8 To 4: The Mayor's Contract Wife

1 x 24 hours

When he woke up the next morning, Bara was waiting for him to go on his honeymoon. Piles of suitcases are ready on the edge of the bed and Bara is also wearing her neat clothes.

“Bathletes. We have to leave soon!” tara Bara's.

They finally drove off in a Bara car with Dimas. Along the way, Ajeng just wailed forward and back because since morning did not see any guards escorting their departure as usual.

“What's up, Jeng?” ask Bara

“Where did the guards go?”

“We want a honeymoon. When did they come?” reply Bara relaxed while taking off his sunglasses and hanging them on the shirt crate.

Although it felt a little strange but Ajeng felt more relieved now.

“Why? Don't believe?”

“Not that. I know exactly how Papa is. There's no way she could have let me go without an escort just for the reason of honeymoon.”

“Sure Ajeng. He wouldn't have gotten rid of it if it was just a honeymoon. But another story is that because you're already my wife. Forcing an escort means he doesn't trust me.”

‘True too. Papa can't possibly dare to suspect Bara and his family. Mutual trust between them has a very big value.’ Mumbled in the heart.

They arrived at the airport, then Bara brought him into the plane that went to Batang Hulu, not Sri Begawan City.

“How do we go to Batang Hulu anyway? Not going to Bandar Sri Begawan?” tanya Ajeng when entering the plane to Batang Hulu.

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About an hour later the plane landed and Dimas took them straight to the car he had prepared. Ajeng still does not understand what Bara really wants. But the man seemed reluctant to explain and always told Ajeng to patiently look and wait every time the girl protested.

After a long time of wondering, Bara's car finally stopped at a small pier on the edge of town. Dimas then went down and opened the trunk to drop off a large backpack and suitcase for Ajeng.

“This where? Where are we going? Didn't you say we were going to Sumbiling?” tanya Ajeng.

“Sumbiling? So that you can go home to your home in Bandar Sri Begawan and be found again with your papa?”

“What do you mean?”

A ship docked and people began to flock up.

“Your ship has arrived.”

“What is this?”

“Your identification tag. Volunteering in a conflict country seems too dangerous. Isn't a small island like Nusa Beringin safer than Palestine?”

He stared at Bara.

“Enough, Jeng! Why the hell is your tear production never reduced a bit?” joked Bara when he saw Ajeng's eyes glazed over.

Ajeng hurriedly wiped his tears. “I can't leave you now. If Papa finds out you're home without me, everything's gonna go awry. Your family –“

“Go! This is your only chance. I'll still go to Sumbiling and go home on schedule. I will be sure there will be no more people chasing you because they know that I am your responsibility after we get married.”

“But –“

I saw the clock in his hand.

“Just twenty-four hours.” Bara Gumam. “At this time I divorce you too, Ajeng. From now on, you're not my wife anymore. We are divorced and not husband and wife anymore.”

“Bara..... “

“I will take care of the documents immediately and send them to you. It may take a while because the situation is quite complicated. But I promise to restore your freedom, Jeng.”

“Bara –“

“The ship is leaving. Do not miss it because it will be troublesome if I have to nganter you while swimming.” Canda Bara again while handing the suitcase to Ajeng's hand. “Take care, Jeng!”

Ajeng turned ready to step down the dock towards the ship. But he then turned around, left his suitcase and hugged Bara very tightly while crying.

“Still Bara! I promise to take care of myself and keep contact.” Ajeng said while showing his phone to Bara.

Bara could only nod and push Ajeng back into the ship before completely falling behind.

Bara felt tightness and relief at once. Short because he had to lose the wife he loved when only a day married. But he also felt relieved to do the right thing for the sake of his loved ones. Bara was still standing on the edge of the pier waving to Ajeng.

“Sorry, Mom. We must return to the airport immediately.” said Dimas disperse the Bara reverie.

Bara wore his sunglasses again and was ready to leave for Sumbiling, Brunei Darussalam.

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