Husband is Not My Choice

(Back to the Present) Eps.6

Growing Dimas every day I monitor it properly. Dimas is my next generation and Mas Baim.　Therefore, I was willing to leave my job. Ah, not leaving completely. Instead, I reduced my work hours. It just so happens that my job is not a full-time job.

"Dimas, what will it be, son?" tanyaku while cradling Dimas in a sling.

"You want to be like Om Dimas? Be a manager at a large company abroad. Or want to be like Dad? So factory workers but have a lot of fields in the village? Or want to be a mom? Write whatever you want to write?"

Little Dimas sucked his fingers while looking at me calmly.

"Whatever you dream of later, hopefully achieved yes, son, yes. May you grow up to be handsome and dignified. Pinter school, hang out also pinter, so the leader is also authoritative," I said.

Baby boy. I don't know why, it's so similar to my face.

"You look like mom, yeah, kid. What did you inherit from your father, son? Jidatnya, huh? Wide eels like a father."

Dimas yawning. I covered her mouth with my index and middle fingers.

The wall clock shows at two o'clock in the afternoon. Outside the air temperature is still hot. The wind blows occasionally carrying dust grains.

Sing a national song to imbue Dimas. A song of thanksgiving that I have repeated eight times. And Dimas never went to sleep. He just blinked his eyes.

"Dimas, Dimas wants to collapse? Sleep in the room, yuk," I said.

I set my feet towards the room. On the floor next to my desk lies a playmat. Namely a pedestal designed with bright images and colors to stimulate baby's vision. Yeah, that's where Dimas has been playing lately.

I laid Dimas on the playmat carefully. Dimas moving his mouth. It was as if he understood that he was put on his playground.

On top of the playmat depends some light toys that can be achieved by a small Dimas. The toy can sound and light up when touched. Dimas crammed his legs. It was as if he was showing interest in toys.

"Well, try grabbing, Dimas. It could sound, right," I said while holding a bandulan.

After making sure Dimas was comfortable with his position, I took the laptop. I grabbed my laptop, and sat next to Dimas leaning against the wall.

"Dimas, play by yourself first, yeah. Mama wants to work for a while" I said to Dimas.

I opened an old file I never touched again. Kubaca. The file is a short story. I felt like I had to edit the content of the story, then upload it on a digital media. If accepted, the payment is good enough to be used to buy Dimas diapers. Besides, it still makes sense and fits the current situation.

Not waiting for minutes, I began to sink into my busyness. While beside me, Dimas was busy playing his toys.

☆☆☆

The alarm clock has rang. Shift changes quickly.

Baim hurried to walk towards the absentee and placed his fingerprints on the attendance machine. People do the same. A moment later after going through a long hallway, he had reached his locker. Pick up the bag and rush out to the parking lot.

"Im, would you like to eat the grilled lesehan ikar, wouldn't you? I treat it. We haven't hung out five for a long time" Irfan said. He wears his favorite black jacket.

"May, tuh," Baim replied while starting his bike.

"You guys first. I'm catching. Buy a drink for my black Satria" Yoga said as he pulled out a foldable wallet and counted the money inside.

"OK," said Irfan. He first came out of the parking lot after his other friends.

The clock shows eight hours and twenty minutes when they arrive at the usual place they hang out, after struggling to get rid of congestion due to the clock back home from work along with other companies. It is a natural thing and it always happens.

"Bang, coffee milk. A lot of coffee, a little milk" said Irfan ordered himself.

"White water, Bang," said Baim.

"What's? White water? Whoa, Im. What date is this? Still a young date. Why order water. Ah well," chirped Toni.

"Maklum. The fathers of one child are different," said Robi chimed in.

Baim smiled. He picked up a cigarette and immediately lit it. He said, "Not buying any more cigarettes. My last cigarette I took of the break. At home, there is also a smoking ban. My baby still has to breathe air without a cigarette."

"Hahaha, this is. Husband scared wife. Your wife's fierce, huh?" irfan.

Baim breathed a heavy sigh. "good. He's not fierce. Well, it's an advantage if our partner is the result of an arranged marriage. The choices of those we care about. We are both principled to live this life in peace" Baim said.

"Your lecturer's choice, huh?"

"Yes. Look at it, I was his favorite protege at that time. He was the one who took me until I could get my education and become the boss of this company" Baim said.

The smell of grilled fish roared into a crowded night. Their tongkrong place is a night culinary center in the middle of a densely populated city.

"Say Toni has a new acquaintance, you know," said Irfan.

"Then you talk to me?" Toni who just arrived heard herself called. He immediately joined them.

"What is your name, Ton?" ask Irfan.

Toni immediately showed her the hape and showed a photo gallery. A beautiful woman appeared on her screen.

Despite a quick look, Baim recognized who the woman was. She's shocked. Heart's sliced. That woman is his ex-wife!

"It's Maya" Toni said.

"Beauty, yeah. How can you get such a beautiful acquaintance? For tips dong for me who is single," said Yoga.

"Makanya be a popular guy. There will also be a lot of guys waiting in line. Post cool photos on your social media. There will also be many girls who ask for acquaintances" said Irfan.

They laughed off. Except Baim. He is not interested in their jokes. His heart still hurts. The wounds that once began to heal, are now scratched again. The memories he had so desperately closed, now appeared again. Maya, his first love, now comes like a shadow of a demon. Baim still loves her so deeply. He also felt betrayed and hurt at the same time. The pain is as great as her love and obsession with Maya.

"She's a good woman. Career women, beautiful, rich, not women who suddenly send messages to ask for a date on social media. I happened to meet at a seminar. That's where we got to know" Toni explained.

Toni. Toni is the most beautiful man in the factory. Besides being handsome, he is also good at getting along. No wonder so many like it.

"He's on campus with me" Baim said after a long silence.

"Well, seriously?" ask them in unison.

"Ah, yes. I recall. He and I are both from the same university. And if it's not wrong, he moved to a college abroad, yes" asked Toni. His eyes look bright.

"You know each other?" ask Irfan.

"If I knew him anyway. Everyone at the college knows him. But, if he really might not know me," said Baim. He emphasized the word 'not knowing.

Yoga shakes the head. "Yes, it's clear. It's beautiful," she said.

In my heart, Baim cried. Why Maya who once loved half to death even ignored his love. Disconnecting only because of career problems. But now he chose Toni, Baim's best friend, as the special man in his heart. Is it because Maya has been blinded by treasure? Was Maya blinded by good looks? Was Maya just using Baim's kindness?

Baim started smoking a second time. He no longer cares about his friends who are chatting Maya. For her, Maya is a pain. And now Baim is feeling that pain. Pain that hurts more than usual.

Why did Maya have to come so close to her life? Why should he be with his best friend? Why can't Baim forget Maya?

"Why don't you eat soon, Im? We've run out, you know," said Robi.

Baim. He has been daydreaming for so long. Then he said, "I'm satisfying myself with my cigarette. I can't smoke at home anymore."

☆☆☆Bonnect☆☆☆