When Talak Has Spoken

Chapter 48 The Serious Conversations of Ajeng and Hilman

That afternoon Hilman deliberately came to Ajeng's house to convey his wishes in accordance with the requests of his parents.

Having no parents as guardians, Ajeng asks Dimas to accompany him to talk to Hilman. He did not want the officials to talk about him being alone with Hilman, even in the afternoon.

A cup of coffee and a light snack had accompanied the three who were already engaged in light conversation.

“So Diajeng, mas just want to make sure the time is right for us to start everything .... “ Hilman's tone started seriously once the right time has been believed to talk about it with Ajeng and Dimas.

Ajeng looked at Dimas at a glance. Many things that he has not talked about with his sister especially Hilman a man who is ready to share his life with him.

“I as a man believe with sincerity mas Hilman,” said Dimas, “But everything I return to mbak Ajeng. Because mbak is the one who will undergo all.”

Hilman muttered and stared fixedly at Ajeng. He tried hard to approach with women who in his eyes greatly maintain the honor and dignity as a woman.

How could he possibly take it off, especially after the green light had lit up. And now the preparations for the yellow light. He was more and more convinced that time would come.

“Sorry, Dim …. “ Ajeng stared at the two in turn, “Actually there is a fundamental thing that makes me heavy to start a new life.”

“Diajeng is still traumatized by marriage with Mr Bisma?” guess Hilman for a moment.

Ajeng shook his head quickly, “Not that the problem.”

He's riveted. How to tell the truth to both of them that they have not yet processed divorce stately. Of course it will make it difficult to continue their marriage in KUA in the near future.

So far, he has never had a divorce deal. Because he never thought, let alone dreamed of getting married again after his failure in the marriage between him and Bhishma.

“Is there any other problem you can't tell me?” Dimas looked at her with a crinkled eel.

He knew, Ajeng did cover all the problems that occurred in his household and Bhishma. Only he too often saw Ajeng crying in the solitude of the night, and the next day woke up in a state of swollen red face and eyes.

There was no desire of Dimas to know and ask directly. She knew she was a strong woman who could face it all. He also realized, maybe he was still considered young so hesitant for Ajeng to confide in him.

Dimas was only able to ask and pray’a to the Power to give strength and fortitude to the only sister he had to be patient in undergoing and through his problems.

Until finally Ajeng asked him to move and start a business, Dimas never knew the exact cause of Ajeng and Bhishma separation of rich men from the city who became the lips in his village.

“Me and her father Lala have not officially divorced,” Ajeng said instantly.

Hilman looked at Ajeng in disbelief. How is it possible, for almost two years Ajeng struggled alone managing cafe restaurants and other small businesses by bringing a small toddler still tied to marriage with Bisma who is very skilled and competent in his field.

And the reason for what is the underlying until now there has been no official government-legalized paper in the form of ‘akta cerai’ for their marriage that has ended.

“So all this time Diajeng and Pak Bisma have not been officially divorced?”  Hilman stared fixedly at Ajeng to ascertain the truth of what he heard from Ajeng's words.

“True mas,” Ajeng said softly, “I think, his father Lala will take care of everything as soon as me and Lala start a new life here.”

Hilman breathed a heavy sigh. He shook his head realizing how complicated Ajeng's life was. Naturally, all this time he closed himself, and away from every man who began to show their desire to be close to him.

Not that he did not know, many businessmen, even board members who happened to be close to him wanted to get acquainted with Ajeng. But none of it worked.

The woman he admired for her maturity in attitude and independence in trying to build a career, to be able to help others make him not stop thinking until this moment. Just a few more steps, he would have it all. Where could he just take it off.

“What did Diajeng ever talk about this with Mr Bisma?” Hilman asked cautiously.

He knew the question he asked was very sensitive, and worried about offending Ajeng. He takes care of that very much. How could he hurt a woman who was able to make him feel in love again, after being buried for so long because of hatred in the past.

“I leave everything to his father Lala,” Ajeng look at the distance, “Because I did not expect to meet mas Hilman, and will soon step into a more serious level.”

“Means Diajeng?” Hilman stared at Ajeng's face closely.

He can capture the hue of sadness on Ajeng's face while expressing what he feels. Indeed, for a woman is not that easy to forget and take off what has been close and members together for years.

But with Ajeng's sincere encounter and acceptance in recent months, it has slowly healed the wounds he has been trying to hide all along. And he believes, together Ajeng will strengthen each other for a better future.

“Do you need to set a time with Mr Bhishma to talk about all this?” hilman asked carefully.

Hearing Hilman's question made Ajeng think. There's no way it would feel if Hilman had found Bhishma. This should have been done by him and Bhishma a year ago, as soon as he left home.

“It does not feel necessary mas,” Ajeng said quickly, “This is a problem between me and Lala's father. Let me finish it myself.”

“Diajeng sure?” Hilman tried to make sure.

“Mas don't worry. I know who I'm dealing with,” Ajeng said for sure.

“Mas believe the same Diajeng,” Hilman smiled with his gentle gaze.

Dimas only listened to the conversation of the two without intending to interrupt. He also did not understand what the two of them were talking about. If the two agree, he will agree, and go with the flow.

Wanting Dimas, his brother again found happiness that had been lost. He hopes that the rays of happiness will shine again on the lives of Ajeng and Lala. That's all he wants now, because they have all had with all the hard struggle that has been passed together.

…

This Sunday morning the atmosphere in the shopping center of Malang city is very crowded. Ajeng took the time to shop for his daily household needs.  He went along with Andika and Aryani, his trusted staff who take care of the restaurant cafe and other businesses he had.

Both use box cars to transport all food and other necessities. After everything had been loaded and the car had been running with his trusted staff Ajeng continued his shopping.

There was still a lot he needed to buy, especially his personal belongings and Lala. Ajeng did not waste the opportunity to step into outlets that offer a variety of feminine products.

He is still looking at skin-care products that are neatly arranged. His smile expands seeing the product he is looking for is among the lines of similar products on display in the storefront. His gaze was distorted on the two women who were stepping towards his place of self at this time.

A thin smile was on Ajeng's face when he realized that the woman who was now standing right in front of him was someone close to her ex-husband.

“So your ex-girlfriend is wong ‘ndeso’ and matre?” Gita who is a julid said loudly and immediately nudged Deby's shoulder when the two were side by side with Ajeng.

Both have made arrangements for shopping, because Deby managed to attract Gita to be his confiding friend and always support him in dealing with Bhishma. Without calculation, he always obeyed all the wishes of the Gita. Until he does not realize that the Gita is actually just utilizing their closeness.

Deby who was already envious of the success of Ajeng was increasingly provoked to hear Gita's words. Especially with the increasingly cold attitude towards him.

“Therefore I pity my mas. His property and money were spent on his ex. It's the drama queen again,” Deby's voice is so clear in Ajeng's sense of hearing.

He scrunched his forehead to hear the talk of two women who are not clear the tip of the tree. Feeling disinterested Ajeng shrugged his shoulders and continued his activity looking for some more products.

It turns out that the two have not stopped interfering with Ajeng who does not want to interfere with their unimportant conversation.

“Kok you know her ex is drama queen?” Gita again makes a sound with a cynical look at Ajeng who does not care about himself and Deby.

“Yes is. My mas is always a story,” continued Deby quickly, “My in-laws always defend his ex my mas you know, until sometimes my mas is confused .. whose child is, who is, herself or female ‘ndeso’ the matre?”

Ajeng stopped his steps as Deby stood right in front of him. He tries to avoid finding another way.

“Sorry …. “ Ajeng smiling trying to display a friendly face.

“The smile is fake,” Gita tucked, “Emang pantesan you are a companion to Pak Bisma from women ‘ndeso’ this.”

“Of course. His face is also fake. Full of hypocrisy,” reply Deby ketus.

“I don't think we know each other. So no problem, right?” Ajeng still responded with a cold head.

Some people started to approach hearing the voice of Deby and Gita who were earthy loudly. He did not want to get involved with trivial problems that could be a spectacle of the crowd. Moreover, few people knew him. He was worried that someone would record it and go viral. That's not what he wants now ….