Wife Custody (Second Love)

The Second First Night

Hanung POV

I went into my room and Julie, and I checked the kids in their room. I stepped closer to Julie who was doing her routine facial treatments in front of the mirror. He noticed my arrival and smiled. So sweet. Even without makeup like it was this afternoon.

"The kids are sleeping?"

I answered him with a nod and smiled back. I slowly touched her shoulders from behind, and we stared at each other through the mirror.

"You want a break or.. do something?" I put emphasis on the second option. Let's just say, I gave you a quote. Want um, um I mean. Just make a formality. I mean, the first night like this, the time of the newlyweds is nothing. Uh, think what I am. Stop, Hanung.

Julie smile. "If you don't mind, I'd like us to take a break and have a chat. How's it?"

I'm understand. Naturally, maybe he still needs time to adapt. Or accept the fact that we are now husband and wife. Julie is no longer the wife of Keanu, but has officially become Lady Hanung. To be honest, I wasn't ready to do it either. I want to cast off Diana's shadow to the end. It wouldn't be nice if I imagined Diana while I was doing it with Julie. Even if I don't know for sure, I'll take how long. Let's just take a look.

I actually still feel awkward because of the incident this afternoon. I was embarrassed to be caught closing my eyes when I helped Julie unzip her dress. But anyway, I have to step forward if I want us to get closer. Well, even though Julie just kept quiet in her place.

We lay on the bed, side by side and facing up. Among us was a bolster, which restricted my colony to Julie. He put it there and apologized to me. He said he wanted to start slowly. I understand, the name is also a process. Just enjoy.

Then we told him about a lot of things. Including my divorce story that I never told you in detail. Because I was still down, I couldn't tell everything, and neither Keanu nor Julie forced me to tell stories. And now I open it all to Julie.

"Diana was a great person. He felt entitled to interfere in our household after financing our entire lavish wedding. I was just starting to start my career, of course my salary was small, Jul. Over time, his attitude and words hurt me even more. Diana initially survived because she loved me, but she ended up being consumed by people too.

"Diana who previously wanted to be invited to live a simple life, long ago began to demand me to fulfill her social desires. Actually he has his own money from his work as a car marketing. But it is not enough to buy bags, shoes, skin care... It was also my fault for complying with all his requests. I was afraid he would leave me. All the work I could do, I took it without thinking. As a result, yes. Turns out I can't. One night, a very tired me got into an accident on the way home from work. My legs and hips are broken. It took me a long time to recover. I decided to resign from my old office because it was not good to ask for a long leave.

"After that, I don't work anymore. Other than because I was still setting my body condition and pattern of life, Diana asked me to work at home. I can still make some designs that I can sell online and the revenue is pretty good. But unfortunately, with the stressful conditions of my in-laws who kept coming to our house back then, my productivity dropped. He insinuates, sometimes even does not hesitate to abuse me, saying I am a useless man, usually troublesome.2 months I can not support my family. Fortunately Diana was working and her income was quite good, she was still able to meet the needs of our family.

"But... Diana finally gave up on our condition. I still can't move much, to walk I wear aids, no income, while Diana is busy looking for money to support me and the children. Diana filed for divorce through her lawyer. Though only 2 months, Jul, he can not stand mediocre life.

"Since that day, I couldn't meet Diana and the kids until we were officially divorced. They live in my in-laws' house. I was left alone in our house."

I felt Julie's tight grip on my finger. Now he lay facing me. He looked at me with an empathetic look. While crying a little, I continued my story.

"It took me a long time to get back up, Jul. You saw for yourself how broken I was then. I slowly tried to cut Diana down, but I was hurt by all the words she and her family had said. My pride fell, my heart was badly hurt. I became closed. Fortunately there is Keanu and you who want to accompany me in such a difficult time. I really appreciate your help. I owe it to Keanu, and to you, Jul."

"I only met Mas during therapy sessions, I didn't help much." Julie rejected my statement.

"Stay away. After that, you helped me a lot too. Thank you yes.

"Then about why I finally accepted Keanu's offer to fill an important position in his department. Keanu managed to convince me that I was the right person to be in that position. Besides because it was my area of expertise, Keanu also wanted someone he could trust to help him, especially when he was out of town or abroad. Keanu understands my abilities and integrity, but I'm inferior. That's why I used to go back and forth, but at the ends I'm sure as well. I thought, who knows with me starting work again, I could move on.

"real right. I can let go of everything and start my life from scratch. Work brought me back to feeling the spirit of life, plus your help gave me free therapy back then. I'm so grateful."

Hanung sighed for a moment.

"But the so-called trials still come. As you can see, after I worked in the office, especially after Keanu bought the apartment, Diana came and asked me how much I earned. I told him everything honestly, because I was hoping he would come back to me. But.. It was like blackmailing me. He asked for 75% of my salary to support the children. That's double the amount he used to demand, Jul. That's why I often run out of money and Keanu helps. You used to say a lot, you said, wong was a widower, why money is still often not enough. I'm not foya-foya, Jul. Every time I pay, I hand it over to Diana. Whatever my salary is, I only get a quarter. I know that paying for children is my duty, but why is it so far above what we used to be in agreement with when we got divorced? And strangely enough, I still love him."

I looked towards Julie. My wife is asleep. He must be tired because he had been with me all day greeting and chatting with the guests who came. Especially after the event that drained the emotions earlier. Let him sleep. Maybe it's our fate to sleep tonight.

I touched her dark brown hair, then I stroked her slowly. I can't believe I'm here right now-in the master bedroom of Julie's house, which used to be her room with Keanu. I completely replaced Keanu as Julie's husband, though not completely.

I stared at Julie's face. It's so pretty and sweet. His jaw was firm but contained a gentle smile line. His nose is sharp, curvature and red, his lips look ripe to kiss. Ah, Hanung, how dare you imagine kissing your best friend's wife, ruining one side of my mind. Indeed why, after all I have been legally her husband, no problem, no, if I kiss him? My inner voice on the other hand called out for her seduction.

I thought for a moment. There is inner turmoil within this self. Do I have the right to touch and kiss Julie? Yes, of course, it's official to be husband and wife. But she's my best friend's wife. Oh yeah, ex-wife, Julie's a divorcee dead.

I close my face to Julie's. I intend to kiss her on the forehead, again, just like on the marriage contract earlier. A moment before I could kiss her, I suddenly heard a sinister voice in my head,

'Julie was just left out by Keanu. Does it mean that after you marry her that you deserve her?'

I paused my intention by pulling back my head. I decided to just go to sleep. I tried to close my eyes after reading the prayer about to sleep. Why is it so hard to sleep?

There are so many things in my mind. Innerku raging. What should I do about Julie? She's my current wife, but why do I feel I don't deserve to have Julie completely? All the goodness of Keanu swirls in my memory. How can I take his place for this kind of heart business? Did I betray him?

But... No, they are not things that can be transferred ownership that easily. Ah, why am I willing when Keanu says that? I'm mense..

Nope, no. There's nothing I can regret right now. Everything has happened. Regretting obviously won't solve the problem. Everything must be accepted and faced. But, what am I supposed to do?

"Huh.."

I heard Keanu's voice calling me. The authoritative voice I always hear when he speaks seriously. But why is Keanu here?

"Han, happy Julie. Also Renata and Darrel. Express my love for them through your love. I'm grateful you helped replace me there. No need to worry, I trust you. You're the right man."

I rubbed my eyes. This must be a dream. Look, Keanu looks handsome in a long white suit. Her hair was neat, her face was radiant. So clean.

I cleared my throat which had been stuck when approached by Keanu just now.

"Ta.. But, Kean, I'm not good. I'm confused, can I touch Julie and have her? I feel unworthy, and afraid if I betray..."

I saw Keanu laughing. "Crossed who? Your diana? You're divorced from him. He has also moved on for a long time. Come on, Bro! Now it's your turn to move on. That's why I gave my wife to you. I'm telling you, he's actually very spoiled. Just try you elus-elus his back, he must like it. Come on, enjoy your life now. Let's just say it's a gift from me, because you once saved my life."

I'm stunned. Then remember what happened when we were in college. I'll tell you the details sometime. Obviously, Keanu feels like he owes me his life. Though I consider it as a regular help, which is supposed to be done by friends.

"Well, Han. Fine yeah. I'll go home first. Bye, my brother. Until we meet again."

"Stay, Kean. Keanu!"

I sat down with a breath of breath after shouting out Keanu. Julie wakes up and sits down. I guess my screams are pretty loud.

"Why, Mas? What dreams?"

I really wanted to hug Julie to calm myself down. I don't know, it feels so foreign. Between sadness, longing, mixed with relief. What I was worried about all this time seemed to be answered by Keanu's sentence earlier. But suddenly I missed my best friend. Why did he leave so soon?

"Bag.." Julie's voice was soft in my ear. His hand is now on my shoulder. It feels quite calming.

"So yells at Keanu? Keanu came to his dream Mas?"

I nodded as I looked at Julie's eyes wryly. He smiled and calmed me. According to him naturally, it's a sign of our longing for Keanu to be connected. I should be grateful to be visited by Keanu in a dream. Let's just say he brought happy news from heaven.

"May I hold you, Jul?"

Julie nodded and spread her hand. I hugged him tightly. Ah, what a relief. Slowly I stroked his back feelingly. Julie's hug is getting warmer. I asked myself, asking him,

"Jul, am I wrong if I want to have you?"

I feel Julie breathing out.

"Do it, Mas. I'm sincerely born."

I let go of the hug and framed his face with my finger. I kissed his forehead as gently as possible. From her gestures, I'm sure Julie is willing to give herself up completely to me.

I've had the first night of the newlyweds, so has Julie. We are both experienced. No more teaching or giving instructions. But on this first night for us, there was one burden that we had to put off. The burden of memories of the first night in the past with each other's former partners.

I guided Julie with a prayer and hope that I said softly and quietly.

Tonight is just us. And it should be ours. Without them anymore.

Bismillah, I'm having a husband and wife service with Julie on this first night.

***