LET ME GO MY HUSBAND

Chapter 7 I Don't Want to Be Rejected

Two days later, Andhira looked ordinary again. Not because he had forgotten his pain and wounds, but because he realized that life must go on. As usual, Andhira cooks, cleans the house and others. Sometimes his mind is at war with its own mind. "Trust me, Dhira, you are stronger than you know. Hang on for your family's good name" Andhira said, trying to convince herself.

The time for lunch has arrived. Daffa, who had not been home since the morning because of work, suddenly came home unexpectedly. Andhira was very surprised by Daffa's return at lunchtime. Cold sweat began to wet Andhira's facial temples.

"Are you cooking today?" ask Daffa in his distinctive voice.

Andhira only nodded and did not dare to raise her face. He began to pick up the dishes, then prepared everything at the dinner table. Meanwhile, Daffa was already sitting there to do his lunch. After serving food including drinking water to Daffa, Andhira stepped foot intending to leave the dining table.

"Sit down, accompany me to eat" Daffa said, stopping Andhira's steps.

Andhira turned around and nodded obediently to Daffa. The owner pulled a chair and sat down with the man. Threatened, Andhira tried to suppress all her fears to avoid being seen by Daffa. There was no dialogue whatsoever between them, except the sound of spoons and forks clashing against each other, and Daffa who occasionally stole glances against Andhira.

20 Minutes later ....

Their lunch is over. Andhira did not look at Daffa at all. He did not dare to look into the eyes of the man who had made his trauma relapse.

"You're not going anywhere?" ask Daffa. Andhira simply replied by shaking his head.

"It is customary to look me in the eye when spoken to," Daffa commanded with a heavy voice.

Andhira ventured to raise her face and straightened her gaze at Daffa. "If I may, I want to see my mother" Andhira said very carefully.

"Why not? I'll take you, " replied Daffa confidently.

"T-no need, I can go alone," Andhira refused politely.

"I don't want to be rejected!" daffa continued.

Andhira can't do much. He had intended to stay away from Daffa by going to his mother's house. However, it turns out that Daffa even forced to take her and inevitably Andhira had to accept it.

"Don't you still have to get back to work?" ask Andhira. He hoped Daffa would just go back to his job and not have to take him.

"Prepare first, so that your face does not look tangled in front of your parents later!" continue Daffa again.

Andhira nodded obediently and prepared to leave. She put a little makeup on her face to make it look fresh. Some bruises are still visible on Andhira's body, especially the arms. Andhira tried to cover it up by wearing long-sleeved clothes. Then, he approached Daffa who had been waiting for him. They went to Andhira's parents' house.

***

"How are you, Mom?" andhira asked when she arrived at her mother's house. He hugged and shook the middle-aged woman's hand, as well as Daffa.

"Mom's good news, son. How are you guys doing?" answered Andhira's mother who is known as Salamah, sambari asked back.

"We're fine, ma'am," replied Daffa who gave Andhira no chance to answer.

Salamah smiled shadyly, then invited the two to sit down. "Thank God you're okay. Mother was very happy to hear it," Salamah said implying a happy expression on her face.

Andhira could only shut up and hide her true feelings, as she was not okay at all. Meanwhile, Daffa glanced at Andhira from the tail of her eyes and smiled back at her mother-in-law, Salamah. Apparently, Daffa did not want to know that he had been rude to Andhira. Therefore, he tried to look good in Salamah's eyes.

"You wait here, yeah. I will make tea for you" Salamah said as she passed towards the kitchen.

Moments later, Salamah returned with a teapot and a few cups in a tray. He put it on the table and started pouring the tea from the teapot into their cups. "Diminum the tea," said Salamah.

"Thank you, ma'am" said Daffa and Andhira at the same time.

"Together" answered Salamah who sat with them.

"Mom can't wait to take grandchildren away from you" Salamah said, smiling expectantly.

Andhira was uncomfortable with her mother's words. However, he could not do much and chose to remain silent. Daffa answered Salamah with his best smile.

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