I'm your Husband's Second Woman

Part 15 The Missing of the Exchanging

Mas Hendra Pov's

The sound of the excavator is deafening the ears, causing its own humming sound. The tool clawed the hill that stood upright with a scratch of iron, scavenged the ground to be destroyed and thrown to the edge of the valley. The red soil looks like raw meat that began to be left exposed to sunlight in the absence of shade plants.

For two months, the activity of leveling the hill to be used as housing began. The workers are also as much as possible to do their work, but still far from the target I expected, still a hill around the valley.

I was breathing out, feeling breathless and tired. Not what I thought. Doing development here, it turns out more difficult than working on projects in Java.  In Java, the land is flat, only a little hoarding can be established buildings. The work will be quickly completed and the funds will quickly melt. But here, you have to level the hill first and hoard the valley around the area you want to build. It takes quite a long time.

Remembered Retno's warning when I told her about my approval to accept the project in Kalimantan. At that time we were both busy watching movies on tv shows in the family room.

"Pa, Kalimantan is not like in Java," said my wife at that time. Yes, I never took a housing job other than in Java. Because it's too far and too long. Just take the construction of a luxury house that does not take a long time in working on it. Maybe one luxury house can be done for approximately one year, depending on the model recommended. Usually, homeowners prefer strategic land, located in urban areas and the land is flat.

Kalimantan is famous for its hilly houses. The house is sometimes beside the roof there is a way out to ride a montor bike. Under the house there was another house and so on. A big road up and down and still surrounded by steep ravines.

Retno kept her body away from the embrace. Sitting on the edge of the sofa slightly tilted her body facing me.

"According to Kak Bahar, there are still hills and valleys.  The process will take a long time" he explained again.

Retno looked at me with her eagle eyes that sometimes swooped right at the heart. When something secret is neatly stored, he must be able to know. That look was as if a cipher was capable of shedding my locking mouth. I glanced at him at a glance and then refocused on the tv show, not strong continue to be glared at, maybe this mouth will nag itself unravel the intention, why approve the project.

"Why not be given to Kak Bahar only. Doesn't Bahar often get a project there," said Retno disperse my mind that began to tangle. I don't know. Lately being close to Retno, I've always been wary.

I watched Retno who was looking at me full of probing. While pressing hard, my heart rippled violently.

"Once in a while, Ma," I argued reassuring Retno. He just looked at me expressionlessly. I cupped my hands to that face. "Trust me that Papa is capable. "

He nodded slowly. Still with an unattainable look of the mind. I don't know. What was thinking at the time?

"Why?"tanyaku pretended to put on a look of astonishment. I know, my wife's starting to feel something. Seen from Retno's attitude that lately often mused. From his attitude that was often shocked when I greeted him suddenly. Could it be that there was a sense of uneasiness about the question I was asking yesterday?

"It's weird" Retno replied letting go of my hand and turned away.

Nah, kan.

"Sound! Weird, what?" I said a little trembling.

"Usually Papa doesn't want to take this job. The process is too long. It's residential. Not a fancy house. It's gonna take a long time. Longer than in Surabaya. "strictly Retno with a slightly restrained voice. His face began to fall.

"For you and the kids, it doesn't matter to me how long it is."

"Papa's gonna be there long. And I'm scared ...." Retno did not continue her sentence. There was fear in his eyes evident from the clear droplets that went down wet his cheeks. I tried to calm the sad heart, putting it in a hold.

"No, Ma," I said, squeezing the body in his arms.  My heart sank, regret began to pique strongly into my race.

I took a deep breath. When the sad face of my bidadiku and the children passed while at the airport.

"Take care of yourself, yes," said Retno released a hug. I kissed her forehead a long time ago and wiped away the slowly falling tears.

"Don't think about it, yeah," I asked him to look at his face. Retno nodded slowly. I look at my children one by one. Rara who was in Sabrina's arms reached out to me with glassy eyes. Airina, who was not separated from my side, held firmly the tip of the jacket I was wearing.

I don't know. They seem to know I'm gone a long time ago. The sadness that I had rarely met before when I said goodbye to work. Is this the instinct of the heart that calls tightly?. A breakup that is invisible but will begin to emerge with time. And I'm starting to realize it now.

It proved that I have been here two months. In that long run, I didn't go home to Retno and the kids. There is a feeling of longing that flows, especially with children. I used to go home once a month or two weeks to meet them no matter what project I worked on. If money can be found but togetherness with family means a lot more, that's my principle first. Before I married Aulia and brought her here.

I don't know. Perhaps an existing passion is fulfilling and a job that requires a lot of attention. I forgot, there was someone there waiting for my return.

I don't know! how many times did that sentence slide off those ripe lips. A face full of longing. My heart trembled as her longing asked her to let out a tear. So longed for her to be this traitorous husband?

Ma, I'm sorry.

"Prophey, Ma. The job here can't be stayed."

The eye dimmed, creating painful droplets of crystals. My woman endured the stifling longing. Would that great love be with me? While I stabbed your heart silently.

"Patience, yes, Ma. Papa must be home. Wait, yeah."

My woman is weak.

Akhs! I feel a sinner. Hurt the heart of someone who truly loves me. The position that Aulia used to occupy now I have to replace it with the figure of the person who has always supported me all this time.

So now, Retno is the second?

Goddamn bum. It deserves me a stare.

It's just that, Aulia's attitude was suddenly possessive. Limiting the wiggle room is already our deal. Just two or three hours, I just wanted to be with Retno and the kids but Aulia often pestered me by coming to my room where I usually called them.

"Don't be childish, Aulia!" I snapped one day. Where I was sultry with his aggressive attitude that always came to seduce, when I was communicating with video calls with Retno and the children.

I'm puffed

And I'm afraid of being discovered.

Forced, when I was with Aulia, my cellular data was shut down a lot. So Retno couldn't use a video call when she called me. You can only contact with the usual channels without seeing who is around.

When Retno asks, I say signal here ....

Ugly ....

Aulia silence. Conicaling.

"I'm tired of waiting for you!" angry shouting. Roughly throw away the face laid hands across the chest. I let out a long sigh, watching Aulia's overly possessive demeanor.

"Just two hours," I said with emphasis, "You're tired of waiting? What about them? You can see me, touch me and then them?"

Aulia turned her head, looking at me with eyes full of anger.

"You forgot?" he shouted again while putting on an annoyed face. "I was in that position. Have you ever thought about my feelings? "

I don't know. I began to feel Aulia as if she was about to seize Retno's position in my heart. Showing his power and binding me deeper.

"I know that" I began to get tired. He kept cornered me at the corner of his wounded heart. Without thinking about the feelings of other women who were also hurt when this betrayal was exposed.

"Then from that, please understand their feelings. Don't look at Retno, but look at me from my kids' corner. They need my attention. Let them see the Papa even if it's just on a cell phone." I looked at Aulia with hope.

He quietly did not answer, then stepped away towards the door with a bent face.

"Next week I want to see them" I said as the body was right at the door. Without looking or saying anything, he immediately left.