Hello, Ex

Chapter 4

Farhan returns the phone in his hand to Salma, after the call is dead. He heard nothing from across the call. Maybe the suspect who contacted Salma was hesitant when he found out he was the one who picked up the call.

“So?” Farhan wanted to know more details. “That's Endra or Sabda?” continued curious.

“Looks Mas Sabda.” Salma deliberately hid the arrival of the Word this afternoon which occupied the top table, precisely at the rooftop table.

Farhan nodded. “Lantas, what do you think?”

“Approval? Maybe I want a married man? He has built a new family. Shouldn't he be like this—I'm worried about being accused of domestic destroyer people.” Salma answered firmly.

“Salma, you have Aundy. It's only natural that you still have a relationship.”

“The problem—

Salma's words were stifled, she stared fixedly at Farhan, not wanting to burden the man with the problems he was now facing. Given this past year, Farhan has suffered enough as a result of Astrid's departure.

“Forget, Mas. Because forever I, Ody and Mas Sabda will never be us. We will stay alive with our own choices.”

“Then—why don't you want to try starting it with me?” It seemed that Farhan was still so curious about the rejection that Salma made.

“If, nih! I am the kind of woman that Mas Farhan is looking for. But what a pity, Mas Farhan is not the type of man I want to be. Far from the level of my dream man!” Salma ended it with a carefree laugh, as if her joke was funny. He was silent after Farhan gave him a flick on the forehead. His smile was silent, not even a little.

"I love you. But the kind of love I have is different. Consider it the love of his brother who wants to always protect his sister. If our relationship had gone up to marriage, it would mean, I'm ready to fall in love with you" Farhan said.

Salma was trying to digest Farhan's words, wasn't that the same as him who also loved Panji? “Life together with Ody is much more comfortable—weigh I have to marry without love,” reply Salma, her determination is already unanimous to not accept any man in her life.

The silence took a momentary pause. Both of them do not care if the night is getting late. For a moment they both found comfort even without a word being issued.

“There's something I want to say to you, Sal." Farhan looked up to his sitting position, starting to get serious. "That morning Astrid asked how I felt about you.”

“Ma—means?” Salma was quite surprised to hear Farhan's remark, there was no way the man would betray Astrid. Farhan's relationship with Astrid seemed to be fine. In fact, it made her envious because they both looked so romantic.

“You don't feel it anyway, behind Astrid's kindness she holds great hope for both of us.”

Salma's heart beat twice as fast, he put his cup of hot chocolate on the table. Salma did not respond, she waited for Farhan to continue his words.

“As long as you know her, is she that loyal type of woman? handing over the business to you, even giving you the actual burden of thirty million is an easy thing to get.”

Salma did not like Farhan's convoluted manner of speaking. “Can't to the point? It's too late, sometimes my brain is not so deft to work too hard.”

“He wants us both to get married."

Salma's eyes are perfectly rounded. "How come? Has Mas Farhan always been visited through dreams?"

Farhan shook his head slowly. "He had a big reason why he gave me a place here. Astrid wants to make you indebted to her, until one day you are too hesitant to refuse her request, including lending your womb to us.—

“What is this serious?”

Salma is inexhaustible, it is possible that Astrid has a purpose behind all the good that has ever been given to her.

“That day, we had a debate. Astrid revealed her heart, she was jealous when she saw me covering your body with a thick cloth. He doesn't want me to put any sense into you. And, the accident was inevitable.”

“Ody? does Ody know you guys are arguing?”

Farhan nodded. "He also broke us, even asking me to drop him by the road. But Astrid forbids. He still wants to look like an angel in your eyes."

Salma saw Astrid as an angel sent by God to help her. Astrid was always there when she was down, but she did not expect that there was any other purpose behind her kindness. “But Ody never told me anything!”

“Can only he does not want to remember those bad memories.” Farhan dropped his back on the back of the chair. There was a sense of relief after successfully telling Salma the problem.

“Mas Farhan, should I just go? I'm not comfortable if I owe you too much.”

“That, right according to Astrid, Salma. If you leave who will run the store? Forget about Astrid's planned wedding, it's important that you and Aundy are comfortable staying here.”

“Here are Aruni and others. A—aku is ready to go, really, Mas.” Salma did not want the guilt to continue to haunt her.

“NO! I'd be so mad if you did. And remember, do not dare to try to escape, because I can easily find you.”

“Men sucks!” grouse Salma, in the heart. But, if Astrid is still around. He is also ready to do whatever he wants.

All of a sudden, Salma moved away from the occupied chair. “Tomorrow don't forget we came to Astrid's tomb, Mas. The store will close one day.”

Salma stepped towards the kitchen, putting her cup glass into the sink. Then followed Aundy who was asleep in the room.

After lying down Salma tried hard to close her eyes, but unfortunately until twelve pm she was still awake.

The next day, Salma almost missed time to take Aundy to school. Luckily, Farhan was willing to take his daughter. So, Salma could get ready to go to the tomb.

Amidst the busyness of Salma changing clothes, Aruni who was ready to leave, shouted to him.

"Bak Ma, get out quick!"

"Yes, stop, Run!" reply Salma, it has become his routine to shout in the morning. Surely if Farhan hears, the man will lecture him.

"Mama Ma!"

"Prophey why the hell, Run!" Salma was upset that Aruni was impatient.

"The thing is, there's a crazy guy in the store, ma'am!"

Salma understood that Aruni was working on it. With the hair still on the roll. Salma decided to leave the room, she went down the stairs to curse Aruni. "Run, Farhan has not yet arrived. So, don't make an uproar why si—

Salma could not continue her chatter when she saw the man in the hat who was now standing firmly in front of Aruni. He did not forget the face of the Baghaskara Word at all. This time, Salma's feet seemed to be glued to the bottom of the stairs. He had difficulty approaching the Word which was now staring at him sharply.