Last Mate

23. The Most Valuable Treasure

A week has Arumi been living with her mother, ever since Akhtar asked her to leave. There was nothing Arumi did as long as she came back other than daydreaming and crying. Ningrum Arumi's mother, also felt worried about the condition of her daughter. He can't ask what's going on, because he's afraid it'll hurt Arumi.

A soft pat on his shoulder, made Arumi slightly shocked. "Dream again? Uhuk.."

Arumi immediately stood up from her seat and asked her to sit down. "Mother why come out? Night wind is not good for health." exclaimed Arumi.

Some days Ningrum's health is not good. Before Arumi returned, she even fainted. That's what his neighbors said. Each Arumi asked what pain was, Ningrum simply replied 'old disease'. Several times Arumi would take her to the doctor, Ningrum also always refused. Of course it makes Arumi's heart feel worried. His mother was the only one he had.

"Ohuk.uhuk.. Why are you, daydreaming at home alone? You should take care of your health, pity the baby in your womb."

Arumi reflexively stroked her stomach. Yes, Arumi had previously told Ningrum the good news of her pregnancy. He felt happy when he saw his mother who was also happy to welcome his future grandchildren. However, she also felt sad because the news of her pregnancy was not known at all by her beloved husband.

"I'm just for a second, Mom. I just want to breathe fresh. Oh yeah, did you take the medicine?"

"Nothing was fresh that night. Uhuk.. Mother already drank it. Son, does your husband know you're pregnant?"

Deg. It was a question that Arumi avoided and ended up asking as well. Arumi was nervous and misbehaved. Confused to answer how. If he says no, will his mother be angry? Then if he said he did, how would he explain his departure from home?

"Emmm.. Tha-that, yes. Akhtar knows, Mom. Hehe. I'll take it easy." said Arumi lying. There was no choice but to lie, nor did he want to make his mother feel burdened.

It really wants Arumi to cry in front of her mother, to put all the tightness on her chest. But he couldn't do that, because he didn't want to make his mother worry anymore.

"Ah, let's just go in. It's night too, it's time for me to rest." continued Arumi. He tried to distract his mother from talking about it again.

However, Ningrum knew very well that there was something that his son was covering up. But he won't ask any further, without Arumi telling him.

Not wanting her mother's illness to get worse again, Arumi also returned her mother to enter the house.

***

The night was getting late, but Akhtar was still sitting in his study. He looked very busy with a few piles of paper on the table. His appearance was not like an ordinary Akhtar. Can be said if his current appearance is very shabby, disheveled.

A few days in his wife's residence did make him a little stressed. No one else noticed it. After getting married with Arumi, all Akhtar needs is always there to prepare and so there is no Arumi at home so no one does that. It can not be denied if he has pined himself on Arumi.

The miss! Akhtar misses his wife very much. He was used to living with Arumi and being far apart like this, made him feel like he was missing something in his life. Wanting it he quickly went to pick up his wife and hugged her tightly to channel the longing. But unfortunately he could not see her.

"Ehem.."

Someone entered Akhtar's office, without him noticing. Until Deheman's voice made him realize. Either because he was too focused on the papers on his desk or he was daydreaming, I don't know.

"Tumben I noticed these few days you often do not come home and are here. What's the problem?" ask someone who is none other than his best friend, Beno.

Without awaying his gaze, Akhtar replied. "Much work."

"Ck. The work? I've also done a lot of work but can still get home on time."

"What do you do if you get home on time?"

Beno also felt confused, what actually makes him stop to go home quickly as usual? But that's not the main point of discussion.

Akhtar stopped the movement of his hand that was writing something and placed the pen. He exhaled violently and directly leaned his back against the back of the chair. However, he also did not speak.

"Come on, tell me what's the problem with you. Actually I don't want to interfere in your problems, but when I see your appearance is so chaotic I can't afford to ask. So you have to share the story with me."

"I'm confused right now" said Akhtar who finally made a sound.

Beno is starting to seriously listen further. "I am confused whether my actions are wrong or right" Akhtar continued.

"action? What measures?"

Akhtar. "Well, I told Arumi to go home to her mother."

"WHAT!!" peekkik Beno's. He was shocked by the confessions of his friend.

"Are you crazy to tell her to go home to her parents? Don't you know what it means to tell her to go home?"

Beno is completely inexhaustible with the way of mind that Akhtar has. Maybe he told his wife to go home to his parents. Doesn't that mean if he doesn't want it anymore. Oh my God, it looks like Akhtar did eat the wrong medicine. Think Beno.

"I'm asking him to go back there, too, not for no reason."

"What's the reason?"

"A week ago Arumi injured my mom and I was so scared when I saw her. So I asked her to go home to her mother, but it was only temporary until she calmed down."

"Huh? Arumi hurt aunt Tania? No way! Arumi couldn't have done that."

"But I saw it for myself. Arumi was holding a knife that was still covered in blood."

"But are you sure you saw it for yourself when Arumi hurt Aunt Tania?"

Akhtar did not answer and only shook his head. "Ck. You should've guessed, if it wasn't Arumi who did it."

"You mean?"

"Try thinking. Why is Arumi doing that now? Why not for a long time? Why would he do that when he was you? If he did intend to hurt Aunt Tania, it was very easy for him. Stay sowing poison in the food of aunt Tania. Didn't he have much of a chance for that. But he didn't, did he?"

Akhtar kept quiet and thought. It seems like Beno's explanation does make sense. If you want to hurt his mother, does Arumi have many opportunities and why choose the time when there is him?

"So you mean, mama herself hurt her and accused Arumi of doing it?"

"Absolutely. That's what was supposed to happen. It seems like aunt Tania still thinks that Arumi wants to take you away from her."

If you think back, all of Beno's words make sense. Akhtar***hair is coarse to vent his stupidity. Truly he was very stupid, did not know it from the beginning and even more foolish he had to believe in his mother who had scapegoated his wife. Regret that! Of course Akhtar was very sorry not to trust his wife who was so good. Even more sorry he told her to leave the house.

Akhtar is grateful also for telling Beno that, so he can solve the problem. If not, then he will forever misunderstand Arumi. Ah yes, after this he must immediately pick up Arumi. But before that he will solve the problem first.

***