Pamite

22. There Are Different

ANANG POV

Six years I have been a husband and father of my three children. There used to be many people who thought I was lucky I could marry a naturally beautiful woman like Ayu. Of course it makes me big head and try as hard as possible to keep Ayu as my lover.

For three years, the relationship did not get the blessing of both my parents because of the situation Ayu who lived a simple life and grew up without parents. They consider Ayu not a good wife figure, because during her life never get educated from parents.

"You seek a wife must be right is her proposal, Anang. You can't just marry a woman like that. However you look for a mother figure for your child, the first school for your descendants. Got to find the real one." That's the word I heard the first time I invited Ayu to come home.

I did not despair, I kept trying and kekeh to maintain what was my decision. I love Ayu very much and I am sure that she is the best wife and madrassa for my children.

Until later my efforts succeeded, both my parents gave my blessing to get married. We were happy then, until at the age of our one-year marriage, Dad was gone for good.

As the first child, of course I had to replace father as the backbone of the family. I took the life of my mother and sister, the only ones still in college.

Actually I mind a little, anyway I also have my own family that I have to live with. But mother's words always made me think I should be more concerned with mother than Ayu.

"You should not forget that you can be an office employee as well because of the mother and father who sent you as high as possible. Your school doesn't spend a little money, Nang. If you don't help who else? You must be poisoned by Ayu lest you help mom. Your wife doesn't know how hard we make your nyekolahin, she knows you're just successful. And now you are more obedient to Ayu than to mother? You are in this world also because of mother."

If this is the case, I can't do anything anymore. I finally did what my mother said to finance Fadil's college.

Year after year we passed, thankfully Ayu accepted with sincere living that I gave. Although I often hear complaints from her that she often asked for kitchen necessities for her. I can only ask him to be patient until Fadil's college is over.

In the fifth year of our marriage, Ayu again became pregnant with our third child. The more here Ayu's appearance makes me feel less at home. The smell of rubbing oil, sometimes wind oil, the smell of the kitchen, his face was not as smooth as when we were newlyweds. Ayu's face turned crumpled and dull. I want to protest but I'm afraid he's offended by my words. I finally chose silence.

Until finally, I was met with Winda. A childhood friend who hasn't seen each other for decades because I moved house. It was from that meeting that I started to get close to him again. From then on, I began to compare the appearance of Ayu and Winda.

The presence of Winda made a new color in my life. I feel like my old world is back. I was tempted in the end too. Winda used to take me to stay at the hotel and sometimes at his house.

To who would have thought, Ayu who never unpacked my bag that day knew what I was carrying while working. Not only that, he also finally knew that my salary was not small. And my destruction started from here.

After that incident I went to my mother's house, I came crying. I told her about the condition of my household and Ayu who came home late at night with a man. My mother of course defended me even though I was wrong, I realized I was wrong I apologized and offered Ayu to start from the beginning why did she refuse?

The next day I saw Ayu leaving early in the morning with my three children. Somehow I'd prefer to shut up and see their departure through mom's living room. She looked so beautiful that morning. Although his face was a lot of bruising here and there.

After Ayu went away, I went home. I went straight to the room, I frowned, because he did not bring his clothes a single item. Not even the children's clothes he brought, just a few that I felt were carried by him.

My eyeballs turned to her dressing table. The table is also still there are some of her makeup tools that are not how much and the price. But the thing that made my heart move to take it and open it.

"Marry ring, money?" my murmurs are packing money and rings.

Then I found a letter in it.

Thank you for everything you have ever done in my heart. Honestly, it's very hard for me to forget the years we spent together. But the pain you're painting is slowly able to make me and my love go away without any residual feeling.

I gave you back the wedding ring and the living you gave me the last few weeks. You told me once that I should be grateful to have you, right? You still give me a home and a living when I don't care about you anymore. This is clear evidence that I no longer use your money to meet the needs of me and the children.

I'm pampering.

I sat down while holding my head that felt suddenly dizzy.

"Ah let him go. I can still live without him, there's still a Winda willing to take care of me."

I try not to think about his disappearance. After all, I also knew he was leaving and I had no intention of pursuing or obstructing his departure.

I started to shower and get ready for the office.  The equipment that was usually prepared by Ayu, now I myself prepare it. For the first day, to be honest I was a little stiff. I've never done anything myself before. I always scream 'Decks' then whatever my needs will be available in plain sight. Although sometimes it has to be colored the commotion of my three children.

I sighed deeply, there was nothing else I called from today onwards. Traffic in my head I'll bring Winda home.