Chapter 2 2. Strong Alone

DEG.

Suddenly Linar fell silent hearing her name being spoken a bit sarcastically as well. She turned around, hiding behind the wooden walls of her heart, as she would later regret her shaking.

"You shouldn't say that, but what do you mean? look! God has not given them children even though they are young, so we pray for them to have children soon." reply to Gayatri.

Linar smiled, her heart relieved to hear her mother's defense.

"But Grandpa already wanted a grandson from Dean, and that's because he wanted to see his grandchildren from Dean before he died later."

"Grandpa often told that to Dean. Dean always have millions of answers. Hah.. especially if this year Linar is still not pregnant, you who will be forced to marry and denounced, let you immediately give him a grandson," replied Aunt Ira, chuckling.

"What?" Ista squeezed to hear it, and immediately she was glared at by Uncle Soepomo, who began to raise his voice.

"It's half eight in the evening; don't make noise. And Ira does not comment too far, no matter how it is the household affairs of two adults who are trying to get a child, so it's better to pray for them to have kid soon."

"Honestly, I'm also worried about their household because, after seeing Dean so disappointed and sad about Linar's miscarriage last year, it seems like he's less confident in Linar and engaged in office affairs until Dean often comes home late at night."

"Mom knows from whom; who said that? What is Linar complaining to you about?"

Gayatri looked at Ista and waved slowly. "No, but Linar never lied to Mom. And I also repeatedly asked Security and the housekeeper, who said sometimes Dean came home late and overnight outside without her wife on weekends, although not often, but still I worried."

"If you're worried, why don't you advise them to try baby tubes, artificial insemination, or anything else? Because with the presence of a child, you will create a relationship that can be broken up, isn't it?" replied Aunt Ira.

"They weren't barking; only Dean was getting busy working, so he shortened his time with Linar. But I'm sure Dean still loves Linar," Gayatri said, highlighting Ira, Ista, and Soepomo.

"Yes, but there is truth in the words of Aunt Ira, Mom. They could try the help of doctors so that Linar could get pregnant quickly and I was free from the threat of forced marriage!" find the same.

"They've just been married for two and a half years; it's too early to tell them to do so. Mami worried that it would offend Linar."

"Yes, you're right, but sometimes I'm sorry for Linar, who's still not good at socializing with family, relatives, and our relationships. In addition, the woman who is not pregnant has made her a month-to-month of you, Ira."

"Daddy, are you defended her? Oh god!"

Enough is! Linar didn't want to hear any more. It seems that their conversation will soon end because of the night.

DEG... DEG...

Linar's chest was tight, her tears dripped down her left cheek. Linar immediately turned and walked to the kitchen as soon as she was thirsty, then drank a glass of water.

As she put the glass on the table, she bowed down, and her left cheeks flowed. It was as if Linar was holding her chest sick because of sickness.

'Oh God, why is this heart so sad to hear the tones of the contribution that commented on her housekeeping, as if all the fault was on herself, and it turned out throughout this Mommy knew Dean's change added validation if the concern was real, not only herself but her Mommy-in-law who was not live at home realized it.

Linar bites her lips while holding her crying. Linar knocks on her chest slowly. She knocked on her chest, just where the pain came from. The burden is felt.

Dap...Dap..dap

Linar was shocked to hear the steep footsteps coming from the middle space that would pass her as she climbed the stairs. Impulsive Linar bowed and hugged her knees, hiding behind the table and chairs placed behind the table.

Linar was grateful not to turn on the lights. Now she just wants to enjoy her sadness and loneliness.

"Ah. Where is Dean now? I need you; go home quickly,please" said Linar in her heart.

***

Linar wakes up with both her eyes moving awake, seeing the curtains still closed, but the sunlight, like a storm, gives its presence so that Linar can see the flashes of sunlight already standing on the horizon of the sky.

Linar looked at the wall clock, which indicated 6:55 a.m. Big no! It's too late today.

Linar lamented that she had passed through the dawn, and now she is still staying at her grandfather Dean's house. With a few brothers who stayed like him.

"How embarrassing, and why did Dean not come home without news?"

Linar quickly got up to clean the bed, finished his bathroom, and continued to perform the morning worship. Then she walked down the stairs and went to the kitchen.

"Ijah, what can I do to help?" Linar approached the housekeeper.

"You don't need Linar; just the dishwasher remains; soon it will be done."

Linar nodded and saw the clean dish in the middle, meaning he missed breakfast together.

"Oh, my god, Linar, you finally woke up too. It's noon, and you missed helping me and Mrs. Ijah prepare breakfast because you didn't have breakfast together. Are you often so late?" Ask Aunt Ira with a loud voice while walking closer and inviting the attention of the other brother-in-law.

Very good!

Linar became the center of attention again because of her negligence, but this time she wanted to dare to express her feelings. She calmly replied,

"Sorry Aunt, I was also surprised to see the clock was already seven o'clock less. It's too bad I missed breakfast together. And..." Linar paused her speech.

Seeing that from the corner of her eye the other siblings were watching her as if enjoying a spectacle that was too good to miss Linar took a deep breath trying to replenish her ammunition.

"What? Why did you stop?"

"The answer is no, I used to wake up at five or half past six because I have a husband who goes to work in the morning. And i'm the one who usually prepares all his needs because we intentionally have an on-call housekeeper. Actually, I waited all night for Mr Dean to come home so I woke up late. I'm sorry Aunt, so I won't be having breakfast with you," Linar replied too firmly, which made the atmosphere even quieter and Linar smiled in return.

"You're talking like you're in court," Aunt Ambar, chuckled.

Linar gave a small nod, she grimaced because she couldn't join in the laughter, she wasn't good at manipulating the atmosphere.

"Aunt, do you know where mummy is?"

Aunt Ira raised one eyebrow, "She in the back garden chatting with my husband, what's the need?"

"Nothing important, Aunt." Linar concluded smiling and immediately turned towards the back garden.

****

Linar opened the messaging app on her phone and frowned as she read the message that read her husband's apology for staying over at Roland's house.

It was already midnight when Dean replied to her message, Linar was disappointed, she felt even worse today.

Linar furrowed her brow as she didn't get any more replies, why was Dean getting slower and slower in replying to her messages? It's not like it's him but it's unlikely that anyone would dare to mess with Dean's device even if it's unlocked.

***

Linar shook her head softly, shaking off the negative thoughts that had started to haunt her lately.

"We're here, ma'am," the taxi driver interrupted and sure enough, he had arrived in front of the lobby of Dean's office.

After completing the transaction, Linar got out of the taxi to calm down. She knew there would be at least a few people watching her.

Linar walked confidently while carrying two bags.

Linar slowed down her footsteps and

"Linar?" Roland greeted

Linar heard her name being called and immediately turned her head and smiled kindly, "Hi Roland, how are you?"

"I'm fine, how about you... and you look even prettier"

Linar chuckled. "Yes, I am thinner because of the carbohydrate diet," she said with a meaningful smile.

"Oh Roland, how did it go last night?"

"Last night?" Roland's question dangled.

"Yes, what time did the meeting end last night? Exactly?" Linar asked curiously.

Roland furrowed his brows in surprise, "Eleven o'clock at night."

"I see, then why did Dean have to stay with you, he usually goes home at that time?"

"Dean?" Roland muttered questioningly.

"Yeah, why? You guys met at a cafe or club last night, right?" Linar asked suspiciously.

"You guys, what do you mean? I wasn't with Dean last night, but with my boyfriend and Dean was at his grandfather's house with you, right?"

Knowing something was wrong with the change in Linar's face, Roland quickly added.

"Maybe you misunderstood what she said, it wasn't me, Dean's friend who was with him last night, he must be Dipta." Roland guessed calmly.

Deg.