WRONG MARRIAGE

279.

At 09.08 pm. Arkhan has not slept, he just lies on Zalfa's side while calling Reza.

“I'm free, Bang,” said Reza across.

“Excellent news. We should celebrate.”

“We meet now, Bang. I want to drink with you. We haven't met for a long time. How?” Reza's voice was full of excitement.

“I haven't been able to see you tonight. Tomorrow morning I'll see you.”

“What's tonight brother have important work?” Reza asked in a disappointed tone. The volume of the voice that was once full of enthusiasm, now sounded a bit lackluster because Arkhan refused to be invited to meet.

“Zalfa is pregnant big, her condition is not healthy.”

“Oh.. I don't think you want to see me because of work, but it's because of brother's wife. It doesn't matter then, Bang. Health of Zalfa is more important. You have to look after her, Bang.” Reza's voice again sounded excited. “Means soon I'll have a nephew.”

Arkhan smiled faintly hearing Reza refer to his future son as a nephew. “This is the first child. You won't understand my anxiety.”

“Yes, I won't be able to understand with all that, Bang. But I do understand your condition. I just wanted to say thank you to you. You've been doing a lot of things to me.”

“You can say that tomorrow. Don't tell me you're going.”

“Abang correct. I might not be in town anymore. Too many things have made me feel like I have to leave this city. I want to be the new Reza, the changed Reza and not like this anymore.”

“You can postpone it, don't have to go tonight either.”

Reza quiet. Only his breathing was heard.

“Yes, I knew you'd be looking for me, Bang. I think that's all I want to say. Good night, Bang.”

“Night.” Arkhan put down the phone and lay down to face Zalfa. He closed his eyes. Not usually Arkhan sleepy in this hour, his sleep clock is always above eleven o'clock at night, but this time somehow his eyes feel heavy and he just wants to sleep.

Shortly after, Zalfa's phone rang. The ringing of the phone whose volume is quite loud keeps Zalfa awake. Zalfa looked at Arkhan's face that was very close, right in front of him. The man was closed, his muscular arms against Zalfa's waist. They sleep on their side, facing. Keep in mind once again, Zalfa's enlarged stomach makes it difficult if you have to sleep in a supine position, so lately he always sleeps in a tilted position.

Zalfa was so lazy to answer the phone because he was sleepy. But he forced his hand to grab the phone lying on the nightstand.

With his eyes closed, Arkhan lifted his arm and grabbed Zalfa's hand which extended to the nightstand and clasped the tiny hand. Fix, Arkhan forbade Zalfa's hand gestures to answer the phone.

“Times like this why is anyone still calling?” Arkhan's voice was less clear due to the attacking drowsiness.

“Mas Arkhan, it's still nine. Who said it was late at night?” zalfa protest softly.

Arkhan simply pulled the corner of his lips without opening his eyes. Somehow the last two months, Arkhan felt that his nights became slow to walk. How not, Zalfa has rarely exercised in bed with Arkhan. It was not Zalfa who refused to connect, but Arkhan who never invited Zalfa.

Arkhan did not answer anymore.

TB

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