Radit chose to pull over the car he was driving right in the rest area on the right side of the toll road. Not wanting the situation to turn even more heated. Evidently, at this time the two women who stared at each other fiercely quickly broke their eye contact.
"Take a break for a while. I want to have coffee. Maybe you and Manda want to go to the toilet too."
Her mother nodded quickly. "I'll give you some tea at the same time, Radit."
"Yes, mom."
After saying that, the middle-aged woman quickly left the car. She didn't care about Amanda who was still silent. Radit took the initiative to get out and open the door for a woman who hadn't even been his wife for 24 hours.
"I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. My ears get hot listening to you say the same thing over and over again," Amanda snorted with a sour face.
"Yes, yes. Just be patient, Manda. Mom does like to be snappy. She's nice. The proof is that she can melt with Dinda."
Amanda just rolled her eyes lazily. She didn't want to respond to what her husband said. Meanwhile, Radit himself began to move to choose the coffee and tea ordered by Ningsih. Only then did he return to his seat with two cups of drink still puffing smoke.
"I can get it myself," Amanda muttered, cutting off Radit's lips as he was about to say something.
The handsome man smiled wryly and then nodded briefly. Letting Amanda then get up and move to grab a bottle of mineral water on the supermarket shelf there.
"What did you expect from her anyway?"
Her mother appeared out of nowhere, but it was clear that her fingers were now clutching a cup of tea that Radit had bought for her. She looked sarcastically at her son-in-law who was standing in front of the counter.
"Manda is Dinda's sister, mom. Please be nice to her," Radit pleaded with a pleading face. "You still don't know each other. I understand."
"As you wish, but I have a feeling that she's not a good woman. It's different from Dinda who is more calm," said his mother at length.
Their conversation was paused because Amanda had reappeared. Radit quickly finished his drink after feeling that his condition was quite manageable again.
"Can we continue our journey?" he asked the two women.
His mother nodded, while Amanda agreed in a soft voice.
Again. The situation became awkward again. However, this time Bu Ningsih no longer said much. Instead, she stole glances through her cynical glance at the mirror hanging above the dashboard.
Amanda knew that she was being noticed. So she acted indifferent. Preferring to close her eyes until she reached her destination.
The large yard and green plants dominated Amanda's view as soon as the car driven by Radit pulled over at the end of the alley intersection. The house whose building materials blend with nature seemed to greet the arrival of the three of them.
"We've arrived," said Radit, who had turned his head in the back cabin. He smiled at Amanda, who was stunned by the beauty of her parents' house.
However, a loud deafening sound quickly snatched away the girl's admiration. Only then did she realize she was being stared at in horror by the resident master?
"What's wrong?"
"No," Amanda replied in a choked voice.
Avoiding a conversation that might create another cold war, Radit quickly took over the attention of the two.
"Let's go inside. I miss this house too."
I don't know who he was talking to. The important thing was that the two women were now busy getting out of the car.
"Welcome to the house, Manda. I hope you feel at home," Radit said with a smile.
Amanda nodded hesitantly. Inevitably she followed Radit's steps who was already in front of her. Meanwhile, her mother-in-law hurriedly went to the kitchen.
"There are no maids here. So everything must be provided by yourself. Cook also use a stove, make chili sauce don't use a blender. Bathing uses a bucket." Ningsih placed a small teapot on the guest table.
"Yes," Amanda replied soberly.
"It's already lunchtime."
"Let's just eat pecel, Mom. I bought it for you. You can say hello to the neighbors too."
"Why would you introduce a new wife?" his mother grinned. "Do you want to be called nonsense? My wife hasn't been dead for long and I've already found a replacement. Got into bed anyway. Shame on you!"
Instead of responding in the same tone, Radit chuckled softly. He even dared to hold Amanda's hand without hesitation. Making his wife gasp in surprise.
"There's nothing wrong. I'm a man. I don't have more time if want to marry a woman. You can even marry up to four times too. So everything is still following religious law," he said as if he was carefree. "We'll leave first, ma'am."
Ningsih's shrug did not make Radit think twice. The lanky yellow-skinned man then sighed softly as Amanda pulled her arm roughly from his grasp.
"I can walk by myself."
"Yes, yes. Turn right, Manda." Radit first pushed her shoulder gently in the intended direction.
As for Amanda? The woman immediately stopped walking after hearing her name being called without any frills.
"What did you call me?"
"Manda. So what else?" Radit asked back. "We're already husband and wife."
Amanda ignored his words again. Until they arrived at the pecel stall. Everyone there looked surprised at Amanda and Radit.
"Oh My God! Radit. Welcome back to this village. We're sorry about the death of your wife."
"Yes," Radit replied with a nod. Inevitably the neighbors looked at Amanda who seemed to be standing uncomfortably beside him.
"Who is she?" asked one of them.
Everyone widened their eyes in surprise when Radit grasped Amanda's hand again.
"My wife," Radit replied while wearing a thin smile. "I mean ...she is my new wife exactly."
"WHAT?!"
Radit's steady nod of his head made all the customers in the stall fall silent instantly. After that, they looked at Amanda with an incredulous look."What's wrong?" Radit asked later. "There's no rule that says a man whose wife dies needs time to remarry, right?" Suddenly they shook their heads in unison. Radit smiled and finished paying for the food he ordered. Initially, the atmosphere in the beautiful house belonging to Radit's family heritage seemed quiet after lunch. The mother chose to rest in the room. Meanwhile, the two married couples were still at the dining table."Not even a sink?" Amanda chuckled with a dismissive look on her face. Radit responded with a casual nod. Inevitably grabbed the cutlery they had just used. "Let me show you the bathroom. Just in case you want to pee or something. Help me wash the dishes too.""Teach your wife to clean up, Dit, don't be a spoiled brat from the city!"
"Manda!" The voice just now was ignored by the owner of the name. She continued to pace until she came to a halt at the doorway of the room. Hindered by Radit's tall strapping body who was already there."No need to explain. I know!" Amanda snapped, making her husband's tense face disappear in an instant."Thank you. I'm sorry that we have to stay here a little longer. Mom only lives alone. I don't want her to suffer from a lot of thoughts later," Radit explained at length. He glanced at the towel draped over Amanda's right shoulder. "Let me take you. You must not be used to bathing in this condition." Radit's words were true. Amanda took another step until she passed her mother-in-law who was serving dinner."Radit is my son. He will choose his mother.""Mom," scolded Radit who felt bad."Never mind. Hurry up and accompany your pampered wife. I am hungry." Ningsih threw her hands in the air to stop Radit from contradicting her. Here the two w
The woman named Arini stared intently at Amanda's brown eyes. Trying to convince herself that the rumors she had heard were not true. Unfortunately, a nod from the other person quickly destroyed the hope that had been established."Yes. I'm his wife," Amanda muttered later. The look of disappointment on Arini's face was obvious. "Why?""No." The atmosphere became awkward instantly. Luckily a few seconds later Radit appeared with Bu Ningsih. Arini immediately put on her usual cheerful face."Why didn't you come here first, Arini? You know my aunt prepared the food. There's only tea," said Ningsih with a smile.Arini shook her head slowly. She sipped the tea that was served to her. "I didn't stay long, Mom. I just stopped by to give you some souvenirs. You went to Medan yesterday, right?"
"How many times do I have to tell you, huh?! What time is it already?" The shrill voice just now managed to snatch Radit's wild mind. The man hurriedly finished his shower. Even so with Amanda who was now changing clothes."Already?" asked Radit in a slight whisper. His wife nodded slowly with a face that seemed to be holding back annoyance. Now both of them came out of the bathroom and immediately received a sharp look from Ningsih. The middle-aged woman looked at them in surprise."You guys... bathing together?""Yes, mom. What's wrong with that? It's also husband and wife. Is there something wrong?" Radit asked back. His mother shook her head quickly. Radit then quickly pulled Amanda's arm to hurry to the
["Yes. We're even home now."] The voice on the other side made Radit breathe a sigh of relief. How could he not? The wound of loss due to the departure of the late Dinda was still very tight in the chest. Especially hearing bad news about his daughter. His world could have collapsed instantly.["I'm sorry. Daddy panicked so he immediately informed you. It turns out Ayra only has a fever due to the effects of immunization this afternoon."] There was a scolding sound afterward. Of course, it was Tiara who protested the careless attitude of the middle-aged man. Now Amanda and Radit turned to each other silently. Both of them kept a calm feeling after getting enlightenment from the married couple.["It's good that Ayra is okay. Please take care of her. Manda and I are on our way home."] Radit also handed over the cell phone he was holding just now to the master. Then returned his focus to the steering wheel again."That's all right. I'll hang up f
Early in the morning, the whole room had been stirred up by the sound of Ayra's crying. Meanwhile, the two adults there continued to argue."You're the one sleeping like the dead. If Ayra could talk, she would defend me. You suck!" snapped Amanda, trying to calm the tiny baby in her arms.Radit snorted softly. "I apologize. I swear. I can't hear your voice.""Excuse me. You talk too much. Just one night has proven to be a failure.""Hey! You're not used to it." Radit was still defending himself. "Maybe she's thirsty so she keeps crying." Amanda squinted her eyes. She gave Radit a chin gesture to look at the bottle of milk in the crib."She refused. Didn't pee either. I don't know," she moaned almost in frustration."Here, sweetheart. I will carry you, okay?"&n
Amanda then looked at Radit and her father in turn. She waited for an answer to come out of the two men's mouths."I haven't had a chance to talk to Manda yet, Dad," Radit finally said. The explanation just now made Mr. Yuda nod in understanding. He and his wife then took their leave. Letting the couple take their time to chat. This is where the two of them are now. Amanda's room legally belonged to Radit too. It's just a shame that until this moment the body and heart of the beautiful woman who is his wife still cannot be touched at all."What do you want to say?" Amanda asked straight to the point. She looked closely at Radit who was also looking at her.Radit sighed softly until he began to open his voice. He loo
Radit hurriedly dropped his cigarette. Stepping on the long object the size of his index finger that became his brief entertainment with a quick movement. Then he lowered his head as he wiped away the rough traces of tears that were still on his cheeks at this time. Meanwhile, Amanda, who was now next to her, still had not made a sound. Just silent while looking at the grass that began to get wet with raindrops. The universe seemed to know the condition of the couple who were still muffling the grief in their hearts."Dinda and I only lived in this house for two months." Radit began to tell the story. His head looked up for a moment and then looked straight at what he saw. The living room. For some reason, the image of him and the late Dinda hugging during the first moment of entering the new house came to mind."Since Dinda was pregnant and often nauseous and vomiting, we decided to stay at Daddy's house until she gave birth." Rad
"Do you know her?"The woman who was in the arms of the strange man shook her head quickly. Staring at Radit while shuddering in horror. A few seconds later there was eye contact between the two men."Sorry. I ... have the wrong person," said Radit while grimacing softly."Next time use your eyes!" the man scolded with his eyes flashing with anger. Radit nodded in agreement. After that, he turned around and cursed himself. The feeling of anxiety that was going on was able to make him act rashly. Even so, deep down he was relieved that Amanda wasn't as bad as he thought. Hopefully."See you?" asked Sebastian, who was still there. Radit's shaking made him smile mockingly. "Why don't you just call her?" His friend had a point. Radit snorted softly then quickly reached into his pants pocket. Not long after, his cell phone vibrated."Where are you?" Amanda's voice had been heard as soon as she picked up the device.["I'm inside. Are you alone?"]"I'm in the parkin
"Do you know her?"The woman who was in the arms of the strange man shook her head quickly. Staring at Radit while shuddering in horror. A few seconds later there was eye contact between the two men."Sorry. I ... have the wrong person," said Radit while grimacing softly."Next time use your eyes!" the man scolded with his eyes flashing with anger. Radit nodded in agreement. After that, he turned around and cursed himself. The feeling of anxiety that was going on was able to make him act rashly. Even so, deep down he was relieved that Amanda wasn't as bad as he thought. Hopefully."See you?" asked Sebastian, who was still there. Radit's shaking made him smile mockingly. "Why don't you just call her?" His friend had a point. Radit snorted softly then quickly reached into his pants pocket. Not long after, his cell phone vibrated."Where are you?" Amanda's voice had been heard as soon as she picked up the device.["I'm inside. Are you alone?"]"I'm in the parkin
"Bye, Daddy." Amanda spoke up first and backed up her body. Making Radit hurriedly straighten his head too."I-I'll go first," Radit said in a slightly stuttered voice."Yes," Amanda replied flatly. Her smile rose when she looked at Ayra. Then she spoke again. "Be careful, Dad. Ayra will wait at home.""Yes, dear. See you later." After making sure Radit's car disappeared, Amanda turned around. Coincidentally, across the street, the women who were going to hunt for vegetables and side dishes passed by. They looked at her with curious eyes."I'm going to the store, ma'am. What do you want to cook?" asked Asih, who had appeared from the doorway. Diverting her employer's attention immediately."What is it?" Amanda thought for a minute and then shrugged. Her household assistant chuckled. "Didn't Ayra's daddy ask to cook anything?"Asih shook her head. "He said it's up to you.""That's fine. Whatever you want. Except for the mussels. If you want to buy them, plea
Radit chuckled when he saw who had appeared in front of him. A man who was smiling broadly without any burden at all."Sorry. Your door was already open. So I didn't knock," said the man who was casually sitting on the living room sofa. His hand reached for the cell phone in his pants pocket and said, "Wow. It was you who called. I'm sorry. I was on the road earlier.""Did I ask you to come?" said Radit, who was already ruffling his waist."Relax, Radit. I just wanted to make sure your sofa arrived safely. You see, their courier told me that you wanted to complain. Is that right?""Yes, yes." Radit nodded in agreement. "What sofa did you order for me, huh?" His impromptu guest laughed. Then turned to Amanda who was still standing like a statue around them. Instead of listening to her friend's
"Well, my wife happens to be there too. So please come in first." Radit immediately stepped aside from the doorway. This allowed Amanda to see clearly who her husband was talking to. A middle-aged woman was smiling and bowing.Amanda approached even though she felt too hot to get to the room. "Who?""The prospective housemaid that Rini told me about yesterday," Radit replied later."Oh," Amanda said quietly. She didn't seem to care at all about what Radit had just said. However, she still nodded politely before finally saying goodbye to the woman to go to her room. Little did she know that her steps were followed by Radit. Just as he was about to grab the towel her husband cleared his throat briefly."You don't like her, do you?" asked Radit, which reflexively made Amanda frown.
Radit hurriedly dropped his cigarette. Stepping on the long object the size of his index finger that became his brief entertainment with a quick movement. Then he lowered his head as he wiped away the rough traces of tears that were still on his cheeks at this time. Meanwhile, Amanda, who was now next to her, still had not made a sound. Just silent while looking at the grass that began to get wet with raindrops. The universe seemed to know the condition of the couple who were still muffling the grief in their hearts."Dinda and I only lived in this house for two months." Radit began to tell the story. His head looked up for a moment and then looked straight at what he saw. The living room. For some reason, the image of him and the late Dinda hugging during the first moment of entering the new house came to mind."Since Dinda was pregnant and often nauseous and vomiting, we decided to stay at Daddy's house until she gave birth." Rad
Amanda then looked at Radit and her father in turn. She waited for an answer to come out of the two men's mouths."I haven't had a chance to talk to Manda yet, Dad," Radit finally said. The explanation just now made Mr. Yuda nod in understanding. He and his wife then took their leave. Letting the couple take their time to chat. This is where the two of them are now. Amanda's room legally belonged to Radit too. It's just a shame that until this moment the body and heart of the beautiful woman who is his wife still cannot be touched at all."What do you want to say?" Amanda asked straight to the point. She looked closely at Radit who was also looking at her.Radit sighed softly until he began to open his voice. He loo
Early in the morning, the whole room had been stirred up by the sound of Ayra's crying. Meanwhile, the two adults there continued to argue."You're the one sleeping like the dead. If Ayra could talk, she would defend me. You suck!" snapped Amanda, trying to calm the tiny baby in her arms.Radit snorted softly. "I apologize. I swear. I can't hear your voice.""Excuse me. You talk too much. Just one night has proven to be a failure.""Hey! You're not used to it." Radit was still defending himself. "Maybe she's thirsty so she keeps crying." Amanda squinted her eyes. She gave Radit a chin gesture to look at the bottle of milk in the crib."She refused. Didn't pee either. I don't know," she moaned almost in frustration."Here, sweetheart. I will carry you, okay?"&n
["Yes. We're even home now."] The voice on the other side made Radit breathe a sigh of relief. How could he not? The wound of loss due to the departure of the late Dinda was still very tight in the chest. Especially hearing bad news about his daughter. His world could have collapsed instantly.["I'm sorry. Daddy panicked so he immediately informed you. It turns out Ayra only has a fever due to the effects of immunization this afternoon."] There was a scolding sound afterward. Of course, it was Tiara who protested the careless attitude of the middle-aged man. Now Amanda and Radit turned to each other silently. Both of them kept a calm feeling after getting enlightenment from the married couple.["It's good that Ayra is okay. Please take care of her. Manda and I are on our way home."] Radit also handed over the cell phone he was holding just now to the master. Then returned his focus to the steering wheel again."That's all right. I'll hang up f