The Hate That Ends Marriage

Terror

Not long after Mila and Ririn left her house, someone came knocking on her door. Calming her heartbeat, Widya took a deep breath before facing her first terror, which was currently waiting for her behind the door. Surely it must be Radit who just came home from work, he thought grimly.

Wearing an expression as calm as possible, his eyes clashed with Mr. Benny, who was standing at his door with a friendly smile. His legs were a little wobbly as he let his father-in-law in. Waiting for the unsuspecting guest to sit on the sofa, he prepared to go for a drink.

"No need to bother, Wid. You just stopped by for a minute." Signalling for Widya to sit down as well, Mr. Benny waited for her to sit down before continuing his words. "Don't be afraid, you didn't come here to judge you."

Widya still did not dare to look into the eyes of her father-in-law, her head lowered looking at her two agitated moving hands on her lap. His heart beat irregularly, even he felt cold sweat start rolling on his back.

"You don't feel guilty like that. You don't know you very well, but you know you're not what everyone out there says." Mr. Benny was silent, as if waiting for a response from Widya.

Raising her head, Widya looked into Mr. Benny's eyes from across the seat. Slowly he exhaled, which he had not realized he had been holding since.

"Maybe what they say about me is true. I'm just a rude person who doesn't know manners. I'm sorry," bowed again.

Mr. Benny shook his head, denying Widya's accusation to himself. "Don't do it, son. You're not like that."

Hitting her head with her fist, Widya looked at Mr. Benny guiltily. "I'm a fool for not being able to control my emotions."

Mr. Benny stared in surprise as Widya hit his head once again. His hands stretched out as if he wanted to stop Widya's actions.

"Don't hit yourself like that, son. You're only going to hurt yourself" asked Mr. Benny worriedly.

Sighing with relief at seeing Widya comply with her request, Mr. Benny relaxed back in his seat.

"I don't know what else to say to Dad. I knew I had embarrassed Dad for my attitude this afternoon to Bu Leni, but I did that because Bu Leni fished me first" Widya explained, she could not help but defend herself, then he lowered his head again.

Momentary silence. Taking a breath, he continued his words.

"Maybe I sound like giving an excuse for my insolent attitude, it's just that I can't forgive the attitude of Bu Leni who wants to interfere in my household affairs," said Widya Lirih, squeezed his hand over his lap while waiting for a response from Mr. Benny.

"Without explaining, you also know you are not a person who likes to start fights. You have lived here for a long time, so you know the character of everyone who is here" replied Mr. Benny softly. "And as you said earlier, you didn't come here to judge you. I mean, you came here just to see how you are. You know how hard it is to live in this new environment for you."

"For the time being you better stay indoors until the gossip about the commotion this afternoon has calmed down" suggested Mr. Benny. "So, I hope you understand."

"Of course I understand what Dad meant. Take it easy, I'll stay home, and I promise I won't repeat this again" Widya said earnestly.

Mr. Benny nodded happily at Widya's promise.

The sound of footsteps heard in his yard made Widya remember the terror of both, namely Radit. Upholding his posture on the sofa, he prepared to face the terror of the two.

°°

Standing in the doorway looking speculatively at Widya and her father— who were chatting together in the living room—Radit first gave his greetings to his father, who immediately smiled welcoming his arrival. Despite talking to her father, her eyes focused on Widya, who looked so tense in her seat. Seemed as if his wife was avoiding him, his eyes would not turn from his father, as if his little wife asked his father for help to save him from Radit's grip.

Turning his attention to his father who was standing up to leave, he immediately accompanied his father out of the terrace, followed by Widya who was clearly keeping her distance from him.

"Don't be too hard on your wife, Dit. Speak well with her" asked her father in a soft voice so that Widya could not be heard.

"Father don't have to worry, I have no intention of getting into a fight with Widya because of this afternoon's troubles."

"Good then."

°°

Waiting in a watchful manner as Radit closed the door of their house, Widya observed her husband standing right in front of her. His eyes filled with question marks as he looked at Widya who was sitting restlessly in her chair. It seems like he was thinking what to do with Widya. Then suddenly he started walking around in front of her.

Silence filled the room. No one spoke, Widya just sat quietly waiting for what Radit would say to her. She thought, There is no point in starting the conversation first because whatever she will say will only sound like self-defense by her husband. So, she decided to just sit quietly, preparing herself for the outburst of her husband's anger.

A moment of footsteps Radit stopped, then he turned his body to face Widya, slowly he began to approach Widya who was sitting firmly in her chair. Both of her hands squeezed Widya's shoulders slowly, waiting for her to look up at him. Raising her head slowly, Widya looked straight at her husband, clenched her hands in her lap to strengthen herself from her husband's nagging.

"Great work! Bu Leni deserves that reprimand" Radit said, nodding in satisfaction.