Me, Dama & Rania

My secret is exposed

Two months have passed...I spent my day at home with Susan's bik and Pono's new driver. Dama has only come 2 times in the past month and rarely asks me. Mother and Father who are busy are also not suspicious of the rarity of Dama at home.

I have to live this household sincerely. All I remember is the happiness of Mom and Dad.

Just walk like running water until it finally empties upstream. Either we'll continue together or eventually have to separate.

I chose to concern myself with the college business. Next semester I've got to finish the thesis. Because of the accident I had, everything had to be delayed. And what a coincidence my guiding lecturer is Firman, prof.Firman.

Since the accident, Dama hired a new driver to drive me to college. I refused but Dama continued to insist and did not want to be denied. I just according.

Every activity I do, who I meet, where to go with whom everything should be reported to Dama. He's turned into a possessive. Honestly I'm tired, because I'm wrong a little bit, Dama will scold me. I absolutely can't leave without her permission even if it's just hanging out with Rina.

"Siang prof" I said Word in his room. I have guidance with him today.

"Sit down" I sat down. Submit the results of my thesis research "This is prof". The Word examined it and corrected some of the wrong words with red markers.

I rounded my eyes, so many red streaks there. "It shouldn't be like this" the Word provides some reference notes in the bottom blank column. Some book titles.

"You can find it in the library. And here, you can read. In the library no one" handed the thick book in front of me.

"Thank you prof" I got up and left the Word room.

"Andini" Firman called me when I got the door handle. I turned around "Yes prof, what's wrong?" my many.

"Can we have lunch together?" I was confused as to what to answer. Mr. Pono has always been watching my movements. Everything should be reported to Dama. "Why? can't you?" ask Word.

"How about here, prof? I don't feel good when I see others" the Word nodded. "Okay, I'll order some food from the cafeteria. What do you want to eat, Andini?"

"Anything prof" I sat back down. Firman grabbed his phone on his desk. Contact the cafeteria, say some menu orders and ask to be delivered to the room.

"How are you?" The Word always asks me how I am every time I meet. It's been the last month, always the same. "Alhamdulillah good prof" I replied.

"It's a break, just call Mas Firman" I coughed, Word immediately took a drink for me. "Thank you prof, em.mas" received the glass, drank it.

"Still ashamed of me" he said. My cheeks are red.

The food ordered by Firman was delivered by the waiter of the canteen, Mba Irah. He looked at me and the Word was alone in the room. Surely he thinks that is not between me and the Word.

"He's doing thesis guidance with me. Don't think like that, Mba Irah" like you know what my heart says, Word explains why we had lunch together.

"I-iya sir Firman" put two bowls of meat soto along with rice and two glasses of iced tea.

"Thank you, Irah" I said. Irah smiled wryly and went out.

"Mas Firman, I don't feel good like this. I was afraid Irah was gossiping" receiving a ketchup bottle from the Word's hand.

"No need to mess around. If there is bad gossip, I will go to Irah" put sambal in his meat soto bowl.

"I'm not feeling good. Mas kan duda and everyone knows I'm still single" take turns taking sambal.

"Leave it. I don't mind" smiling happily.

"Ih..mas why is that? later if Mas Dama hears it, he can be very angry with us. I'll be interrogated out" the Word chuckles. "Are you laughing anyway?" I started eating meat soto in front of me.

"I will explain everything to Dama. Be calm! Finish your meal" I nodded then we were just as silent enjoying the spiciness of meat soto.

*****

Word's phone rang loudly. Call from Mentari school, his daughter. Firman's forehead wrinkled.

"Why?" I asked as I saw the face of the Word stiffen after answering the call.

"Well mrs, I'll go straight to the hospital. Thank you" Word closed his phone and hugged me. I'm appalled. "Mas, what's wrong?"

"So, Mentari passed out at school" I patted Firman's back slowly, calming him down. "Please, Mentari must be fine"

"Come with me!" holding both my shoulders. "The comment has been a month to see you but I'm hesitant to say it. I'm afraid Dama will scold you"

We walked quickly to the parking lot. A few friends and other lecturers who were being bagged saw us getting into the car together. I don't bother him anymore. Whatever they're gonna say.

I used a seatbelt and then contacted Mr. Pono while Firman had forwarded his car.

"Assalammualaikum pak Pono's. Sorry, I went with my friend. There's an important need. Pak Pono just tell Mas Dama, he will not be angry anyway" I said on the phone.

"......."

"Yes, sir, just tell me you're visiting a sick friend. Thanks sir. Assalammualaikum"

I hung up the phone after hearing a greeting from Mr. Pono.

"Mas, don't speed. Be careful" I rubbed his left shoulder to calm the Word. I know he must be very worried about the princess. The Word did not answer, only smiled and nodded.

30-minute drive from campus to Elizabeth Hospital. Me and Firman walked quickly to the IGD room.

"Mas, calm down" I patted his arm when we were in front of the IGD. The doctor came out from inside. "Father of the Word?"

"Yes doc, me" Firman followed the doctor to his room not far from the IGD. I sat in front of the IGD. Be careful if there is an emergency on Mentari.

While waiting, I caught a glimpse of two people I knew very well. Dama and Rania.

I miss the mas. I can only hide my longing for him.

"Why daydream?" The Word came with the doctor.

"No papa mas. How's Mentari?" ask me to divert the conversation. The doctor went inside.

"Student should be operation. There's blood clots in his brain" Word cried. I hugged him right away. "Sabar mas, I'm sure Mentari is strong. He will recover and come back cheerful" gently rubbed his back.

"Thank you Andini. I don't know what if you're not here. I'm fragile"

"Sit down first" I asked the Word to sit next to me. Word took my hand, I rubbed his hand back. Giving strength.

"What are you guys doing here?" a voice I know and always miss. Damas.

I took off the hand of the Word, we immediately stood face to face with Dama.

"Mas Dama" held his shoulder. He shook my hand. "My jaw! you two playing behind my back?" the sound was quite loud.

"Mas, lower your voice. It's a hospital" I'm holding her arm tight.

"Deliver!" I shakes not want to let go. I saw the Word just silently looking down.

"Don't be like this. The Word is sad. Her daughter's mentor is sick. Understand the mas" We keep staring. The sharp look in her eyes that I have always missed.

When I get home, I miss it. I just said inwardly as I continued to dive into her eyes.

"Darling.." the spoiled voice of the woman interrupted my and Dama's gaze. Word looked up and stood right next to me. It is clear that the Word was surprised at the arrival of Rania with a stomach that had been swollen.

I let go of my check on Dama's arm. Dama misbehavior before me and the Word. Our secrets are revealed before the Word.

"I'm waiting at home!" mama said to me and left with Rania. Rania gave a mocking look at me while embracing the spoiled arms of Dama.

The Word keeps looking at me, while I? staring at the departure of Dama and Rania until invisible again from my sight.

"What's wrong with you guys?" now it was the Word who turned to ask me by holding both of my shoulders. I looked down and cried. I don't have the courage to look into the eyes of the Word.

The Word took me, took me in its arms. I wept.

Seriate....

*****

Sorry updates really long 🙏 I still focus on my novel MYH (My Young Husband)