The night before .... "I thought Rena was so innocent." Karin sounded very disappointed. Her voice was full of emphasized anger. Even so, she just stood at the edge of the pool with her arms crossed and looked at the depth of the water. "What did you say before, Ben? Rena is an exhibitionist?" "Ben...?" Papa came over to me, also at Karin's side. "I told you about this, didn't you?" I had deliberately pulled Karin away, away from the intervention of parents who might choose to keep their children in a marriage that wasn't healthy at all. Even though Papa himself had asked Mom to let go of the marriage even though they weren't together in the end. It's not that I don't believe in the bonds of marriage, but ... I've come to think of giving Rena a choice. In marriage or free. However, if I let her go, it means I didn't fulfill my promise. "What did you say to Ben, Bas?" Mama Kea, who I last saw drop off Rena to the room, actually turned Papa's presence to face her. There seems to be
"Is it really that hard to get in?" Maureen, the local olive-skinned girl seems to be struggling to aim the solid missile of the grown man beneath her at her untouched cleavage while squatting down. Maureen's wide eyes closed once she got the right spot. The density both thrilled and hurt her. Maureen had to bite her lower lip to keep the sound from escaping so that the owner of the missile would not wake up. "It hurts ...." Maureen fell silent, letting hers swallow the rough flesh inside entirely. Her long, lustrous eyelashes even looked damp though no tears had fallen. Both of Maureen's calves were already clinging to the surface of the mattress, flanking the firm thighs underneath, when the throbbing came. Slowly the sting on Maureen's innermost walls created an instinct that forced her to move. Maureen... was still unfamiliar with the vibrations that ran through the entire surface of her skin. Her joints relaxed every time she lifted her hips high, then sank back down again
Darren couldn't get over Maureen taking advantage of him when he was completely exhausted. He wanted to blame the motion sickness that took over his consciousness as soon as he reached the pillow. Maureen sat on the edge of the bed hugging the folds of her legs, facing Darren who chose to lean against the opposite wall. A few minutes passed in silence as the owner of tantalizingly long eyelashes that fluttered shut faced the fierce scrutiny of her idol. "Your period?" asks Darren, remembering how much his seed fills the space inside Maureen's hole. If he had to take responsibility, Darren would consider it. The vast gulf between them was not only a personal matter, but it might also break up the closeness of two families. He waited to answer and stuffed both hands in his pants pockets. His shoulders rose, overwhelmed with all the possibilities of the future. Though Maureen continued to be mesmerized by the open view of the beautifully displayed athletic figure. Faint silky hair car
Randy was surprised to find two humans of the opposite sex making out on the floor of the room. Maureen still had her legs wrapped around Darren's waist as she draped her arms around the shirtless man's neck. Their kiss was only broken when they heard a call. Both turned around, Randy was already girded at the waist, glaring and demanding a wordless explanation. Maureen and Darren were finally forced to sit in the living room, awaiting judgment when Maureen's twin brother and her father arrived. "What did the kids do wrong?" asked Abra, Maureen's father, after taking a seat on the sofa across from them as he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. "How come they're all so quiet?" The two youngsters in front of him looked down. Darren placed a sofa cushion on Maureen's lap, covering his exposed groin when cross-legged. He wore a T-shirt pulled from the closet, rumpled and rushed. Without offering anything, Randy sat firmly on the single sofa between them. "We have something to talk abou
"What do you think, Uncle?" Darren looked down again. Even if he raised his face, he tended to avoid the gaze of everyone in the room. "What I have to do now?" His principle of restraint had been defeated by the person closest to him. His fists in his lap unraveled, moving to grip his knees and speak up. "Look, I have someone else I love to introduce to Mom and Dad. I have also talked to Mother about Darren's future. And..., I can't take this mistake," he described. "Uncle never told Maureen!" protested the occupant of the seat next to Darren. The shrill voice hurts the ears. If had to choose, Maureen's breath is much more melodious when it comes to her. Darren felt even more guilty for remembering it again. He know that all mistakes, but he can't imagine the future must live with Maureen. Never. Maureen threw a sofa cushion at Darren's face. Her face was already bright red as she stomped away from that men. The plan in the big map that Darren had designed since long ago had to be
"I want to break up with Reval and celebrate that as well." Maureen couldn't accept being the one left out. She had to make an impression worth fighting over that night. "Again?" Serena turned the car into the parking lot, obeying Maureen's request. The momentary stop gave Serena a chance to argue, "You don't count how many exes you have?" The advice was just an afterthought. Maureen covered her ears with her forefingers until her best friend could be seen taking a deep breath. Maureen picked up her handbag from one of the piles at the back, "Talk to my hand, Beb!" and thrust out a black card with a limit issued by a local bank. Serena immediately cheered in agreement. There was no refusal. Pool parties call for sexy, seductive bikinis, Maureen thought. The hotel location was their immediate destination after shopping for clothes for the next two days.Maureen felt the need for a vacation after the trial and the party. She would not ask her mother for permission for a second reason
"Coming too, Babe?" Aletta welcomed Maureen under the pergola that had been designed to provide shade for the party hosts. The outdoor space that was usually filled with sets of picnic chairs was replaced by various colorful waterproof beanbags and beach chairs. "I told you earlier to wait earlier." Maureen scanned the faces that passed by her. "Crowded too." Maureen nodded, following the beat of the music played by the female dj under another pergola. As the night wore on, it seemed like the party atmosphere was getting wilder. Alcoholic drinks circulated easily, picked up from the scent that was very familiar to the nose of the woman who had just turned two-three. The girls were getting bolder and bolder clinging to their men disgustingly. It was no mistake that Maureen and Serena waited for bedtime to pass by by reporting to the parents who still thought they were babies and needed to be watched closely. "Hi, Bitch!" greeted Aletta after seeing the presence of Serena who follow
"What else is there to explain, Ima?" Darren grabbed his wife's grip that had slipped. "Seriously, she was my cousin." Legally, Maureen was indeed registered as the child of Darren's biological aunt Natasha. The reason is none other than because Natasha and Abra's marriage is legally official and benefits both parties. Meanwhile, Maureen's biological mother, Aya, only got legally married a year after Darren's aunt passed away. Complicated. The majority of the local community still considers biracial relationships to be a close family that cannot marry. So, Darren felt safe referring to the twins as his cousins even though they were not at the same blood. "Suite room only, ma'am, the regular one." Darren immediately confirmed the room reservation, along with handing over his ID card and cashless payment to the receptionist on duty. "Is there really no secret around you and her?" Iqlima's peaceful impression had already turned spoiled when she found Darren's gaze continuing to avoid
"Did you choose to settle here?" This was Maureen's question. I've gotten to know her better since moving to this country. Maybe a few blocks apart, but close enough to do our weekly shopping together."Ben said he had some business, so I guess his offer for me to stay here until graduation wasn't a bad choice," I explained as I pushed our shopping trolley into the trunk of the car, while Maureen looked tired from pushing the babies' stroller."Yeah..., I think your choice isn't bad. I can have someone to talk to too while you guys aren't back yet." Her intonation was clearly hopeful.For me who barely had any friends, moving around more than expressing what I felt, being friends with Maureen was a luxury. She was quite chatty, and I barely had anything to talk about other than responding to her."The twins really enjoy sleeping ...." I glance at the presence of Maureen's babies. Boys.I thought Maureen had a special relationship with Ben, but she ended up marrying Angga. I guess I wa
"Are we really moving there together?" Rena questioned after seeing the e-ticket I had on my phone screen. Well, that was a bit of a surprise. "It depends on how long you want to stay there." Since the visa Rena applied for was also for non-immigrants, it was valid only during the student exchange. If she wanted to extend it as a tourist or even stay, I wouldn't mind. In fact, for the time being, it might be better for Rena to take a vacation or find something that isn't tiring. The previous incident that took away our future child sometimes made Rena shed tears. "How are you doing?" Rena asked again. She continued to fix the toga I was wearing. Even though there was no departmental photo session and it was okay to take off all the graduation gear attached to my body. The weather lately has been in favor of taking off my clothes. "Which job is it?" I moved closer to Rena's side, looking at the photos of the camera she had just taken from the tripod, used earlier to capture moments
"Any hurt?" I asked after finding Rena pinched between the passenger bench and the protective airbag. At least I could still breathe a sigh of relief knowing Rena could still walk out after the collision just now.I saw Satya still on the driver's seat, pressed against the door next to him that was wrenched in. He was unconscious.Maybe someone could say that I was really reckless in crashing the motorcycle into the car carrying Rena, and the four-wheeled vehicle swerved to avoid me. It was partially destroyed by the road divider.Me? Well, I'm fine with a little friction on the skin of my arm from being dragged on the asphalt when I let go of the motorcycle I was riding earlier. After all, the injuries I got before were much more. All of this... is nothing."Ben? How could you...," Rena was holding my waist, more like she was pulling my arm to rest on her shoulder, "you still have to need rest?""Think of yourself, Rena!" I refused, feeling that she was much more in need of help."Me?
A few months in a second-floor room in a Somerville neighborhood, about an hour away from campus by public transportation, was not so foreign to me. It was like sharing a house with strangers without interfering in each other's private affairs.Shared common spaces, with private rooms. Don't forget the private bathroom for me. It's a bit more expensive than the rent for other residents' rooms, but it's better than having to wait in line at a crucial time.This morning I was surprised by the arrival of a thousand white roses, the delivery courier said. It's a good thing they weren't real roses, or I would have acted like I had a cold all day.Who knows about my allergy other than close friends? Uncle Darren has 'almost killed me' many times for giving me real flowers.By the way about Uncle Darren, I offered him to redo our relationship completely from scratch. As a good cousin, not based on desire that I know is hard to resist.Who could resist a Maureen?Okay, call me narcissistic. A
"We need to talk, Uncle." Maureen almost pushed the blanket off her legs when Darren nodded. In his opinion, they needed to settle their dangling relationship outside of the decisions of the people around them. They had the freedom to decide their future regardless of the stigma attached to Maureen snatching Darren. "Yeah, we have to," Darren smiled instantly even though the airline's departure announcement seemed to delay them, "but later. See ya." The man signaled his departure by pointing outside. Of course Maureen clearly knew she had to wait for Darren to meet her. However, the flight--which she had read on the internet--lasting for over eight hours until arriving at the transit airport further strengthened her curiosity. "Shit!" There wasn't the slightest hint of enjoyment in any of the amenities that could divert his curiosity. The airline's signature main course reminded her of eating with Angga even though it was served in small portions. The expensive wine offered by th
"Yes, Grandpa gave me a first class ticket. It's really cool, isn't it?" After going through the check-in section, Maureen dragged her suitcase through the corridor directed by the attendant to be placed on the flight baggage entry rail while continuing her phone call to a friend on the other side. "Not really. I've only ever been on private jets."It wasn't just a different island, but also a different continent. Serena's friend had already left for another country."I and Angga just let it flow. We don't have to get married quickly." Maureen's steps quickened as she looked at the white gold band-like watch around her left wrist. Her departure time was just around the corner. She needed time to relax her waist for a moment."Are you sure he can stay with you so far away?" Serena's question had been a long consideration for Maureen to maintain a relationship with Angga until it needed to be discussed.Angga's time-consuming profession sometimes made Maureen doubt if the man was only o
"What, huh?" Angga tapped each of Maureen's fingers that hung in the air as they grasped each other, comparing the same shape that differed in size. "My family is not very close." Every time they met face to face, they would smile at each other, considering the accident as part of fate. "Is that how you get along?" Maureen recalled how Erlan, who was also a doctor under her father's position, could talk as light as a feather when they met. There was indeed a conversation that was avoided, and Maureen's curiosity led to questions until Angga, who was usually to the point, pulled out the trump card he wanted. "Well, just to say hello. Not more." Angga straightened his back, placing it against the glass wall of the room as he looked at the dark sky outside. Clear without clouds. "So, there's not much we can invite from your family?" asked Maureen, looking for ways to pry information using the alibi of their wedding needs. Angga's narrow eyes widened in amazement. "You said you haven
"M.J. Abraham...," said the man who made Angga turn to the clapping hands nearby, "it's Angga's surprise, ihuh?" A couple of people Angga knew greeted him in turn, then Resti joined their small circle. Maureen reflexively followed Angga even though she felt she had never seen that two people before, she was a bit surprised by the title the man had given them as if they had known each other before. "Wow, Uncle Erlan and Aunt Iren came too!" Resti offered two glasses of drinks on trays carried by the waiters and was immediately greeted with a look of friendliness. Perhaps confused, or rather observing, Maureen had to take a quick look at each face near her in turn. There was no falseness that came to her from Angga's life, including the family that came. They were even newly reunited. "Can't word on your candidate, here." The woman called Aunt Iren chimed in. Although the knee-length dress she wore was formal with long sleeves and no special accents, she had her own charisma behind
A dark SUV pulled up in front of a spacious ironwood house, dropping off a pair of people who seemed perfectly matched in both appearance and body language. The sturdy old building in front of them was surrounded by a heavy guard, reinforcing the notion that an important event was taking place inside."Do we have to come like this?" asked the woman, adjusting the skirt of her evening blue satin dress to cover her ankles. A headpiece of similar material was pinned with a simple silver hoop, adding to the expensive nature of the overall look.She regretted the impression of a family that had to look perfect at all events despite the fact that they were going through a long war of contention that had yet to be resolved. From legal settlements regarding the division of joint property during marriage, to custody matters and the accompanying financing.Iqlima could use the alibi of Darren's infidelity if he still insisted on taking their three children from her side. It wasn't just snippets