FRIENDS ... (Our Story)

The Friends 79

Since the incident at the cafe, Narra and Faya's relationship has been strained. They didn't even ask each other the news. Usually Faya sends a message just 'say hello' to her best friend and vice versa but now both Narra and Faya are holding back. Even their chat groups are quiet. There was no talk or just a joke there.

"honey, you're going to Juna's office today ?" ask Andra. He is preparing in the dressing room.

Narra who was sitting at the dressing table to polish her face stopped her activities.

"yes dear, because I want to finish the Ardhan project immediately" replied Narra.

"all right, I'll ask Alen to drop you off and pick you up" he said.

"but baby, I can go alone" Narra said.

Andra approaching. He shook his head.

"i just want to make sure you're okay. You're secure. I trust Alen for all of that" he said.

"is Alen no other job ?" ask Narra.

"Alen is Alex's team. So I gave you a job to look after you that also includes his duties" Andra explained.

"alright" Narra said at last.

Her husband's words are indisputable. Will free.

Andra raised Narra's chin with her index finger. He looked at his wife for a long time.

"honey, I'm sorry. But I'm doing this for myself as well so I can stay calm away from you" he said.

Narra just nodded in understanding. He did not want to say anything more because later it would cause a fight.

*

Narra entered Arjuna's advertising office building. Everyone who knew him greeted him kindly. Narra headed straight for Arjuna's room where he had to inform his arrival to Arjuna's new secretary.

"please miss Narra, Mr. Arjuna is waiting for you" the secretary said.

Narra just smiled. She is no longer a miss but a mistress because since marriage, automatically her status changed.

Narra entered after previously knocking on the door first.

"entrance Na, Mr. Ardhan is still on the road. We'll talk about everything in the meeting room soon. Friends are still preparing everything" explained Arjuna.

"thank you Mr. Juna" Narra said as he sat on Arjuna's living room sofa.

Their meeting was familiar. Serious but relaxed. Moreover, his work team is the mainstay of Narra while still working with Arjuna.

Jeniffer was also present, he came with Ardhan. He was more silent and only answered briefly what was asked. Narra did not want to ask about Jeniffer's readiness because it was Ardhan's responsibility. Narra will only do his job well.

And also occasionally Narra met with views with Jeniffer. Looks like the woman noticed it. Either he really listened to Narra's explanation or there were other thoughts.

"thank you, Na, I really appreciate you finishing this project" Ardhan said, shaking Narra's hand.

"sama, after this we owe nothing" Narra replied with a smile.

Narra then shook Jeniffer's hand.

"please cooperate" he said.

"i'm doing this because I want to be professional in my career" Jeniffer replied to Narra's handshake and let go.

Ardhan just shook his head.

"sorry Na" he said.

"it doesn't matter but I hope he can keep his word" Narra said.

*

In the car, Narra looked out the window more. He thought about a lot of things. About her friendship, about Andra's attitude watching her movements and about Jeniffer's cynical gaze.

She felt Jeniffer still harbored deep feelings for her husband. But Narra was very sure her husband would keep their love.

"Alen, is my husband busy today ?" ask Narra.

"as always, brother Andra is a hard worker" Alen said.

"hmm take me to my parents' house and I'll show you the way" Narra told Alen.

"well, Brother Narra, there is no need to show it, brother, because I already know the house of Narra's parents. Brother Alex has told me everything about Brother Narra for the smooth running of my work" explained Alen.

"ooo alright" said Narra. He went back silent.

Alen's black sedan stopped in front of the store. Narra rushed down, he met his parents.

Sasmita's father hugged his youngest daughter tightly. After that it was Flanella's mother's turn.

"rame well" commented Narra looking at the atmosphere of the shop.

"Alhamdulillah, where are you ?" ask Sasmita's father.

"i'm from my old office, there's still one task I have to complete. Since there's no more work, I'm here. I am now unemployed" Narra said with a manyun mouth.

Mother Flanella smiled. He rubbed his daughter's head.

"you're a wife, it's okay if you don't work outside the important Andra can meet all your needs" he said.

"but Narra wants to have his own income mom, and is bored of doing nothing anyway. Because there are already people working on the home. Brother Andra doesn't allow me to do anything, he says he doesn't want me to be too tired" Narra continued.

Sasmita's father shook his head, "that's a sign your husband loves you so much" he said.

Narra nodded.

"yes well, to the point that I was not given permission to go alone. There was Alex's brother in charge of driving me and looking after me" Narra explained.

"loh, where is he ? why don't you bring him in here, I'll make him food and drinks" Sasmita's father said.

"i thought he was coming in. Maybe he's waiting in the car" Narra said.

"ooo" murmured Narra.

"you call her in" asked Flanella's mother.

"yes ma'am" replied the employee as he moved.

Alen went into the store following the store employee who called him.

"father, mother, this is Alen's sister Alex's assistant ka Nda" Narra introduced.

Sasmita's father and Flanella's mother shake hands with Alen. Sasmita's father offered Alen food and drinks. But Alen refused to eat, he just wanted to drink coffee.

Sasmita's father stood up, he would make it himself.

*

Meanwhile..

At the office, Andra was busy finishing her work. He wanted to get everything done so he could get home on time.

Andra did not want Narra to wait for him for long. His wife used to sleep in his arms since they were married. And somehow the story goes, it became a habit for both of them. Andra got used to sleeping by hugging his wife.

Alex went into Andra's room. Andra's assistant gave the file and put it on Andra's desk.

"that's all the reports about Faya. And according to the investigation, all the possibilities lead to a positive result but we still have to do a DNA test to be sure" explained Alex.

"so it's possible that Faya is the son of the missing Richard Davidson family ?!" ask Andra.

Alex nodded.

Andra leaned back on her work chair.

"but our people have almost trouble finding out about this information because there are people who don't want anyone to know the truth of this secret" Alex explained again.

"who ?" ask Andra.

"i think they're Mr. Richard's parents" Alex said.

"what ?! they could have separated their own grandchildren from their parents ?" Andra shocked.

Alex nodded, "that's because they were against the wedding of Miss Melani and Mr. Richard" she continued.

"i understand now. All this time Richard's search for his son has always been deadlocked, it's because his movements are being watched by his parents' men" Andra said.

"right on" Alex replied.

Andra shook her head.

"you set it up for a DNA test. I'll talk to Narra about this" Andra said.

"well bro, I'm out first" said Alex.

"thank you bro" Andra said. He then continued to finish his work.

*

After dinner, as usual Narra cleaned the dining table and washed their cutlery.

Actually Andra had often banned him but Narra always rejected him because he felt he was still able to do it.

"honey.." call Andra.

"iya ka Nda, hold on" replied Narra. She immediately finished her work and rushed to see her husband in the living room after drying her hands with a washcloth hanging on the wall near the sink.

Andra held his wife's body into his arms.

"honey, are you better with Faya ?" ask Andra.

Narra looked at her husband.

"why do you ask me about Faya ?" tanyakanya.

"because my people have got all the information about Faya" Andra replied.

Narra fixed his sitting position.

"all the possibilities leading up to Faya could be the son of Richard's family. For that we need to do a DNA test to prove it" Andra explained.

"how do I ask them to take a DNA test ? That means we open up about our guesses all along to them" Narra was puzzled.

"hmmm actually I'm annoyed to have to say this but only this way comes to mind" Andra said.

"what's dear ?" ask Narra curiously.

"you're better off with Faya and ask her to do a medical test and say yes to regular check-ups" Andra explained.

Narra sighed.

"then Aunt Melani and Richard how ?" ask Narra.

"i will take care and think about the reason" replied Andra.

Narra mangut's.

"but you're okay if I see Faya ?" ask Narra.

"i told you that I was upset to make that suggestion but I had no other way. We're going to finish this so that everything is clear" Andra explained.

"alright ka Nda, I will try to talk to Faya even though I am still upset because I do not like her attitude" Narra said, hugging her husband.

Andra hugged his wife tightly. He imagined how Faya would take advantage of the situation when they were better as friends to get back to his wife and make him jealous because he knew his wife's best friend could not accept his feelings only as friends.

"i won't let Faya expect Narra because she's my wife. Only mine" Andra said in her heart.

***