Mateau

Dani's Arrival

The meeting was brief. Rina and Alvin return to their own activities. Rina rushed back to the cafeteria as chat from Caca kept popping up.

 He walked with a bad feeling. The hug that happened a few seconds ago is not in the scenario of his second marriage. It's even unimaginable.

"Come, relax!" Rina hit the right cheek softly. He should not be complacent because basically Alvin has a story that may still imprint in the heart.

Finally he reached the table again. Found Caca upset about being left behind. "Where did you end up?" 

Lina pulled the chair, sat down. Breathe as well as possible in order to communicate well. "That's, I need to." I don't know why he chose to hide what really happened.

"Who's the guy?" 

"There, people."

"Yes, people. Your time there needs to be a ghost." Caca looked curious, but Rina still did not want to tell a story.

They finished off the expanding chicken noodles, then went together to the study. 

***

At a mosque not far from campus, Rina and Caca listened to ustadz's explanation of how to live a household. It is undeniable that most of the pilgrims present are young wives who need to learn a lot.

"We know that the position of the wife is a role that is not easy. For example, not raising your voice when arguing with your husband is a big reply, but it is difficult to do. Especially if our position is right and the husband is wrong" said Mr. Ustad.

Rina. Trying to filter out any good sentences and need to be reviewed by his brain.

"Everything is, there are endless household quarrels because both of them are equally unwilling to budge. That's us, man. As if everything must go as you wish," continued Mr. Ustad.

Rina remained silent. Somehow each of those words pierced the heart as if tearing the inside of his organs. Giving a hard slap how his attitude can not be gentle and kind to the Husband.

"Na, so the wife wasn't easy, was she?" whiskey Caca.

Rina nodded slowly. "Yes." Yeah."

"But, sometimes the wife is also much underestimated. The wives finally choose to go and find happiness themselves." Caca looked around. He saw some real events that he had seen himself. "I'm afraid of getting married."

Rina glanced at Caca. "Don't be like that. It is true that we can choose to marry or not, but do not also be a big threat. Marriage is not easy. There must be a small pebble. All need to be patiently passed while continuing to learn together. Hence, find a partner who is willing to fight together."

Caca understands. Mr. Ustad's voice sounded again. This study lasted about an hour. The congregation disbanded when Ustad ended the activity.

Rina herself chose to go home because there were no classes, while Caca still had one course to attend. They split up in the mosque.

Lina walked to the nearest stop. Waiting for the bus there. Some visitors also come continuously crowded the stop. In this crowd, Lina began to withdraw in silence. His head turned upwards. The scorching sun disappeared replaced with a black cloud hanging. The romance rain is coming. It must be fun, he thought.

Bus's coming. All visitors boarded with nothing left. They this time crowded the large vehicle, although in fact it was still enough.

Rina herself chose to stand, because most people do not want to take turns. Holding on to the pole above is what he needs to do so as not to fall.

Buses run and stop at every stop. Rina got off at her destination stop, walked towards the gate of the elite housing and did not forget to greet the complex security guard.

His house is not far from the gate. Only three houses were blocked, and Rina arrived. 

Rina entered the house and said, "Assalamualaikum."

There's no answer. Obviously, he was alone with Alvin. So, no one can answer. 

All activities passed. Lina also threw herself in the bed. His clothes were not replaced, only removing the hijab. According to Alvin, his brother will come later in the afternoon. He had to cook to welcome them.

"I slept for a while" muttered Rina.

Time continued, until the afternoon came. Rina wakes up before Azan Ashar. He took a shower, changed his clothes and put on the hijab again. Before wrestling in the kitchen, he did not forget to pray first. 

Today he intends to make fried chicken, stir-fried kale, shrimp crackers, and sambal. Simple, but luxurious menu.

Salad done. Lina out of the room. His steps slowly climbed one step after another, moving towards the kitchen and starting his struggle there.

An hour later, the sound of a car stopped in front of the house. Rina who was finished and still wearing the apron was ready to welcome Alvin. Half quickly walked towards the door. 

The woman made a smile so that the husband would not protest. Lina opened the door, then her gaze straight ahead. Both of his eyes were rounded to see who was standing straight in front of him. A man with a smile he hated most all the time.

Alvin apparently just got out of the car, rushed up to them and said, "Assalamualaikum."

Lina pretended to be calm. "Wa'alaikum salutations." He grabbed Alvin's right hand and kissed him. Trying not to see the man still standing in front of her.

"Rina, this is Dani. My cousin's sister," said Alvin introducing the man.

Dani is smiling. Rina hush.

Alvin observes Rina's less-than-natural reaction. It was as if his wife did not like Dani's arrival.

"You know him?" alvin asked Dani.

Rina's heart was beating. His heart beats unbecoming. Dani's answer determines her domestic life here.

"No. He just looks like someone" Dani replied quickly.

Lina's lips shook violently. I wanted to feel interesting, but it might not.

"Come, come in." Alvin took his cousin's sister inside. Rina shifted to make way for them. Standing looking at the backs of the two who are equally firm.

When it was eight steps, Dani looked over. Blinking her right eye once at Rina as if hinting at her winning.

Rina's right hand clenched down below. The anger was in the bushes. However, it cannot be removed well.

Dani listened to Alvin speak. Explain where his room is. 

"You can choose upstairs or downstairs" Alvin said.

Dani weighed in advance which one was best. "It looks like it's above. There's a balcony, right?"

"There's." Alvin's assertive. "But there's something you need to remember here."

"What?" Dani felt there was a rule.

"Live well. Don't bother each other, including my wife!" press Alvin with a sharp look.

Dani's silent. This is a start that requires a lot of effort. "Quiet down. I've only been here a month. Relax."

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