After traveling about 3 km uphill from the wooden house that served as their secret outpost, Aril and Putri came to an intersection and both immediately took the right road.
After walking for a while, the asphalt road turned into a dirt road. The houses that existed were just simple small houses and were no longer inhabited.
After a while, the two came to a small, simple house with a large field beside it.
Someone came out of the house. A woman who looked to be in her early 20s, but her age was actually 30s.
Her body was slender and athletic. Although her muscles did not stand out like a bodybuilder, the curves of her muscles could be clearly seen. Her long black hair was in a ponytail to make it easier for her to move.
She was wearing a white tank top and baggy black pants.
"What's wrong with you, Salsa?" asked the woman with the ponytail.
"There's just bit of trouble, mom. No need to worry," replied Putri casually.
The woman who welcomed them was Putri's mother, Salma Kirana.
And Putri's full name was Salsabila Putri.
"Why did you bring that big doll?" asked Salma who was curious about the doll that was almost one meter tall.
"Looks like I got caught, hehe. It's actually a present for mom's birthday," replied Putri.
"Eh? No wonder you left so early in the morning. So, why the doll?"
"It's a present from Aril," said Putri with a chuckle.
Salma immediately smiled and looked at Aril who turned his face red with embarrassment.
The woman in the baggy pants walked over to Aril who was too embarrassed to look at Putri's mother.
"Eh~ I didn't expect a very serious man like you to give a gift," Salma said with a mocking smile.
"It's not a big thing. It's just a birthday present," said Aril who couldn't even look Salma in the eye.
Salma took the big teddy bear doll and stroked Aril's head with a smile. "Thank you."
"Mom! Mom! Look at the presents I brought!" said Putri enthusiastically.
Putri handed over a small box containing a pair of earrings.
"Woah! It's beautiful," said Salma, who looked so happy.
Salma hugged Aril and Putri tightly. "Thank you for the gift."
Putri smiled widely and hugged her mother back while Aril tried to hold back his lust when he felt Salma's breasts pressing against his arm.
Salma released her hug and invited Aril and Putri to enter the house.
"What's wrong with you, Aril?" asked Putri who looked at the young man whose cheeks were still flushed.
"You already know the answer, so there's no need to ask," Aril replied swiftly.
Putri smiled widely. "Eh? You're embarrassed to give a gift? Ufufufufu, how cute."
"Putri, Shut up!"
Putri chuckled. "Very well, Mister shy~"
Aril just kept quiet. He didn't mind being teased, because in reality, he wasn't used to giving or receiving gifts. And he knew it.
That was not what he wanted to hide, but the fact that he harbored an attraction to Salma, the wife of the man who had saved his life.
The two entered the house and Aril immediately lay down on the sofa in the living room.
"Eh? Why are you lying down right away?" asked Putri who was a little surprised.
Aril didn't answer, he didn't say a single word. The young man just looked cynically at Putri.
"Are you serious?" asked Aril who was already comfortable in his sleeping position.
Putri chuckled. "You weakling."
The girl walked with a slight limp towards the kitchen.
'Says someone who can't even walk straight,' said Aril in his mind when he saw the struggling of that girl.
Aril closed his eyes and relaxed all the muscles in his body, and not long after that, he fell asleep.
------------------------------------------
"Aril... Big Brother Aril... Wake up."
Aril felt his body being gently rocked like sleeping sensation on a sailing ship.
The young man opened his eyes slowly and found Putri wearing a birthday hat.
"What's wrong, Putri?" asked Aril who was still half-awake.
"Come on, wake up, you've slept too long," replied Putri.
Aril yawned and stood up. He stretched a little and then walked to the dining room.
Inside the dining room, the dining table was neatly set. 3 glasses of syrup had been prepared as well as a birthday cake, or rather, its alternative.
A plate of fried rice was shaped like a dome and the edge was decorated with a row of boiled eggs.
A small birthday candle stood tall in the center of the fried rice and a few slices of fresh cucumber around it.
Salma sat in front of the so called "birthday cake" and blew out the candles.
Aril and Putri clapped their hands and wished her a happy birthday.
The three of them seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere with great joy.
Even in the midst of a crumbling civilization, there is always time to spend time with those closest to you.
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Night had fallen and the moon was full.
There is no more light as far as the eye can see. But even so, the light of the full moon still provided the needed illumination.
Putri was asleep in her room while Aril and Salma were sitting on the terrace.
"Thank you for looking after Putri," said Salma, leaning on the long bench that Aril was also sitting on.
The bench was only 2 meters long, but more than enough for two people.
"It's okay, I owe Mr. Rizka my life anyway," replied Aril who also leaned on the bench they were sitting on.
"I can't believe it's been five months," Salma said with a faint smile on her face.
Aril sighed as he knew that the two were about to discuss something deep.
"I apologize for Mr. Rizka's death," said Aril, slightly downcast.
Salma shook her head slightly. "There is no need to apologize. Saving you was his decision. It's not your fault."
"I may not be your husband, but I will try my best to help you and Putri. It's the least I can do to repay his sacrifice," said Aril, smiling slightly.
"That's a very brave statement."
"The world is in chaos, and people are getting systems that make their lives easier. Bravery is the least I can count on."
"So, you're willing to replace my husband?"
"Literally, I can't-"
Aril's sentence was cut off as he felt his hand being held by Salma.
The young man was startled and jumped back a little with widened eyes and a racing heart.
What Aril saw was Salma smiling at him with a very sensual gaze.
"Au... Auntie... Salma... We can't do this," said the stuttered Aril.
Salma moved closer to the young man. "I already know that you've been looking at me lustfully for the past five months. And to be honest, I can't stand this loneliness anymore. I need someone to embrace me."
Salma approached Aril and kissed him on the lips. The young man immediately submitted to the situation because this was what he had always wanted.
As he enjoyed the passionate kiss, Aril's head was suddenly struck by the memory of Mr. Rizka saving him from the collapsed building.
Aril immediately backed away and pushed Salma away.
The young man averted his eyes from the woman in front of him.
"I can't. I'm Sorry, I can't do this. I can't take the wife of the man who saved my life. This is wrong."
Salma looked disappointed and eventually backed away. She smiled at Aril. "I'm sorry, I seem to have gone too far."
Salma stood up and walked straight into the house. "Please forget what just happened."
Salma walked in, leaving Aril who looked so disappointed, sad, angry, confused and scared. All at the same time.
'What the hell am I doing?' thought Aril who sighed heavily.