59. A Jealousy

Darius walked back and forth in front of Zahra's house. He'd seen Dayyan going in and out of Zahra's house for the past few days to pick up orders. Within hours, the man was back again, and after listening to them chat for a while, Dayyan left the house again. Ehsan always put his ear to the wall near the garage so he could hear Zahra and Dayyan chatting. But sometimes he could only hear them laughing. "What's wrong, brother? You've been going back and forth like an iron?" said Zahra, who was throwing trash in a trash can near where Ehsan was standing. "Eh, here's the trash, let me throw it away," Ehsan replied while pulling the plastic bag Zahra was holding. Zahra couldn't resist because Ehsan's movements were so fast. It was just trash after all. Zahra watched Ehsan's behavior with a furrowed brow. "Tomorrow, just call Abang for the garbage, don't get Neng Zahra's hands dirty." "It's normal, brother. Every day my hands are already dirty holding dishes and used cooking utensils. Doesn't Ehsan work?" Zahra asked. Her mother told her that Ehsan was the foreman of the building. But Zahra saw Ehsan sitting in front of his house almost every day. Actually, Zahra was a bit disturbed by Ehsan's presence as if he was the guardian of her catering place. But again, her mother said that it was only temporary. When Ehsan's project started, he would leave. "Not yet, Neng. I'm also waiting to hear from my boss, when the hotel construction project starts, Neng Zahra will miss me." Ehsan giggled. Zahra walked in, frowning at Ehsan's confidence, which was already at an alarming level. "Astaghfirullah," she whispered as she realized what she had just thought. "I shouldn't look down on Allah's creatures," he muttered softly. "Did Zahra kick the cat out in front? It's really annoying that the cat has been kicked out so many times and still comes back. It likes to steal food, even though mama has often given food," Adisty said when she heard Zahra's murmur. "No, cats are God's creatures that still have their cuteness, this is different, Adisty," Zahra said simply. "I was feeling umi when I saw Ehsan outside. Can't he get rid of stray cats?" Mursida chimed in. "Afraid of being scratched, Umi. The stray cat with the orange fur is so stubborn. Adisty's mom often gets angry at them because they don't seem to be afraid of humans. When she fed it, it would come back again. If they come, they go straight to the dining table, huh... that's rude!" Zahra laughed at the conversation that was already going on. As the day wore on, the order for ten boxes of nasi uduk was ready. "It's finally finished." Adhisty held her waist and rotated her shoulders to the right and left to stretch her waist and neck muscles. "Here's the crackle, let Zahra put it in. You rest first, Dis." Adisty held out a large plastic bag to Zahra. A moment later Dayyan arrived after delivering the first order. "Umi, do you still have the nasi uduk?" asked Zahra. "It's still on the dining table. I also still have the side dishes for Adisty and Rike's lunch." "There's still plenty." Zahra answered Mursida who was glancing at her. Zahra picked up a plate and took a plate of nasi uduk. Mursida thought the rice was for Zahra to eat, so she ignored it. Zahra immediately brought the rice to the front. "Wow, it looks like it was quite far near the GOR, but Mas Dayyan came back very quickly." "Yes, ma'am. There's a rat road so there's no traffic." "Hmm, I see. If you know all the rat roads, I think all the orders will arrive before it gets cold," Zahra said as she handed over a plate of nasi uduk. "I'll try, ma'am. At least the rat roads can also save gasoline, so customers are happy that their orders arrive quickly, and I'm also happy because I don't waste gasoline." Zahra smiled. She didn't expect Dayyan to take everything into account even when it came to gasoline. This must be because Dayyan is working hard to collect rupiah little by little for his daughter's medical expenses. Zahra was happy that the man in front of her was a man who was responsible for his family. Not only responsible for the family, but also for work. Dayyan always arrived half an hour earlier than she asked. Every time he was asked a question, Dayyan's answer left her dumbfounded. "We never know what obstacles will be on the way. If I leave home early and get here early, it will ease Ms. Zahra's worries a bit." Zahra smiled again. Dayyan's answer is a very common one. What Dayyan meant was that he was worried about how to get the food to the customers as soon as possible. If Dayyan arrived late, Zahra would think that Dayyan had something else to do or something like that. But for Zahra, the worry was real. If Dayyan was a little late returning home after delivering the food, for some reason she was secretly anxious, and afraid that something bad might happen to Ehsan. No, it wasn't about worrying about the food being delivered late, but worrying if the man was suddenly hit by an unavoidable obstacle. Zahra didn't want Dayyan to get hurt. Zahra and Ehsan didn't realize that there was an ear pressed against the wall. Ehsan clenched his hands into fists as he listened to what he thought was an unusual conversation. "That motorcycle taxi driver is really looking for trouble with me. He doesn't know Zahra is my future wife. How dare he talk so close to Boss Ehsan's future wife." Ehsan was furious that Zahra had never shown any interest in him. He had always wanted to get to know Zahra better. Now Zahra was even being set up with him. That meant he had more rights over Zahra. In the evening, Ehsan met Mursida in the living room. "Umi, is there a regular motorcycle taxi driver appointed by Neng Zahra now?" "A regular ojek driver? Umi doesn't pay attention, Ehsan. Every day there are dozens of motorcycle taxi drivers coming, how can Umi memorize them?" "So you really don't know the motorcycle taxi driver who talks to Neng Zahra every day?" Ehsan urged. "Umi works in the kitchen, not in the front. So I don't know. Besides, it's normal for Zahra to talk to a regular motorcycle taxi driver. There must be something special, for example about a note, or paying cash. That's normal," said Mursida. "Umi, really, come out once in a while. Look at Calista talking to the motorcycle taxi driver with the tall motorcycle, Umi." Mursida thought for a moment. "The feeling is that all the ojek drivers who come use high motorcycles. There are no low motorcycles, that's bentor - motorcycle taxis. Mursida scratched her headscarf. "Umi will see for herself tomorrow if you don't believe me, Neng Zahra, especially if the ojek driver is immediately friendly." Ehsan was a little annoyed. "You mean all this time Zahra has not been friendly?" Mursida's voice rose slightly. "That's not it, Umi. It's precisely because Neng Zahra is too friendly, I'm afraid this man thinks Neng Zahra is .... "Ehsan canceled his sentence when he saw Mursida fiercely staring at him.