Akad Shackle

The Presence of Friends

Seeing no development from the state of his wife, Anggara finally took the initiative to bring Rahma to the hospital. But he is confused who should ask for help, if he calls Rahma's family they will surely wonder the cause of Rahma's pain. Moreover, her eyes are still very clearly visible, indicating that she was crying all night.

Tuutt.....

"Wa'alaikumsalam, sorry to bother. I want to ask for help, can you not come to Rahma's house?" Anggara finally took the initiative to call Lisna his schoolmate and his best friend Rahma.

"........."

"Let me tell you, if I can soon. Thank you" Anggara ended his call, he changed Rahma's compress again.

"Darling, you hear me?" there was no reaction from Rahma, after performing the morning prayer on the bed she closed her eyes again.

Less than thirty minutes Lisna has arrived at Rahma's house, the atmosphere of the morning is still dimly lit making the streets quite stretch so that he can get to Rahma's house faster. Lisna hurriedly got off her bike and entered Rahma's house which happened to be unlocked because Anggara was already waiting for her.

Lisna was shocked to see Rahma's condition, without asking much questions she also helped to clean up the equipment Rahma would need in the hospital. While Anggara carried Rahma and was put to sleep in Lisna's lap in the second seat. He turned around his car and sat in the steering wheel.

There was no conversation during the trip, Lisna kept staring and rubbing Rahma's head in her lap. Staring at the pale-looking beautiful face, Lisna guessed that something must have happened as the cause of Rahma's pain. Yesterday the last day of school Lisna saw Rahma was fine even Rahma looked cheerful telling her if her husband was going home.

Arriving at the nearest clinic that serves inpatient, Rahma immediately got action. The condition of his body is very weak, his body temperature is also high, making the guard doctor ask for the approval of the family to conduct laboratory tests so that it is immediately known the disease suffered by Rahma.

Aggara nods his head in approval of the action the doctor will take. Rahma is still in the emergency room. Anggara and Lisna are still waiting for the results of the next doctor's examination.

"What's wrong with you guys?" Lisna started the conversation, they were sitting in a long chair that was used to wait for the patient who was getting action.

"What do you mean?" anggara didn't understand Lisna's question.

"Okay, I'm clear. What are you doing until Rahma gets sick like this?" Lisna repeated her question, this time more for Anggara.

"On what basis do you ask like that, I feel like your question is cornering me" Anggara expressed her defense for feeling intimidated by her friend's question, saying,

"Do I have to be clear that Rahma always looks fine and says your household is fine when in fact she suffered so much?" sentak Lisna who began to be provoked by the statement Anggara, who,

"Lis, what do you mean?" Anggara tilted her body, now slightly facing Lisna who was sitting next to him.

"Female, I introduced you to Rahma, don't think I'll just shut up not finding out about you. We are friends and you know what? I actually regret introducing you to Rahma after knowing what you really are. And what hurt me the most during this time Rahma always hid it from me" Lisna finally felt she had the opportunity to vent her frustration on her friend.

During this time Lisna knew that if Anggara and Rahma's household were not okay, she always tried to extract the information directly from Rahma. But her best friend was too good to be a wife that only her husband used.

Not not not wanting Lisna to help Rahma, the feeling of guilt for having introduced the man was very big felt by Lisna. But her best friend is too kind, she swallows herself the bitter marriage pill that holds her back and doesn't let others know of her suffering.

"What do you mean?" Anggara also increased his speech intonation, whether he really did not understand what Lisna was talking about or just pretended to be stupid, he said,

"Friska, after marriage you're still in a relationship with her right? you even made your marriage to Rahma a shield to protect your relationship that did not get your parents' blessing, right?" Lisna finally said what she knew,

"Where do you know that?" Anggara could not dodge it, he turned his face not daring to look at Lisna who was looking at him sharply,

"It doesn't matter where I know all that, just what is clearly not from Rahma. He always said that you are a good man, a dream husband, a priest of the world and his hereafter. In fact, all that he said to cover up the suffering you made in his life.

"That used to be Lis, I've changed" Anggara finally honestly, she had no more alibis to dodge.

"Continue now what did you do until Rahma was like this, huh?" Lisna sighed pausing her words, her chest tightly holding back the resentment towards Anggara.

"I'm glad you changed, and I know that your change has something to do with the woman's departure. And now that she's back, are you guys in a relationship again? that's what makes Rahma sick like this, right?"

Anggara was wide-eyed, she was surprised Lisna knew the facts about the household and her relationship with Friska. All this time he was pretty good at hiding everything, only his college friends knew about his relationship with Friska, that was all. Now they rarely communicate, then where Lisna can know all that, Anggara wondered.

"Mother Rahma's Family..." Anggara who was about to speak came to a halt when she heard a nurse call Rahma's family. Both of them stood up and approached the nurse who had called earlier.

"We're Rahma's family, Mom" Lisna approached the nurse,

"I'm her husband, sister" Anggara interrupts Lisna,

"Father, Mother, Rahma's mother has taken action and the results will come out this afternoon. He was also aware, for a while, Bu Rahma must be treated here because of the condition of his weak body. Officers have prepared an empty nursery, please Mr and Mother take care of the administration and the officer will help move Ms Rahma to the treatment room" explained the nurse was friendly,

Anggara and Lisna also share the task, after meeting Rahma first. Anggara takes care of the administration while Lisna helps Rahma to be transferred to the treatment room.

"Lis, how do you know I'm here?" Rahma started the chat after everything was done, they were still both in the treatment room because Anggara had not finished taking care of the administration,

"Your husband called me. Now how do you feel, is it better?" Lisna clasped her best friend's hand tightly, and she felt very guilty if it was true that Rahma's pain had something to do with Friska's return.

"Alhamdulillah is better, sorry to be troublesome"

"What the hell, not really. Don't do that, I don't feel bothered. We're still best friends, right?" Lisna asked back, and answered a weak nod by Rahma with a smile on her lips.

"Then, don't hesitate. I am ready to hear anything about you and ready to help as I can" Lisna said, and Rahma just smiled in response to her best friend.

"Honey, you're better" Anggara entered Rahma's ward and immediately approached the bed where Rahma was lying, Lisna slowly moved away giving Anggara some space,

"Yes Mas.." replied Rahma slowly and flatly,

The nurse came to bring a special breakfast prepared for the patient, Anggara painstakingly feed Rahma who had refused to be fed.

"Mas I can be alone" Rahma refused as Anggara would bribe her,

"Open her mouth, baby, let me feed you" she relented, opening her mouth without any further objection.

Lisna watched Anggara's movements, she behaved like a dream husband. There was no sign of them being troubled, no matter who was good at acting, thought Lisna who already knew the depravity of her friend's behavior.

The sound of incoming message notifications and calls continued to be heard from the phone in the pocket Anggara, several times he ignored it but again the call notification reads.

"Thank you, who knows it is important" Rahma said without looking at Anggara,

"Darling this...."

"Lift Mas, noisily I heard it" said Rahma firmly, saying,

"Let me feed Rahma, you pick up the phone" Lisna picked up the plate in Anggara's hand.

"I...."

"Go..." Rahma paused Anggara's words who wanted to ask permission to leave the room.

Lisna took over to feed Rahma,

"Let me alone Lis" Rahma tried to grab the plate in Lisna's hand after Anggara came out but Lisna brushed it off.

"Naw, I've known everything you've been hiding about the state of your household all along. I'm sorry if I'm involved in the problems you're facing right now, please be honest with me. Speak up, do not enjoy your own pain. Let me be a good friend, even if it's just being a listener" Lisna already can't stand the attitude of her best friend who always tries to look strong and fine, but, it suddenly made Rahma look at him and suddenly he hugged Lisna and cried so badly in the arms of his best friend that he spilled all the tightness in his chest.