SYAHDU (Contract Sleep Friends)
Trying to Be Honest with Wicak

Arga sits by the fish pond of Margaret's house. He again thought about Syahdu, as well as what the woman had been going through all day.

Today, various feelings have been felt Arga and the most dominant is sadness and regret. Arga's memory now leads to Syahdu almost ending his life.

Arga clearly felt guilty. Completely cursed himself when utilizing the fate of Syahdu who was on the brink because of his ailing grandmother.

Now, the only family left for Syahdu's life died and the girl had no passion for life, plus the loss of honor she held in high regard. Syahdu felt he had no place in this world, especially if one day Wicak left him.

"I will take care of you." said Arga when imagining if one day the man would really leave Syahdu. He'll put up a body and protect the girl with all his soul.

But again Arga sighed as she recalled how the man loved Syahdu, as if giving no room for anyone to fill the void in the girl's heart.

Arga was eager to meet Syahdu but did not know where the girl was. His phone is also inactive. But, that girl must be with her lover, right?

"Thinking Syahdu, yes."

Arga gasped when he found Margaret sitting on the swing of her backseat.

"Omom. No, really." Arga tilted his body to see Margaret.

"Well, falling in love makes you dizzy. Especially those who are loved already have lovers. Where her lover also loves her very dear."

"Oma say what, anyway."

"Don't you think I don't know."

Arga smiled slightly, considering that Margaret must have investigated Syahdu as well.

"So, you're ready to accept the engagement, right?" Ask Margaret.

"For now, just take Arga to go."

"What street? You want to cancel that engagement? Sutomo and Alex have signed a contract. If you cancel, the losers aren't just Alex. Oma's good name will also be broken."

Arga knows now he is stuck and like he has no way to achieve his wishes.

"Try before you find a partner to be serialized. Oma must help you escape Alex's ambition. But you just do not want to marry, even make the oma dizzy. So you think Alex's path is real."

"Oma's time, anyway. But if you want a great-grandchild, Arga can also love without having to marry."

NAH! One punch managed to float on Arga's head. He grimaced holding his head.

"Enak really when you say. You think women are baby-making machines, without marriage and responsibilities, and you can have children, right?!"

Arga was silent because he knew wrong. After all if Maragareth agreed, he would not want to have children either.

"Trus where is Syahdu now? If he is confused, you can stay here. Tell him, oma who will help me study abroad. Honey, he's a smart kid."

"Seriously, oma?" Tanya Arga excited.

"Yes. Sana told him. But remember..." Margareth's index finger. "You can't have a relationship with him."

Arga was silent. His face turned flat as well.

"Oma can only help her education because oma knows she's a good kid. But I don't agree that Syahdu is dating you."

Arga did not argue. He knew Maragareth objected because of the girl's background. Especially in his family, social status was precious.

"Arga, one day you will understand that if you have become a parent, that we must want the best for our children. Oma hope you understand yes, dear."

Margaret departed, leaving Arga with a mind still on Syahdu with a heart that cried out in disagreement with what Margaret had just said to her.

...🍁...

Sitting under the bed. He leaned against the foot of the bed, facing the glass window that was tightly shut due to the rain.

Syahdu hugged his knees to look at the water that stuck and flowed on the window glass. Her tears also wet her cheeks.

A sense of loneliness in his heart. All this time, if he went anywhere, his mind would calm down while there was still Suriani nearby. But now, he seemed to have no place to return. Syahdu was really not ready to lose the old woman.

Wicak came and sat next to him. The man immediately clasped Syahdu's hand.

Syahdu shook weakly. He was not feeling well nor was he hungry.

"Shahdu, you'll be sick." Say the Tortoise gently.

Syahdu looked at the man next to him. Suddenly a sense of regret arose. He felt that all this time his struggle for Suriani was in vain. He has given up the honor of survival with his grandmother. Will try sincerely if one day Wicak leave him from Suriani is still nearby. But now it was Suriani who left him.

"Shahdu, don't feel alone. I promise you, I won't leave you for whatever reason. Grandma once said that I should take care of you. He asked me to promise to always be by your side and I wanted to keep it even clearer." Wicak touched Syahdu's cheek, then smiled. "Married to me, yeah."

Syahdu was stunned looking into the eyes that radiated warmth and love for her. Wicak, he proposed to Syahdu.

"I haven't been working. But in a few days I'm gonna finish college and get a job. We.. simple marriage, ain't it what, right?"

Syahdu just looked at him with a sense of regret in him.

"I have savings but I think we better use it for a home business, how?"

'March. I'd like one.' He said in his heart but his mouth was locked, even tears were spilled.

"I actually wanted to propose to you at my graduation but, after thinking about it now, you have no friends at home. Hence, after I thought long, I think marriage is the best path for me and you. I also married you so-"

Shahdu hugged her very tightly. He really didn't want to lose Wicak. Syahdu suddenly wants to keep Wicak, the only place he has. Yes, Syahdu will be honest with Wicak and after that, he will invite Wicak to move out of this city, leaving Arga and the damn contract.

~

Syahdu sat at the dinner table. He noticed Wicak opening the food parcel for his breakfast. The man also made Syahdu tea, and placed some cakes on the table.

"Shahdu." Now Wicak is kneeling under it. "I'm sorry, because I couldn't get you today. I work, baby. As you wish to leave this city, so in the next few days, I will work from morning to night, collecting money for us. You're not okay, are you?" Tanya Wicak while holding both hands Syahdu.

The girl shook her head with a small smile. "Ga anything. My brother is a rich man."

Wicak's hand stalling touching Syahdu's cheek. The girl was no longer crying, but her eyes were swollen, her voice was hoarse and small.

"Today I'm home at 11 p.m. If there's anything you're telling me, yeah." Wicak stood up and put on his jacket. He kissed the top of Syahdu's head.

"Sister.."

"Yes?"

Wicak crouched back before Syahdu, looking up at the girl's sad eyes.

"I'm actually.." Syahdu bit his lip. Suddenly he could not continue his words.

"What's up, baby?"

Syahdu twisting fingers. His heart had always wanted to be honest, but his tongue felt funny.

"Be careful." Syahdu finally.

Smile and stand up. "Yes. You also. I'm going first. Finish breakfast. Don't forget to lock the door."

Syahdu. He looked at the man's departure.

Wicak turned around, smiled at Syahdu then closed the door.

Syahdu sighed. However, Wicak's sincerity really makes him like a criminal.

Syahdu tapped on the dining table while thinking. She wanted to be honest with Wicak before the man married her but why did it feel so heavy. Syahdu did not want Wicak to regret after they had legally become a couple.

But once again, Syahdu must prepare his heart, if Wicak can not accept it, then he must be heartened and respect the decision of the man and of course, the decision, the unanimous determination since long ago is to go from the presence of Wicak and also Arga.

Syahdu raised his head when he saw a huge shadow standing in front of him. He looked at who was coming in front of him.

"Hi." Greet the man with a smile on his feet.

'Arga, how did he know my contract?'

TB