MARITA

Andante (Part 2)

Diah went back in to her apartment. Marita curled up in foetal position on the bed. Diah went and laid next to her hugging her from behind.

"Di, I think I might have been stupid all this time," whispered Marita.

"Hmmm...."

Marita sat up. "Do you know what?"

"What?!" Diah sat up too next to her friend.

"I punched Arnold right in his face"

"Ehehehe... I know... Frank told me." Diah chuckled. "Well done, dear!"

Marita smiled too. "It felt good!"

"Hah! Now you know why I love martial arts. It felt good channelling your feeling by punching something... not necessarily someone though"

"But my hand hurt like hell now" Marita gave her a grimace face.

"You bet!" Diah inspected Marita's hand. "Hmmm... This is fine now. Frank said he gave you ice for this. I think this will do. I have a cream to put."

Diah tapped Marita's shoulder but Marita flinched. Diah saw the bruise on her collarbone. She stood up immediately and pulled the neck part of the dress aside slightly to have a better look.

"WHAT's THIS?"

"Di, don't be mad. This is an accident"

"Who did this?" Diah looked like she is about to kill someone.

"Calm down, Di" Marita pulled Diah hand to sit down on the bed with her. "I have exchanged this with a good punch"

"Arnold hit you?" Diah clenched her fist.

"NO NO ... listen! No..." Marita held both Diah's hand to try to calm her down. "This as an accident. Arnold braked the car and I was lurched forward."

Diah dismissed Marita's hands and got up.

"Were you arguing in the car when this happened?" Diah asked.

Marita didn't answer.

"I knew it! That bastard was doing it on purpose. Marita get to your senses!"

Marita bent her head.

"This is not the first time, Mari. You gotta wake up and see that this is his way of hurting you"

"I know.... I know now. I can see that," Marita's voice was quivering.

Diah watched her friend and wondered if she should speak her mind.

"Mari, can I tell you what really is on my heart regarding you and Arnold?"

Marita was silent and decided not to answer Diah. She was afraid of what Diah might say.

"Mari, I know you love Arnold and you guys have been together for a long time. But honey.... He is not a good person."

Marita stood and went to pour herself a glass of water.

"I want to believe that deep down, a part of you is saying the same thing" Diah continued.

Marita didn't answer and kept her back to Diah. So Diah went to her and sat her down the pantry chair.

"Mari, I know things that Arnold did behind you. I am guilty of keeping this from you but I only wanted you to be happy." said Diah gently.

"Don't say it!" said Marita jerking her hand from Diah.

"Why? Why can't I say it?"

Marita looked away and fixed her gaze to the leaves out side the window.

"Marita, look at me!" pleaded Diah. "You deserved better, Mari. Heck, maybe even Frank."

"I told you, Di. Don't say anything. Leave it at that! I'm getting married" said Marita still not looking at Diah.

"To HIM??? Are you kidding me? I was glad you punched him! I take it that you are back to your senses..."

Marita clenched her teeth and closed her eyes.

"LOOK AT ME, MARITA!! Do you still want to marry him?"

"YES!! I DO. I AM MARRYING HIM!!" snapped Marita back.

"Oooh...!!! Here I thought you have gained the strength to stand on your own against that man. Don't be weak, Mari"

Marita stood up and slamed her glass on the table.

"I am not weak!! I made my decision to marry him and I am going to keep my word"

"Your WORD? Dammit! Do you realized what kind of man you are marrying?"

"I KNOW!! Do you really think I am that Naïve?" shouted Marita back.

"What?!" Diah was taken aback.

"Adinia, Nindy, Meiske and... and many others. Do you think I do not know?" Marita answered quickly

"Mari...." Diah's anger was subdued to the knowledge that her friend knew all along. "You knew? Why didn't you do or say anything?"

Marita sat back down. This time she couldn't hold back her tears. "Because I love him."

Diah slumped down to her chair. Marita's answer broke her heart.

"How can you love him, Mari? After all he has done?"

"Love accepts and makes decision to turn a blind eye. That's what I believe. And before you can mock me with that... I do know how absurd that sound."

Diah watched her friend with a mixed emotion of disbelieve and sadness. Her friend is naïve and stupid. She shook her head slowly and put her head in her hand.

Marita gently caressed Diah's head. "I am sorry, Di. I know you are calling me stupid b**ch in your head now"

"No! I did not say it in my head. I'm saying it now... You are one stupid b**ch"

Marita smiled.

"No, I mean it! You are stupid! Stuborn! Idiot! And again... stupid!" Diah said those words without hesitation.

Marita smiled and hugged her. Diah hesitantly hugged her back but Marita hugged her tightly so she had no choice but to hug her back to make her stop.

"Ok OK... let me go now." said Diah. "Why don't you take a bath or something. You look awful"

"Hehehe... OK." Marita made a line for the bathroom.

"Mari, stay here tonight ya. I'll go home to your place so Mama will not be suspicious. I'll tell her that you have to stay at the office."

Marita nodded. It is best for her not to see her mother now.

"Also... don't turn on your phone. Arnold may try to call you. Let him think you are at home. He won't barged in when Mama is there."

"Oh yeah! You're right... But what if I need to contact someone?"

"Use my old phone. It's in the night stand drawer. I still have the old number in. My number, Mama and Frank are also there."

"OK. I think this will be good for me to have some time for myself."

"Hmmm... That I agree. OK, I'm gonna go before Mama get more suspicious."

"Thanks, Di"

"Hmmm... Don't mention it!"

Diah opened the door but suddenly turned to Marita who followed her to lock the door.

"You can be with Frank, you know. I'll let you have him" said Diah cheekily half meaning it.

Marita blushed and laughed it off.

"As his fangirl, you have my blessing. Tell me if you need my help with that," wink Diah.

Marita laughed and pushed Diah out the door and locked the door behind her. She smiled at the thought of her and Frank.