When Love Fades

six months have passed

Time is rolling so fast. Alans has been living in the region for six months.me and the children have become accustomed to the absence of a father.

Until one day the thing I was afraid of happened.

"dropping...". I took my device and hoped it was a message from Alan.

(Dik, mas here met the Lampung people. Good guy. He has been working in Bali for two years. And the plan is to add another year).

That's the message Alan wrote. I have nothing suspicious at all.

(iya alhamdulillah. So there's a chatter buddy over there)". I'll reply to Alan's message.

(yes dik. Name's Devina. He also taught me about massaging here. And he's Aunt Anita's confidant).

Deggs.. My heart started to get a little disturbed after I found out that Alan's new friend was a woman and Aunt Anita's confidant. That means they will meet often.

(be careful, though. His heart was guarded hehehe.). I was tempted and reminded Alan.

Alan didn't return my message. Maybe he's asleep. Too tired to follow her massage training.

I start my days as usual. Cleaning the house, cooking and taking care of the children. Like any other housewife.

I looked for other activities by opening a clothing store. Because soon the fasting month, surely many mothers are looking for Eid trinkets.

I saw a motorcycle stop in front of my shop.

"assalamualaik.. Rena..".

"waalaikum salam's.. Hi Tika.... How are you ...?". I hugged Tika with a sense of happiness.

"alien dong... Pain tau..".

"oh yeah sorry sorry....". I broke my arms and I let my best friend sit down. I haven't seen him in four years.

"whbh ... Your big shop.. Glad I saw Ren." Tika was amazed to see my shop. Well, indeed every mas Alan send money surely I spend clothes, hijab also other items.

"yes Tik, thank God".

"oh yeah, where's Alan. I haven't seen him in a long time".

"loh.. Don't you know Tik ?".

"you what Ren? Please don't make me curious."

"o Allah, O Rosulullah.. I really don't know Renata???".

"mas Alan works to Bali. It's been six months". I answered casually while tidying up the headscarves.

"seriously Ren ?. So all this time you were alone ???".

"yes it. That's why I have a store this big. Every Alan payday I buy all these things. Yahh...itung-itung let not be home nagangur".

"but how do you permit Alan to go to Bali? Far Ren.... Not afraid ??? How many years are you gonna be there?".

I walked over to the green sofa right next to Tika.

"i don't want to be told selfish wife. As long as I'm with Alan. I never helped her in anything, including making money".

"do you think that ?". Tika started to wonder.

"you know for yourself I can't make money. Inipun I'm still learning how to sell clothes. Yes, maybe there Alan can find his own happiness".

"can't talk about Ren".

"but I'm afraid of Tik. Alan sent a message this morning. He said he was there to meet the Lampung people".

"continue what are you afraid of ?".

"his friend is a girl. Yeah, I don't know how much he says".

"don't think weird ah Ren. Pray that what you fear will not happen".

"amen".

Tika understands very well my current situation. He's the only person I can talk to. He wants to listen to my complaints. He has a problem that I think is more complicated than mine.

"oh yes ti, how is your husband?". I dare to ask about his household.

"still the same". Tika replied very briefly.

"meaning ?". I too am kepo.

"mas Adi rarely goes home. Well, you could say never go home. He prefers to live with his parents. Not that I want to be a bad wife. But Adi never thought about my feelings. He still likes to hang out with his friends. Even when Rio was sick, he didn't care". Tika told me the problem at length.

"sorry Tika. I can't help your problems". I hugged Tika's body tightly and we shed tears together.