A is for Ara
Usai

"What do you want to order?" ask Ali as soon as we sit down.

"Hot Americano," I answered making everyone look at me in wonder.

"In this hot weather?" naira asked making sure that I replied with a nod.

Ali pulled Azhar's body to go with her to order a drink and maybe some snacks. I took the electronic fan from inside my bag and held it in front of Naira's face. Although the AC in the cafe could slowly reduce the heat in our bodies, I knew Naira was still very hot.

"You don't want to ask anything?" naira asked as she took the fan in my hand.

"Many," I said briefly.

"Ask everything you want to know."

I was silent for a moment before finally switching seats in front of Naira. I want to see the expression on his face while answering the question I gave. He already knew that I still couldn't believe his heart. He knows I'm still scared if he's gonna let Ali back into his life. The fear I shouldn't have.

"Why?"

"My husband, Gio, he asked me to move. He also followed me to move here. Now we live in a new house."

"Why?"

"It is my duty as a wife to obey my husband."

"Why?"

Naira exhaled while putting the fan on the table. He knows exactly the answer I want. He also knew the answer he gave was just an excuse to cover up his real answer.

"Gio let me and Doctor Ali talk..."

"Two?" cut me that was immediately replied to by Naira.

"Me and Doctor Ali have finished all our past relationships and feelings. I know the worries you have because I also had those worries but I guarantee only Gio is now in my heart."

I wanted to reply to the sentence he just said but I paused it. If he had already had the same worries as me, those worries would never completely disappear. Not because he did not love Gio but because he once loved Ali. The worry I felt came about because of the past feelings he had. And him, how could that worry not arise when he himself was doubtful of the feelings he had at the moment?

Naira kept looking at me, waiting for her response or the next question. I turned my eyes briefly outside, looking at the passing of the vehicle that was dropping off and picking up hotel guests. One car plate stole my attention. It seems Naira doesn't know if her husband is in this hotel all day accompanying her.

"Are you sure you can manage your feelings?" many finally.

"certain."

"Even if Gio gives up on you?"

My question kept him quiet. He didn't expect me to ask that question at all. I really know how Gio fought to get Naira. I also know how much love Gio has for Naira. But, all this time only Gio has always given. Naira was used to receiving. If this continues, Naira will unconsciously assume there is no need to give anything to Gio. As long as Gio could accept all that treatment?

"I will defend Gio" Naira replied after 1 minute of silence. I guess he'll give you a long answer.

"If Gio doesn't want to be defended?"

"Dad!!" call him full of emotion.

"I'm just asking you what the odds are."

"That's not gonna happen."

"Can you guarantee it?"

"..."

"You don't even know if you're finally going to marry the little brother you 'ever' loved."

"What's wrong with your words so piercing," she replied as she blushed her lips.

I know I'm more mature than him. He was 4 years older than me but I didn't know the difference in maturity between us was big enough. Now it's my turn to breathe.

"Nay, do you know if you're Gio's first love?"

"Aren't you?" tanyanya's confused.

I'm shaking. A story of the past that I so desperately want to correct. I don't think the promise of High School will apply to us.

"Gio fell in love at first sight with you while he was still in Turkey, when you suddenly made a video call with me. Gio and I spent a lot of time together because we were both transfer students who were in acceleration classes but our relationship was only limited to study friends, nothing more. He knows you long before you know. And, she also loved you much longer than you thought.

He's a person who can't express his feelings, just like me and this is what makes us impossible to be together. He was very fond of the love story between Ali ibn Abi Talib and Fatimah daughter of the Prophet, love in silence and in prayer. Even when you started chasing Ali, he didn't care about it. When I asked her if she gave up on the feelings she had for you, she gave the answer that the love in her silence would die but the love in her prayer would continue to exist. Do you know the difference between love in silence and love in prayer?"

Naira just shook her head. His expression at this moment showed shock. I will look forward to the scolding and light blows from him after 2 days for hiding all this.

"He's the one who always helps you Nay, when your PR book is left behind he collects. When you are in trouble in the committee, he helps or asks others to help you. He's also the one who always gives snacks in your locker. The bad things that happen to you and the good things that suddenly appear to overcome them, all because of him. I'm sure, you realize the moment you started showing your feelings for Ali, that moment the good things that suddenly appeared were gone. All because of the love in his silence, his attention was also lost. But he prays for you, he doesn't pray for you to be a match. He prays for you to have the best love that can make you happy."

Naira's tears are dripping. I gave my handkerchief to him. He shook his head, making me wipe the tears on his cheek.

I think now his thoughts about love and also about Gio are changing. All this time, he was just looking inside himself. She never saw the love Gio gave her. He was used to receiving that love. Habits that blinded him. I just want him to completely dispel his worries without leaving a single trace. The worry he previously had still left a trace that could make him return. Right now, that trace will disappear for sure.

"And, when the bad gossip about you popped up on the university's website. That's not me, Nay. It was Gio who challenged everyone in the broadcasting group to remove the gossip about you."

"Why didn't you say it?"

"I'm leaving" said Naira as she ran out of the cafe. He even left behind his belongings, making me sure within 1 day the scolding and blows would await me.

"Don't run!!" I shouted, making Naira walk straight away.

Just as Naira exited the hotel lobby door, Gio also got out of the car. Naira immediately hugged her confused husband. Seeing how Gio was trying to calm Naira down, I felt guilty by the question I was giving. There was no way Gio would give up.

When we went through specialist education, it was the happiest bad moments of our lives. I got lucky through my specialist without drama with a classmate. Unlike me, Naira has to deal with 3 forces. His conversation about Athina leaked to the public, making Ali very angry because at that time no one knew about Athina. Then, Ali revealed all the contents of the Naira chat that demonized the women who were chasing Ali. It makes Naira live full of guilt and abuse from many people. From then on, Naira turned into a quieter figure and stopped chasing Ali.

"Where's Nay?" ali asked, looking left and right for Naira.

"Go home" I said.

"The base is still here. She sick? Why are you still here if she's sick?" tanyanya panic. The panic he didn't need.

"What do you care?" my reply made Azhar put her hand over my shoulder.

Ali tidied Naira's messy things on the table into Naira's pink bag. He stopped just as his eyes looked out, looking at his sister along with the woman who might now be filling his heart. Azhar followed her gaze and immediately took over Naira's bag, making Ali sit down immediately.

"Both of your parents made a natural match to them" I said, leaving Ali stunned.

"really?" bitter reply.

"It's too late."

"Sister," call Azhar slowly and give her a headband. Looks like they just shared a secret, a secret I could've guessed.

"You're a fool to separate them."

"Sister," call Azhar once again with great emphasis.

"Naira, she almost killed herself because of the chat you were spreading," I said making the two men in front of me shocked in disbelief.

I turned my gaze to the place where Naira and Gio were still together. They are laughing at each other now. Naira's first laugh was free without fear.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Again that question. Questions that will only make regrets even greater. If I wanted to, I could tell how stupid he was for not realizing that he had loved Naira from before but I didn't say.

"Will something change?"

"I can tell if the chat is fake. I won't make him suffer like that."

"When you love someone, your heart will close your eyes to the person who loves you. It's your only fault."

"Gio, he takes care of everything, doesn't he?" his reply paid no heed to my words.

I tried not to tell the truth. I hope he can take care of his heart well. The feelings of hers for Athina and the feelings of hers for Naira, which side will last longer and inflict pain, only she can decide. Or if you can decide not to feel the pain.

"It is better for Kak Ali to talk to Kak Gio," said Azhar who I immediately agreed. The problem now only exists in those two men. If the two of them were both willing to let go of the past then no more pain would arise.

Brr..

The sound of a tool indicating our order is ready. I walked to the pick-up spot, followed by Azhar next to me and Ali behind who looked lethargic. Ali immediately took out a tray full of our orders, making my hand that was about to take my drink float in the air.

"Ra, I exchanged glances with your ummi" Ali said limply. He then walked towards the place where the man I was trying to avoid was.

Azhar pulled my arm. He certainly could think rationally to take me to the place where the lion was. I picked up my drink as soon as I walked next to Ali who looked nervous.

"Have not met Ali for a long time," greeted ummi enthusiastically. Seeing how Ali replied with an awkward smile, I think he had only met ummi in the past few weeks.

"Oh, Brother Ara is here. Aiba is discussing important matters with Brother Aiden, does Brother Ara want to join?"

The forced smile. The forced sentence. I think he's currently using me as a guarantee to be with Aiden for longer.

"There's something I need to discuss with Doctor Ali. Next time I'll join in," I replied followed by a curious look towards Ali.

"Ahh. right, about being able to procure drugs," said Ali quickly wanted to stop the gazes that were fixed on him.

"What about Azhar?" tanya ummi made Azhar shake her head.

"We went there first, Auntie," said Ali awkwardly.

"Wait," Aiden ordered as I began to walk towards where I was originally sitting.

Aiden walked over to me. Aiba just fell silent, not trying to stop what Aiden was doing. I think something happened to them. Seeing how Ummi's face went awry, it made me even more sure that Aiden had just cut off their relationship.

"I confiscated this. Your stomach acid is going up" Aiden said as he picked up my Hot Americano.

Azhar directly pulled my arm, taking me to sit down to our table earlier. As soon as I sat down, Azhar walked back to where they were. He also sat with them. His facial expression turned very serious.

"I did not expect, from the prospective sister-in-law turned into a prospective husband in just 2 weeks," said Ali while arranging drinks and cakes on the table.

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