“Hi, how are you?”
Albi stared at the woman he had known for years—the woman he had not seen for nearly four years. She had once always been by his side, and now Albi had no idea what she was doing at her parents’ house.
“Fine. How about you?” Albi asked in return.
“As you can see, I’m fine—more than fine. It’s been such a long time since we last saw each other. I never expected that we’d meet again,” the woman replied. Her name, as it turned out, was Kharisma.
“Why don’t we have lunch first? If you two still want to talk afterward, you can do that then. I feel bad for Aninda and her unborn child—they’re already hungry,” Laila chimed in with a chuckle.
“Sure. I’m sorry, Mom. Risma got so excited that she forgot we were going to have lunch together.”
“It’s all right, dear. I understand. Let’s have lunch first, and afterward you can continue your conversation in the family room.” Laila smiled happily when she saw her son’s reaction. He seemed so pleased by Kharisma’s arrival.
“Mom, Albi has to go back to the office this afternoon. There’s unfinished work that I should take care of as soon as possible,” Albi said.
“Albi, really? You have a guest, and you’re already saying you have to leave?” Aninda said.
“I still have a lot of work to do, so I need to finish it before everything piles up even more,” Albi replied.
“But you’re the owner’s son. There’s no way nobody else can handle it,” Aninda countered, continuing to pressure him.
“Aninda, even though it’s a family business, we can’t just act however we want. We also have to set a good example for our employees so they can follow it.”
Laila rubbed Aninda’s hand to make her stop talking. It was obvious that Kharisma kept sneaking glances at the married man. While they were having lunch, Albi’s phone rang. When he looked at it, he saw that Nayra was calling.
“Mom, I’m going to answer Nayra’s call.” Albi left the dining table after seeing Laila nod. Kharisma watched him leave until the back of the married man disappeared from view.
“Nayra? Albi’s wife?” Kharisma asked.
“Yes, she’s Albi’s wife. Unfortunately, she’s infertile,” Laila replied with a lie.
“Infertile? Poor Albi,” Kharisma said.
“That’s why I feel so sorry for him. All this time, he’s been waiting for a child to come into their lives. I know what it’s like not to have children. Now Albi has to keep being patient.” Laila continued telling her things that had nothing to do with reality.
“That’s why Ninda asked Risma to get close to Albi. Ninda is sure Albi will accept you.”
“You really are something. If Albi wants me and doesn’t object, then I have no problem with it. But what about his current wife?” Kharisma asked.
“Take it easy, that’s all my responsibility. You focus on getting close to Albi and making him want to marry you. I’ll take care of Nayra. Everything will work out as long as we all cooperate.” Laila’s words convinced Kharisma that she could become Albi’s wife.
Albi returned to the dining table. But he did not come back to finish his lunch. Instead, he had returned to say goodbye to everyone at the table, especially Laila. Kharisma smiled when she saw Albi come back.
“Mom, Albi can’t stay here much longer. I have to go back to the office, and I have somewhere else to be later,” Albi said, taking his leave.
“What other business do you have? Is your wife asking you to come home right away?” Laila asked.
“No, Mom. I already have other plans with Nayra. So I’m going to head back to the office now.”
“You’re going to the office now, Bi?” Kharisma asked.
“Yes. I’m sorry I can’t keep you company here. You can talk with Mom or Aninda.”
“No, it just so happens that I have something else to take care of too. I have to meet one of my father’s clients, so I should get going as well,” Kharisma said.
“But dear, didn’t our car break down earlier? It’s at the repair shop now,” Laila asked.
“Oh my gosh, I forgot.” Kharisma slapped her own forehead.
“Aren’t Albi’s office and Risma’s office in the same direction? Why don’t you take Risma to her office first?” Aninda suggested, clearly trying to give Kharisma a chance to get closer to Albi.
“Yes, that’s a great idea. Take Risma to her office first, then you can go straight to yours, Albi.”
“But, Mom—”
“Don’t be so stingy, Albi. Kharisma is only asking for a ride to her office. Please, take her.”
Albi finally nodded and left at once, followed by Kharisma, who was smiling happily. This time, Albi and Kharisma were in the same car again. Albi felt awkward, but Kharisma looked absolutely delighted.
“It reminds me of when we were together. I was so happy back then,” Kharisma said to Albi as they sat in the car.
“Don’t talk about the past. That was a very long time ago. I have my own life now, so I hope you’ll stay away from me!”
“Do you hate me?”
“No. I just don’t want to remember the past. Is there something wrong with that?” Albi asked.
“Do you love your wife now?”
“What a stupid question. Of course I love the woman I’m with now.”
“I still love you too, so let’s start over,” Kharisma urged.
“Don’t be crazy! I don’t want to hurt my wife,” Albi said firmly.
“If your mother asked you to, would you refuse?”
“Don’t drag Mom into this. I don’t want you involving her,” Albi said.
“We’ll see about that. I can even give you what your wife can’t give you right now.”