The Untouched Heart

Chapter 42 - The Unexpected Meeting

Out of habit, on that day I went to the laundress carrying all our dirty clothes and went shopping to the supermarket. I gave her money to buy her lunch, so Kafin knew that it would take me a long time to shop.

Hendra was not home so I rarely attended any meetings. He won't let me go without him. Only attend charity events on Sunday night that I can attend because of the company of Papa and Mama.

Tired of just being at home, I decided to spend some time in the supermarket. Looking at the special rack of baby gear, I came to him immediately. I was seven weeks pregnant, too soon to buy her needs. So, I just looked around at how cute all the petite clothes and gear she would need later.

“Ara?” I was stunned to hear that call. Only my family and old friends at school called me by that name. I turned my head and saw the man who had long disappeared from my life, standing behind me.

“Aldo?” I just don't believe it. I looked towards the basket he was holding. It seemed like he had also just been shopping at this place.

“Hai, how are you?” He extended his hand. I didn't welcome his hand, Hendra didn't like it when he found out I was in contact with other men. I'm just smiling.

“Good news. You?” I asked back. He kept smiling as he pulled his hand down as soon as he realized that I didn't want to shake with him.

“My news is also good.” He's laughing a little. “What's up? Are you afraid to see your husband?”

“Not. I was worried about your wife.” I turned around when it was my turn to pay for my groceries at the cashier. One by one I put the goods on the counter and the officer scanned it on the available tools.

“You're busy? Want to eat with me?” ask him after I receive my card back. It was her turn to pay for her groceries. “Colah. Just for a second. We are old friends after all. I promise, I won't bring up the past.”

I should have refused, but hearing him promise, then I nodded in agreement. We chose a restaurant located not far from the supermarket. I dropped the trolley I was carrying and went in with Aldo. We were directed to a table for four people. After taking down our order, the maid left us.

“So, you don't have a maid doing this kind of work? Isn't your husband a wealthy man?” tanyanya's confused.

“What's wrong with doing it yourself?” I asked back.

“If I were him, I wouldn't let my wife get tired,” she said. “But he takes good care of you. You're still pretty. Much prettier than you were when you were young.”

“When I was young? So, I'm old now? That's what you mean?” He laughed off.

“Not.” He's laughing a little. “Not so I mean. Excuse me. I often forget that women don't like to be called old. I mean, you're beautiful. That's it.”

“Thank you. You're still handsome too. Your wife takes good care of you.” I commended back. The smile on his face slowly disappeared. He lowered his head and folded his hands on the table. Change of attitude is not a good sign. Did something happen to his wife?

“My wife died last year of cancer,” he said slowly.

“Oh. Ii'm sorry. I'm sorry to hear it,” I said surprised and sympathetic.

“Thank you.” He took a deep breath. “Two years we fought together against the cancer he suffered. He was so excited to get well. But God wants something else. She died after two years of treatment.”

“She's a great woman.” I know some cancer fighter stories, so I can imagine what he had to live with during those two years.

“Iya.”

For a moment we were silent. I don't know what to say after just a few moments of starting a conversation, we instead discussed the thing that aroused his sadness. What would I have felt if Hendra had died at such a young age? Will I be as sad as Aldo feels? Or will I feel relieved to get away from it?

“I'm sorry. We should discuss something else,” he said breaking the silence. At the same time, the waiter came to deliver our ordered drinks. “How about you? You're still with that guy, ‘ right? How many kids do you have?”

“Iya, I'm still with Hendra.” I don't want to talk about children.

“He really loves you. He has taken good care of you.” He looked towards my body. What does it mean to talk like that? “My wife and I have three children.”

“For the time being they live with their grandparents. Once a month I go home to see them,” the answer is smooth without hesitation. It was as if we had never been apart for long and were still friends.

“You didn't miss them?”

“Very miss. But I have to work. I can't be with them like when my wife was alive. I can't trust them in a daycare or under the supervision of a nanny. After all, they are strangers. Then the best way out is to ask Papa and Mama to take care of them.”

“I understand.”

“After being old enough, they will stay with me again. That's my promise to them.”

“How old are they now?”

“The first is five years, the second is three years, and the smallest is not even two years,” he replied. I frowned, starting to count in my head.

“You married your wife right after our relationship ended?”

“Hust. She's pregnant.” He touched his coffee cup and twisted it around. “At that time I was very sad about the end of our relationship. He faithfully accompanied and comforted me. Our relationship is too far away. But I'm responsible for what I did.”

“Your wife is the same woman you brought to my wedding, ‘kan?” tanyaku. He nodded his head.

Our food came, so we no longer talked about our personal lives. We were just talking about our food. He then talked about his work in a government agency. He is so proud of his current position. I just listened without giving any response.

The phone in my bag was shaking. I immediately took it out and saw Hendra's name on the screen. I said goodbye to Aldo, then took out some red banknotes and put them on the table.

“Let me pay, Ra.” He gave the money back to me. I-i refused.

“We pay each.” I'm insisting. Before the call ended, I managed to get outside the restaurant and pushed the trolley towards the exit.

“Halo, my dear wife,” greet Hendra with a carefree face. I returned his greeting. “Sorry, I called outside the usual hours. I miss you.”

“It's okay,” I said slowly. He was silent for a moment. I checked the phone, the phone call is still connected. Oh, she must have been quiet because I didn't return her longing.

“How are you and our son?” tanyakanya.

“We are fine.” I looked to the right and left. Usually Kafin parked the car where he could see towards the exit. So I didn't have to tell him to come pick me up.

“Thank God. Are you shopping?” tanyakanya.

“Iya,” I replied honestly. “You're not here, I'm bored just at home. So, I went to the laundry and shopping for daily necessities earlier. I also had lunch.”

“Good. Remember to always take care of your health.” I immediately replied obediently. She laughs. “Today me and Xavier discussed many things regarding the problem in our agreement.”

Hendra told me at length about his activities today. He had to stop when I got into the car. Kafin refused my help to move the grocery bag from the trolley to the trunk of the car. Hendra must have asked him to do that. After I got home, Hendra ended our phone call.

Ever since I married Hendra, I prevented myself from getting pregnant. I don't love my husband therefore I don't want to have children with him. I also have no desire to survive this marriage. But the same thing did not happen to Aldo.

I was stupid. I was too naive to love her. I think at least he'll take a few weeks to forget me. It only took her a few days to fall into another woman's arms.