LOVE OF JUITA

Deal

"What are your accusations this time?!" Gertak Bu Kades nyalang. His shoulders were up and down regulating the chest-stifling breath.

Mr. Kades observed his wife with a puzzled look. While Dian was silent in his chair. The air floating between them felt crowded and hot. Septian loosened the collar of the shirt that felt it piercing his neck. 

"Why did Mom do that to us, what was our fault until Mom slandered so vile?" Septian asked in a soft voice, but his sharp eyes clearly exuded anger.

Ms. Kades managed to catch her breath, clearly conscious in the position of the accused. But his pride is still rampant. He looked up his chin high, looking at Septian with a sinister look.

"Your mistake was choosing the wrong wife. Your wife is the culprit of all the hatred that builds up in my chest. Your wife is a presumptuous woman, not knowing to put yourself as a newcomer to this village." Ms. Kades pointed her index finger at the floor she was on.

"Astaghfirullah …. " Pak Kades turned his face away from his wife, he was very embarrassed by the words of his wife who judged others so superficial.

"I don't want to avenge Mother's slander with baseless allegations. I have valid taped evidence and witnesses to the crimes you committed. Please Mr. Kades hear and assess for yourself what your wife has done. I don't like making it up."

Septian played the recording of the conversation on his phone and placed it on the table. Just as the recording read, Ms. Kades suddenly rushed forward to pick up the phone as if she was about to hit Septian. Luckily Mr. Kades reacted quickly to his wife and threw her body back into the chair.

"Take me off, sir. Get rid of that phone! I don't want to hear it." Bu Kades' screams glared at her husband.

Riska swiftly retrieved Septian's phone from the table, securing the evidence. He glanced at Septian, should they continue to play the tape or stop it. Septian gave Riska the code to turn off the tape.

"Mom, don't do this. Shame Ma'am …. " She hugged her mother's arm. His face as red as a tomato held all flavor. 

"Shut up! Shame on you to say, I did this for you. You even said shame! Brash kid!" Peeking Bu Kades brushed aside Dian's hand that was coiled around her arm. Dian looked down in a corner not daring to even look at Septian.

Riska was stunned to see the scene that was plastered before her. He did not dare to open his voice. Riska doesn't want to get involved in their conflict. He immediately slipped the phone he held into the hands of Septian who sighed heavily, waiting for Bu Kades to calm down.

"We're gonna finish this thing fine or I'll take my hands off Mom. I leave our business to the law enforcement. How's it?" Septian said on the edge of his patience.

Mr. Kades was wide-eyed by the Septian statement. His face implied panic, he felt fooled. His wife made a big deal while he as the head of the family knew nothing.

"What's so serious about it, why go to the police?" Said Mr. Kades confused.

"My wife was the mastermind of the incident that destroyed the good name of my store. He slandered us with cakes containing lizard carcasses and paid people to spread rumors that our employees were sick with TB on social media. Practically all the slander that makes consumers rampage. We became the subject of netizen banter. As a result my wife Julia had to bear everything herself because I was one of the people who consumed the slander. I accuse my wife of not being in business, I ignore all her hard work!" 

The septian sound shook spewing out anger. He tried to keep his tone low, although in a few sentences his voice broke withstanding the pain in the heart. He took a deep breath before continuing his words.

"Bu Kades, not only did the venture I was stubbing painstakingly crumble within a single night. He was also the root of my domestic turmoil. Are you satisfied with the destruction I've been through?" 

Septian looked at Bu Kades with a look of disappointment. There is a sense of satisfaction after spilling the taste that he craved on the ringleader. 

"What's Julia's fault until I hate her?" Tanya Septian closed the description he gave.

The mood was silent for a moment. All eyes were on Ms. Kades, waiting for her to give her an answer, an explanation, a defense or whatever.

"If you had chosen Dian in the first place, this would not have been the case. I hate your wife because she took a position she shouldn't have taken. If you choose Dian as your wife, right now we can live together as a daughter-in-law and in-law." Bu Kades replied staring blankly at the guest table. 

"Yes Allah Ma'am …. " Mr. Kades is leaning against the chair. He could not understand that his wife's ambition to make Dian-Daughter as a daughter-in-law in the family of Pak Rahmat Segoro would be a lump in the heart. It rotted inside without anyone noticing.

"Sooh is God's will. We were two people who were separated, not knowing each other in the least before. But God moved our hearts to unite. If God had predestined Dian for me, we would have been together from the beginning. Unfortunately my heart has been linked to Julia. How can I refuse? If you hate me for choosing Julia, then you've sued God's destiny that governs our way of life." Septian said full of earnestness.

Dian shed tears hearing Septian sayings. He realized that at any moment he would no longer be able to take the man's heart. The man's heart is beyond his power. Coupled with this incident, he was so embarrassed and eager to leave forever from Septian life.

Riska looked at Dian's face with a look of pity. He prayed in his heart that Dian could meet a good man later in life to forget his unfathomable love for Septian. After all unrequited love is the feeling that most makes the soul of a lover become solace. Lose sense.

"Tian, as the head of my family, I apologize for the actions of my wife and child.. No matter how bad their mistake was, I couldn't bear to have them deal with the police." Said Mr. Kades. Highlight his old eyes make anyone who sees not to the heart.

In contrast to Bu Kades who still cooks a tight, stiff face, as if doing nothing wrong. Riska was furious to see his attitude.

"Mr don't apologize to me. I will give Ms. Kades and Dian time to reassess their actions. Please be aware of your actions. Then apologize sincerely to Julia. He was the most injured person in this incident. This affair ends in the realm of law or not. I will leave it to Julia. I hope you and Dad are not being cowardly. Just face the consequences of the problems that your wife has created." Diplomatic Septian reply.

Mr. Kades nodded in reverence. He understood what Septian had said.

"Well Tian. As a victim, it is not easy to forgive their mistakes. As a husband I feel like I failed to educate and supervise my wife and children. Again I apologize. And ... please don't let the citizens know their actions. Please take care of our pride in this environment."

"I will never open my mouth to anyone. But I am sure about my father's wife. Most likely he will open this problem to the citizens, make up stories and spread gossip. As if he were a victim." Septian said analyzing Bu Kades' next action. However, his two troubles allowed Septian to read Bu Kades' manipulative nature.

Bu Kades' face looks stupefied. He gripped his negligent. How furious he was with the right Septian analysis. Mr. Kades sighed in despair. He was well aware that the Septian said was most likely to happen.

"You judge my wife so keenly. I can't promise anything. But as the head of the family, I will watch over my wife and children so as not to make trouble with your family again. God willing." Mr. Kades said solemnly.

Septian was silent for a moment, his eyes glancing towards Bu Kades and Dian at a glance. He again directed a gaze to Mr. Kades who looked lackluster and tired. It is unbearable to see a respected person in their environment must be confused with the behavior of his wife's child.

"good. I look forward to the words of Father. I await a formal apology and an agreement in black and white if Julia is back. Or I will no longer be kind and leave this matter to the law." Septian said firmly full of authority.

"Thank you Tian. I'm so grateful for the relief you've given." Sahut Pak Kades.

"Then we say goodbye." Septian got up and shook Mr. Kades' hand followed by Riska. He did not linger in the same room as the one who destroyed his happiness.

Miss Kades and Dian didn't get out of the chair. They are still busy with their own thoughts. With a giant step Mr. Kades drove Septian and Riska up to the terrace. As soon as Septian entered his car, Mr. Kades quickly closed the door, preparing to teach his wife and son a lesson.

***

Septian leaned his body on the steering wheel. Observing the living room of Mr. Kades' extinguished house. Faintly he heard the voice of Mr. Kades rising accompanied by sobs. Whether it's Miss Kades or Dian, she doesn't care. They deserve a lesson, a hard education.

Septian closed his eyes for a moment. How exhausting today was for him. On one hand he was relieved to have found the mastermind of all problems. He proves that Julia is innocent. He who was too rash to conclude from the beginning. Julia's departure was a fitting punishment for her.

Septian looked down. He covered his face with both hands. His heart was no longer strong to contain all tastes. She missed Julia. A longing that is so great, that it hurts.

"Then after this what is it?" Ask Riska carefully. It was sad to see her cousin so fragile and devastated.

"Find my juita." Septian stared blankly out the window.