Because I Don't Want to Lose
20 - Jealousy Sparks

Anaya put the cake box on the dining table. From the mica layer at the top of the box, Anaya learns the contents are Strawberry Cheese Cake. Anaya recalled, mama Izzar once mentioned that the cake is a favorite of Izzar. Sassika must know that. And now, despite being separated, Sasika still remembers it.

Curiosity cannot be prevented from controlling Anaya's chest. He tried hard to stop it. Do not let him behave like a wife who is cool and restless, because her husband is noticed by other women.

Izzar couldn't cover his surprise to find the shipment. His heart was not because of Sasika

remembering his birthday. Especially when Anaya later mocked him.

“Ciyeee!! Birthday cake former flavor!” sindir Anaya's.

“I want to try the cake! I've never eaten an ex-flavored cake!” exclaim Naira enthusiast.

Izzar's forehead is wrinkled. His eyes glanced sharply at Anaya, having uttered a joking expression that Naira took seriously. But Anaya doesn't care. He knew Izzar wouldn't scold him in front of Naira.

“Can I open?” ask Anaya.

“Succession to be diapain. I'm going to take a shower.” Izzar passed by not caring.

“The card can I read?!” ask Anaya.

“Serah!” sahut Izzar's.

Naira helps Anaya open the box.

“Wow! Beautiful!” praise Naira on a cake covered in fresh strawberries on top.

Despite her praise, Naira is not interested in eating it. He doesn't like the sour taste of strawberries. Anaya, already

certainly reluctant to disturb him. He was just happy to tease Izzar just now.

Card from Sasika, just a regular small folding card. Anaya finds a handwriting, which is either Sasika's own handwriting or that of her cake shop clerk, engraving the phrase happy birthday, with her name written in the bottom corner.

Izzar didn't touch the cake. Anaya then stored it in the refrigerator because the cream melted easily at room temperature.

After Ridwan picked up Naira, Izzar invited Anaya to his mother's house who had prepared a lunch in the form of yellow rice complete with all the dishes. Lastly, mama Izzar brought out Strawberry Cheese Cake as dessert. And, Izzar ate his pieces voraciously.

Anaya thought, is it because of his angst that Izzar ignored the cake from Sasika, or is it because he did not like the attention of his former fiancee?

“Cake made by your mom is better than the one sent to the house earlier?” anaya fishing line

Izzar nodded. His hands are thrown. “The best!”

“You have said thank you to the sender?” Anaya wants to know.

“Why do you want to know? Jealousy?”  Calm down Izzar the band back.

Anaya scowling. Izzar laughs. He likes to tease Anaya because Anaya's expression if pouting is sometimes adorable.

Indeed, in Izzar's heart was not as calm as he looked. Immeasurably her shock suddenly gained Sasika's attention again after decades of abandoning her. He was upset, should thank or not for the attention he did not ask for.

What Anaya did not know, a few minutes after the cake arrived, Sasika sent Izzar a birthday message that he had not yet replied to. Izzar recalled the pain that the woman had been given so intensely, along with hundreds of happy memories jostling through his mind.

 Izzar refrained from directly retaliating. They don't want to be dragged back into the past.

Two days of cake sent by Sasika no one to tamper. Anaya was caught looking at the red cake every time she opened the refrigerator. On the third day, the cake disappeared along with Mba Kemi. To Anaya, Mba Kemi said he was told Izzar to eat it and share it with his fellow ART friends.

There was a sense of relief in Anaya's heart because there was no longer part of Sasika's figure that seemed to inhabit the house.

Because Mba Kemi is back, Anaya can be active again in the office. However, he promised Naira would only occasionally work from office.

That afternoon, in her study, Anaya told Sandra about the birthday cake from Sasika.

“According to Izzar's story, never. Hence, I was so confused as to why suddenly his ex gave such a birthday present. And what I wonder, from where did Sasika know the address of Izzar who now, even though Izzar moved to the house after a year they separated.”

“Maybe he was wondering find out. It might be from Randi,” said Sandra thought.

“Terus, Randi didn't tell me Izzar was married? I don't think it's possible.” Anaya does not believe Randi will provide information that will interfere with his relationship with Izzar.

“Already, don't think about it. If Izzar does not care about her, it means he has forgotten the woman.” Sandra.

Anaya tried to believe.

“Your own relationship with Izzar, how?” ask Sandra.

“We are good friends now.”

Sandra looked at Anaya. Somehow Sandra saw Anaya's face sparkling as she said her answer.

“Then, Tristan?”

After thinking for a moment, Anaya finally told what happened actually during the Tristan outing in Bogor, which was the reason to stay away and forget Tristan.

Sandra is shocked and then blasphemes and berates Tristan. Anaya laughed at her swearing.

Although Mba Kemi has returned to work at home, Anaya is already accustomed and enjoys the atmosphere of the house. He did not stay in the office for long. After meeting with all his staff, Anaya chose to go home.

Naira called using Mba Kemi's cell phone, asking for a pizza. Anaya approved her son's wishes, by stopping by a pizza restaurant in the shopping area near the house. While waiting for the order to be ready, Anaya decided to buy a number of kitchen requirements Mba Kemi, in the minimarket not far from the pizza restaurant.

On the way back to the restaurant, Anaya sees Izzar's car in the parking lot. His eyes went around looking for the man. He almost used his phone to call Izzar, when he saw Izzar behind the window and the glass door of the coffee shop opposite him, talking to a beautiful woman.

Anaya's chest instantly rippled.

He took a step forward to pay more attention to both. The woman looked smiling, as did Izzar. The scene was like an unexpected scene that shocked Anaya. Although he tried his hardest, he still could not prevent the spark of jealousy in his heart.

After taking his pizza order, he was moved. Along the way to his residence, Anaya continued to wonder for herself about the woman. Who her? Is sasika?

Anaya's heartbreak was immeasurable. He wanted to call Izzar, but he did not want to be considered possessive. While waiting for Izzar to come home, Anaya tries to distract him by accompanying Naira to study and tell stories.

Izzar returned home in the top quarter of the night. Anaya, who was waiting for him while watching TV, watched Izzar's movements. She was like a wife who suspected her husband.

As usual after leaving, Izzar took a bath changing clothes, then accompanied Anaya to sit in the living room.

“Naira was waiting for you. Eventually, he ended up sleeping first.” Anaya opened the conversation.

“Sorry. I promise I'll teach him a summation lesson. But, suddenly I had to see a client, so

home overnight.”

“In his meeting office?” ask Anaya.

“Ngga. At the coffee shop in the direction of home earlier.”

Anaya tries to digest Izzar's answer. There is nothing strange if the woman is actually his client.

Izzar looked at Anaya next to him who was staring straight at the TV screen. His relationship with Anaya has become so familiar now. They are like friends who are used to behaving as they are. He likes his relationship with Anaya.

And now, he was saddened as if he had betrayed Anaya. The client he met at the coffee shop earlier was actually Sasika.

...***...