For the Love of

8

The children were being evacuated by Bi Lastri to the playground. I had to be home because the great guest I had been waiting for came too. I thought, How dare he come.

The three of us, me, Mas Aji and Cynthia were already sitting in their respective places. Since then, the two different creatures of that type no one dared to talk. I haven't asked yet, deliberately waiting for them to open their voices, to apologize perhaps? But in fact, not really.

I looked at them in turn. They are ashamed. I saw Cynthia's fingers playing on the end of her shirt. I'm sure he's nervous.

"The two of you fit it, too" I said.

They both looked up.

"It's no wonder you guys are dating. One is a seductress and the other is easily seduced."

Mas Aji shook his head and looked at me. "Darling .." he said, wanting to reach me.

I held up one hand hinting that he would stay seated.

"If you call me darling, pity your boyfriend is jealous, Mom!" I said satire.

"Cynthia." Called him. Slowly he looked up.

Our gaze met for a split second before he finally lowered his head in fear.

Alright Salwa, maybe it's time. Inner me cheers.

"You're beautiful, you know. But why do you want to be someone's husband's affair?"

She's quiet. Mas Aji is the same.

"Even to be naked in front of him. Uh, not just naked, but willing to be fucked too." I shook my head pretending to be amazed.

"You know what that's called?"

They're still silent. I let out a rough breath.

"*******! Only******** are willing to do that!" I firmly said.

Mas Aji was shocked. Cynthia began to cry, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Cynthia is not******, dear. Don't talk too much!" Mas Aji said.

I shakes softly. My heart seems to be pinched. The man still defended her even in front of me.

I chuckle cynically. "Not *******? What's right? What should I call a woman who is willing to go naked in front of a man who is not her husband, Mas? An angel so?"

Mas Aji interrupted, "It's not so, dear. But please take care of your words. Not good."

I turned my eyes the other way. "Nice did you say? And what you're doing is good and right, is that it?"

Mas Aji was silent.

I laughed discordantly. "Whatever you say. But it is clear to me that Cynthia is indeed *******. Cheap lady. No self-respect!"

Cynthia grew sobbing in place. Mas Aji shamelessly then embraced it. Goddamnit!

My eyes are starting to heat up. My breath is starting to get irregular. I'm just sick of seeing all this.

Then I took a step forward. Getting closer to Cynthia. With a sudden movement, I pulled him to stand up. Later,

Plaque!

The slap was loud enough I gave it to his smooth cheek. It doesn't matter if Cynthia's gonna be in pain.

Mas Aji looked at me unexpectedly. He stood before me with a look of wrath.

"Don't be rude to you, Salwa!"

The first time I heard Mas Aji call me Salwa. Breath hunting. My cheeks are getting wet with tears. It's all tega, Mas!

"WHAT?! I'M INSOLENT?! IT IS YOU WHO ARE INSOLENT, MAS! YOU!" I screamed very loudly.

"A HUSBAND WHO PLAYS CRAZY WITH OTHER WOMEN, THAT'S A BRASH NAME!"

"Mas is so insolent! Admit that I was wrong. But ... You shouldn't be playing violent, honey." Mas Aji softened.

"Why indeed? The pain that Cynthia is getting is not comparable to what I've been feeling all along, Mas! Did you ever think about that, hm? Do you care about that?" I said. "NO, RIGHT?!"

My body is limp, I'm sitting on the floor. Mas Aji tried to hold me. But my body reflexes refused.

"Stop! Don't touch me!"

I stared fiercely at the two damn humans in front of me.

"Now, I ask," I said. "Do you love each other?"

Mas Aji looked at me. "Why are you asking like that?"

"Just answer, Mommy," I said firmly.

For a moment, Mas Aji looked at Cynthia.

"Mas ... I don't love him."

I see, Cynthia looked surprised to hear that. Me? Just ordinary. Strangely, there was no feeling of relief or pleasure for his answer.

"What?!" Cynthia finally spoke as well.

"You mean, what have we been all this time?" said again.

"Yes Cynthia, I don't love you. All this time ... All I did was just ..." Mas Aji glanced at me. "It's just sex" she said at the end of the sentence.

Plaque!

Cynthia slaps Mas Aji's cheek.

"Your asshole! After I gave everything to you, it turned out to be the payoff?" Cynthia was crying. Mas Aji was silent and did not argue.

"You used to say that you love me. You used to say that you preferred me over your wife. You said you were going to divorce your wife for me, but now? Why are you talking otherwise?" peekit Cynthia's.

I was surprised to hear that. Looking at Mas Aji in disbelief. "That's right, Mas? You love her the same? You're gonna divorce me for her?"

"Darling ..." Mas Aji grabbed my hand. Again, I brushed it off hard.

"ANSWER, MAS!"

"Yes, Ma'am. He once said that he would divorce Ma'am because of me! Know why?" Cynthia chuckled cynically while looking at me from top to bottom. "Because Mbak is nothing compared to me. Mbak is just a woman who is busy with taking care of the household without paying attention to appearance. It's only right that your husband cheated on me, because it turns out I was superior!"

Damn, why did he become so brave like this?

Before I answered, Mas Aji first acted. He gave a slap of reply on the young woman's cheek. Very fast. Obviously I was surprised, when just a few minutes ago he forbade me to do that.

"I won't divorce my wife for whatever reason. Please take care of your mouth, never insult the wife and mother of my children!" mas Aji said while referring to Cynthia's face.

Cynthia laughed quite loudly with tears also getting louder. "I insult? Iyeakah? Not the other way around? YOU INSULTED YOUR OWN WIFE! YOU SAID THAT HE HAD NO DIFFERENCE WITH THE HOUSEKEEPER THAT ..."

"CYNTHIA ENOUGH!" screech Mas Aji cutting off Cynthia's speech.

"WHAT?! I'M RIGHT, AREN'T I? IF YOUR WIFE WAS ..."

"CYNTHIA!" Mas Aji again cut his words.

I am no longer able to see and hear this disgusting drama. "ENOUGH! PLEASE STOP!" my yelling. "I don't want to hear anything from your fucking mouth anymore!"

I looked at Mas Aji with anger. "You, Mas! If it's true what your mistress said, then please do, divorce me!"

"And for you!" I pointed at Cynthia's face wrathfully. "If all you want is my husband, please take it! Please enjoy him as much as you can! Please have fun if it's true you two love each other!" I said with emphasis.

Mas Aji shook his head softly. His eyes were wet with tears. "Darling ... Don't do that, I'm ..."

"AZO!!"

Someone's voice from the direction of the main door diverted our attention. How surprised I was to see who was coming. Mas Aji and Cynthia.