Revisions

#10

"What are they really planning?" ask the orange in a soft voice. Firna crossed her arms around her chest.

"Whatever it is, you don't have to interfere. Don't eavesdrop on the conversation again." Firna gave advice.

"But...."

"So, you better get back to Australia. It's not good for you to stay here."

Orange looked at his sister-in-law's face.

"Did you know something?"

"About what?"

"About Ruby's sister."

Firna shook her head and immediately left to avoid asking questions again, but just a step Firna came back closer to Orange.

"Or, go.."

"But brother, he's brother's husband!"

"And he's your brother!" Firna warned.

"Sister Ruby is also my brother." Orange denied again.

Firna stared at Orange sharply.

"But she's your real mother. Don't take sides, it must hurt your heart. You better go." Firna's gaze softened and she stroked the orange hair.

"Don't worry about anything." He said before leaving the worried orange.

**

"Edgar, I want to talk." Karin came to Edgar in his office.

"Speak, you look too serious."

"Are you hiding a girl?"

Edgar's hand stalled instantly, Karin stared at him sharply and then the next second he laughed.

"Is it not strange that I don't have another woman out there?" ask Edgar.

Karin squeezed her skirt furiously.

"Listen to Edgar..."

"Listen to me first." Edgar cut Karin's talk.

"You don't have to spend your time watching which woman I keep. Look Karin, I hid it, didn't show it in public. Not until we're officially divorced, you don't have to be nervous."

"Make sure you don't ruin your good name with your carelessness in public!"

Edgar looked back at Karin.

"When you see our affection it means you're the one who's out of work to follow us. Don't burden yourself with unimportant things."

"It doesn't matter what you say?" Karin throws a copy of the photo she previously burned.

Edgar glanced at him.

"If my parents knew...."

"Sunday, you were really amazing. How much money did you spend to get all this? Too bad you didn't take pictures in the villa..." Edgar deliberately made Karin even more angry.

"You, among all women, why her?" ask Karin in frustration.

"Why are you asking. You must have known the answer."

Karin kicked the table in anger.

"If you embarrass me, I'll make a calculation with him!"

Edgar put his face close to Karin's.

"You've had the courage to fight Ruby?" ask Edgar. Karin growled in annoyance.

"Why indeed?I'm not afraid of him." Edgar chuckled and then sat back in his chair.

"As far as you. I don't need to remind you what Ruby did last to you, do I?"

Karin ruffled waist.

"no need. I remember every detail of it, because it'll look for a chance to get back at him." Karin then exited the room to slam the door.

Edgar looked agitated.

Don't let Karin know the tough Ruby has turned into the fragile Charcoal.

***

"How's it?" arang asked curiously at Ratna who closed the door slowly.

"Library near Jakarta Technology campus. Tomorrow at 12 noon."

"Ah, where is it?" Charcoal frustration. He does not know Jakarta.

"Araaaaang!!!" The sound of Edgar shouting to Arang. Arang tried to listen.

"Italy...!!" This time it sounded louder. Arang glanced at the clock on the table. 23.45.

Charcoal rushed out of the room and found Edgar sitting in the living room with a somewhat messy look.

"What's up Edgar?Why yell?" Charcoal approached slowly. Seeing Arang, Edgar immediately pulled his hand to sit next to him. Arang knew Edgar was drunk.

"You drunk?" asked Arang and stood up. Arang is afraid to get close to drunk people. He had asked Edgar not to come to him if he wanted to get drunk. The last time he saw Edgar teler was two years ago. At that time Edgar was angry indistinctly, Charcoal was frightened, Edgar unconsciously pushed Charcoal to fall on the stairs. Arang knew Edgar regretted it and promised not to get drunk again.

"No, I just drank a little." Edgar pulled Charcoal's hand to sit down again.

"Guide me for a while here." Edgar spoke slowly. Confused charcoal.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Arang. Why do you always suspect me?" ask Edgar.

"You're drunk!" Charcoal tries to stay away but Edgar hugs him instead.

"Just a second. I can only hug you like this when I'm home."

"Did?" Arang did not understand Edgar's conversation.

"Even if I want to hug you in a public place, show everyone that I love you, but I can't do it right now."

"What are you talking about?" Charcoal increasingly did not understand and then took off Edgar's embrace.

Edgar looked at Arang's face.

"I will obey your will. We're moving here." Edgar leaned himself against the sofa.

"Edgar, let's talk tomorrow. You don't seem to realize what you're talking about." Edgar nodded and laughed.

"I'm aware of Charcoal. I'm very conscious right now. You're so funny freaking out with drunk people, you used to do even worse things."

Charcoal glaring.

"A-ku ma-buk?" asked Arang in disbelief.

Edgar laughed again.

"I'm kidding."

Arang heaved a sigh of relief, he never imagined that he had ever been drunk.

"Arang, from now on we live here. You know, since this is Jakarta, I can no longer accompany you outside too often. You understand my makdsud, right?"

Arang.

"I hid you in Bandung because I can still take you for a walk outside even if you have to be careful. But this is Jakarta. I can't show you outside that we're engaged."

Arang is still listening.

"Is it because of Karin?"

Edgar nodded.

"I'm trying to appreciate it. I'm doing this for you too. I don't want people to know and think you're no good."

"Women who live with other people's husbands are indeed not good people, "Arang reminded.

Edgar laughed again.

"They don't know our problem, Arang. So it's better if anyone asks, tell me you're my business partner."

"Business? I don't even know business."

"I'll give you a job, you'll love it."

"job? What am I working for? I don't think I need to work."

Edgar looked at Arang's face again.

"You're gonna be the owner of a travel agent so I always have a reason to see you."

Arang laughs.

"Why should it be like that? You can meet me at home, right?"

"You don't like it?" ask Edgar

"No. I like it when I can be normal. I just feel like you're too complicated. "

"Our lives are complicated." Edgar said to himself.

"I'll keep you. There'll be a bodyguard looking after you, you don't have to worry."

Arang looked at Edgar's face.

"You did all this for me? So I can do normal activities again?"

"Yes, because you haven't been able to return to Charcoal...." Edgar stopped his words because

Charcoal brought himself closer to Edgar. His face was in front of Edgar.

Edgar looked at Arang's unblinking eyes and then without speaking Arang kissed him again. Edgar froze for a moment. This was the first time Arang kissed of his own volition.

Charcoal looked at Edgar's face.

"Thank you, Edgar."

Then Arang stood up leaving Edgar still riveted.

***