Because of the compulsion

Chal, I miss you.

It should have been the happiest day for Viona. Yes, it should only be, because reality cannot be cultivated. Nothing happy for today. The series after series of graduation events had passed and he was just sitting glued in the car that had not yet driven. Alone. Without a husband she desperately expected her presence.

Marshal went to Yogyakarta for work, he said. That's very important, he said again. Viona couldn't believe how important the job was. Just reviewing the location should not be too important, being able to be pushed back at any time and choosing to accompany his wife on a happy day.

It's all just wishful thinking. Marshal did leave yesterday afternoon and until now there was not the slightest news from him, even Viona contacted him just could not. I don't know what the guy is doing. Viona was sure the Marshal was not busy very much, because every time she went out of town, it must always give news, even if only once a day. But this time it was different.

"Go straight to my mom's house, yeah." Lina got into the car that Viona had occupied alone, ten minutes ago. Then, Heru caught up and sat in front, next to the Pratama family's private driver.

The car is still in the campus parking lot, they'll be home soon.

"I followed from behind, Besan." Vishnu's face appears next to the window where Heru is there.

"Ready, Sir." Heru smiled as he nodded and Vishnu went into his private car that Rahma was already there too.

Viona smiled wryly. Both her family can attend and watch Viona be graduated. He was happy with their presence. But, some happiness now did not radiate on his face. Marshal could not attend and opted for a working visit.

Is he no longer valuable? Does Marshal still love him? He no longer cared about Viona. On a special day like this alone, Marshal does not attach importance to the happiness of a wife. She was not next to Viona, just congratulating her and a pretty bouquet of flowers along with a sweet kiss.

Just delusion. The present state of affairs is quite clear to say, that he is alone. Without a husband to accompany. Marshal no longer cared. Viona feels her day is deteriorating, not as happy as other friends who ended her education. Not at all.

Chal, I'm home. But, to the Pratama house. All the families gathered there to celebrate this day.

Miris. Viona closed the phone with mixed feelings. Fifteen minutes he waited for a reply, but the phone did not show the notification.

What exactly is marshal doing? Doesn't he miss? Wouldn't he say a word to congratulate her?

Viona has been waiting for a long time. All that waiting was futile, because he was not as happy as expected. The mood's been destroyed since Marshal's departure. She felt wasted, if her husband was indifferent like that.

Until the overlapping car was parked in front of the Pratama residence, Viona was still thinking about the Marshal. Checking the phone screen, still got no reply.

"Dec, get dressed! Abis pray together, we just get ready for the party!" vino exclaimed with excitement, leading Viona who looked very beautiful today with a polish that was not too thick and pink kebaya still attached to her body.

Viona smiled faintly, holding tightly onto Vino's warm grip. "I'm tired, brother," he lamented softly.

Vino smiled nodding, perfectly understanding what his sister felt without knowing what Viona was tired of actually. His heart is tired. She was tired of waiting for reality to immediately receive the happy news in the form of a reply from her husband. Wish Marshal would call and say sweet sentences very sincerely.

"Daddy, why?"

Viona shook her head, her eyes blurred. He wanted to cry, but neither Vino nor the other family saw him.

That day two families gathered. The Pratama and Atmadinata families held a small event to celebrate Viona's beautiful day. It should feel beautiful, but it's bland.

***

Viona nods and follows Michelle to the place where Vino and his wife are preparing a roasting, while Vishnu and Heru are sorting out a nice beef for them to make dinner tonight.

Too bad, Miranda could not be there, because her son had a fever. Even if there was Zean, maybe Viona's mood would improve a little by looking at the boy's good looks and anxiety. Viona feels, if she plays with Zean, she will be happy and can take her mind off the husband who until tonight has not also given a reply to her.

Two mothers who ordered seemed busy preparing equipment and places, while the fathers and children were busy to prepare food. Viona smiled widely as Vishnu and Heru scrambled for a place to roast the meat. The two old men then laughed at each other because the place they were fighting over was taken over by Vino and his wife, intending to unravel the struggle.

Michelle seems happy at the moment. While eating a red apple, she helped Viona flip through the meat and smeared the seasoning on it. They look compact. The two families looked warm and affectionate.

If the Marshal was there now, Viona would have been even happier. But alas, Marshal may now be talking to Garmita and not remember his wife at all.

"Try on the phone at this hour, brother. Already at dinner, who knows Chal's brother is taking a break, then receive a call from Brother."

Viona sees Michelle seriously. His sister-in-law gave advice, after she told him everything while flipping through the meat in the grill. "Definitely not being picked up again, Chelle."

"Try it first, who knows this time it's lifted."

Viona thought for a moment. There's nothing wrong with him calling Marshal now. If you look at the current time, Marshal should be done with his work.

"Stay unappointed, Chelle." Viona looked lethargic, closed the phone screen and put it back in her pocket. "Maybe he's still busy" he continued, trying to treat his own feelings.

"Yes .. maybe." Michelle was also concerned to see the look on Viona's face that was getting moody. She also did not know what her brother was doing at the moment. "Try to be contacted again, brother. I'm sure, if it's not busy, Chal's gonna take the call, really."

Viona again showed a wry smile. "Yes, Chelle." It felt free that Michelle persuaded him to shift his mind. Viona was not calm. He wanted Marshal to be there now, accompanying and partying happily with their families.

Long enough Viona is silent, letting Michelle take over the roasting. He looked to the left, Vino seemed very happy to tease his wife who was pouring seasoning on the meat, while on the right, he said, Vishnu and Heru were also flipping meat over the grilling while occasionally chatting business matters and joking.

Viona picks up a cell phone, recording a warm moment of her family's current activities. Just a few seconds of the video he loaded and sent it to the number he had been waiting for his notification ever since.

Chal, what are you doing? Don't you know I miss? Look at this warm family of ours, don't you want to enjoy the company?

Still the same get no reply. Viona let out a disappointed sigh, saving her phone back. Michelle called out her name, asking to be helped to keep the raw meat on the grill. Viona focuses again on her sister-in-law.

Ting!

In haste Viona picked up the phone that read. His smile broke instantly as soon as he got the thing he had been waiting for. Finally, Marshal sent a reply message as well.

What is that message?

Let's look at the next part, yeah.