The Heart-Bitter

Andri's Victory

Andri was sitting daydreaming at the post where he worked, last night he just went to eat together with Citra, whether they had walked together for more than two months, to the cinema, restaurant, to the mall, watching the theater and so on. The days with Citra were so happy for Andri, but on the one hand he also felt anxious and guilty for lying to his wife all this time. Almost a month he almost never had a holiday, he was not on holiday, his holidays are used for Citra.

While his efforts so far to reach his love Julia which he had fought for had been fruitful, Julia who now did not hesitate to declare her love, served him with all her heart and love. Give him happiness when he is at home. Julia really changed from a wife who never considered the existence of Andri to the wife he always dreamed of her figure, and unfortunately it happened when he had fallen in love with Citra.

What confuses Andri even more is that he has been caught lying to Julia several times, but Julia has never made a point, only asking him to be more honest and open to her, this is what makes Andri feel more guilty when lying to Julia to meet Citra.

"How long will you play Dri?" Suddenly Mr. Darman's voice was heard from behind, Andri gasped in shock but he tried to calm down.

"What does that mean, sir?" Andri pretended to be stupid even though he already knew the direction of Mr. Darman's conversation.

"You don't pretend to be stupid, I know you're often tuker shif with Irfan, you're lucky Irfan wants to cover up your disgrace by lying to your wife "

Andri limped, he just stared silently at Mr. Darman. Irfan is a true friend, he just wants to defend Andri who always reasoned to back Irfan's schedule with the reason Irfan had to keep his mother in the hospital. Irfan even called Julia to check the truth. Of course Mr. Darman knows because he's the security commander here.

"Your wife is a good person, and I'm sure the other woman is also a good person, because there's no way you fall in love with a bad woman, you'll ruin both of them if you continue playing this game, the longer it's going to be the harder it's going to be for you to get out, eventually.. BUOUM! "

"You have to decide which one you're going to choose Andri, I can't afford to lie to your wife anymore." Irfan related the words of Mr. Darman. Andri increasingly made pinned position.

"I do not have the right to interfere in your personal affairs Ndri "Pak Darman continued with the sound pressure that seemed to squeeze Andri's chest with a stone.

"Or how do you find a way so that you can both Ndri, the first sincerely combined the second sincerely accept to be the second wife." Irfan chuckled, this time Andri did not answer Irfan's joke because his head was about to break, but Irfan got a sharp shot from Mr. Darman who made his laughter stop.

"You grown men must already know which is best for your life, lest in the end all that you struggle with is painstakingly ruined by pseudo-pleasure." Mr. Darman's last words hit Andri's head like a rock hit by an excavator. Mr. Darman took a sip of his coffee and patted Andri on the shoulder with a smile. He went out with Irfan who was finished from his duty to leave Andri alone, his heart was getting dazed, Andri sipped his coffee, even coffee was very tasteless.

The next night Andri and Citra meet again at a mall. As usual since they started walking together Citra no longer wear clothes like that. The image is always dressed gracefully that displays the feminine side that makes her beauty very charming. They walk side by side holding hands while looking at the items that will be bought by Citra. Andri saw Citra's face so happy, Citra looks very comfortable with Andri, and vice versa, it's just a matter of time whether he or Citra will start first.

Andri remembered what Mr. Darman said last afternoon, Mr. Darman was right, all this must end, the image will be destroyed if this continues. This is the time before anyone declares like, meaning that the current position of their status is only friends. While walking Andri prayed that his desire to end his relationship was not faded by Citra's happy smile. Andri's strange facial expression was read by Citra.

"You why Dri? " Your face koq is so rich?" The image held Andri's hand, looking at her spoiled, Andri's heart as if it had slipped out of place.

"I hear you're going to a thesis hearing soon, is that right?" Andri tried to start the conversation.

"I'm afraid that this kind of walking interferes with your activities,"

"No, unless you actually object to accompany me." The image looked at Andri with a spoiled look, Andri was powerless to dodge.

"No! I don't mind, really! I just don't want my presence to interfere with your concentration, not to mention that you have to prepare for a theatrical performance any minute." Andri's nervousness is so read by Citra.

"Don't worry, though,! I can manage my time, but I see today you're so weird, Ndri, what's wrong with you?"

"Ah No no, no why, I was worried."

"Worry what?"

"I was wondering if you might want me to meet with my family on Sunday?" Andri's voice was getting chaotic, he hoped that his voice was clear enough to be heard by Citra, his body as if it had no bones anymore. Image like not believing in his hearing, this was beyond his expectations.

"Meet your parents? aren't they in the village?" Citra asked as she continued to hold Andri's hand, her voice filled with excitement.

"Yes, they're coming to my house tomorrow, I want to introduce you to them." Andri increasingly convinced the bones of his body have fallen out all . Andri did lie to Citra so far he worked to finance the lives of both parents and siblings.

"Of course I would love to meet them, I was going to take you home because you want to meet you. But we can arrange it later." The joy of Citra is no longer a cover-up, and true what Andri fears, it is only a matter of time before he or Citra who states first, he has planned to meet him with his mama, jeez.

"Can you pick me up on Sunday? Or am I coming alone?"

"Of course I'll pick you up, you just wait at home."

"okay!" Citra's voice is more cheerful but this time he embraces Andri's hand as if reluctant to be released. Andri's feet are getting heavier. The walk in the mall this time feels like climbing the Himalayas. Andri's breathing becomes congested not because of overachievement or lack of oxygen. Time seems slow to turn, it has been centuries it feels around the mall, not even over.