Stay or Leave

The night had turned to early morning, but a man who was on the balcony of his apartment still had not closed his eyes.

Yes, he is Akmal, Ayunda’s ex-lover.

He still clearly remembers the message from David at that time after he took Ayunda home from her boss’s child aqiqah event.

[You are indeed her ex-lover, but I am her husband. So I deserve it more than you. So don’t ever hope on my wife again, because no matter what happens I will not let her go] that’s roughly the message that David sent to Akmal.

“Huh,” Akmal sighed.

“Do I no longer have hope to have you Bee, I am very hurt to see you being seconded by David. . If only David didn’t double down on you, whatever happens, he definitely won’t expect you anymore Bee, but now what am I doing wrong if I want to take you back and make you happy in my own way” Akmal muttered in his solitude.

****

This morning Ayunda returned to her usual activities helping to prepare breakfast and then getting ready.

After feeling that her appearance was ready, Ayunda went back down to her dinner shirt for breakfast and as usual there was already her husband, honey and in-laws.

“Morning everyone” he greeted with a smile that was always displayed as if he was fine

And for the first time also David did not answer his greeting.

After pleasantly greeting Ayunda then sat down to enjoy breakfast which somehow tasted. it is really very suffocating for Ayunda, the person who should be a reinforcement for her, actually ignores her.

After breakfast finished David finally spoke

“Let me deliver” David said when Ayunda was about to leave the place

“Yes” he answered

then David immediately left after previously kissing the forehead and rubbing the stomach of his second wife. Ayunda who saw it immediately turned her face so as not to see the sight that made her more congested.

Can Ayunda feel jealous,,,,?

“Come on” said David to Ayunda after saying goodbye to his second wife

In the car, neither of them made a sound. Usually if in a car like this David always teases Ayunda whether it’s by reminiscing about Ayunda’s days or himself during school.

at least accompanied by chatter but now the David has changed.

Until finally they arrived at Ayunda’s cafe.

“Thank you, sir,” Ayunda said when she was about to come down

“Come down” said David without answering Ayunda’s words.

then Ayunda immediately got out of David’s car until her husband’s car left the parking lot before Ayunda entered the cafe.

In her room, Ayunda was daydreaming again.

Was it just because he was brought home by Akmal, who in fact was his ex-lover, made David angry?

does that mean David is jealous? And that means David still loves her.

If that’s true, how happy Ayunda is, thinking that David still loves her, Ayunda smiles.

****

While David in his room was muttering to himself.

“I will not let Ayunda go no matter whatbecause I’ve struggled to get to this stage and you Akmal won’t be able to have it back” David muttered as he clenched his fists.

****© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

The days continued to change without realizing that Bella’s womb had entered the ninth month, which meant that she would soon give birth.

Day by day, David’s attention was only devoted to his second wife and future child.

Ayunda, who saw her husband’s treatment, didn’t feel like his wife anymore. More precisely, just to take care of it and give it its rights.

Can Ayunda feel jealous,,,?

can Ayunda feel disappointed,,,?

But what Ayunda can do is accept all the treatment of David who doesn’t seem to love him anymore.

Ayunda can only cry at night.

***

This afternoon Ayunda came home early from her cafe.

when he got home, it was quiet without his husband, Bella or his in-laws.

While taking a walk, Ayunda thought, it just so happened that today was the weekend, so maybe as usual they went out for a walk.

Ayunda is no longer surprised by that.

Ayunda continued to climb the stairs to go to her room but had not yet reached the door, aunt called her.

“Mba Ayu” aunty called from behind Ayunda then Ayunda turned her head.

“Yes bi” Ayu replied while stopping her steps.

“That, I just want to convey a message to David, that Miss Bella is giving birth at the mother’s hospital,” said Aunt, telling Ayunda.

“Give birth now bi?” Ayunda asked to make sure.

“I don’t know, sis, as usual, they said goodbye and wanted to walk, but not long ago, David informed me that he was in the hospital if non-Bella wanted to give birth,” explained Aunt.

“Oh, well, I’ll be there to visit Bella. Thank you, ma’am,” said Ayunda.

“Yes ma’am, let’s go” Auntie said goodbye

after aunt left, Ayunda continued her steps to enter her room.

Ayunda immediately cleaned her body, because after this Ayunda would visit Bella and her child.

After finishing preparing, Ayunda rushed to immediately go to the hospital.

****

Before going to the hospital, Ayunda took the time to buy souvenirs for Bella and her child.

Arriving at the hospital, Ayunda immediately looked for Bella’s treatment room.

There was David sitting next to Bella, stroking the back of his hand. but Ayunda didn’t see her mother-in-law, maybe she was in the nursery room, Ayunda thought.

“Mas” Ayunda called to her husband and David just glanced at him then turned his gaze towards Bella again.

It really hurts Ayunda to feel ignored by her loved ones.

Ayunda turned to Bella.

“Congratulations, Bell,” Ayunda said, extending her hand towards Bella.

“Thank you, Ms. Ayu, I hope you will follow soon” Bella replied as she accepted Ayunda’s hand.

Whether it’s a prayer or satire but Ayunda only responded with a smile.

“This is a gift from me, I hope you like it,” said Ayunda.

Bella hasn’t received it yet, the mother-in-law arrives while taking over the gift Ayunda gave to Bella.

“Bella doesn’t need a gift from you, her husband can still buy it,” said Mrs. Ratih as she threw the gift.

“Sorry” was all Ayunda said

“You also don’t need to come here because Bella is still in pain, with your arrival she won’t be able to rest. You’d better go home,” said Mrs. Ratih sarcastically.

David, who saw his mother’s treatment of his first wife, was silent. even though in the past David always defended him if his mother cornered him but now he just doesn’t look at him let alone defends.

“May I see the baby for a moment” Ayunda asked

“You can’t, you’d better get out of here,” said Mrs. Ratih, pointing at the door.

“Go home,” said David coldly.

“Okay, excuse me,” said Ayunda and then stepped out of this room, which had previously taken back the gift that her father-in-law had thrown earlier.

Ayunda decided to go home, because her husband did not expect her presence either.

***