It's up to God

An Accidental Meeting

Once, Nadira was sitting with her son, enjoying a painting of nature in the garden and looking at the clouds dancing in the wind, accompanied by the song of birds surrounding the white clouds. The wind was cold, calming. Ammar was buying food and drinks for Nadira.

Suddenly, a man took his eyes off. From a distance, it has been seen from his posture, if the man is Jerry. Nadira was surprised because after a long time never met or got news about him, today they were reunited. They look awkward when they meet. Jerry seemed alone.

"Jerry?" said Nadira who was surprised when Jerry stood up, right in front of him. Although the man has not yet shown his face, only seen from behind, Nadira is sure that it is Jerry.

Jerry, who heard Nadira's voice, turned his head. Because he was very upset with the voice of his ex-girlfriend.

Nadira's eyes were wide. His heart suddenly beat fast, just like the first time he felt in love. However, this time it is not the love that is felt, but shocked because Jerry came back in his life when he was married and had children. There was a worry Nadira felt now, finally her mind was wandering.

Jerry approached. Nadira was getting scared and a bit panicked. The husband has not returned yet.

"Nadira? You're here?" asked Jerry who was now standing in front of Nadira, closer.

Nadira smiled faintly. He is afraid of slander. Moreover, Ammar knows a little about Jerry.

Looking around, Jerry asked, "Who are you here? And whose son is this?" tanyanya pointed at the baby carried by Nadira.

Not even Nadira replied, it turns out Ammar had noticed them from earlier.

Ammar immediately replied, "Nadira is with me; her husband and this is our son."

Jerry silent. His heart seemed to want to be dislodged when he heard the answer from Ammar. He also nodded with regret.

"Oh .., if so, congratulations on your marriage, yes. Congratulations, too, have a baby," said Jerry, a smile that was slightly held back. In his heart he said, "It turns out you really can escape me, Nad. You used to go that way. I was wrong, but it wasn't entirely my fault, was it?"

Ammar watched Jerry staring at his wife's face without blinking.

"Ehem. What's up, Jer?" he held Jerry's shoulder to the right.

Jerry who was aware of his daydream, became nervous.

"That's nothing, really. Your baby is funny, yes! Whose name?" he shifted the subject.

"Call me, Hafiz," replied Ammar, briefly.

Jerry took a breath for a moment, then greeted Nadira and Ammar's son who was engrossed with his toys. At this time of their son's age, it had already entered a month.

After Jerry had gotten a bit away from them, Ammar sat down beside Nadira. He does not want his wife to remember the bitter events of the past while with Jerry.

"Nad, are you okay?" jerry asked as he waved his hand towards the face of his wife because Nadira looked dreamy.

"Huh? I'm fine, really," replied Nadira with a smile.

"If there's anything to tell, my ears are always ready to listen" Ammar said.

"Yes. Thank you very much, yes, you are always there for me" replied Nadira, thanking God. "God willing, the words of Ammar always confirm a troubled heart. Thank you, O Allah, for sending the best men like Ammar" he said in his heart.

"Yes, this is me bringing food for you and also drinks" said Ammar, handing over a bottle of drinks and snacks.

Nadira took it and opened it. He drinks first, his breath hunts—as out of marathon running. His throat was completely thirsty, to the point that the drink Ammar had given him, was instantly depleted.

Ammar understood what Nadira was feeling. He can only pray that the past wounds that have been well covered, even torn after being reunited with Jerry. The wings, which were broken, were healed and were finally able to fly together. Hopefully no one tried to shoot the two pigeons, let alone separate them.

Nadira is a woman who is obedient to her husband. She also greatly guarded her honor as a woman, especially a wife who has now given a cute child to her husband. Nadira does not want the presence of Jerry instead damage the happiness that has been coveted. For him, Jerry is the past that is used as a valuable lesson for his life in order to get better.

The good and bad of the past, just be buried and be better than the days that have passed. No need to remember past events, because remember it— is the same as locking yourself in a dark room even without a window, so that not a single bit of light can enter.

A wife and husband should avoid reconnecting with their ex. Because, although the intention is good, sometimes there is slander that occurs. In addition, we must keep each other's feelings, if both of them already have a partner, because reconnecting with an ex when married is a very difficult territory. He was once an integral part of our lives and the desire to maintain a relationship or revive it even after so many years is natural that one, even both, still have feelings.

Until finally the emotional connection that is still unresolved also comes into play. That's because, before communicating back with the ex, you have to think carefully. Do not let the good intentions that he said did not want to break the cord of friendship, precisely the decision related to the former instead backfired in our lives.

Quoted from various sources, a psychologist from the University of Kansas in the United States, Rebecca Griffith, previous research found that 60 percent of couples who have broken up remain friends. What can be learned from the research is the reason couples remain friends even though their romance story is over. The study included 170 women and 110 men who had to answer a series of questions.

In the second experiment with 300 female and 250 male participants, the researchers confirmed the answers to the previous questionnaires matched. The researchers found four main reasons couples remain friends despite the breakup. Griffith and his team presented the findings at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association on August 4, 2017.

The first reason, as Griffith told Live Science, is security. People who have broken up do not want to lose emotional support, advice, and trust from their ex. The second reason, making friends with an ex is practical, may also be for financial or child reasons. The third reason is brotherhood. One wants to be polite and not hurt the feelings of others. The latter is because there is still a sense with the former.

The researchers also found that the reason why people stay friends with their ex is related to how long the friendship will last and how positive it will be. They will remain friends for fraternal reasons. A safe relationship means a person feels safe and happy while the negative feelings that arise are depression, jealousy, or heartbreak.

What is unique is the reason for being friends because they still have feelings. Although negative, friendships like this are usually durable. The results of Griffith's research and colleagues have previously been published in the journal Personal Relationships. So in conclusion, befriending an ex has very little advantage. The edges will only make the baper one or both. Behind the status of being friends with an ex, there must be a pent-up emotional feeling.

Elsewhere, Jerry sat down while sipping black coffee ordered to the waiter. Jerry was at a cafe around the park, where he met Nadira a few minutes ago.

Life is like coffee, as sweet as any coffee brewed with sugar, its bitter taste will remain. That's how life, sweet and bitter meld into one.

Jerry pondered what had happened in his life, regretting no use because the rice had become porridge. Disappointment felt by Nadira, can not be bargained just by saying sorry. Forgiveness is easier than forgetting. He also realized his mistake because he was not open about his identity. In addition, he was still in contact with Nadira when he was betrothed by his parents. Although in the end, Jerry and Farah chose each other's path because they felt they did not have a match. Moreover, comfort when lived, not felt.

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