Two Rings of the CEO

I Must Know Myself

"Clean your body and wear Auntie's clothes for a while." Practice filling the bath with cold water and pouring hot water until the water temperature becomes warm.

Staring at the nephew who was still sitting silent, the middle-aged woman who used a fairly loose house clothes approached then gently rubbed the face of the exhausted little girl.

"Brand, son. After eating, you can rest and sleep comfortably."

Smiling faintly, the girl then nodded and without speaking immediately headed for the bathroom to clean herself up.

Ratih stared at the girl's back until she disappeared behind the door. The stone felt sliced, like being able to feel the suffering that the girl was experiencing.

Why did God give you this much of a trial, son. If only we knew it would be like this, we would never allow you to work in the city at that time.

Not long after that girl showed up. The clothes belonging to Ratih that are now attached to Zara's body look great. Until the tiny body was drowned in a loose negligee patterned batik.

"Come son. Aunty has prepared food," said Ratih then pulled a chair on his right side.

Zara happily followed the aunt's orders. Although not many words were spoken from his lips. Deftly Ratih grabbed one plate and added rice and side dishes and vegetables into it.

"Eat. Auntie's cooking your favorite food."

The girl stared at the dishes on her plate. Clear thread almost poked when he found some of his favorite dishes presented on the dining table.

Spicy bloated fish, stir-fried kale and fried tempeh become his favorite food while living with parents. And now, all the menu is presented in front of the netra that is no doubt like breaking apart the soul until the crying was not restrained.

Realizing that the cuisine he was eating actually made the nephew cry, Ratih was made to go awry and try to calm Zara.

"Look, don't cry. Auntie knows you're sad, but you also have to eat for your health and the baby in your belly."

Hearing Ratih's words, made Zara aware of something. He felt his queen's stomach so bitter and hungry. As if apologizing to the conceived fetus, the girl grabbed a glass filled with water and gulped it in half.

"Well, eat a lot. So that your energy recovers," said Ratih encouraging.

Zara sighed deeply, saying a prayer while closing the two netra. The girl with the mane tied to the ponytail began to feed her mouth food.

One mouthful that greeted his senses felt tasteless and difficult to swallow. Not only did he remember his parents, but there was also a husband he left without leaving a trace.

"Auntie, sorry. Looks like Zara can't continue eating anymore."

"Why? asked Ratih a little surprised. "Is the food bad? Aunty can replace it with other dishes if you don't like it."

"No," sambar Zara before the aunt misunderstood. "That's not what Zara bi meant, it's just-" The girl was unable to finish the sentence and lowered her head in sadness.

"Why, tell Auntie. Is there anything that makes you sad." The woman directed her one hand to wipe the top of her nephew's head. Besides Rumi, the mother. Ratih is also so close to the girl considering that she was not awarded a baby for her marriage to the husband. Like a biological child, Ratih also raised Zara with an abundance of affection that is not much different from Rumi.

"Zara's gone from home, unbeknownst to Zara's husband."

"What!" Ratih was unable to save his shock. "Zara, this is a big deal, what if he's looking for you right now?"

"I've been trying to be quiet for a long time. Follow your will without refusing. But can my husband understand my heart and condition. I just want my husband to come with sincerity and confidence to meet Mom and Dad and ask for his blessing. But, still. For several months the marriage went on, nothing changed. Mom and Dad still don't know if his daughter's been betrothed by someone." Zara mourns the complicated life of her own home.

"Didn't you ever tell your husband about that wish?" Ratih stared at the sad face.

"No, yet" Zara shook her head. "I am only the second wife of my husband. I dare not expect much from him."

Ratih was silent, he was not surprised considering Rumi had told him all about his daughter.

"Auntie listen, your husband is quite an influential man in the Capital. Does he treat you well like a wife in general?" A trace of curiosity was written on Ratih's face. However, the girl in front of him is still very young and does not understand the ins and outs of married life.

Zara nodded. "Yes, it's even so good that I feel like I'm not worth it to be with him. I was in a magnificent palace and full of luxuries, but they were completely worthless to me. I realized, all those facilities I got by depriving his first wife of the rights she should have enjoyed."

"How did the wedding happen? Are you trying to take a husband out of the hands of his legal wife?"

Zara sighed deeply, she also had to tell the truth so that Ratih did not misunderstand and make various accusations like the mother said.

"No, this problem is actually quite complicated. Not much is known about our marriage other than the person in my husband's residence. I got married because of the request of my husband's first wife, I don't know what she had in mind to force myself to be present in the middle of their marriage."

Hearing the words of the nephew, ratih gasped. Which is the right speech, spoken from the lips of Rumi or her daughter.

"In the meantime, Aunt still doesn't understand. So you're not the one who was deliberately present among them?"

Zara nodded in response.

"Zara did deliberately not tell the news of this marriage, considering marrying a married man. Zara realized, if Mom and Dad knew it then without thinking long they would immediately reject it. As for Miss Anastasya, my husband's first wife threatened to end my life if I refused her wish."

Ratih shakes in disbelief. I can't stop thinking why the first wife actually did such an unspeakable act.

"You're sure your first wife is doing fine. A normal woman in general would not want her husband to marry another woman let alone live under the same roof with her." Train begins to flare. Explain what Anastasya really looks like.

"Okay, there may be a compelling reason for the lady to do so. Now they're officially divorced, and a little bit I blame myself for the destruction of their household."

Zara also realized, she should not be complacent in this situation. Seemed to be in the wind, but his nose actually crashed to the ground leaving a terrible pain, the impact of Anastasya's divorce triggered by his presence.

"Then what are your plans for the future, son. There's no way you're gonna be like this forever."

Zara bit her lips. Unable to make the decision he will make next.

"Come, Bi. As a woman, who has ruined the happiness of other women, then I must know myself. Not daring to hope, if my husband will find where I am, and bring me home profit."

The girl with red lips as a cherry rubbed the flowing clear circles. Why does it hurt after saying it. The shadow of the husband's face, now crossed the mind. A warm embrace and a hand rub, made him remember the affection that the man had poured out on him. Is this what the name really love, affection, and longing if separated.

Zara tried to clean up the netra, hoping for the lot to disappear, but all her efforts were free. The man's face felt closer, and haunted him.