The Untouched Heart

Ba 62 - Surviving for Reputation

That morning I had breakfast alone. He left the city without saying goodbye to me. Two sundays. He'll be gone for two weeks and I'm sure he won't call me as he used to. How long will he treat me like this? And how long until everyone knows something is wrong with our relationship?

To avoid meeting Aldo's wreath, I don't shop at the supermarket anymore. I leave that task to Yuyun. I cooked lunch for all of us instead. Thankfully, they did not complain about the taste of my cooking.

“Mistress, both of your mothers came to visit,” Abdi told me. I immediately walked out of my special room and met them.

“Quick change your clothes. We will exercise together today,” said my mother-in-law. I saw him and Mama already wearing their gymnastics clothes.

“We will exercise where, Ma?” many confused.

“You are pregnant, so you need regular exercise so that the birth process can be smooth. Giving birth to the first child is usually the most difficult experience,” he said.

“Come, quick, Ara. You don't want to be the center of attention for coming late, ‘kan?” mama urged me. I looked at them in turn, then sighed softly and according.

At first I thought that I would not like the new activity. It turned out that there were many pregnant young mothers like me in that place. The second sport that my mother meant was gymnastics program for pregnant women. I wasn't awkward following him because they were also doing those gymnastics moves with me.

They also took me to see a nutritionist who helped me choose healthy foods so that the intake I needed during pregnancy was fulfilled. He also gave me a menu list as a reference, along with some healthy food recipes that looked delicious.

They didn't drive me home but went to my parents' house. We had dinner together when my two dads and Zach came home. I know why they do this. They must have known Hendra's departure out of town and accompanied me so that I wouldn't be alone.

Both of my mothers picked me up and drove me to gymnastics every day. But today, I asked for a day off to meet my friends. We used to have lunch together twice or at least once a month. I miss them so much.

I don't know why I was always the last person to arrive at our favorite restaurant. They welcomed me by hugging and kissing both my cheeks. We told each other about our activities while waiting for our food orders to be delivered.

“I don't want us to talk about anything private in this place. Can we move to a park nearby? We can stop by to buy ice cream or coffee and enjoy it there,” take Darla after lunch. The three of us immediately agreed to the proposal.

Darla bought some cake and some bread, while Lindsey bought us a cold drink. I didn't order coffee because I was pregnant. But they don't know it yet. And Qiana bought ice cream for us to enjoy together.

The atmosphere was very hot, but we were lucky to get a seat under a shady tree. The two chairs were in a corner of the park so we could see each other. We will have trouble talking if the position of the chair is aligned.

“Helmut decided to keep our wedding,” said Qiana slowly. We looked at her face before responding. “You guys don't look at me like that. I'd rather we stick together than go through a tiring divorce process.”

“We will remain in charge of the baby when he is born. Only baby. We do not have any responsibility towards Nidya because she slept with my husband on the basis of liking,” Qiana said softly. He's staring at us. “You must think that I'm evil.”

“No. You have the right to defend your marriage. You are Helmut's legal wife. What you did was not evil. Nidya is evil. She knew that Helmut was married, but she still wanted to sleep with him. Of course your husband was wrong too. Whatever choice he takes there is profit and loss, whether he chooses you or that woman,” Lindsey said.

“I know why you guys stick around. For the sake of Helmut's career in politics, ‘kan?” ask Darla. Qiana nodded slowly. “Is this what you want? You are under no obligation to keep your husband's good name if you are unwilling to survive your marriage, Qiana.”

“Darla, what Helmut did is hard to forgive, but not impossible. I am not a perfect wife either. It's harder for me to part with him than to forgive him. So, I decided to mend our relationship together,” he said confidently.

“Actually, it is easier for us wives to forgive our husbands mistakes. Including their infidelity. So I'm not surprised you'll try to forgive him. But if you are cheating, I'm sure Helmut will not think long to divorce you.” Darla's words made us pause for a moment.

“Zahara, are you okay?” lindsey broke the silence. I raised my face and looked towards him. I nodded slowly. “We've been sitting here for a long time but Hendra hasn't called you yet. Is everything okay?”

“Iya. I also felt the same strange. Usually Hendra has called you making us all envious of you,” Goda Qiana. I laughed hearing that.

“We are fine.” I immediately felt guilty for lying to them. “Hendra is having business out of town. I'm sure he's not leaving his client because he didn't call me this afternoon.”

“Hendra out of town again?” ask Darla confused. “Usually he only goes twice in one year. This is his third departure of the year. He returned from London last month. Is there a problem with the company? Can we help you?”

“He actually went for a good thing,” I said calmed them down. “Someone offered to sell his hotel to him. Hendra was the first person he contacted.”

“Wah! He's now venturing into hospitality? That's good news,” praise Qiana.

“Heard good news from you guys, I also have good news.” I took a book out of my bag, and took out a photo between the pages. “Surprise!!” I raised the photo. They immediately set their eyes on the paper in my hands.

“Oh, Zahara! And finally! Congratulations to you!” Darla who sat by my side first hugged me. “You're going to be a mother! I'll be an aunt again!” I was so excited to see that response. Lindsey and Qiana did the same. They congratulated me while hugging and kissing me.

Guilt infiltrated my chest. They have honestly told me about their personal lives. But I still keep everything to myself. I'm not brave enough to share the problems I'm facing. I was afraid, I was afraid that they would also leave me like Hendra who no longer cared about me.