CHEATING

Missed you

At nightfall, Zaky in his apartment, took things that he had not been able to clean up. As soon as he stepped in, the events of the morning were as if they were drawn before him.

He walked into the room. There's a shard of vase over there. Zaky saw a small, shiny object on the floor. He picked it up between pieces of glass. Tia's necklace, with a small z pendant, probably slipped off when she was in shock that morning.

The room was the same as when he left it. Understandably, that day quite a lot of thoughts that burdened him until the room was not able to be resolved.

Zaki looked at the boxer he was wearing on that fateful day, lying on the floor. He picked it.

I was wearing this when I chased Tia to the door. Shouldn't I be naked? or is Lila good enough to just put this on again? it feels impossible. He just got raped?

For some reason, he doubted that he raped Lila while drunk. How could Lila leave so easily after these few months be so aggressive towards her, let alone go after being raped. Shouldn't Lila be happy? And insist on taking responsibility? he thought.

Zaky groped the boxer, his entire piece.

That liquid, doesn't it harden if it's dry? Why isn't there? If I wear it after that, shouldn't it stick around here?

Zaky's getting suspicious. He felt his bedsheets, all the way to the edge.there was no sign of the liquid drying there. The bloodstains are the only ones visible.

If it is true? how could there be no traces at all? this bloodstain, he could have manipulated it, right?

Zaky stopped and sat on the side of the bed.

If he is lying, what is it for? she likes me, doesn't she want to sleep with me? until I had to rape her all? He made me feel guilty. Does he want to feel like I'm the only one chasing Lila? and Lila isn't? I'm so confused.

For almost an hour he sat down and thought.I answered the questions himself, but not all were answered. After seriously inspecting the entire room, he was sure he had not raped Lila. But he doesn't know why Lila lied.

I didn't rape her. I'm certain. But I don't know why he's so. He's gone. The most important thing for me right now is Tia and the child. I'll go there tomorrow.

---

" Mom, are you mad that I stopped working?"

" No Lila, I'm glad you let him go back with his wife."

" No ma'am.."

" What?"

" I'm not gonna let go."

" Why Lila? Look at us, survive the Wounds for the rest of our lives. You want them to feel this, huh?"

" I'm pregnant mom."

" Jeez Lila.. huhu." Mom crying.

" So I'll never let go...."

---

"Darling, is there a problem?" Tia's mother asked her son who was busy cooking.

" No, I'm fine ma."

" It's so strange to arrive here, ask to be picked up. Usually always tell if you are visiting. Zaky's not coming, too, why?"

" I just miss the three of you. Children must also miss Oma opa and her om. Zaky's on a new project ma, building a hotel."

"Hotel again? My son-in-law is ambitious. He's the kind of guy who talks about doing more, right?"

Now he's kind of talk more do more mah.

" Yeah.. "

Her father Tia went into the kitchen rubbing her son's head.

" If you come, it'll be good dinner. " Said while glancing at his wife.

" Papa's gonna kick your mama?" Mama pouting.

They started again.

" How can a child cook better than his mother?" Tia's father laughed.

Mama pursed her lips. Tia just smiled at the behavior of the two.

---

Zaky arrives at the airport, finally to Australia. Although he doubted Tia's response later, but he wanted to try. I hope this is what Tia wants, as Robi said.

"Mama immediately knew something was wrong when Tia arrived to visit. Why are you, huh?" Tia's mother picked up Zaky at the airport. He went with the driver.

" I'm sorry ma."

" Did you make a mistake?

" Yes, and it's fatal.

" Are you having an affair?

Zaky just shut up

"Huh??" Mama shut her mouth. " right! you're my cheating, right?

Zaky just quietly threw away a face.

" Who with? your secretary? Gosh.. How could a quiet man like you cheat too?"

Zaky memnghela breath.

" I didn't sleep with her, but Tia thought I was sleeping with her.

" Tia must have had a reason, right?

Ja. He saw me hugging another woman without clothes. But I won't tell my mom. My mom would not understand. And it'll only make this all more complicated.

" Would you really help or not?"

" Yes would. You love Tia, don't you, Zaky?"

" Of course. I have nothing with that woman. He doesn't work anymore either."

" At the hotel."

---

That night, my mom took me out to eat. They go together and do not encourage children. Mama already told bi tuti so aunty took the children to play and then sleep. Mama asked the driver to follow her so she could go home. Finally they arrived at a famous restaurant there.

Mom and I got out of the car. Tia was fixated with a familiar body silhouette, standing only a few meters away from them.

Zakey?

" Tia, mama's coming home, you two are a

eating and cuddling."

" But ma?"

Mama got into the other car and drove home.

Zaky stepped slowly towards Tia. both hands he put in his warm clothes bag. The weather's very cold.

The atmosphere was silent for a moment. They just look at each other. There were a lot of questions on their minds, but none of them were spoken. In a fit of awkwardness Zaky finally started talking.

"Wanna eat inside?"

There's no answer. Tia nodded small a few times. Then Zaky turned around walking into the Resto following Tia's steps behind him.

After getting a seat they sat down. Same is silent. The waiter came and ordered food. Then the atmosphere became quiet again.

" Kids.. Are they okay?"

" Yes." said Tia looked at Zaky at a glance and then looked down again.

" Are you okay?"

Tia nodded while looking at Zaky.

Then back to asking.

" What about you?"

Zaky.

" I'm not okay.."

The waiter came to serve food

They started eating. Every now and then they stare at each other, when the gaze meets they similarly look down. Time went very slowly, only the sound of knives and forks rubbing with plates on their desks.

They finally finished eating.

Zaky darkened his lips with a napkin.

" I came here to get you home."

Tia looked at Zaky flatly.

" I don't know if you want to hear it or not, but I have to say it. I lost you so much and so did the child. It's only been a few days but it really feels lonely. Please go home."

Silent moment.

"I'm sorry I can't." Tia answered and looked the other way. Afraid of the weak look at Zaky.

Zaky sighed.

" I know this is a big mistake, please give me a chance." Zaky leaned his body forward, as if showing his seriousness.

" I've given you a chance. One month. And you didn't take any action at all. And finally you did."

" On Robi's wedding night I just wanted to end it, and then you showed up. And for a month I tried to stay away from him. Last time he was gonna resign, I went to a party and got drunk. Everything's getting complicated. Circumstances forced me to look to play with all this but actually not. I really love you. You know it. I've never spoken this whole life, but if I had to beg, I'd spend the night begging you."

Is correct. He never spoke all this time, never explained anything. But this late end he even often expressed his feelings. Is it true that you still love me?

" What about her?"

" He's gone. I swear. You can call Robi to make sure. He even returned the keys to the apartment and the car, but I refused. Not because he cares but he helped me a lot in some projects. That's a thank you sign."

Tia took a deep breath and then exhaled it. She sat down and leaned back in her chair.Tia looked at Zaky flatly.

Zaky took something out of his warm shirt pocket. He grasped it and opened his palm on the table.

" Please, let me stay close to you."

Tia saw that little thing. His diamond z necklace. It must have fallen that day, he thought. Tia looked at the necklace with a pushy look. His heart is still wounded.

Slowly Tia reached out her hand reaching for the necklace, as she held it, Zaki held Tia's fingers in his grasp. They look at each other. Feeling the warmth of the feelings that arise suddenly arrived when their fingers interlocked. The heart is beating fast. And a sense that infiltrates behind the heart, Missing.

Tia could not lie to her feelings. He loved Zaky so much, he missed him so much these days. And he saw earnestness in Zaky mala's eyes. Zaky said in the room before his departure. Zaky never brightly expressed his feelings. And now Tia wants to give up on all Zaky's efforts.

Long He let Zaky's grasp. His glassy eyes held a turbulent feeling.

I'm tired of all this. Lila's gone, maybe it's time for this to end.

Zaky looked at Tia expectantly.

" Don't leave me, I'm sorry."

His grip slowly stretched. Like desperate to see Tia who was silent.

Then Tia shook her head, her tears falling in line.

" I can't leave you, even if I want to..." Wept but was heard by Zaky.

And there was a lump of weight in Zaky's chest that stifled him for a few days. Zaky's like melting, he's feeling so relieved. Quickly he stood to Tia's side and hugged her. A tight hug, tight. Tia poured out all her emotions that were stifled these few days. Her tears wetted Zaky's shoulders.

"I love you, I'm so upset with love..." Tia patted Zaky's back with her fist, in an embrace. Zaky tightened his embrace.

" I'm sorry I hurt you.."

---