Just a Bond

Jealousy 2

“Even after marriage, I still like to print photos there, Ma'am."

My feelings became more mixed after hearing the follow-up sentence from Rifka. I occasionally looked at Mas Farhan, but he was silent, as if there was no intention of explaining anything. I don't know what to answer this time. I can only bite my lips and try to neutralize the facial features, even though the feeling is not crowded.

"But it's the same Mas Rifki. Not bad, Ma'am, for the sake of good photos and prices that .. yes, can be discussed.”

Positive thinking, Najwa. Don't let negative thoughts take hold of you.

I responded to this sentence of my sister with a small nod. “You know who Mas Farhan's studio is from, Dek? Dikasih know what Mother-”

“From Mas Farhan direct, Mbak.” I was stunned to hear Rifka's reply. "That time Mr. Faridzi and Ms. Rasti took Dad where that was, I forgot. I was offered to come, but I didn't want to. Mas Farhan was born to wait in his studio. After that I used to play there."

Rifka began to talk enthusiastically about Mas Farhan's studio, even he also knew about Mas Farhan's shop business. Almost the whole thing she told me, and I could only respond with a nod or a faint smile. Besides what am I going to answer while I don't know anything about Mas Farhan?

My God, does Rifka not know if the things she told me instead insecure me? Doesn't he know that I really feel dwarfed after hearing his explanations about my husband? What a weird wedding, right? How can I who is Mas Farhan's wife not know about him?

Both my hands started to sweat from the negative emotions that kept overflowing behind my chest. Want to leave, but I was afraid to make Rifka or Mas Reza, maybe Mas Farhan was suspicious. I tried to turn my attention again towards Mas Reza's phone. He had changed a new film.

“Indeed Najwa's mother was never invited to Mas Farhan's studio when he joined Father and Mother."

I smiled a little, then shook my head slowly. “Malah, the first time Mbak met Mas Farhan, yes, fitting application.”

I remember that first meeting. The first time I felt the vibe of love at first sight of him.

"Oh, huh? Means Maak did not know dong before that Bu Rasti had Mas Farhan's son?" ask Rifka again.

This is Rifka why so much, huh? Is he proud of himself who can be more familiar with Mas Farhan?

Oh, astaghfirullahal azim. Satan, oh, satan. More and more trying to dispel negative thoughts so as not to suuzan with his own sister, even more rampant control of the brain. Think positive, Najwa.

"Bak knows, Deck. Just never met before. Yeah, right, Mas?" I glanced at Mas Farhan.

He's nodding. "Yes. Not a soul mate, yeah. Same with you, Ka. You are right to follow the Father to meet Father and Mother, you happen to always be the one who comes."

My lips were slightly opened hearing Mas Farhan's words to Rifka. The more you try to think positively, the more you provoke your brain to think negatively. Especially after hearing the Rifka's speech.

"Mas Farhan can do it." My first brother laughed softly. "Mas Farhan's mate is Najwa's mother" he continued.

I'll help you, Dek. Even if Mas Farhan is not my soul mate, hopefully I can accept it strongly. Ah, the more here, the more mellow it feels.

“If Mas Reza knows Mas Farhan where?” ask Rifka. However, Mas Reza did not respond. He seemed to be focusing on his phone.

I took a deep breath when I realized that Mas Reza's ear was blocked by a headset. It's only fitting that he didn't chimed in on any of our conversations from earlier.

I opened one of those headsets out of Mas Reza's ear, making him stare at me long enough. “Why, Dek?”

"Well, asked the same Rifka."

Mas Reza opened one headset in the other ear, then stared at Rifka. "Ask what, Ka?"

“Mas Reza knows Mas Farhan from when?” ask Rifka again.

“Newly known, anyway. Mas knew his son Bu Rasti was named Farhan, but he was not very familiar. I know him yes, I want to marry Najwa.”

It turns out that what happened between me and Mas Reza was pretty much the same.

“Why?” Mas Reza frowned.

"It's okay, Mom. Just ask. Najwa's sister said she had never met Mas Farhan before they married."

Ah, I remembered something. At first, Rifka often did not want to be invited to meet with Dad's coworkers, and I was the one who often joined. Well, at one time, no matter what wind, Rifka wanted to be invited out with Dad. Then after that, he so often come until finally I have to give up and not come. In addition, I like badmood when in the same room with him. He'll like nosy. It must have been after meeting Mas Farhan. As he said just now.

Then the question now, what was between Mas Farhan and Rifka after that?

“Continue now that Najwa's sister is married to Mas Farhan. Najwa's sister has been to Mas Farhan's studio, right?”

The sudden question from Rifka made me gasp.

What am I supposed to answer? Let alone going to his studio, I just found out that he owned a photo studio was only some time after our wedding was held. It was not from the person directly.

I was still silent in my head, confused as to what to say. There's Mas Reza by my side. I didn't want him to recognize my strange girly, so he ended up interrogating her again.

“Mbak?”

Quickly, I raised my head when I heard Rifka's call.

"Yes, why?"

"Mbak Najwa why, anyway? How are you not connected? Najwa's soul is everywhere, is that it?"

I clucked slowly. "Sokay know you, Dek."

"Well, how did I not say that. He was asked to be quiet."

What do you want to answer, Rifka? My people don't know anything.

“I haven't taken your mom to the studio at all, Ka. Biasalah, I'm very busy, afraid he also left until there.”

Me? Why could Mas Farhan use the word "me" to Rifka while to me not, Mas?

I wanted to ask that, but .. ah, that's it. I'mtired.

"Oh, that. Mas Farhan's studio is really cool, Ma'am. Ma'am would have liked to go there, didn't want to go home."

Again I was like a flea in mothballs, helpless. I just kept quiet while biting my lips as Rifka and Mas Farhan chatter resumed.

"Mbak Najwa doesn't like selfies, Mas. Just once if he was taken to Mas Farhan's studio, he wanted to take pictures."

"Yes, Ka. I'll take your mom there, okay."

I turned my face to the side because suddenly there were tears crossing my cheek. The pain of Mas Farhan who started acting again returned to torture. I don't even understand how I feel right now. Honestly, I was disappointed in myself not knowing who my real husband was. I felt like a failed woman, at a time when other women knew more about my husband. Worse yet, she's my own sister.

Between Mas Farhan and Rifka there is nothing, ‘ right? And that question again.

...***...

Hi, I'm updating! Pleased no? Happy dong.

Don't forget to leave a trail of your appreciation, yes. Love you all.💙

Sweet greetings from the sweet author.

Sumenep, Madura, East Java

Monday, 2 August 2021