STEVA'S PASSION

FACE UP

"What kind of man should I trust? Father, lover, and husband all just hurt." ~ Steva.

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Steva listened to the piano as she went down the stairs. There sat Liora who was playing an instrument that Steva also liked it with a tone that felt heartbreaking, there was a deep sadness in every note played, he said, a tone that implies a loss, disappointment, and anger.

Steva was so familiar with piano music, someone who played with his soul would send a message through the rhythm.

'Does he not want this marriage either? Did she also suffer because of this marriage?'

Steva keeps watching Liora play the piano, since coming to Razz's mansion, Liora never shows up, she doesn't eat together, Liora spent more time in the room without talking to anyone. Even Razz who tried to meet him to just talk Liora refused.

Gulnora came to bring a plate of food for Liora. And Steva was still standing on the steps observing everything that was happening.

"Miss Liora, eat it. If you keep quiet like this. I will be angered by the great Lord, please, eat. This is for your health's sake," Gulnora continued to persuade Liora who was just staring flat ahead unmoved.

Liora stood up and was about to leave Gulnora without responding.

"The behavior you showed me was disrespectful, Miss Liora!" Steva continued her steps down the stairs until she was now faced with Liora who was about to return to the room.

ILL-FAVORED. One word describes Liora at this time, a scar on her temples, a bruise on the cheek that was beginning to fade, and a torn wound on the lip, as well as puffy eyes circled in black. It was obvious that Liora was suffering a lot and was not okay.

"I don't know how you felt after marrying another woman's husband, and entering her house, because I never felt it, but by showing your indifference to Gulnora. I can't keep it quiet, it's also for your own good, he's just asking you to eat," the strand of words that Steva said contained insinuations despite the point that he asked Liora to be willing to eat and appreciate Gulnora's efforts.

"I'm not hungry!" answer Liora flat.

"Women are indeed able to endure her hunger, Miss Liora. But not with jealousy, disappointment, and heartache from betrayal" Steva expressed her pain towards Liora who had been her husband's second wife, though she was not sure what the story was and why.

Liora who had been staring flat ahead, turned to Steva who was standing before her.

Gulnora's heart was beating so fast, she was afraid that something bad might happen.

"Let me add, women also cannot endure the pain of loss, and also miss someone" Liora said.

Silent, the two women just looked at each other in a glare of eyes, and both of them were already crying. Enjoy each other's pain.

"We are only a small cast and are not even considered in the frenetic world, so you don't have to be proud in front of me because you are the first wife" Liora said sharply. He felt Steva was brave and intimidating.

"DEGS?"

"You're right, Miss Liora. But just so you know, there's nothing special between us, being first or being second is just as bad. And I'm never proud." Steva replied not to lose.

Liora looked away, she smiled faintly, she knew how Steva could be Razz's wife and even now loved her best friend, and it was all because of her, but Liora couldn't scorn Steva because Razz had warned her, if it had to be kept secret from Steva, Razz didn't want Steva to get hurt more.

"Bring my food to my room, Gulnora." Liora's command breezed away leaving Steva glued in silence, only tears streaming down her cheeks.

'I've felt betrayal before, so I think when I get back to it, I don't have to tear anymore, but I'm wrong, this cry still plays a role.'

"Sir Steva?" asha's cry broke Steva's daydream, and Steva quickly rubbed her wet cheeks.

"Asha?" Steva welcomes Asha who runs to hug her, after the incident that afternoon, Asha and Steva have never had a chance to meet. They hugged very tightly.

"How's it going, Stev?"

"OK, you?"

"I keep thinking about Kak Steva, even Kak Afnan and Sister-in-law who heard my story about Kak Steva, she was immediately angry and forced to come here, but I certainly forbid it, he said, The big master is not a random person that Kak Afnan can beat up!" confat Asha who still hugged each other with Steva.

Steva smiled, a bit of happiness absorbed her heart, at least there was still Asha and her family who loved and cared for her.

Steva and Asha stand on a small bridge near the back garden, under the small bridge there is a fish pond that looks beautiful naturally, they feed koi fish and other types of ornamental fish.

"Son Steva would listen to the words of the wise man I read in a book?" Asha opened her silence by asking a question that Steva responded to with a smile.

"What Sha? Do you like to read books?"

"He em."

"What book?"

"I forgot the title of the book, but there's a paragraph I think Kak Steva can take into consideration,"

"What Sha? Say it!" Steva pelt the fish down there with the food in the container she was holding.

"Look, if you feel a broken heart, then remember, there is a story about Salman Alfarisi who once proposed to a woman and accompanied by his best friend Abu Dardak, unfortunately his proposal was rejected, the woman was married to Abu Dardak. And amazingly, Salman Alfarisi gave his dowry money to his friend Abu Dardak, and became a witness to their marriage. That's what Stev!" said Asha while taking a handful of food from the container that Steva was holding.

"That's the sacrifice of a friend, Sha. It is different from betrayal and infidelity. Well, although in the stories of the prophets there are also many who tell about polygamy, but Kak Steva is not as strong and powerful as them. Steva is just a sinful human being, who has the selfishness of wanting to have it all without sharing."

Asha was speechless, which Steva said had a point. Even if she was in the same position as Steva, maybe Asha would not accept either. But Asha only tried to comfort Steva, that's all.

"Well what's Steva gonna do?" Asha asked, and Steva only fell silent.

'I don't know Sha, she won't let me go, even if she knows what she's doing is hurting me, she even wants me to have her child, but thankfully, I still keep my birth control pills and take them regularly.'

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