Chpt 5

"What are you doing now, Nis?" Sofia suddenly asked an unexpected question. Nisa was stunned for a moment, looking at Sofia's face which looked so curious.

"Uhm, actually I just got back from somewhere. To be precise, I've only been in town for two nights. I don't have many friends here. However, due to the help of a friend, I'm starting work tomorrow."

Nisa caught her breath for a moment, she didn't want to appear to be making up a story or anything in front of Aldo. What was happening now was that she would never be able to talk to Aldo again.

Nisa had to understand her current situation, Aldo was no longer her boyfriend. That was a long time ago.

Aldo seemed to be listening to every word that came out of Nisa's mouth.

"Yes? So, where have you been all this time? Vacation, more classes or...?"

Nisa's heart seemed to stop for a moment, hearing that question, as if it evoked bad memories. The question that made you feel uncomfortable and didn't want her to let out all her sadness. It was as painful as a wound doused in salt water.

"Ah, something like that!" Nisa could only give dangling answers and try to smile through her sorrow.

"She's lying. What exactly happened?" Aldo's heart spoke again.

Sofia realized that Nisa was hiding something. She just wanted to help her husband find information about her disappearance over the past five years.

"Was it fun? Being able to go on vacation and travel around?" Sofia asked.

Nisa's face turns somber and sad for a second, then she lifts her head and smiles.

"It was great, I'll never forget those times. Everything that happened meant so much to me," Nisa said, her lips trembling slightly and she felt like she was holding back tears.

Sofia noticed, and immediately handed Nisa a glass of water to calm her down.

"Ah, looks like you're going to be my best friend. I'm so happy to meet and get to know you, Nisa!" Sofia rubbed the back of Nisa's arm gently with a smile. She didn't want to ask any more questions when she saw all the sadness in Nisa's eyes.

Nisa looked up at the face of her ex-boyfriend's wife, "Thank you, God. There's someone who can take my place and look after Aldo much better than me."

"Dad, where are we going?" Nata's voice broke the silence. Their eyes were immediately drawn to the curly-haired girl. Nata was already getting bored with showing her sullen face.

"Well, I forgot... where are you going after this, Princess?" Aldo tried to persuade his cranky daughter.

Nisa's eyes gazed in amazement at Aldo, who used to love her so much, but had now turned into a responsible father and husband.

Aldo's eyes were warm and caring. And Nisa saw the two of them seducing Nata, who was sulking.

Unconsciously, emotion came over Nisa's heart and her tears just melted on her cheeks. She was so happy to see Aldo with his life.

Nisa quickly turned her face away. She gently wiped away her tears. She didn't want Aldo or Sofia to misunderstand her attitude.

Nisa didn't feel jealous or regretful, she was truly happy. Her feelings for Aldo had disappeared long before his five-year disappearance.

"Tante Nisa, come to Nata's house sometime," said Nata as she looked at Nisa.

Nisa looked at the little girl who had invited her earlier with great joy. Meanwhile, her parents were very surprised. For them, Nata was not a child who easily opened up and mingled with other children her age.

"Dad, Mom, Auntie Nisa, can you come over to the house?" Nata said again because she hadn't gotten an answer from Nisa.

"Of course you can, as long as the princess is happy," said Aldo, pulling Nata's tiny nose gently.

"Yes, Nata. Aunty Nisa will come to the house sometime." Nisa gave the answer Nata wanted. Nata approached Nisa and put her arms around her, asking for a hug.

"I promise you, aunty, you can't break up with Nata," said Nata, speaking in Nisa's arms.

"Yes dear Nata, I promise!" Nisa made a pinky promise as Nata offered her little finger.

"Oh my, Nata is adorable. I hope I can have a happy family like Aldo soon." Nisa's mind spoke again as she gazed at the happiness of their little bundle of joy.

"We'll take our leave, Nis!" Sofia said goodbye while hugging Nisa. Aldo shook hands and they left with Nata in the middle of their arms.

"Huh, it's so nice to see an intact family." Nisa's inner voice still commented.

Nisa was just about to leave her seat when a waiter approached her table.

"Miss, here's your takeaway order!" the waiter said, handing her two paper bags.

Nisa opened the paper bag which contained several takeaway boxes. Nisa knitted her eyebrows, she hadn't even ordered the food.

"Hurf, Aldo is still so considerate. It's a good thing Sofia isn't the type to get jealous and provoked easily."

"Thank you." The waiter nodded and left.

Nisa walked out with the two papers, just as Leon's car stopped again at the red light. Leon again noticed Nisa's figure from the passenger seat. Leon was planning to meet a client even though it was a holiday.

Without thinking, Leon didn't want to lose track of her. Opening the car door, he was determined not to let Nisa go.

Someone grabbed Nisa's hand suddenly. The look in his eyes was full of anger and hatred.

Nisa pulled her face away, looking slowly at the face of the person who was gripping her tightly. The figure was a blur in Nisa's eyes, and she didn't even recognize the person in front of her.

"Where have you gone, huh? I've been looking for you!" an emphasized baritone voice came out of the man's mouth, leaving Nisa confused.

"Aw, that hurts!" Nisa winced. Her paper bag fell over from the man's violent shaking.

"Tell me, where are you going!" The man's scolding again made Nisa even more confused.

"So-so-sorry, sir, you might have the wrong person!" Nisa insisted that she didn't recognize the man.

"What does that mean? She's pretending? She even forgot about me." Leon fumed to himself inside.

The big man looked at Nisa with anger. He felt that Nisa was pretending not to recognize him.

"Mister, let go!" Nisa shook off the man's hand, crouched down to pick up the paper portion of food, but, brak, brak.

The food had already been trampled by Leon's foot, making Nisa and even Bisma, who had parked his car to chase after his master who always ran away suddenly these days, round their eyes.

"Arghh. You!" Nisa shouted.

Plak!

Nisa spontaneously slapped Leon on the cheek, making him jump in surprise and clench his hands into fists. Nisa was saddened to see the food scattered all over the place.

"What's wrong mister, what's my fault, huh? I told you I don't know you, why are you trampling my food!" Nisa didn't accept being treated rudely by the man.

"How much, tell me!" Leon said casually as he took out his wallet and threw a bunch of bills in Nisa's face.

This was the first time Nisa felt humiliated. Her heart was torn apart. How could anyone ask her about her worth so casually? At a time when she was struggling financially.

Nisa shook her head and unconsciously let the tears flow. I don't know why those words bothered her so much.

"I'm sorry, sir, you've got the wrong person. I didn't sell myself!" Nisa said with a look of disappointment as she left Leon.