When Talak Has Spoken

Chapter 11 The Ajeng

Since his father-in-law had known of their separation, and said that in Islamic law Bhishma had legitimately dropped the talaq on him. It means that legally the marriage bond between him and Bhishma has been severed.

Ajeng had not been enthusiastic about his activities since his separation and Bhishma was considered religiously legitimate. No one knew of the breakup except Nurita. But Ajeng sure Mayang would have known. There's no way her ex-in-law is covering up from her own daughter.

He was not ready to tell the family in the village. Not a year has passed yet, Father. Dimas was also in the test of class, there was no way he could pestered his sister who was struggling to get the best score. Before he told his closest family, he really had to prepare himself.

“Mbak, why do you daydream from earlier?”  Intan is now sitting in front of him as the two enjoy lunch at a cafe not far from their office.

“A what ....? “ Awakening hearing Intan's question.

He did think about the way forward life that he would live with his little daughter. At the age of 28 years he has served the status of widow, which in the eyes of some people is seen as one eye.

He did not know how to face the mistreatment of residents in the village for his marriage to a rich man from the city finally foundered in the middle of the road.

“See if there's any more problems. Heavy weight huh?” Intan asked attentively.

Ajeng straightened his back on the back of the chair. There was no way he could tell the disgrace in his household. It was enough that he and his closest friends knew that he and Bhishma had separated.

“I'm not pa-pa,” Ajeng trying to review smile.

“Where is his business in Malang?” Intan finally changed the subject.

He knows himself enough. His seniors who are loved by their superiors in the office are very closed to their personal affairs.

Ajeng's smile grew up hearing the question that Intan had just said. True what Sari said, if it was a business problem, he would be excited.

“Still on the recommendation of land yesterday yes .... “ Ajeng immediately remembered the land offered by Intan owned by his family in Malang.

“So mbak positive take it?” Intan looked at Ajeng in disbelief.

Ajeng nodded steadily. He doesn't care if Bisma thinks he's matre. As long as the money in the debit card is always filled every month, he freely uses it to expand the business that is now growing. That's all that's got him excited now.

“Wah, our future entrepreneur candidate,” Intan gave his two thumbs up to Ajeng, “Padahal mas Iman was resigned if mbak not so pay it. He does need that money.”

“Maybe my soul mate is the same land of your mas,” Ajeng replied enthusiastically, “The location is good, close to school and some offices.”

“Emang want to be made what business mbak?” Intan kept on tasting Ajeng.

Among the many colleagues in one of the government-owned banks where they work now, only Ajeng makes it convenient to vent.

“The plan is to make costs,” Ajeng replied calmly.

“Mbak Ajeng is delicious. Many modal. Family is and sultan since birth,” Intan said bluntly.

Hearing the candor of Intan makes Ajeng smile fluffy. He knew Intan was from the city of Malang. Intan often confided in their family life and struggle until successfully accepted to work at the government-owned bank where he scavenged the current windfall.

“Same aja. The important thing is to fight with sincerity. All the blessings of God that govern.”

“Including soul mate yes mbak,” Intan said listlessly.

His love for Edo's office colleague who now moved to the branch office clapped one hand. Edo is more interested in girls who are famous models in Surabaya.

“Ya ... “ the look of Ajeng returned sad when saying it, “Stupid, fortune and death have become the absolute right of God. We just strive and try to carry out the role as well as possible.”

“Nice yes LDR-an continue mbak?”  Intan could not resist his curiosity.

For one year he worked with Ajeng, but not once did he meet the husband of his senior colleague. During Baby L's aqiqahan event, she did not see her husband. But he was sure, seeing the beautiful face of Lala must be his papa handsome and attractive man.

He tried to smile even though his heart was full of wounds. He nodded his head. This time he could not avoid the truth.

“It is better to love than to love .... “ Intan said softly as if to himself, but it was very convenient for Ajeng.

“Eh, yes mbak .. he he he he ... “ finally he cengengesan realized the view of probing Ajeng who knows the direction of his daydream.

“Not to think about. Be assured with Allah, if the soul mate is brought closer. Even if it is not our soul mate. Aral is happening. Means he is not the best partner for us,” Ajeng said slowly to strengthen the heart of Intan as well as himself who is still gambang.

“Still ustadzah .... “ Intan thumbs up on Ajeng's advice that makes his mind more open.

“Ngawur!” Ajeng melengos hear Intan's words, because he has not exactly got the nickname.

He was still not perfectly dressed by closing the aurat. Though it has become Islamic law for women who are already puberty and reasonable to close the law perfectly.

He is not ready, because in the work environment there is no support for a more Islamic appearance. Ajeng also chose to follow the flow mostly.

After work at exactly 5 pm, Ajeng stopped by a mini market for monthly household shopping and baby L. She imagined her little daughter was home with her nanny.

After the basket was full, Ajeng sat for a while to relieve fatigue after a day of activity. He sighed trying to throw away all the tightness that suddenly whack made it difficult to breathe.

Every memory of his marriage that has run aground makes Ajeng's grief increase. There is nothing else he can fight for now. Bhishma has unwound a marriage that has only been running for two years. His son was not even one year old.

Still strong in his memory is a magnificent wedding with a lavish party conducted in one of the five-star hotels in Jakarta. With all the sacrifices and the presence of their beautiful daughter, it does not make a loveless marriage a happy ending.

Now only nestapa left and Ajeng is the most vulnerable. He rubbed a tear that is now a loyal friend, when the world he felt began to turn away.

“Assalamu’alaikum ..” soft voice greets his sense of hearing.

“Wa’alaikumussalam. Ustadzah Sari ... “ hurriedly Ajeng removed the droplets that still felt sticky on her cheeks as soon as she realized Sari and her husband were now standing next to where she was relaxing at the moment.

“Tumben by yourself?” Sari smiled hearing Ajeng's call to her.

“Abi into first umi .... “ Ustadz Zakri pamphit on both.

Sari smiled as she nodded her head approving of her husband's desire to leave them both.

Sari looked closely at the face of the village friends who in her eyes had managed to become successful and respected women in their village of birth. Without Ajeng saying, he could see such a deep sadness from the silent look of his eyes.

“It may be hard for you to tell a story,” Sari said slowly, not intending to make Ajeng offended, “But all this time we have always fought together. Although the end result of God has made a different destiny ..”

Hearing Sari's conditional words of meaning, making Ajeng's tears unstoppable. He really doesn't have the strength to lean on now.

“Hei!  How about mewek?” Sari was surprised to see Ajeng speechless only her cheeks were now full of tears.

He had no place to complain.  The God who knows best, how broken his heart over the built-up mahligai is now foundered because of a husband who never wanted his presence.

“Bu Ajeng .... “ Sari tries to be formal to restore Ajeng's slump to the mood of a tough woman who has always seemed in her daily life.

“I destroyed Rii .... “ Ajeng said softly in his silence with still faithful tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Ajeng Lestari Handayani is a tough girl from Kediri. Now she has become an iron woman because she managed to conquer the hard city of Surabaya ..” Sari still pulled out her jutsu.

He understood, his best friend is now really in a bad condition. He did not want to cry over Ajeng's fate. The only way is to be a good listener. He believes Ajeng can go through and overcome all his own problems. All he needed now was a friend to strengthen.

Without being asked by Sari, Ajeng finally took out all the junk he had saved for so long. There was nothing he hid about the sadness of all the attitudes and treatment of Bhishma during their marriage.

***Taqabalallahu mina wa minkum. Taqaballahu ya Kareem. Minal Aidin wal Faiidzin's. Sorry to be born and to. Happy Eid Al-Fitr 1Syawal 1444 H\, to my readers who also celebrate. May we always be in good health to support each other. Sorry new 'up' again yes ...

Otor busy making ketupat and his friends he he he he.. calm aja episodes Ajeng and Bisma already a lot, just a ride. Keep supporting the author who likes to write but make the reader dear kezallll ha ha ha ...

Spirit for all of us .... ***