Not a Girl Again
Part 5's
The smell of the drugs seeped into the Naswa's sense of smell. The all-white room had spoiled its neutrality when it first opened. Aji's figure was sitting with closed eyes.
“I'm where?”
Aji woke up from a dream that had started to say hello. Naswa's question has not been answered. He prefers to pay attention to the situation of the woman.
“How are you doing?” Aji asked without answering Naswa's question.
“I won't answer if my question is not answered.”
“For the general public the sick will be taken to the hospital instead of to the restaurant, Naswa!”
Exasperated, Aji explained to Naswa. The woman nodded innocently without any intention of laughing. Maybe the statement was not funny or his life was too dramatic to laugh only rarely.
“Thank you.” Naswa said with a sincere smile.
“No word of thanks .. earlier I just happened to be in park—“
“Concidentally or not you have helped me. So thank you.”
The two men were silent. Busy digesting each other's thoughts that keep guessing. However, in Aji's mind there was still one thing looming over him. About what things ensnared Naswa and the unknown man until it became a feud like this.
“So, who is that guy?”
Without trying to figure out Naswa's problem, Aji asked. The silence that was originally broken was erased. Replaced with the worry of the woman's heart.
“He was just my sister-in-law first.”
Naswa wanted to add that now that status has changed. From a brother-in-law to a criminal who can terrorize every time. This time, fear was no longer able to hide from Aji.
“Oh.”
That brief response was the closing of the conversation. In her heart, Aji knew that Naswa was suppressing her fear to look fine. However, the man was able to read his expression without a word.
“Can I go home now?”
***
“Assalamualaikum.”
The door that was closed is now open. Showing Ibu Naswa with netra pampab that can not be avoided anymore. Without much to say, Naswa has been embraced in his arms.
“Where are you going, tho, Nas?”
Anyone would be worried if his daughter wasn't in the room. Naswa had planned everything. The woman went out of the house through the window and without saying goodbye. It was known to his mother when she wanted to give food.
“Naswa from hospital, Bu.”
Ibu Naswa's view turned to the back. The figure of a well-built man with a slight bruise attracted attention. In the view of anyone who saw Naswa with the man, then all would say fit.
For a moment there began to be hope that his daughter could have a soul mate who accepted what was. Ibu Naswa is afraid that all the dark past makes Naswa reluctant to build a household. Given so far many applications are rejected for no apparent reason.
“Let's go, Son!”
Mr. Naswa who was on the doorstep was a little surprised by the return of his son who brought a man. Many questions are kept in mind. However, upon seeing Naswa's tired face, the middle-aged man preferred to be quiet.
“Please sit down, Son!”
Aji smiled and sat on the wooden chair opposite Naswa's father. “Thank you, Sir!”
“Before you want to ask why can Naswa condition like earlier?”
Aji lowered his head and sighed in confusion as to what to explain. “Actually I accidentally caught Naswa who was being bullied by bad people. After helping her, she fainted. I had to take him to the hospital, Mr.”
Mr. Naswa nodded trying to digest an alibi that was too difficult to guess. Once again, the middle-aged man preferred to be quiet and create an awkward atmosphere. Before the end, Ibu Naswa came and melted the situation.
“Thank you, Nak Aji. Naswa told me everything. Twice you have saved our daughter. Oh yes, please drink the tea!”
Aji nodded and let the middle-aged woman sit beside Mr. Naswa. He thought the awkward atmosphere would become more and more. In fact, the presumption is broken with the warm attitude that exists.
“Ten-five, Bu.” Aji replied with an awkward smile.
“You must be married, huh?” The look on Naswa's face turned sad.
“Numbers, Bu.”
I don't know why Aji's answer is like a fresh breeze for Ibu Naswa. The middle-aged woman now began to put her hopes on Naswa to mate with the man. Even though the desire was only wishful thinking that was tightly stored in the recesses of his heart.
Inside the room, Naswa was silent. He was really slapped to continue his dream of building a happy household. He felt dirty and disgusted when he saw her look in the mirror.
His pride is torn at the bottom of the ocean because of Rehan's actions. I don't know why hate started to build up in his heart. He really hates this situation.
***
Shame is the crown of women, but now Naswa seems to have none. Just imagine her nude photo has been stored on Rehan's phone. So, besides being stained, he no longer has self-esteem.
The epithet of the remnant woman no longer strikes the heart. Change by nickname****** or other. Naswa was no longer able to show his face in front of the mirror.
“Naswa.”
The soft voice flowed along with the elusan at the top of his head. In the third night, Naswa's mother heard sobs that broke her heart. No need to ask, whose cry it is. It was definitely Naswa's cry.
The touch was able to make Naswa look up. Accompanied by the lights, the two women embraced each other. Stirring wounds through touch.
“Rehan—“
At times like this, Naswa can no longer make his voice. He felt his throat choked by the bad memories that came back. The crying was still a few minutes later.
“Don't tell me first, Nas! Calm your heart.” His mother whispered in a weak tone.
Seven years is not a short time to get hurt. Moreover, the wound was not playing pain. The real evidence, after the bitter incident passed, the bad shadows still followed wherever Naswa went. The woman was at a loss to find a way to get out of this endless maze.
Whether or not his suffering ends only the Khalik knows.
***
“Ma, Pa, Aji want to talk.”
The atmosphere of the dining room was instantly silent. For the first time Aji spoke such an important matter this early. Sontak made a questionable look on both old faces in front of him.
“What's up, Ji? Usually after breakfast you will go directly to the office.” Mama Aji said as she cleaned the dining table.
“There are important things that Aji wants to say about matchmaking.”
All eyes are on Aji. The man tried to calm down and keep his face. After exhaling a long breath a sentence slid back just like that.
“Kemarin Rea says that she wants to cancel this matchmaking. I've asked for an explanation and a reason to reinforce that he's willing to defend. However, he still refused—“
“What's the reason?” ask Papa Aji with a flat face.
“She has a lover.”
Aji closed her mouth tightly. It was impossible to say why Rea's lack of strength made him not breathe anymore. Moreover, the attitude of the woman who was too relaxed and even impressed had no shame.
“Lantas, if the invitation is already spread. We have to what?” Mama Aji asked with an anxious face.
“I have a replacement candidate.” Without a doubt the sentence just came out.
“Who?”
The question was swallowed with a silent Aji. This time I don't know why there are different flavors. Not a desire to have but a desire to protect. Yes, protect fragile women with a tough face. Naswa Farida's. Perhaps his heart was slowly linked to that woman.
***
Tbc.
