that Elnaz get when he was about to say the greeting "Lagian indeed he was not ashamed to cross paths with neighbors? He became the talk of people you know" continued his return to make the heart of Elnaz feel sore.

"Elnaz isn't running around, Ma. We went together. And just let them talk, Mama knows exactly what happened and Elnaz is not wrong what" replied Arfan who made his mother tick.

Arfan takes Elnaz into his room, his own mood being broken hearing his mother's speech.

"Don't think about what Mama said yes, El" said Arfan and Elnaz just nodded "Now you take a bath, we pray Maghrib together" Elnaz nodded again.

When Elnaz went to the bathroom, Arfan sat waiting on the sofa while playing his cell phone. And just then there was a message coming in, Arfan checked her and it was from Elsa.

Elsa

"I miss you, I miss you so much. My heart aches like someone slashing it slowly every time I remember the fact you're not mine anymore. Are you happy with the others? After all this time just being with me. I still love you so much, Arfan. I wish everything that happened was just a nightmare that would go away when I woke up. However, every time I wake up, reality slaps me, strangles me, oppresses me, makes me feel like dying"

Arfan let out a long sigh reading the message, not only was Elsa's heart hurting, Arfan's heart was also very sick. In his relationship with Elsa, Arfan was the one who was hurt, betrayed, even his pride was stepped on in such a way on the wedding night.

Arfan's heart also hurt, left by a lover who always accompanied him for 8 years. Her heart also aches, her much-loved lover leaving her on their wedding night just for the sake of a photo shoot.

And because of that pain, Arfan also involuntarily hurt another person, namely Elnaz.

And now that Arfan must take responsibility for his actions, he must forget his pain and heal Elnaz's pain. The Elnaz that he loved so much since Elnaz was born into this world.

Arfan immediately put his cell phone when Elnaz came out of the bathroom, his wife was already looking much fresher.

Now Arfan's dressing is bathing, and Elnaz waits over his cool after he also spreads the peace to her husband.

After Arfan took a bath and changed clothes, he also prayed with Elnaz.

After prayer, they pray, pray and continue reading the Qur'an.

After that, Elnaz was about to tidy up his cool and mukena but suddenly Arfan pulled the hand of Elnaz so that Elnaz again sat on his couch.

And unexpectedly, Arfan immediately landed a kiss on Elnaz's forehead which made Elnaz wide in shock. Even unconsciously he held his breath and squeezed the face he was holding.

Arfan kissed Elnaz and closed his eyes. Arfan could feel Elnaz's body stiffening in shock, and Arfan kept his lips on Elnaz's forehead for a long time. It was as if he himself liked that touch.

Arfan released himself and immediately his gaze met with the gaze of Elnaz who looked very surprised.

Arfan stroked Elnaz's cheek gently and affectionately as he said, "I am your husband, Elnaz".

Elnaz, it is rare for Arfan to say that name that he sounds so seriously. Her usual she just calls her El, Dek, Princess.

Elnaz was just speechless, he was still so shocked at the light touch as the cotton. Touch as light as cotton but able to make his heart pounding great and his breath feels heavy.

..........

On the other hand, Elsa still can't control her pain after losing Arfan. Yesterday he thought he could accept the fact that now Arfan even became his sister-in-law.

But just then he saw Elnaz and Arfan in the car, going together and coming home together. Elsa's heart ached again, more and more.

"Why does it have to be Elnaz, Fan? Why don't you just find another woman to replace me with?" lirih Elsa in her tears.

He looked at his cell phone, hoping Arfan would reply to his message, would give him a chance. But Arfan ignored her, making Elsa's heart hurt even more.

Elsa cries while hugging her cell phone until she falls asleep.

.........

In the morning, Elsa wakes up faster. He immediately took a shower, dressed neatly and put a little make up on his face to make it look fresher.

After that, he went to Arfan's house with some cake that his mother bought yesterday.

Elsa just walked in and it became a normal thing for her.

"Assalamualaikum, Auntie.." greet Elsa to Yuni who is currently sweeping the house.

"Waalaikum salam, eh Elsa.." cried Yuni enthusiastically, he immediately put down his broom and approached Elsa.

"I brought cake, mama's room bought a lot. Who knows Arfan or Elnaz want to" said Elsa as she smiled her forced smile.

"Hem, you're so nice, Sa. Still thinking about your sister" Yuni and Elsa only responded with a smile "If you want to love them directly, that's fine. They were in her room" Yuni and Elsa nodded.

"Then I go to them first" said Elsa who was immediately pardoned by Yuni.

In his room, Elnaz was cleaning the bed. While Arfan who had just taken a shower and only wore a shirt without arms and a towel that covered his lower body instead immediately sat on the edge of the bed. Makes Elnaz grunt but he doesn't protest. He just pulled a bad cover image that Arfan sat on.

Arfan knows what Elnaz wants, but he somehow wants to prank his little sister.

"At least until he makes a sound" Arfan said.

Because Arfan never moved, Elnaz pulled his bad cover stronger but Arfan instead increasingly looking for a comfortable position in his sitting.

"Can we move for a minute?" the end of Elnaz. Arfan just puts his shoulder around while staying focused on his phone. Out of annoyance, Elnaz pulls Arfan's hand away from the edge of the bed, but Arfan pulls back Elnaz's hand until both of them fall into the bed with Elnaz oppressing Arfan.

"DORL!!!"

Elnaz and Arfan were shocked to hear the screams of Elsa standing in the doorway. Quickly Elnaz tried to stand up but Arfan instead wrapped his arms around Elnaz's back, making Elsa's heart burn jealous and she was so angry.

He went wide and pulled Elnaz apart from Arfan.....

PLAKKIS.....

The slap depicting anger and jealousy landed perfectly on Elnaz's left cheek, causing Elnaz to instantly shed tears. Arfan was no less surprised and he immediately pulled back Elnaz's body and hugged her. He stared intently at Elsa, a glare so keenly depicting anger, disappointment and hatred.