Since You Married Me
Last Anniversary

"Aaron..., what does this mean?" Zaya asked again with a trembling voice.

He looked at Aaron with an expression that was difficult to explain. A million mixed feelings in Zaya's heart. Confused, sad, doubtful, worried, afraid and disappointed. Everything mingled filled his heart until it felt like exploding.

Aaron seemed to sigh and cast his gaze in another direction.

"I want us to get divorced, Zaya. It was a divorce filing I signed. So, now you're the only one who has to sign it." he said flatly.

Zaya was struck with a facial expression that was hard to describe. His mouth was still slightly open in disbelief. This morning everything was fine. Why do you suddenly want to divorce her?

"Why?" ask Zaya lirih.

Aaron did not answer.

"Why, Aaron? Did I make a mistake? Why do you suddenly want us to get divorced. Please, at least tell me what the reason is." Zaya said again in a sad tone. Her eyes are covered with tears that are ready to fall on her cheeks at any time.

Aaron looked towards Zaya who seemed to be asking for an explanation.

"You didn't do anything wrong. I want us to get divorced because it's time for us to take each other's path." Aaron finally replied.

Zaya shakes. It seemed that he could not accept the reason Aaron said.

"Don't you say I can stand next to you if I don't involve my feelings. I've been trying not to bother you. I've also tried to obey all the rules of yours. Tell me what makes you dissatisfied with me. I'll try to do it better." Zaya said in a desperate tone.

Aaron looked at her flatly and sighed harshly.

"I have my own reasons, but I can't tell you. As far as I'm concerned, farewell is the best path for both of us, Zaya." said Aaron in a cold and indisputable tone.

Zaya looked at Aaron with a smile full of irony. Then he lowered his gaze sadly.

"Is it because now you've found the woman who made you fall in love?" tanyanya.

Aaron knitted his brows, seemingly confused by Zaya's question. But a moment later he was able to neutralize back his facial expression.

"If it's like that, do you agree to divorce?" ask Aaron later.

Zaya raised her face again with a sad look in her eyes. But then back he looked down with tears that fell without being held back again.

"Is that so?" lirihnya.

Hurriedly removed the tears that continued to flow without excuse. Zaya doesn't want to cry in front of Aaron. But this time the overflow of his emotions had made him no longer able to control himself. Zaya lost this time.

"It seems you need time to think. You can save the divorce papers first, and sign them when you're ready."

Aaron got up from his seat and prepared to leave the room.

"Think well, Zaya. I'll give you whatever you ask for in compensation for the divorce. So I hope you sign it soon and hand it back to me." Aaron said while leaving Zaya.

Zaya was stunned with eyes that were still wet.

Finally what he had feared all along came as well. Zaya knew it would be very painful, so she prepared herself from afar. But when the time came like now, he still felt unprepared. His heart was completely broken and he did not know how to fix it. Zaya broke down and cried without caring anymore about the surroundings.

___________________________________________

The breeze stroked Zaya's hair. Looks like the dress she was wearing was waving in the wind.

Zaya looked at the clear lake that lay before her. Then her padangan down to her ring finger decorated with a simple wedding ring.

Seven years ago, right on this day Aaron pinned the ring on his sweet finger. From then on Zaya's heart was tied to the man and unable to turn away.

Today is Zaya and Aaron's wedding anniversary. And just like in previous years, Zaya came to the top of the hill that she had come with Aaron to celebrate alone. But this time Zaya will enjoy every moment more, because it looks like this is the last anniversary of her wedding.

Aaron has chosen to let go, and it seems that now Zaya knows why.

Before coming to the top of the hill today, Zaya had seen the news on tv. Carissa Nugraha, the famous pianist who just received a prestigious award this year, has just returned home. The beautiful girl also announced that she would stay and would not stay abroad again for personal reasons.

Salahkah Zaya concludes that Carissa accidentally returns for Aaron, and Aaron divorces her for wanting to return to his childhood sweetheart.

Zaya recalls Ginna's words when she asked him to divorce Aaron.

"*What are you thinking, Zaya. Do you think Aaron will be your husband forever. You're just a temporary wife to Aaron. Later when the time comes, Aaron will definitely leave you and be with women who are more worthy of him. Sooner or later you will get divorced too. But if you ask for a divorce first, even if it feels equally painful, at least you still have your pride*."

Those words had been thrown out of Ginna's mouth for a very long time, but now it was reverberating in Zaya's mind. It was naive of him to doubt everything Ginna said.

Zaya looked up while closing her eyes. He tried to accept the end result of all his struggles so far with a spacious chest.

Well.., here's the end.

Zaya moved on, stepping off the top of the hill which became a place full of memories between herself and Aaron.

It was night when Zaya returned home.

After cleaning up, Zaya goes down for dinner. Aaron and Albern were waiting for him at the dinner table.

They eat without making a sound. Everything dissolves in each other's minds. There was only the sound of the clanking of spoons and forks clashing with plates.

Dinner ended sooner than usual. Zaya returned to her room after taking Albern to bed. Then he came to Aaron's study with something in his hand.

Aaron was a little surprised by Zaya's arrival. But then he could get a hold of himself and have Zaya sit down.

Zaya was silent for a long time. And Aaron is just waiting for Zaya to reveal the intention of his arrival without intending to open the conversation first.

"After we get divorced, can I still see Albern?" ask Zaya at last.

Aaron glanced at Zaya at a glance and seemed to compose a word.

"If Albern's not on a study schedule, you can meet him. I won't forbid you to see him as long as he doesn't mind himself." replied Aaron.

Zaya fell silent again and this time for quite a long time.

"With me gone, will your life and Albern be better, Aaron?" ask again with a clean sliver.

This time Aaron seemed to have no idea what to answer. He was silent for a long time, before finally throwing a rough breath.

"Maybe." she finally answered.

Might?

Must mean 'Yes', right? There was no way Aaron would answer Zaya's question so clearly. Because it's gonna hurt Zaya even more. It seems that Aaron is still maintaining ethics so as not to embarrass Zaya too much.

Zaya tried to smile even though she looked very confused. Then he nods his head with rather bright eyes.

"This, take. I signed it." Zaya submitted the divorce filing file Aaron had previously given her. Aaron received it with fixed eyes staring at Zaya.

Zaya.

"Later I'll tell you what compensation to ask you. Now I haven't thought about it." she said as she stepped towards the door.

But when his hand touched the door knob, Zaya stopped and turned towards Aaron.

"Aaron..., may I ask you one more thing?" tanyanya slow.

Aaron looked back at Zaya.

"Say." he said flatly.

Zaya was silent for a moment, then looked at Aaron meaningfully.

"Over these seven years, have you loved me a little?" tanyanya. Slow and smooth. But it was very clear to hear Aaron's ear.

Aaron was silent and just stared at Zaya. His eyes looked even sharper and unusual. Maybe he objected to Zaya's last question.

Seeing Aaron who seemed to have no intention of answering his question, Zaya smiled ironically.

"Alright, I understand." Zaya said as she lowered her face. Zaya already knew the answer even though Aaron said nothing. From start to finish, he still means nothing to Aaron. That's reality.

"I'll go first, good night." Zaya walked out of the room without waiting for a response from Aaron again. His feet quickly moved, and when he reached his room, he locked the door.

Zaya's body was like boneless. His feet could no longer stand up to support his body. The water flowed back without excuse.

Maybe it's time to end all this. Releasing the blade that he held firmly until his palm unceasingly bled. Zaya only hoped, this was the last wound she felt.

Seriate.....