NOT PERPETRATORS
Late to Fall in Love

A few days later, on Sunday. Mas Bastian took us for a walk. Arka greeted him with excitement. Coincidentally, we have not been together for a long time. So, I agreed.

In the car, I sat in front with Bastian. While Arka sat in the back with Fania. We're going to the water park.

"Mas, have you given Bella permission to go with me?" manya curious. I'm afraid Bastian didn't ask his wife for permission.

"Already," he answered.

I don't know if Bastian's honest or lying.

"Revelation, Mas!!" my yelling.

Bastian braked his car. Bastian almost hit a sedan car in front of him that was stopped because of a red light.

"Sorry, my head is a little dizzy. Maybe because I haven't eaten since yesterday" said Mas Bastian while holding his head.

"What's better, we're looking for food first?" I just feel sorry.

"We're almost there. Just go to the water park first," said Mas Bastian, then run his car again after the traffic light turns green.

Mas Bastian's face looked a little pale. He looks tired. In fact, I hear his stomach occasionally go off asking to be filled. Bastian must be very hungry.

"Your cop never changes, Imania. It always feels the same. We have been separated long enough. You still remember my coffee taste."

"If Abel could make me coffee as good as you can."

"Abel is not like you. He's too spoiled. It's even too demanding. It is true said mother. She's a long way off compared to you, Imania."

"Imania, your cooking is delicious. I miss this cooking every day, after divorcing you."

"Abel is not good at cooking. He rarely cooks. I've starved her a lot, Imania."

"Bella changed after we got married. He was too wasteful and always demanded everything. Her lifestyle, it's so much different from yours when it comes to being my wife."

"He always yells and defies when I command, Immania. She's not like you, obedient and devoted to the husband."

"Bella doesn't care about me. Even when I got sick. He even scolded me."

Actually, tucked a little pity into him. But yes, this is destiny. Mas Bastian who decided, he must also be ready to accept the consequences.

"Imania," call Bastian.

"Eh, yeah, what's up, Mom." I woke up from my daydream.

"You're daydreaming, huh?" ask Bastian.

"Ah, i-yes," I replied.

"I asked you that."

"What are you asking?'

"How is your relationship with Dimas?"

I was silent for a moment. Should I say we broke up?

"We ... are not communicating" I replied honestly.

"Why?" asked Bastian who looked at me surprised.

"It's complicated to explain, Mom."

Mas Bastian suddenly placed his hand on the back of my hand. He squeezed my hand gently. I also looked at him. I caught a big smile on Bastian's face. I immediately pulled my hand slowly. I don't know what the smile on Bastian's face meant to me. However, I caught an unusual twinkle of light from both eyes of Bastian. It's like .. implies a hope.

Not long after, we arrived at the water park. Arka walked in with passion with Mas Bastian. Fania and I followed behind her.

"Imania," call Fania while aligning her steps with me.

"Yes." Yeah."

"Review, careful. You'll be CLBK!" whispered Fania.

"Gee! Apaan, anyway. That's not possible."

"Didn't you notice Bastian's gaze on you? He's like a man in love when he looks at you, Imania."

"Ah, masa, anyway? Just your feelings."

"Imania, I warn you. Do not fall into the same hole a second time. Not forever, okay!" he said he then glided in ahead of Bastian mas who walked in front.

We also reached the edge of the pool. Fania excitedly immediately took off her outer clothes one by one. She had been preparing the swimsuits she had been wearing from home. Arka also eagerly asked to be released his clothes.

"Father! Come on, play water with Arka!" bring Arka.

"The same old Aunt Fania, huh? Papa's hungry, this. Papa wants to eat first, huh?"

"Yes, shit. But later Papa has to swim with Arka, huh? Promise!" Arka thrusts her little finger at Bastian.

"Come, Arka, let's go!" bring Fania.

Fania also played with Arka in the pool. While I took a seat on the poolside chair.

"Imania, are you hungry? I'll buy some steamed noodles."

"No, Mas. You're the one eating."

Bastian went to buy noodles. After a few minutes, he returned with two cups of hot noodles. He also sat facing me.

"Mas, didn't I tell you I wasn't hungry?" I was surprised to find two cups of noodles brought by Bastian mas.

Bastian smiled at me. "If it were only one cup, my stomach would not be full, Imania."

I looked at him more and more pitying. Poor Bastian, he must be hungry. I kept watching him who was eating that instant noodle voraciously. The steam of hot noodles was steaming, the smell of noodles was smelling so pungent.

After one cup of noodles is finished. Mas Bastian took the other noodle. He looked at me for a moment. "I'm sorry, I'm so hungry" she said with a face that was embarrassed.

"It's okay, Mom. I'm happy to see you eating like that" I said, smiling.

Bastian continued to eat without saying a word. I who continued to pay attention to it, suddenly surprised by the sobs of Bastian mas who was eating noodles. My eyes widened to find clear hairs dripping on both cheeks Bastian mas.

"Maas ...."

"I am the most stupid man in the world, Imania" said Bastian. His mouth was still filled with such instant noodles.

"Maas ...."

Mas Bastian wiped the tears that kept sliding from his two eyes. The hot steam plume from the noodles seemed to race to hide the wet face of Bastian mas. However, the steaming steam is nothing more than tears that continue to slide into both cheeks Bastian.

"I have given up my luck, in order to fulfill my ego. I've thrown away the most precious woman, just for the sake of an attractive woman. But the interesting thing is cliche, camouflage."

"Maas ...." I still look at him confused.

"I've wasted a woman like you, Immania. I've hurt a perfect wife like you. I'm too stupid!" he said while continuing to eat his noodles.

"I'm too absorbed in past love. So willing to let the love of the real future," he continued while rubbing his wet face.

"Imania, this instant noodle even tasted better compared to eating at home. When at home, I always get unpleasant treatment from Bella. He cannot do his job well. In fact, my work clothes, I washed myself. Many housework is neglected. He only thinks about himself. When I brief him, he always says that he is my wife, not my maid" Bastian said.

Just this time, I saw this sultry Bastian mas figure. Even though he hurt my feelings. Despite so much disappointment he had done to me. However, looking at her current state, my heart felt claustrophobic. It was painful to see every tear drop that came out of the eye that was once so shady bemoaned me. Eyes that once highlighted the hustle and bustle of my household with that hope. Unknowingly, the clear hairs from both of my eyes also spilled. I listened to every outpouring of my ex-husband's heart.

Mas Bastian continued to devour the noodles while sobbing. Really, what a sad sight.

"Maybe, this is karma, from the great sin I have committed against you, Imania. God is punishing me. God is reversing my situation. I realized and accepted it."

I wiped the tears that came down my cheeks. I feel the pain that Bastian is experiencing. It must be very difficult for him to accept all these bitter things.

Mas Bastian had finished the instant noodles before him. Only noodle water left in the cup. And that, he spent until there was not a drop left. He was back in front of me.

"I feel crazy if I have to regret what I did. I .. I can't afford to stare at my own face in the mirror. I feel so bad, Imania. It turns out .. This is how it feels to be sorry. It's all my fault. I have never heard the words of my parents. And .. This is the end of my selfishness." Mas Bastian wiped his wet face using his hands. "Imania, I'm sorry I betrayed you."

I wiped my tears. Then I grabbed Bastian's hand. I clasped it tightly as if trying to strengthen it. "Mas ..all that has happened, this is part of God's scenario. Part of it is from the steps we have chosen. But basically, whatever is destined for us is by God's will. If God doesn't want it, then none of this is happening."

Mas Bastian looked at me unmoved.

"Mas .. sometimes we always act on the judgment of the heart. In the end, we put logic aside. In fact, the liver is too overdosed in deciding everything. So, practice thinking using logic. Next time, you can't make the wrong move again, huh?" I tried to calm him down.

My eyes turned to the two cups of instant noodles that had been eaten by Bastian. My heart is sliced to see it. Then I looked back at the man in front of me. "Mas ... no use lamenting fate. It will only make you worse off. Just go with sincerity. I'm sure Bella could be the best wife you've ever wanted. And it takes time, Mom. Slowly ...."

Mas Bastian took a deep breath, looked at me with wet eyes, then squeezed my finger. "Imania, I'm falling in love with you too late."

- CONNECTED --

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Readers Kecih nan Badeh!

The author would like to say, MARHABAN YA RAMADHAN, to the Kekeh Readers who run (for the Muslims).

Welcome the month of Ramadan this year with great joy, huh?

Happy fasting? May those who undergo be given smoothness and always be surrounded by the blessings of the Almighty.

Let us welcome the month of Ramadan with a holy heart, a clean heart, a sincere heart, and a happy heart, yes?

May we always be healthy and kept away from all eyes of danger and pain. Removed from the COVID-19 Virus. Aamiins.

May this month of holiness, also be able to clean up the COVID-19 virus that plagues the world today. Aamiins.

Oh, yeah, good morning and good morning!

Thank You ...!