Because I Don't Want to Lose
16 - Avoiding

Izzar lost his drowsiness and so thought of Anaya. From the tone of her voice, she knew that something was not right which caused Anaya to suddenly want to go home. Sick it? Fighting with Sandra? Or something to do with the client aka the ex?

There are many possibilities that occur. Izzar did not want to continue guessing. He chose to wait for Anaya to come, although with a slightly anxious heart because it was already near midnight.

Anaya turned off her phone. He asks his driver to tell Sandra that he has to go home because Naira is sick and his cell phone is dead. She doesn't want Sandra let alone Tristan to contact her.

Late at midnight, Anaya arrived home. Izzar greeted her with a smile that melted Anaya's turmoil. Finished cleaning up and changing clothes, Anaya sat hugging her lutu on the sofa, while Izzar made her some chamomile tea.

“What problems are there?” ask Izzar while putting tea on the table.

“Ngga. Just tired,” Anaya replied while looking at the smoke evaporating from her cup.

“Who is bothering you?” Izzar sat next to Anaya. I can't believe the answer.

Anaya remembered her father's treatment when she was a child. Every time he came home crying, his father would ask him the same thing. His association with Izzar prompted him to smile. He remembered his father's love.

Although I did not know the reason, Izzar was happy to see Anaya's smile. “What do you want to tell me?”

Anaya. He was ashamed to tell Tristan what made him uncomfortable.

Izzar doesn't force anymore.

Anaya took and grasped the teacup with both hands. Inhaling its aroma and permeating the warmth in its fingers.

“I was at your house looking at the renovation. Want to see the picture?”

“Mau!” Anaya is glad Izzar distracts her.

Izzar pulled the phone out of his pants pocket. Anaya sat closer. Izzar showed and explained pictures of the development of changes and improvements to his home. Anaya realized, he was sitting almost not far from Izzar. But, there was no denial in his conscience. He even likes to listen to the voice of Izzar, which brings peace that is long in his presence.

The next morning, Anaya replies to Sandra's message and calls. He refused to discuss his disappointment with Tristan. Repeatedly he convinces Sandra that the reason for leaving him is because of Naira.

“Totally?”

“Iya! Izzar panicked Naira's body hot suddenly. Though nothing. Just kangen, because usually will sleep with me.”

“Tristan seems disappointed to know you came home without saying goodbye. So look quiet she is now.”

Anaya refused to respond to Sandra's remarks. When Tristan calls and sends him a message apologizing, Anaya ignores him.

Early Saturday morning, Mba Kemi was suddenly allowed to return home because his parents were sick. Anaya who must watch her team handle the wedding reception of the famous official's children, inevitably invite Naira to work. Izzar could not be tricked because he had to review the location of the project that was full of dust and dangerous objects for small children. Leaving it to Ridwan is certainly not an option.

The reception was held in the ballroom of the five-star hotel. The EO project team has been busy preparing all the details of the activity since yesterday. Anaya is lucky, there is Meili, a finance employee who offers to accompany Naira because she is not too busy in the field.

Naira herself likes the atmosphere of wedding preparations. He enthusiastically went around observing and smelling the fresh flowers of the decor. When tired of walking around the ballroom and the surrounding spaces, he drew and dyed in the corner of a small meeting room next to the ballroom that was used as a committee room.

Dian who became the project manager of this event is indeed a mainstay. Sporty-looking women are deft, disciplined and communicative with their team members. There is hardly any technical drama. Anaya only needs to ensure the needs and desires of the family of stakeholders are met.

Towards the reception begins, Naira begins to get bored and sulk.

“I'm tired, Ma! I want to go home!”

“Shortly yes, Son! Mama still has to work. You want some ice cream? Buy same aunt Meili in hotel restaurant, yes?”

Naira shakes. Meili's persuasion to play games on a laptop is also no longer ignored.

“Borrow hape Mama!” Naira stretched out her hand.

Anaya's confused. He couldn't possibly provide the communication tools he so desperately needed right now for Naira to play.

“Ten minutes left, mama asked for it back, okay?” Anaya gave it up.

Naira did not answer. He ran back to the meeting room followed by Meili.

Ten minutes later, Anaya finds Naira asleep on the couch with Meili opening her laptop. There was a sense of heartlessness in Anaya seeing the child actually.

While Anaya's attention was on the guests who started to arrive, Izzar called him telling him he was already at the side door of the ballroom. Anaya is shocked by Izzar's sudden presence and soon meets him.

“Why are you here?” ask Anaya wonder.

“Naira phone, request to be picked up.”

Anaya has just realized the purpose of Naira was to borrow her phone. Duh, sometimes Anaya often forget her son is too clever. And, he knew Izzar was very reliable.

“Where is he, let me take him home.”

Anaya takes Izzar to where Naira sleeps. The boy woke up and was happy to see the presence of Izzar who immediately carried him. Anaya decides to bring Naira's bag and deliver the two to the car.

Many people pay attention to Anaya and Izzar, because the two almost never appear together. In the eyes of the public, all three do look like a picture of a happy and dreamy young family. Anaya was reluctant to be affected by the gazes of those people.

In front of the ballroom, they cross paths with Bu Erlina, his EO subscription client who is also a property entrepreneur. The graceful lady of the high class greeted Anaya.

“Hai Anaya!”

Anaya was forced to pull over first and reply to Bu Erlina's greeting and introduce Izzar beside her. However, it turned out, Miss Erlina and Izzar already knew each other.

“Oh! You're married to Izzar?” Ms. Erlina turned her head and looked at the smiling Izzar. “We've known for a long time. Aren't you, Zar?”

Izzar nodded. He could not go to greet Ms. Erlina with both hands supporting Naira who hugged her neck. Polite he asked about Ms. Erlina.

“Good news. I just found out that you're married to Anaya.”

“Iya,” says Izzar.

“How are you doing?”

“Alright now.”

“Come to my office, Zar! There may be something we can talk about.”

“Ya, maybe later if there is time.” Izzar replied diplomatically. “We excuse you first!”

After saying a farewell greeting, Anaya followed Izzar's steps towards the parking lot.

“You ever had a cooperation project with Bu Erlina?” asked Anaya while walking.

“Ya, first. It's been a long time.”

“So he sent you to his office, meaning there is a possibility of a big project?”

Izzar just smiled in response to Anaya's guess.

They've arrived at the car. Anaya helped open the door. After releasing Izzar and Naira, Anaya returned to the venue.

While driving, Izzar recalled Bu Erlina's expression when he saw her earlier. I don't know what the woman is thinking knowing she's with Anaya now. Inwardly, he promised not to care about Bu Erlina's request to meet her even though Anaya seemed enthusiastic. If Anaya knows, if Izzar still has a very deep disappointment, because Bu Erlina was one of the people who used to play a big role in aggravating Izzar's downturn when he had problems.

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