Look At Me Once

Evade each other

Ever since that night, Lathifa has become even more quiet. He will only make his voice when someone says hello or asks him.

Like this morning, when Anisa and Lathifa were busy preparing a breakfast menu in the kitchen. Anisa who felt strange seeing the change in her honey was anxious and thought that Lathifa was sick.

“Fa, you're fine, right?” asked Anisa worriedly.

“Good, Mbak.” Lathifa answered briefly while busy bringing dishes filled with side dishes to the dining table.

“Do you hurt?” Anisa tried asking even deeper.

“No.”

Anisa put the pot in her hand into the sink of the dishwasher and raised the bowl of rice following Lathifa who was already in the dining room.

“You have a problem?” anisa asked after being next to Lathifa.

“Nothing, Ma'am,” replied Lathifa flatly making Anisa stare fixedly at him.

“Fa,” call Anisa slowly.

“Ya?” Lathifa answered without turning her head.

It made Anisa even more feel that there was something wrong with the honey, not usually Lathifa was cold like that to her.

‘Why is Lathifa like evading me? Did I make him mad?’ Anisa wondered in her heart.

“Did I make a mistake with you?” anisa asked to make sure, hoping that he would not do something that made the honey angry with him.

“No, Mbak.” Again Lathifa answered him briefly and quickly made Anisa increasingly bend her eyebrows confused.

Anisa wanted to ask again but she paused because she could see if Lathifa's mood was not good and she was afraid that Lathifa would feel uncomfortable because she kept pushing her.

That morning they spent breakfast in silence, quietly busy with each other's thoughts.

The last two days Alwi was busy with his new project and spent more time in his office, even he did not feel something that happened that night.

Alwi also managed to silence Mr. Sanjaya who came to his office full of anger did not accept the unilateral decision that Alwi did.

Mr. Sanjaya threatened to take the case to court, but Alwi did not stay silent. He threatens Mr. Sanjaya that he will report his daughter who tried to frame him.

Alwi has bagged all the evidence that can be ascertained to ensnare Chaca with a severe punishment, forced Mr. Sanjaya must succumb because he does not want his daughter's name tainted with the case.

In the afternoon, Alwi and Raiyan were enjoying their lunch inside the Alwi workroom. They ate the provisions that Alwi brought and prepared by Anisa for both of them.

“Tomorrow let me attend the inauguration of hotel A outside the city, Rai.” Alwi expressed his intention to replace Raiyan who was supposed to attend the event.

“Hah, tumben?” asked Raiyan astonished, he knew his boss was most avoiding business trips outside the city let alone having to spend the night there.

“You or not?” alwi asked in a threatening tone.

“Ok! It's up to you!” raiyan replied quickly then refocused on the food in front of him.

“Go on a date, Rai! Until when will you continue to be alone like this? Pathetic!” alwi's teasing made Raiyan pout his lips.

“Just shut up, Al! There are two beautiful angels who accompany you every day! Just be careful not to lose both!” raiyan's memory makes Alwi land his punch right in the head of his best friend.

Plaque!

“Akh! Pain know!” omel Raiyan's.

“Means if you have your mouth filtered don't just talk!” reprimand Alwi was troubled by Raiyan's words.

“Home, woi!”

Alwi and Raiyan resumed their lunch in silence, Raiyan ate his food so voraciously in contrast to Alwi who only slightly touched his food.

Many things filled Alwi's mind, he felt he was the most evil person in this world.

Alwi feels guilty to Lathifa, he realizes that as a husband Alwi has not been able to be fair with his young wife. Even intentionally or unintentionally, he often wronged Lathifa.

Alwi had decided to improve and start a new relationship with his young wife. However, just now that he tried it there was just a problem that blocked his good intentions.

This week is indeed Alwi's schedule to sleep in Lathifa's room and he wants to cool his mind first before he returns to face his young wife.

On the other hand, after his college hours were over, Lathifa did not go home immediately. He chose to spend his time in the campus library until the afternoon.

Due to being too focused on her tasks, Lathifa did not realize the time had shown at 15:50 and soon the library would be closed.

Lathifa turned her head as someone patted her shoulder softly.

“Excuse me, Ma'am. Sorry, soon the library will be closed,” said one of the library guards.

“Eh .. sorry, Mom. I did not realize it was afternoon,” replied Lathifa realized she was too focused on her work.

“It's okay, Ma'am.” The librarian smiled kindly at Lathifa. “Tick up your stuff, just slow down don't be in a hurry. There is still about 10 minutes,” he continued slowly.

“Thank you, Ma.”

After the officer's departure, Lathifa quickly tidied up her belongings and stuffed them into her black bag.

The black bag has faded a little, but Lathifa is reluctant to replace it with a new one because the bag is the last gift given by her brother.

Lathifa came out of the library after saying goodbye to the library guard when she passed by the exit.

Lathifa drove her motorcycle through the crowd of other vehicles that drove back and forth filled the city streets that afternoon.

Lathifa, reluctant to return to her husband's house, decides to visit her mother at the restaurant.

“Cil, tumben lo come here?” asked Zidan who had deliberately come to the restaurant to wait for Lathifa's arrival.

“Oh, I can't visit my mom?” ask Lathifa without spirit.

“Akh! Brother what?” Lathifa was surprised when Zidan unlicensedly pulled her hand and led her away from the crowd inside the restaurant.

“Tell me the truth!” zidan firmly arrived at the park behind the restaurant without letting go of his grip in Lathifa's hands.

“What the hell, Brother! What should I say?” lathifa asked, annoyed, and she lifted Zidan's hand from her hand.

“What lo okay?” ask Zidan worriedly.

“Aaan anyway?” Lathifa rolled her eyeballs off guard, why is everyone asking her today if she is okay? Obviously Lathifa was feeling fine and not sick.

“So see for yourself, right! I stood here and was fine,” replied Lathifa then he turned around to go back inside the restaurant.

Lathifa's steps came to a halt when she heard the question Zidan said and it was quite sensitive to sound in her ears.

“What does your husband treat you well?” ask Zidan cynically.

“Of course!” Lathifa answered him quickly, then turned back to face Zidan. “What does Big Brother mean to ask like that?” tanya Lathifa doesn't like it.

“If he's right both lo, then why did you come to Ana's Cafe?” search Zidan.

Latifa was slightly stunned, she forgot that Zidan and Ana were still in contact. Surely Ana will tell Zidan about her decision to sing in her Cafe.

Actually, Lathifa's father and mother did not like it if Lathifa joined the band at the Cafe, arguing that she was a woman. But that's the only way he can earn his own income on the sidelines of his college activities.

Lathifa used to often join her brother performing at Cafe owned by Ana, not infrequently she sang together without the knowledge of both parents. But Lathifa only sang if there was her brother, it was also done during the day or afternoon.

“What's wrong if I want to make my own money? After all, I don't trouble anyone else.”

“But-”

“Please, Brother .. keep this a secret from mom. I only sang on that weekend only until 8pm, no more.” Lathifa pleaded with her face to make Zidan could not bear to see her.

“Hmm, okay. But remember, if you need help, whenever it is, I am always there for lo!” zidan's promise was sincere from the bottom of his heart.

“Thank you, Brother.”

Lathifa left Zidan who was still standing staring at Lathifa's departure.

‘Gue don't like to see you sad, Cil. Until whenever I will always protect lo!’