The Hate That Ends Marriage

Not as Simple as an Estimation

After escorting Radit and his father off to the front porch of the house, Widya and Bu Gina return inside to continue their work in the kitchen. Today before Widya goes to her house, she intends to spend her time with her mother to teach her how to make cookies.

Last morning when Widya tried to help the maid in the kitchen cook breakfast for them, she instead made her maid do her cooking task even longer. That's when Widya withdrew from the kitchen, because she did not want to add to her mother's maid work more. However, this time he was determined to learn to make cakes from his mother who had been very good at making pastries.

While kneading the dough, Widya talked with her mother. So many things they talked about that they didn't realize too much that time had passed so quickly. Although it was late in the afternoon and the pastries they had prepared together were finished, Radit and his father had not yet shown any signs of going home.

What did they do to spend this much time just going to the wedding? It seems like her father has been preoccupied with chatting with his friends so that forgetting the day has begun to darken in the sky, Widya mused grimly. What a poor Radit.

"Mama had contacted your father, he said they would be home soon," said his mother, approaching Widya who was sitting waiting in the living room restlessly.

"Either the meaning of 'awhile' in papa's dictionary how long," said Widya skeptically, shuffled uneasily in her seat, looking outwards incessantly. "See if in half an hour they haven't shown themselves, then I'll come straight to them."

"Just like that, Wid. Your father will rarely meet his daughter-in-law, so it's only natural that he forgets this time," said his mother, calming Widya. "Where are you going, how impatient is this? Do you want to stop by somewhere before you go to your house?"

Sighing, Widya leaned her body against the back of her seat. "The plan is before we go to our house, I'm going to the Mall first, Ma. There are some things I need to buy while I'm here. When else does Radit have time here? So since I'm in town, I'll quench my thirst for shopping."

Smiling happily, suddenly her mother hugged Widya tightly.

"Don't miss his shopping," his mother scolded. "Mama's so happy you look so happy in this marriage, Wid. At first Mama thought you'd whine after the first day of your wedding, but in fact you were able to last this long."

Releasing her mother's embrace, Widya looked at her mother with an annoyed look.

"I'm not a child, Ma. Although this marriage is against my will, but I can still handle it," Widya said, boasting of her mature attitude. "There were times when Radit made me think of leaving him, but I could still hold back. After all, he wasn't as bad as I thought he was all along. Sometimes he was very tolerant of me, even though I always made a fuss everywhere."

"You should be grateful to have a husband like Radit. He can really balance your childish attitude. Moreover, you have made him get into trouble continuously because of your behavior that likes to make trouble everywhere."

"Enough! I don't want to hear it anymore" Widya said, covering her ears, refusing to listen to her mother's long talk. "It's been quite papa adoring Radit in front of me all this time, Mama don't follow along too."

"You're told you're ranting. Mama said this for your own good." His mother pulled off both of Widya's hands that covered her ears. "Let's not until later you regret that Radit left you because you continue to behave like this."

Arcing a bright smile, Widya looked at her mother with a radiant face.

"He'll never leave me, because Radit's too crazy about me."

"Yes, Mama knows. But ..." His mother deliberately gave a long pause before continuing, "not only Radit who is crazy, you are also just as crazy as him."

"Mama's wrong! I'm not like that" Widya argued loudly, shaking her head.

Seeing the opportunity to escape from the conversation, Widya immediately stood—or arguably almost seen jumping from her seat—then ran to the front porch of the house to welcome the return of her husband who had been waiting for her.

***

Carrying various grocery bags on both sides of his body, Radit groaned in his heart as Widya jumped up in excitement like a child while pointing towards the pink dress displayed in a mannequin at one of the clothing stores. His voice that squealed with excitement became a warning alarm sign in Radit's head. It seemed like he was going to buy some more clothes, which had somehow been this time, Radit could no longer remember.

Perhaps because of the many clothing stores they entered, Radit was no longer able to count in his head. If he let it go any longer, maybe his whole body will be filled with his wife's groceries. That's why Radit pressed the heel of his foot against the floor with all his might as Widya almost dragged him into the clothes shop for the umpteenth time.

"You why the hell? Come on, let's go there!" persuade Widya, forcefully pulled Radit's arm as hard as she could, which was useless as Radit remained unmoved where he stood.

Giving up on forcing Radit to go with her, Widya turns herself around to go alone into the dress shop.

"Yes, go! But remember, your wallet is on me" Radit exclaimed, stopping Widya from continuing.

Returning to walk towards her, Widya hissed angrily at her, "Actually what are you doing by being this ridiculous?"

"I should have said so. Actually what you do, since it's been squandering money everywhere to buy clothes, which I don't know when you use because so much you shop."

"I'm not just shopping for myself, I'm also buying souvenirs for Ririn and others" Widya replied, shuffling her waist.

"Is that so?" Radit raised his eyebrows. "But I think you're buying too much. Look what you've done to these two hands!" Lifting the shopping bag in both hands, Radit looked at Widya with annoyance. "After all, I don't think you need this many clothes for you. Your clothes in our house are more than enough, no need to add to it."

"That's you, but I don't think it's that much."

"Wady?" call a guy behind Widya. "You're Widya right, aren't you?"

In an instant the sullen expression that had adorned Widya's face instantly turned stiff. Radit did not know who the foreign man was, but it was certain that the existence of the man made Widya feel uncomfortable.

Walking closer to Radit's side, his little wife once again put a friendly mask on his face while wriggling affectionately on his arm. Not knowing why, his behavior even makes Radit even more unhappy with this foreign man of high stature in front of him.

Who did she get to make Widya behave like this? Is this Widya's ex-boyfriend? It seems so, when viewed from Widya's suspicious movements. Moreover, he instantly recognized the voice of the man, before even turning to face him.

The day is getting dreary. Waking up late, then going to see many of his father-in-law's friends a few hours ago, now meeting accidentally with his wife's ex-boyfriend. Since his arrival to the city, not a single thing had gone smoothly for him.