I REPLY TO MY HUSBAND'S AFFAIR

Chapter 63. Spacing

Julio POV

It was Hani. a woman with beautiful brown eye beads. The mother of one child who became my foster student, Fahmi's name. Before my encounter with the woman, I knew her first from the story of Fahmi, her son. One day, the teenage boy skipped school and didn't attend the class I was able to.

The next day, when I asked Fahmi about the reason for his truancy, he looked down bitterly. Then the story flowed about a little bit of his father's affair, which made his mother disappointed and excluded. The teenage boy was even called to work secretly to be able to help his mother's finances.

Fahmi and I have been close ever since, I gave him space in my heart to keep him strong to strengthen his mother. Each child carries a different story and pain when both parents fight until finally choosing a divorce. I know what it feels like, I gave Fahmi my shoulder and became the encouragement of every boy that spilled tightness in his chest.

That evening, the first time I met Hani in person was accidentally in a hospital parking lot. His figure that I saw was real was worth the story I heard from his baby. The afternoon sunlight refracted on his face which was simple but it looked beautiful. One thing I really like, is the softness of her beautiful brown beads.

Despite having a child, Hani still looks fresh. The woman's face is tiny, round-eyed, her nose is not too sharp but still looks beautiful with her beautiful chin. The look on his face that is not boring for me to look at, maybe that makes him look young in my eyes.

Another one that makes me immediately put my heart on the woman, wrapped in her hijab makes her look more elegant and not easily touched. My previous failed marriage made me dream of having a surrogate woman who was more godly.

Hani is a friendly woman, talking to her is soothing. His attitude was also warm, just like that he could share a laugh with me. Really, just once met was able to make me dream of it. I want Hani to be a patch of heart that will be happy with her baby.

That twilight I even dared to protect her while going through a difficult time. When the husband of Hani still bothers him who firmly wants to separate, I became a tough man like his girlfriend.

"Hani baby, who is it, Ijul? How dare you know to mama as a special guest but never told her before," asked the mother curiously, after being visited by Hani and her son.

"Calm down, Ma, it's not time yet. I also just started exploring. But the guy's good, isn't he, Ma?"

"Yes, his attitude is polite and gentle. It is very different from Salsabila. Wes to, fit karo kowe tajae {Already, it fits you anyway}." Mama gave her opinion and approval.

"Mama if you meet a soft flexible it is always ngak sabaran. Hani this hasn't been legally separated, Ma. Still waiting for the divorce verdict," I explained.

"But Hani's soft-spoken looks sincere, not contrived like Salsabilul." The woman lying in the hospital bed reassured Hani of her sight.

"Mama started calling me that again. Not good, Ma, change the name of the person as you like, I said smilingly reprimanding my mother.

"End mama kesel same behavior. Oh, yeah, when did you invite Hani home? Mama wants to know closer."

"Patience, my beautiful mother. Julio find the right time."

Just like me, my mother also immediately fell in love when she met Hani for the first time. I don't know, that woman is ordinary when compared to many other women around me. However, while staring at Hani's brown eyes that shaded my chest rustled. I also look forward to seeing the hardships that have befallen the woman. My heart had long been slashed when I heard his misfortune was thrown away by my husband, but I fell in love not out of sheer pity.

Despite being tested with a husband who gives her bitterness at the end of their marriage, Hani remains tough. He does not blame God for the hardships and trials experienced, nor does he abandon God when he survives the bitterness of his destiny.

Hani is not easily touched, he clings to the rope of religious teachings. The gentle woman stretched the distance and boundaries with me. He believed so much in the power of God. For him, God's commandment is for the good of his servant. I understand, Hani is so sure that God's good plan will be fulfilled in time after trying to get through difficulties.

"You can approach Hani through papa, that's easy. Later we give a bonus tranveling, then you follow the time he traveled to the land of people," Papa who sat beside the bed mother also gave support.

Papa and Mama smiled while looking at me meaningfully, encouraging me to take Hani to the door. It's great to have people know as well as they do right now. Yes, at this time because my relationship and papa are not as close as now.

Dito Wardhana, the successful businessman who owns a large company, is my father. The man who used to be very scary to me, all his rules that are draconian make me careless and wild against his wishes. I'm more at home wandering aimlessly in life than hearing papa's demands. Every time I fight with him I come home.

Growing up in the family sphere, I was raised by a gentle loving woman named Aisyah. My mom had a number of famous boutiques in several points of the city. Papa does give mama a chance to work but must still be able to educate and nurture children well at home.

Growing up with two sisters, I was the only boy in my family. My sister lives in Singapore, runs a business with her husband. While my sister in Australia became an ordinary housewife and accompanied her husband who worked in the country.

You could say I am a child mama, the woman gave birth to me was always patient to be a mediator in every dispute I had with papa. However, I still want to be myself without the shadow of my papa's big name.

Growing up, I was able to show my skills to start a business with my own sweat. I went from being a painting teacher in an elementary school, and then with the salary I saved I started to open a small printing business. The more years my efforts develop even though it takes a long time.

Without feeling the time passed quickly, it has been a few months I know Hani. Little by little I understood his attitude even though it was quite difficult because he was so making distance from me. I understand her situation is still in the process of coming to terms with the trauma of her divorce. I was in his position when I had to end my marriage.

I never pressured Hani to be like this and that. Just like the brown-eyed woman, I also live our closeness like the ripples of the waves that follow the ocean currents.

The night was late, my mind was troubled. Yesterday afternoon Hani collapsed in his office, I found him asleep leaning on the shoulder of a man with a neat and handsome appearance. Her tiny face was so deep and comfortable as the man's hands supported her head so as not to fall off. My heart rumbled unwillingly, but I realized I was nothing to the gentle woman.

Hani is officially divorced, but he is waving red flags to spread the distance between us. I try to be patient, as much as I can. This morning, even I had to be disappointed that he had not told me about his health. And, in fact, he still went to work, breaking my ban.

My finger was holding the phone restlessly, with a great desire to call her again tonight even though I had asked her this afternoon via phone. Ah, let him be angry, I can't bear this fret alone.

"Assalamu'alaikum," softly received my phone call tonight.

"Wa'alikumsal. Not sleepy?" ask me to start a conversation.

"Not yet. still accompany Fahmi learning. Anything important, Mr Julio?" ask her with a hoarse voice.

His mind is always full of rules. Hani kept his attitude even though we talked separated by distance and time .

"Nothing. Can't call if it's not important?" I answered in a slightly desperate voice.

"Eemm, I don't know. But I do, the hell I know. Men and women who are not mahrams have limits." The woman sounded softened her speech.

"Yes-cost. I just want to make sure you're healthy. That's all." I finally gave up on obeying her will.

"Thank God be healthy, thank you." His voice sounded cheerful again.

"Hmmm. Yes already," I said softly, bearing disappointment alone.

I fell silent, could no longer be funny, did not dare to tease him as usual. Sabaaar!

"Sir Julio." Suddenly he spoke again, making me shine again.

"Yes?"

"Is there anything more important to talk about?"

"Nothing." Huft, it turned out that was the only word I heard from him, I complained to myself inwardly.

"Yes already."

My head frowned, why so boring and bland this is our conversation that is usually warm. Is there anything that makes Hani think so badly of me that he extends his distance to me?

"Hani, don't hang up" I said in a hurry.

"Yes?"

"My faith may not be as good as you, but I will try to keep getting better. Don't get tired of constantly guiding and reminding me, Hani."

"Sir Julio, sorry. I have not been a good Muslim, do not exaggerate to consider me a holy person so. Not good to hear it."

I nodded to myself, silly huft! can't Hani see me? I who used to think enough if heaven can be achieved just by doing good, now it turns out to have to learn more after meeting a woman named Hani.