Airin bit her lower lip hard, suppressing the guiltweighing heavily on her chest. Currently, she was contacting her father torequest money for her tuition and monthly expenses, all while gently rubbingher bulging belly.Unbeknownst to her, despite the challenging life shewas facing, Airin managed to endure it. Living frugally in an apartment,claiming that her husband was working as an overseas laborer in Malaysia.Consequently, she had to live alone, but her supposed husband regularly senther monthly allowances.However, Airin's deceit extended beyond this. Shewould ask for money to buy books or complete assignments. The most recent andsignificant request was when her father mentioned selling a cow. Airinimmediately pleaded to buy a laptop for her thesis preparation. She claimed tobe tired of going back and forth to her friend's house to work on assignments.As a result, three-quarters of the money from sellingthe cow were transferred to Airin. She planned to use this subst
"As fast as Airin moved to enter again, she was stilloutpaced by Fachri, who followed closely, preventing the door from closingtightly with his formal shoes. 'Rin, please listen to what I have to say.Please don't run anymore, because I won't let you go,' pleaded Fachri, tryingto open the door with one foot caught.Airin shook her head, holding the door with her back to keep itfrom opening. 'Please, sir. Go away! I don't want to meet anyone!' 'No. I won'tleave until you're willing to talk to me,' persuaded Fachri. Despite being ableto forcefully push open the door in front of him, he didn't want to do that.Fachri didn't want a strong push to open the door, potentiallyhurting Airin inside. Even though he felt the pain in his right leg used toprop the door of the apartment building. 'Sir, please. Understand my situation.I don't want to meet anyone. I'm ashamed, sir,' she whispered with a hoarse andtrembling voice.Unable to hide it, Airin was genuinely frightened by Fachri's
"Who are you? Why come here and stir up trouble?Just because my neighbor's husband is in Malaysia, you think you can create acommotion as you please." Wiwit put on an annoyed expression, with raisedeyebrows and hands on her hips, resembling a housing manager demanding rentarrears for months."Husband? Airin's husband in Malaysia?"Fachri asked, making sure what he heard was not a mistake.It's not pleasant, playing a drama without knowingthe actual plot."Yes, her husband is in Malaysia. He said hewould return after she gives birth. So, just because her husband isn't here,you act arbitrarily like this. It's a shame that a handsome man like you has tobe cruel to a pregnant woman like Airin. If there's an issue, let's talk itout. Give her more time, at least until her husband returns," Wiwit firedaway without bothering to find out who the man in front of her was."Um... wait a minute. Give time, time forwhat?" Fachri asked, trying to satisfy his curiosity."Time to pay off de
Airin couldn't fathom what was going on in Fachri'smind. The man seemed indifferent to her rejections. However, numerous itemswere arriving, as if Fachri were moving into the apartment. Like any other apartment complex, it would becomelively when a resident brought in new items. Now, Airin became the center ofattention due to the multitude of items arriving – from a thick, plush carpetand a large-sized television to a refrigerator, a large fan, and a complete setof bed and wardrobe. All these items were being brought into the denselypopulated apartment.The other residents were whispering to each other,observing the influx of items. Meanwhile, Fachri appeared indifferent, stilllying down without caring about what was happening. He even ignored Airin'scomplaints to the people who were now placing items inside their apartment."For all this time, you've been criticizingAirin for being pregnant without a husband, right? Even though she said herhusband is working in Malaysia?
Fachri puffs out hischeeks as he climbs each step of the apartment stairs to reach Airin's unit,which has become his home for some time. His steps now feel heavy afterenduring days as challenging as the earth beneath his feet. So many problems hefaces, yet he hasn't resolved a single one. After this, Fachri has to deal withAirin's cold attitude, always rejecting his presence. Despite his goodintentions to save her from people's gossip and Mayang's misplaced plans.Before entering,Fachri takes a deep breath and exhales sharply. He wipes his tired-lookingface, slightly fixing his appearance that seems a bit disheveled. He doesn'twant Airin to see him looking unkempt; he must appear somewhat presentable infront of her later. Fachri's actions don't go unnoticed by Wiwit, who peeksfrom her unit's window. She looks amazed at what Fachri does before enteringthe unit, as if he doesn't want his wife to see his tired face after work.However..."Professor!"Wiwit calls out as Fachri
Airin has rejectedFachri's proposal to marry her countless times. This refusal includes his wishto become the father of their child, who will soon be born. However, all theserejections seem to have no meaning at all. As proof, before heading to campus,Fachri has finished cooking stir-fried meat and warm rice in the rice cooker,placed neatly on a small dining table in the kitchen. Despite Airin alwaysdiscouraging him from doing household chores, he doesn't care. And when Airincomes out of the bathroom, everything is neatly arranged, from the kitchen tothe living room and the front terrace."I'll be back abit late. I have several thesis guidance schedules today," Fachri sayswhile putting on his shoes. Next to him is a paper bag containing a lunchbox hecooked and wrapped himself. Airin, who never cares about Fachri's presence, ofcourse, does not respond at all. She doesn't even look at him, preferring togaze anywhere but at Fachri."I'mleaving," Fachri says, getting up from
Fachri puffs out hischeeks as he climbs each step of the apartment stairs to reach Airin's unit,which has become his home for some time. His steps now feel heavy afterenduring days as challenging as the earth beneath his feet. So many problems hefaces, yet he hasn't resolved a single one. After this, Fachri has to deal withAirin's cold attitude, always rejecting his presence. Despite his goodintentions to save her from people's gossip and Mayang's misplaced plans.Before entering,Fachri takes a deep breath and exhales sharply. He wipes his tired-lookingface, slightly fixing his appearance that seems a bit disheveled. He doesn'twant Airin to see him looking unkempt; he must appear somewhat presentable infront of her later. Fachri's actions don't go unnoticed by Wiwit, who peeksfrom her unit's window. She looks amazed at what Fachri does before enteringthe unit, as if he doesn't want his wife to see his tired face after work.However..."Professor!"Wiwit calls out as Fachri
There's nothing between them. He claims not to have any feelings. Yet, Fachri is always there for Airin, keeping her away from Mayang, who has ill intentions.Moreover, Fachri also accompanies and hugs Airin until she falls asleep to alleviate her pain and sadness. They don't know since when they fell asleep while embracing in the room, but when Airin wakes up, the unit is pitch dark. There's only a little light from outside, coming from the neighbor's terrace lamp.Airin, just waking up, startles. Her body freezes upon hearing the gentle snoring and an arm embracing her. Her gaze also focuses on the black shirt she believes belongs to someone."Zidan..." Airin mutters, pushing Fachri, who is now hugging her. Memories with Zidan emerge, making her fearful that Fachri might do the same to her as Zidan did back then.However, for some reason, when Airin sees Fachri's handsome and tired face, her heart feels warm. The man who is nobody to her turns out to be kind and always there. Unfort