Halal Lover

The Part 23

"Hi." greet the man.

***

NAZWA just looked on without answering the greeting of someone in front of him that he did not recognize.

If it wasn't wrong, this person was the woman who passed him in the library earlier.

"I can sit here, right?" ask the guy.

Nazwa nodded twice. "Yes." Yeah."

Then the man reached out his right hand to the table. "My name is Barrel. Your name is Nazwa, right?"

The confused Nazwa returned the hand. "Yes, my name is Nazwa."

The barrel pulls the corner of his lips to the right. "I know it."

Lah, if you already know how to do it. Inner Nazwa.

Nazwa nodded again, though he was confused as to where the woman before him could tell his name when he had not introduced himself.

"You must be confused, why am I suddenly able to sit here?" ask Laras.

Nazwa did not answer but looked closely at Laras. The look of Laras really made him feel intimidated.

"I also know that you are Alif's wife" continued Laras.

Nazwa furrowed his eyebrows and then cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, who is this mom?"

Laras laughs. "I'm Laras Kyle, your husband's former best friend."

"Former friends?" nazwa parrots.

Is there a former friend? Inner Nazwa asked.

"Yes." Yeah." The barrel nodded flat. "We used to be so close even within certain limits. Alif always put me first and preferred to leave all his affairs when I was in need of him."

Laras began to run the action to make up the story. And somehow Nazwa didn't like everything that Laras said.

"But everything changed since Alif married you."

Nazwa slightly gasped at the words. "intention ... Ma'am what, huh? Why did you suddenly come and talk to me about something like this?"

"Because you caused Alif to change!" tymphal Barrel.

Really, Nazwa really doesn't understand.

"You should never have been in Alif's life, Nazwa!" laras.

"You know, don't you get married just because your parents' silly matchmaking is?" Laughing belittlingly.

Nazwa fell silent not knowing what to say, because in reality it was true that they were married because of an arranged marriage.

"You stupid Nazwa! You should know that Alif never loved you from the heart!"

The sound of the barrel rising slightly invited the attention of some canteen residents.

Nazwa was confused, completely confused. Why did Alif leave so long ago? Is it wrong if now he expects Alif to come and defend him.

In fact, at times like this, he instead expected Alif to come and defend him from the mad woman before him right now.

Then Nazwa ventured to answer. "Sorry Mommy, but Ma'am not God who always knows about human feelings."

Barrels squealing cynically. "You're too innocent Nazwa, it's appropriate that Alif will be with you. Or maybe you're just being used as a guinea pig?"

Nazwa closed his eyes, quieting his emotions so as not to hurt anyone.

"The one who should have married Alif was me, not you. Because of course, I am much better than you!" hiss Sharp barrel.

That's enough. Nazwa really can't be treated like this. His silence does not signify that he did not dare to reply to the words of Laras.

"I am not as beautiful and mature as Mama Laras. Maybe I am not as good as Mbak Laras, but in reality, Mas Alif prefers me to be his life companion," Nazwa said with emphasis.

The view of Laras sharpened instantly.

"And as I know, a good woman will never disturb and drop the happiness of other women because of course good women will really understand what it feels like if disturbed. Excuse me," Nazwa continued, grabbed his sling bag and then left Laras. He is afraid of hurting the hearts of others if he does not immediately move from there.

Laras looked at Nazwa's departure. His heart churned furiously, not accepting the treatment of Nazwa who dared to answer his words in a landslide.

The barrel was completely infuriated by the girl. He was not so ashamed as before.

***

"ALRIGHT, then next week you can start an internship" said a man with a head of plontos in front of Alif.

"Believe it." Profs. Bambang.

Alif immediately walked out of the room to the cafeteria to find his wife.

Arriving at the cafeteria, he did not find Nazwa in their last place together.

"Mbok, want it" said Alif approached Mbok Dayu.

Mbok Dayu stopped washing his dishes. "Eh, yes, mas. What's up to?"

"Don't you see my wife?"

Mbok Dayu looked astonished. "Don't you think it's the same Mas Alif to yo?"

"Yes Mbok. But I was suddenly called a lecturer."

"Well, Mbok doesn't know. It was still sitting there anyway," said Mbok Dayu pointed to an empty table.

"Ah, yes, I'll go first. Thanks to Mbok. Assalamu'alaikum."

After that Alif immediately continued to look for Nazwa.

"Vaalaikumussalam. Where to the nduk ayu?" Mbok Dayu shook his head.

"Maasya Allah, but it's like Mas Alif very dear to the same nduk ayu," Mbok Dayu murmured to himself.

***

ALIF didn't find Nazwa in any corner. He also left his phone in the car.

He walked in lethargy while occasionally rubbing his face.

Why is it that to keep Nazwa within his reach he is incapable? What about when he interns? Is he capable of guarding Nazwa from miles away?

Alif decided to get back in the car. Who knows, his wife is waiting there.

"Astaghfirullahaladzim, dear! Where have you been? I have been looking for you everywhere. It turns out you're here" Alif said as he got into the car.

Right, when he entered his wife was sitting on the passenger bench while playing his cell phone.

"Darling, you're not papa, are you?" ask Alif worriedly.

Nazwa replied with a sledgehammer. "I'm not papa."

"I'm worried" said Alif a little relieved.

Nazwa smiled slightly. He is still trying to reduce emotions since meeting with Laras earlier.

"Where are we going now?" ask Alif.

"So much for me."

Alif was a little confused by Nazwa's ever-sudden change in attitude. Then he started to run the car slowly.

During the trip, the atmosphere became very quiet for a moment. If Alif would usually tease his wife, now he is confused to just start a conversation.

Because in reality, Nazwa's silence made him feel frustrated.

"Would you like to go to the Mall?" alif asked breaking the silence.

Nazwa shook his head and looked at the window instead.

"Where are we going, honey? Let's say, don't make me so confused."

Nazwa let out a rough breath. "We're going home. I'm tired."

Alif was silent for a moment then nodded. "Okay, we're home."

Arriving at the apartment, Nazwa immediately came out without waiting for Alif to come out first.

In fact, Alif had wanted to open the door for his wife as usual. But before that Nazwa left him alone, not forgetting to close the car door a little rough.

Alif then walked after his wife. He was still confused by Nazwa's changing attitude.

Arriving inside their apartment, Alif did not find Nazwa in the living room.

Then he stepped foot into the room. There, his wife had been lying on her back.

Alif sighed and closed the door again. It is true that his wife is tired.

Maybe he will ask again later, about what made Nazwa so quiet.

Seriate.