Chapter 1- Sincerity of Love
1234 Words
Yuda put on his jacket, then put on his helmet. Meanwhile, Ajeng, her wife, hanged the bag containing her husband's lunch box on the hanger under Yuda's motorbike handlebar.
Yuda put a plastic bag containing his work clothes, wallet, and cellphone under his motorcycle seat.
Then, he drank the coffee that Ajeng took on the table.
After sipping his coffee, he handing the glass back to Ajeng.
"I have to go, Dear, hopefully, today will be better than yesterday. Aameen." They said Aameen in unison. Yuda grabbed his wife's head and landing a kiss full of love on his wife's forehead. Ajeng grabbed Yuda's palm, kissed the back of her husband's hand.
"Be careful, Honey."
"Yes, Dear. So, I take my leave. Please, don't forget to take your medicine."
"Yes, Honey, greeting."
Yuda walked away from the terrace of the small house that he shared with his wife. Ajeng went back into the house after her husband disappeared from her sight.
Ajeng felt very sorry for her husband, who had to work hard for their lives, as well as their family's life in the village. But what could she do? Her health condition did not allow her to work. And Yuda also did not allow her to work.
Only prayers couldAjeng give to help her husband. So that her husband could get a job and income that could meet their needs.
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Even though he was tired after working in the market, Yuda was still excited to come to work at his office. This afternoon Yuda just came from the airport, escorted the marketing manager who went out of town, he just stepped to the office, when one of the security called him.
"Yuda!"
Yuda turned his head, Mr. Bisri, Security senior approached him.
" Yuda."
"Good morning, Bisri Sir."
"Good Morning, Yuda."
"What's the matter, sir?"
"Miss Wuri, Mr. Boss's secretary left a message for you."
"What is it?" Yuda frowned.
He felt a little anxious, afraid he was doing something wrong with his job.
"Mr. Boss asked you to face him right now."
"Facing Boss? Oh my, did I do wrong?"
Yuda's voice sounded very worried.
"I do not know, Yuda, I just sent the message to you. You better quickly meet Mr. Boss," said Mr. Bisri.
"Yes, sir, thank you. Have a nice day.."
"Have a nice day."
Cautiously, Yuda entered the office, took the elevator to the floor where Mr. Handoyo's office, his boss, was. Along the way, he kept praying, so that he would not receive bad news.
He was greeted by Wuri, Mr. Handoyo's secretary.
"Good morning, miss Wuri."
"Good morning, Yuda, come with me." Wuri immediately stepped ahead of Yuda. Yuda followed behind her.
Wuri knocked on Mr. Handoyo's door.
"Come in!"
Wuri opened the door.
"Excuse me, sir, Yuda is ready to meet you."
"Send him in, and you can come back to your place."
"Alright, sir. Please, Yuda."
Yuda stepped inside.
"Good morning, sir."
His head nodded respectfully at Mr. Handoyo. Even though his heart was restless, he was trying to be casual.
"Please sit down." Mr. Handoyo pointed to the chair opposite his chair. Their distance was separated by a table. This was the first time Yuda has entered his boss's office. He was sure that the chair he was sitting in must be very expensive, perhaps worth more than his month's salary.
"Do you know why I called you?" asked Mr. Handoyo.
Yuda shook his head.
"I don't know, sir."
"Starting tomorrow you don't have to come to work here anymore, you are free from your work!" Mr. Handoyo's answer was like lightning in daylight to Yuda.
"I'm sorry, sir, if I may know, what was my mistake?" Yuda tried to dare to ask. To be honest, he was confused, why should Mr. Handoyo directly convey his dismissal. He was only a driver, not an important staff in this office.
"You did no wrong, Yuda."
"Then why was I fired, sir?"
"You are fired from this office because you will be employed as a private driver for my brother's granddaughter."
Once again, Mr. Handoyo's answer made Yuda surprised.
"What do you mean, sir?"
"Starting tomorrow you work at my brother's house. Your working hours are the same as our office hours. The salary you get is much higher. But you have to be ready to take and look after my brother's granddaughter wherever she goes."
"Your brother's granddaughter?"
"Yes, my brother's granddaughter. We did not choose you arbitrarily Yuda. During the past three months, we have observed the performance of the drivers in this company, as well as the drivers in several branch offices. You are considered highly dedicated, full of enthusiasm, obedient person. The polite manner in speaking and behaving, full of ethics and manners. As well as your ten years of service. Nobody ever complained about your work. That's why you were chosen. Tomorrow morning come to this address, look for Mr. Yamata. Say you are under my order, understand Yuda!"
"Mr. Yamata, do you mean I work at Big Boss's house?" Yuda asked in disbelief.
"Yes, now go back to work, enjoy your last day in the office, and remember, before 8 am, you have to be at my brother's house."
"Yes sir, excuse me, good morning." Yuda shook Mr. Handoyo's hand tightly. Then he walked lightly.
'Thank God,, I hope I can feel at home working at the big boss's house. Hmm, how old is his granddaughter? Eight, ten, twelve, or fourteen years old? It would be really fun interacting with the kids. Ah, I miss my two nephews, I hope they're always happy, aameen.'
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Yuda arrived at his house, greeted by the sweet smile of his wife, who was ready with hot tea in her hand. Yuda put his motorbike into the house, then closed and locked the door.
"Honey, what's wrong? Your face is so sluggish. Are you sick?" Ajeng asked softly after her husband sat on the mat in the living room. And Yuda was already sipping his tea.
"I ... I was fired, Dear," Yuda replied softly.
"Oh God, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"If you have nothing wrong, why did you get fired?"
"I was fired from the office but was employed as a private driver at the big boss house. At Mister Yamata's house, the salary was higher, said Mr. Handoyo," Yuda replied with a beaming face.
Ajeng's eyes sparkled hearing that.
"Thank God. Then what about the loan, who is still in the office?"
"Oh my God, I forgot to ask about that, Dear. I'll call Mas Ilham to ask about it later."
"I'm sorry, Honey, because of me, you have to pay debts at the office," said Ajeng softly, her eyes became teary.
"Don't say that, Dear. I love you. I am your husband. I am fully responsible for you, your parents, also to Allah. Do not count anything between us. My happiness is your joy, my grief is your grief, my laughter is your laughter, your tears are my sorrows." Yuda wiped the tears that fell on Ajeng's cheeks.
Yuda grabbed Ajeng's shoulder, hugged the woman he had been married to for 3 years with great love. Ajeng cried with emotion from her husband's love. Her husband who was willing to accept herself as she was, accepted her shortcomings, was willing to accept her dark past without ever criticizing.
- Writer
