The night grew later, but my eyes still refused to close. I opened the remaining contact list on my phone again and lingered over one name I had been avoiding all this time.
Bima.
My thumb hovered uncertainly over the screen. How many days had I left that name blocked, deliberately cutting off every avenue so that not a single piece of news could make me waver? Yet tonight, for some reason, a powerful urge made me want to reopen the barrier I had built myself.
Maybe it was because the burden of debt no longer haunted me. Maybe it was also because I still had a sense of responsibility left, even though my heart was utterly exhausted. Whatever the case, he had once been part of my life for eleven long years. Everything couldn't simply disappear that easily.
With slightly trembling hands, I pressed the unblock button. The phone screen displayed a history of missed calls again, along with countless piled-up messages.
Before I could make sense of those messages one by one, the phone began vibrating violently. An incoming call. Bima's name was clearly displayed on the screen, making my heart pound wildly.
I stared at the screen for a long time, unsure whether I should answer or let it ring until it stopped. But the calls kept coming, one after another, as though he had no intention of giving up.
I drew a deep breath, trying to steel myself, before finally pressing the green button.
"Assalamualaikum," I said softly, my own voice trembling in my ears.
"AYU! Where are you?!" The voice on the other end boomed, impatient as usual. There was no return greeting, nor any small talk asking how I was.
I sighed, trying to steady my heart so I wouldn't be as afraid as I had been before. "I'm in Solo, Bima."
There was a brief silence on the other end. Maybe he hadn't expected me to answer so honestly, without going around in circles as I usually did.
"Solo? What are you doing there? Who are you with?!" His voice was still harsh and suspicious, as if I had just made some terrible mistake.
"I'm working, Bima. I'm staying with someone and earning some money." I chose not to explain in greater detail. That was all he needed to know for now.
"Working? What kind of work? You're my wife, Ayu, not some laborer who can just go off and find a job whenever she wants!" His words struck deep, but for some reason, they didn't feel the way they used to. They could no longer bring down the defenses I had built.
"Bima," I cut in, trying to remain calm. "I didn't call to discuss that. I just wanted to say that I've paid off all my debts."
Another silence. This time, it lasted longer.
"Paid off? Where did you get that much money?" The suspicion in his voice was unmistakable.
"That's my business, Bima. The important thing is that I also want to return your mother's money—the money she once used to cover those debts. Please give me her account number."
"Ayu, you—"
"Her account number, Bima. I want to transfer it right away." I cut him off quickly, unwilling to let this conversation veer in another direction and drain my emotions without any clear purpose.
I heard a harsh exhale from the other end before he finally recited the requested account number, accompanied by a long string of grumbling that I deliberately ignored. Once I had finished writing it down, I hung up without any further small talk, leaving a string of unanswered questions hanging on the other end.
I lay down and let out a long breath. For some reason, my heart felt lighter, even though the old wounds still lingered. At least one more responsibility had been taken care of tonight.
The dawn call to prayer echoed peacefully, waking me from my shallow sleep. I quickly performed my ablutions, then stepped out of the bedroom to pray in the living room, as usual.
But I stopped short when I saw someone walking toward the front door.
Master Arya.
This time, his appearance was completely different from usual. He normally wore a neat shirt or a formal suit befitting a CEO, but this morning he wore a spotless white koko shirt, paired with a neatly wrapped checkered sarong and a black prayer cap perched on his head.
I stood frozen for a moment, never imagining that such a simple appearance could multiply his charm so many times over. His strong face, which usually looked cold, now appeared so serene beneath the neat Muslim attire.
God forgive me, Ayu, why am I staring at him like this?
I immediately lowered my gaze, silently reciting prayers for forgiveness again and again, trying to drive away the thoughts that had suddenly strayed so far. This was no time to think about things like that, especially considering that I was still tied in marriage to another man.
"Assalamualaikum, Master," I greeted him, quickly diverting my attention.
"Waalaikumsalam," he replied curtly, without much small talk, before stepping outside toward the mosque not far from the house.
I remained transfixed, watching his back as he walked away, until a voice behind me startled me.
"Drooling, dear?" Auntie Sum suddenly appeared, making me jump.
"A-Astaghfirullah, Auntie! You scared me!" I yelped softly, restraining myself so I wouldn't speak too loudly at this early hour.
"Goodness, I only asked a question. Why are you so startled?" The woman chuckled, clearly pleased that she had managed to scare me.
"Oh, Auntie." I pouted, though I couldn't hide the blush spreading across both my cheeks.
"It's only natural for you to be that dazzled. Master has been handsome from birth, dear. He was handsome even when he was young." Auntie Sum chuckled again, gently patting my shoulder.
"Auntie!" I whined, mortified, while the woman only laughed even harder.
The two of us continued with the dawn prayer in congregation in the living room before getting busy preparing breakfast as usual. But for some reason, the image of Master Arya in his koko shirt and prayer cap continued to linger vividly in my mind, impossible to banish even for a moment.
Not long afterward, the front door opened. Master Arya returned from the mosque, his steps calm as he entered the house, still wearing the same Muslim attire.
"Have you prepared breakfast?" he asked as he removed the prayer cap he was wearing.
"Yes, Master. Please, sit," I replied, quickly arranging the already prepared dining table.
He sat down calmly and ate the breakfast I had prepared without much comment, as was his habit. I stood a little way off, waiting in case he needed anything else.
After finishing his breakfast, he wiped his lips with a napkin, then fixed his gaze on me.
"Ayu."
"Yes, Master?" I turned toward him, slightly nervous as that sharp gaze focused on me again.
"Get ready. You're coming to the office with me today."
I stood frozen, never expecting him to say that without any further explanation. My lips began to form a question, but Master Arya had already risen from his seat and walked away, leaving me with a thousand questions hanging in my mind.
The office? What for? In what capacity was he taking me there?
My heart began pounding again, curiosity and anxiety blending together as I faced what seemed to be a new chapter about to begin today.