The Night Butterfly

chapter 3

Time has shown at three in the morning. Ayu was still sobbing in the chest of the field belonging to the man who hired her services.

It had been a long time since Ayu felt the warmth of a man. Ten years ago, her husband went with another woman. The warmth was shed for a moment. Ayu seemed numb. No white, blue or red.

In his life there are only black and gray. Since then, Ayu has been determined to form her new self. There is no longer a patient and gentle Ayu. Now, he will challenge the cruelty of the world.

If the world could sink him to the bottom of the earth, then he would first grasp it. Ayu raised her face. Warm breath the man swept over Ayu's hair child. The woman immediately distanced her face. Gently rubbing the clear fur that soaked his cheeks.

"Sleep again! It's still three o'clock. Later, at six in the morning I'll take you home" said the man.

Ayu stared at the black netra belonging to the man who Ayu thought was strange. Why didn't Ayu find the lie in the bead?

"Are you not going to play anymore? I can still serve you" he said.

The man smiled faintly. Then pull the blanket and push Ayu's shoulder to lie down. Ayu is still flinching. I don't know what that guy's gonna do. Ayu can only surrender. Isn't this his job? Moreover, this strange man is able to give so fantastic money. In fact, Ayu was just playing with him.

After all, who would be interested in an old woman like her? Although it is undeniable, many people think that he is still under thirty years old. Her body and her curves are quite different from her original age.

"Rest me! I will also go back to sleep" he said, laying his body beside Ayu.

In the midst of his surprise due to the strange demeanor of the man, his burly hand was already perfectly coiled in Ayu's stomach.

The woman rounded her eyes. There was a strange sigh as the hand hugged him tightly. Heart's tickling. It's hard to breathe a lot of oxygen.

"I think I'm crazy!" whispered Ayu's heart.

Not wanting to think any further about the strange feeling sneaking into the recesses of her heart, the woman immediately closed her eyes.

That guy was right. He needs enough rest. Then immediately go home and give money from his hard work to Agni-daughter just wayangnya to pay tuition.

The alarm sound from the device goes off loud. Ayu and the man blinked his eyes. Adjust the light bias that goes into their neutrality. There was a smile on the man's face.

"You awake?" tanyanya gently.

"Here you go" he answered briefly.

"Bring it first! Then prepare. I'll take you home" he said as he woke up.

There was a warm feeling of sneaking quietly into Ayu's heart. The woman felt a strange tremor when she heard that gentle, attentive voice. Ayu immediately moved and stepped towards the bathroom.

*****

The man and Ayu were ready to go home. Before they left the hotel, the man gave her a thick brown envelope. Ayu could already guess what it contained.

"This is for you."

Ayu unmoved. The thick envelope was still within his grasp. Hanging in the air. The man scrunched his forehead. Isn't this what a comfort woman wants? Put money, right?

"It seems like this is too much," Ayu refused.

"Why did you conclude like that? Couldn't this be a little money?" tanyanya felt strange.

"The envelope is so thick. Of course the money is very much," said Ayu kekeh at his establishment.

"What is this strange feeling?" ask Inner Ayu.

"Get it! You need this for your son. I can even give you more than this. Just so you ..." whispered the man.  A grinning smile was clearly visible on his handsome face. Ayu swallowed her own cell of distress.

"This guy? Is he very kind or is he dragging me into his trap?" ask Inner Ayu.

*******

Ayu enters a minimalist house owned by her best friend-Marta. Yes, since ten years ago Marta invited Ayu and Agni to live with her. The house looks empty. Ayu's eyes went around looking for such a meaningful figure in her life. However, Ayu did not find anyone. Her steps towards the back garden that was near the kitchen room.

Ayu smiled when she saw the scenery in the park. Marta and Agni were enjoying the morning air with a glass of tea in their hands. Ayu stepped towards the back garden. He sat down on the chair next to Agni.

"You just got there, Yu? Tumben's coming home at this time?" marta asked, sipping her tea.

"Yes. I fell asleep, Mar. It was so tired. It seems I need more rest today," he lamented as he massaged his nape.

Agni's face became sad. This is what he was worried about his mother's condition. He's grown up. I understand what my mother did is not right. However, he did not have the courage to voice his heart. If Agni wants her mother to quit that dirty job. Agni said goodbye to return to the room.

Ayu and Marta threw eyes at each other. Agni's face became different. The two women could sense that there was something strange about the teenager.

"Yu .. I told you, stop working at that place. Don't follow my wrong steps. You have Agni you have to take care of her feelings. While me? I live a kara. No one cares what I do" he said.

Ayu grabbed Marta's fingers in her lap. The woman smiled warmly at Marta. Ayu knew very well the journey of his best friend's life. Martha's life as the king's daughter now changed one hundred deleapunty degrees. The world has turned its life upside down.

"You're wrong, Mar. Me and Agni care about you. Didn't I often ask you to quit your profession? You're not following, are you? So let me be like this too, Mar. I need a lot of money for Agni's school fees," said Ayu.

Marta's bead is glazed. The woman felt touched every time she spoke to Ayu. They are like siblings who are always caring and loving.

"I went inside first, yeah. I'll talk to Agni. Have breakfast, Mar! I see your body getting thinner. Don't diet everything! Your body is like a bone," Ayu joked as she walked away from Marta.

Marta just smiled at her best friend. Yes, he has been dieting lately. He must be smart to maintain his weight. The competition in the world is so fierce. Many teenagers are willing to change their hymen just for the sake of a new smart device. So lyrical, isn't it? Unlike her and Ayu, they are willing to sell their bodies just to finance their needs.

******

Ayu turned the door knob slowly. Her favorite daughter was reading a book in bed. Thick glasses adorned his face. The girl looked over for a moment. Continue reading again. Ayu stepped near the bed and sat on the edge.

"Agni ... I already have money for your school fees. You pay tomorrow? This is the money" Ayu said, giving her the brown envelope she had received.

Agni saw the envelope. Then his eyes turned to look at his mother. There was a great pain in his chest. That girl felt useless being a child. He could do nothing to save his mother from the depths of sin.

A few minutes later Agni grabbed the envelope and squeezed it slowly. It covered the girl's heart. He lowered his head. Because his face was hot. The dew was already tangling in his eye pelupuk.

"Bu .. Stop working there. I ..." The girl could not continue her words. His throat was suffocating. The clear thread was already flowing.

Ayu unmoved. The woman could guess what her son would say. Because this is not the first time Agni asked him to stop working. The girl even said she would quit school and start looking for a job. Agni's desire is quite simple, which is to want her mother to be a housewife only. Just staying home enjoying his old age. Let him work hard to meet their needs.

"Darling, don't mind Mom! You have to be in high school. Be someone useful and successful. I don't want you to have bad luck like Mom. Promise to learn really. For Mother's sake and for Aunt Marta's sake," Ayu said as she gently rubbed Agni's head.

The girl sobbed in her mother's arms. With Ayu. The woman sobbed, how miserable and exhausting was the life she was living right now. For Agni's sake she must be strong and no longer care about her shattered feelings.