Because I Don't Want to Lose
11 - Impressed

Anaya rushes to leave Tristan on the grounds that her son is sick. He ignored Tristan who wanted to deliver him. He just wants to get to Naira.

While driving, Anaya again called Izzar. On the fourth ring, Izzar replied.

“Just go home!”

Phone connection cut off Izzar. The man's short and stern sentences were voiced in a tone implying a sense of indignation being held back. Anaya breathed. He understood that Izzar was angry with him for ignoring him and Naira. He resigned already. What worries him is, he does not yet know how Izzar vented his anger. Could it be like Ridwan who used to verbally attack him with blasphemy harsh words and insults that continued by silencing him for days?

Anaya arrives moments after Izzar, Naira and Mba Kemi return home. Izzar has just given Naira a drug and Mba Kemi has replaced her clothes. Izzar silenced Anaya who immediately took over taking care of Anaya. From Mba Kemi Anaya knowing if his son was affected by strep throat due to exchanging food supplies in the form of chips that contain high MSG with his friend. Naira does have a sensitive throat with foods that use too much flavorings.

After Naira falls asleep, Izzar calls Anaya to his room. Anaya complies, and sits awkwardly on the sofabed, while Izzar looks up from his chair.

“Where were you last night, until new night home?” ask Izzar. The look on his face was tense and exuded a sense of veiled annoyance. Even so, the tone of his speech remained sloping.

“There is work I have to finish,” Anaya replied.

“Why not answer my phone?” Izzar's eyes could not see him.

Anaya bit her lip. For a moment he was worried about being honest or lying.

“I'm in a meeting with client.” Anaya's voice was slow.

“Meeting or do not want to be disturbed because of dinner with ex-boyfriend?” tanya Izzar shot straight.

Anaya's face flushed. He wondered how Izzar knew about his encounter with Tristan.

“He's a true client, who wants to use EOku for his office outing event!” Anaya tried to argue.

“Listen Anaya! I get it. You want dinner, lunch, or anything with another guy, it's none of my business. But, if I call, please don't be silenced! I wouldn't have bothered you if it wasn't for an important matter, especially Naira's business. Grateful the child only got strep throat earlier.” Izzar's voice is rising.

Anaya was overcome with guilt.

“I also understand that you do not want to lose the opportunity to meet and continue your life with the man you like after our agreement ends later. I won't get in the way of your relationship with anyone else. You just need to tell me who you're close to, so that I'm not surprised if someone suddenly catches you and reports it to me, because they think you're having an affair. Good thing Randi saw you earlier, how about Ridwan?”

Anaya closed her eyes. So, Rand was the one who caught herself with Tristan and informed Izzar? … Duh! Why did he not pay attention to the people around him in the restaurant earlier.

Izzar's words also sank his ego. He used to be cheated on by Ridwan, and now he is accused of cheating. Geez! How low his morale would be. But, people who consider it so can not be blamed, because his relationship with Izzar even if only pretending, still bound by laws, values and norms that apply in society.

“Anaya.., I don't mind helping you in any case, taking care of Naira, covering up your relationship, and everything else. But, our agreement will work well if we work together and want to communicate with each other. I asked you to think of me as a friend, right? The goal is that we feel comfortable just living this relationship agreement.” Izzar leaned his body towards Anaya, provoking Anaya to raise her face and nod.

“So, I ask, from now on, never ignore my phone or messages again!"

Anaya breathed. He looked at Izzar. His stern words sounded clearly indisputable even though the tension in his attitude had receded.

“OK! I'm sorry.” Anaya quickly turned her eyes the other way. Charisma in Izzar suddenly made him careless.

“We're friends?” ask Izzar to make sure.

Anaya nodded. Izzar smiled satisfied with Anaya's response.

“OK! Rest!”

Early in the morning Anaya woke up. Naira's still asleep. He was happy with his forehead and the little girl's body was no longer hot.

Anaya went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Naira with the ingredients, because the food supply was almost finished. However, when he opened the fridge and dry cupboard, it turned out that everything was full of groceries, including Naira's milk, and even his favorite chamomile tea.

Anaya was stunned to see it. As he remembered he had not given the money to Mba Kemi shopping. He also looked for Mba Kemi who was fiddling with the phone on the back porch after drying clothes.

“Mba?!”

Mba Kemi stuttered with the call of Anaya. He was afraid that Anaya would scold him for playing mobile phone early in the morning.

“Yes, Mom!” Mba Kemi hid her phone behind her body.

Anaya looked at him in wonder. “His words hape you broken. Is it right now?”

“Eeee... no, Mom! Mr. Izzar hape said I could not be corrected. So, last night you gave your old ex to me.

Mba Kemi shyly shows her phone. Anaya was stunned to see it, she had not expected Izzar to pay such attention to her domestic assistant.

“It's still so good, Mom!”

Anaya smiled. He was happy to see Mba Kemi happy.

“Mba, I want to ask, the refrigerator is full, who is shopping for groceries?”

“Pak Izzar!”

Mba Kemi's quick answer surprised Anaya.

“Yesterday morning, Mr. Izzar asked to make breakfast omelet, but the eggs were exhausted. Then, I also forgot to give money. You know, coming home from Naira's pick up, you bring a lot of groceries. After that, go again.” said Mba Kemi explained.

Anaya didn't think Izzar would do that. Because, in the past Ridwan felt the activity of buying kitchen needs was a woman's business. If or, Ridwan instead asked for money to pay for groceries that often become even more to buy his own needs.

Aih! Why Izzar is different from the man he knows so much. Feeling impressed by what Izzar did, prompting Anaya to cook breakfast for him, which is usually done Mba Kemi. Made rice team and omelette. It even brews chamomile tea as well for Izzar.

A sense of wonder appeared in Izzar's heart, finding Anaya's favorite cup of tea served on the dining table for him.

“Who makes it?” Izzar asked Mba Kemi.

“Mother...Mom is also the one who cooked the team rice and her eggs.”

Although surprised, Izzar enjoyed his breakfast with gratitude for the change in Anaya's attitude. And, just one mouthful, he had admitted the truth of Randi's words the other day, that Anaya was indeed good at cooking. The food he made was delicious.

After eating, Izzar met Anaya who was feeding Naira in the room.

“Hei! Thanks for the breakfast and tea!” Izzar smiled at Anaya, expressing his sincere appreciation.

Anaya blushed. Somehow Izzar's smile and thank-you note ignited the warmth in his chest. A feeling he had never felt before.

...***...