Zulfa looked at Rani's figure with a very flat face. She did not like the presence of a girl who seemed to take everything from her. "You can go home, Farel wants to go to my parents' house, Rani." She said in a slightly sarcastic tone. How could that be? Imagine if a man who is legally a husband kisses another girl and says that very sweet love sentence?
Was it very natural for her as a wife to act like this?
Rani, who was busy looking at the cellphone screen showing Instagram accounts of top artists from foreign artists to homeland artists, decided to turn to Zulfa and raised an eyebrow. "Are you talking to me?" She asked, turning left and right, then back at Zulfa's face again. She didn't feel reprimanded by the woman at all, could she be dismissed with disrespect?
In her heart, Zulfa had time to say a few istighfar sentences that can calm her heart. Looks like she has to prepare a lot mentally to face Rani.
"I'm not kidding, Rani. I want you out of this house, I don't want Farel to come back with you because we have plans to leave the house." She said seriously.
"Do you think I'm joking? You have a very low sense of humor, that's who you are." Rani said with a cynical look and then smiled a lopsided smile that looked very unfriendly. She felt like a very ruthless person, even though she was only doing what she was supposed to do.
Be patient, Zulfa. Behind patience, there is a reward of happiness that awaits.
"You better pray, Rani. Pray that God will forgive all your very unethical words."
"There's no need to bring up religion, stop acting like the holiest person if you're the source of the problem that my relationship with Farel broke down."
Zulfa looked at Rani's very conspicuous fingers, now on that finger, there was a silver ring with a small diamond at the end. "You don't usually wear a ring," she said changing the subject when she saw the beautiful object on the girl's ring finger who was sitting on the dining chair.
Rani rolled her eyes hearing Zulfa's question, for some reason she felt that the woman was getting more and more curious about her life. A woman who could be said to be completely incomparable to her. Sorry, not arrogant, she just stands up for what is right and true.
"Since when did you become so curious? Is that what all women like you do? Not curious about other people's business, you're just not that much better than me."
Zulfa gasps, she thinks about what Rani said. Right, why did she become curious? Ah but the other side of the heart says if she feels strange with the ring.
Seeing Zulfa who was silent, Rani cleared her throat. According to her, the woman was a complete hypocrite. "Why are you silent? Lost? Or what? There are many things Farel doesn't like about you, and I just realized it. Your appearance is very out of date, low-class cuisine, high curiosity, and one more thing, you don't wear make-up at all. It's only natural that Farel prefers me," she said sarcastically.
If Zulfa doesn't like her, then Rani will do the same with that woman. She never asked others to defend herself if she was in her position because she could still defend herself.
Rani's words hit Zulfa's heart because they sounded so sharp, this made her instantly moved, she was at a loss for words.
Again Rani won. Making a triumphant smile that seemed arrogant immediately printed clearly on the surface of his face.
"Come on baby let's go."
The baritone voice that had captured the hearts of the two women finally broke the atmosphere. Making the situation heat up due to fights that occur because they have lost the topic of conversation.
Zulfa and Rani's gazes immediately fell on Farel who was now trying to fix the tie around her neck. Before Zulfa could go with Farel, Rani was already walking towards her lover with a very sweet smile. This time, Zulfa admitted that she was less beautiful than Rani.
"If you wear a tie, it has to be in the right position, I like it when I always help you to straighten the tie around your neck," Rani said with a large enough volume. Today, she would take Zulfa down completely. Cruel? No, she already said, she was just doing what she was supposed to do.
Zulfa's breath hitched, she saw things she shouldn't have seen. It felt like all the words of protest wanted to leave her mouth, but were pulled back into her throat.
With my own eyes, what should be an activity of 'wearing a tie' is her obligation as a wife. She felt nothing in Farel's life. The man only considers Rani. What's more, the annoying girl has now turned to hug Farel's strong arms lovingly. It would be a lie if Zulfa wasn't jealous.
A Zulfa now feels the deepest jealousy. Only for a man like Farel who could make himself like this.
Yes, fate is cruel but even more cruel is a slap in the face of reality.
"What do you want to bring for Mommy this time?" said Rani spoiled. She deliberately wanted to provoke Zulfa's anger.
Farel raised an eyebrow. "As usual, right?" he asked who seemed to know Mommy Rani's wishes. He is the ideal son-in-law, if fate favors Zulfa, Zulfa's mother also feels lucky to have the 'perfect son-in-law'.
'As usual' is a sentence that shows if it has been done often. And guess how often Farel goes to Rani's parents' house? Again the pain spread rapidly throughout Zulfa's body. Moreover, Farel knew what Rani's mother wanted, just to visit and chat, the man was reluctant and refused without changing her mind.
Farel was never willing to even visit Zulfa's parents' house.
So, who occupies the position of 'wife' in Farel's life?
Rani nodded hearing Farel's words while glancing at Zulfa who was now wearing a sad face. The goal is to succeed. She is good at making the mood of women who are not far from her become chaotic. Moreover, Zulfa is very easily provoked, just throwing a few baits already made a scream of victory in her heart.
How to get rid of Zulfa is also easy, just like getting rid of pests using pesticides.
"Farel, you seriously don't want to go to my mother's house?"
"Of course, I already told you that I have the same promise as Rani. And as you know that I will always put the girl I have been with for a long time, and that will not change."
"But just a moment, Farel. I'm sure Mother will be happy to talk with you,"
"That can be taken care of later. Another future mother-in-law is waiting for me, why do you always insist on the impossible?"
"And why do you always force something to always be with Rani, when I am always there for you, Farel."
"The answer is always the same, Zulfa. You never really understand anything, do you?"
Zulfa shook her head in disbelief at Farel's words. For her, this problem just wanders around without a solution. Here who occupies the position of wife and who occupies the position of the lover? It feels like it's upside down.
"Can't I be happy just once with you? I'm always the last and the most backward,"
"I can't, because maybe your happiness is not in my hands, Fa."
"But, Farel--"
"That's it, Fa."
Her chest was tight, her throat was getting tighter, not to mention the clear crystals stuck in her eyelids had shown how sick Zulfa had been. She just wants to get the rights and obligations like a wife, to serve her husband without asking for anything in return. But all she got was constant pain.
As for Rani? The girl quietly listened to this little quarrel. She didn't want to interfere but the look in her eyes told her was happy to be where she is now, watching a fight that made the victory even more in her favor.
Farel hugged Rani's waist affectionately, then took the girl's body out of the house. He didn't want to prolong the matter by staying in this house any longer, he might just be buying time.
"Take care of the house, Ijah. And as for Zulfa, don't wait for me to come home. I will spend a whole day with Rani, and please understand this. So, bury all your hopes that wish I would come home early today. I want to go first."
Rani secretly smiled sideways while following Farel's every step. As she passed Zulfa's body, she pursed her lips as if saddened by her fate. Yet in her heart, she was laughing with satisfaction. "Goodbye, self-righteous woman, enjoy your sorrow." She muttered in a low volume, even Farel didn't realize she was doing that.
Zulfa's heart ached again.
"Be careful, Farel. Don't forget to pray and eat on time."
Her words only sounded to herself. No one heard, not even a gust of wind was possible to convey this sentence to someone who was greeted because the two humans had already gone far and had even left this magnificent house.
"Be careful with that girl with a devil heart, Farel."
All of Zulfa's hopes were dashed, now all she knows is that she feels jealous of Rani who can take all of Farel's attention away from her. Congratulations, she is indeed a fragile figure with no one to rely on.
...
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