The Timor Man (56 page)

Slowly and precisely Albert explained the history of Wanti's recuperation process. The total blackouts. The inability to identify familiar faces of friends. Her complete loss of memory and the painful hours of therapy, month after month, eventually becoming years. Painful, Albert suggested, not just in the physical sense but distressful to those around her also who continuously cared and nursed her through the slow recovery process. He explained how dependent she had become on his friendship.

Albert then paused as if not knowing how to continue. Surprised, and a little confused, Coleman encouraged his friend to finish the discussion.

“
Come on, Albert,
” he encouraged, “
don't keep me in suspense!
”

“
Stephen
,” Albert hesitated. “
Stephen, I know that this will be difficult for you.
”

Again he hesitated, obviously ill at ease.

“
Stephen, Wanti has come to ask you for a divorce
.”

He heard the words but didn't identify their meaning. Not immediately. The words still hung in the air as Stephen looked down at the floor. There was nothing there. Some moments passed and he felt as if someone had delivered a severe blow to his chest. And yet, at the same time, he felt something else. What was it? Relief? He had anticipated that Albert had serious news concerning his wife and he'd assumed it related to her health. He lifted his head and stared directly at the Timorese.

“
Why?
”

Albert's eyes dropped and softly he said, “
Maafkan kami, Mas
,” clasping his hands together.
Forgive us.

“
Us?
” Stephen asked, confused, as the import of the statement slowly dawned on him.

“
No one ever plans these things, Mas
,” the older man offered.

Coleman sat rigid in his chair, bewildered by the mixed emotions he now experienced simultaneously, trying to separate what had been said from what he felt as the shock took hold. Was it outrage?

He felt both betrayed and dissappointed and yet, mixed with these feelings was a touch of guilt for the relief he now felt in the knowledge that he would no longer be responsible for her condition and that this man, his old friend, would now assume that moral responsibility. He stared at the man in front of him. He felt a wave of emotion. Was it an attack on his pride?

Stephen was suddenly very confused and needed to escape to regain his composure. For a few moments he stared at the opposite wall away from his old friend's eyes, not wanting to look at his face. He was disappointed with his own reactions, even surprised.

“
Albert, you must give me a few minutes to collect my thoughts. I really don't know what to say and, to be honest, I am not entirely at ease with the way I feel towards you both at this moment
.”

“
We will leave immediately.
”

“
No!”
Coleman demanded loudly, almost shouting.
“Just take the car and driver out for an hour or so while I think this thing through.
”

“
What is there to think through, Stephen?
”

Immediately he hated this man. His old and trusted friend. A friend who had just walked into his house and announced that he was responsible for Wanti's request for the dissolution of their marriage.

‘What the hell has been going on in Melbourne?' he asked himself bitterly.

He then looked directly at the Timorese, unable to contain his feelings. Stephen knew he had to be alone. To think!

“
Probably nothing
,” he answered, controlling his anger, “
but do this Albert, as I would appreciate an hour or so to work this out in my head. Okay?
”

“
Baiklah, Mas
,” he agreed and rose to leave the conference room in search of Wanti.

Coleman called his senior houseboy on the intercom and instructed him to arrange for the driver to take his wife and guest out around the city for a couple of hours sightseeing.

“
When tuan?
” he asked, surprised as the guests had only just arrived.

“
Now!
” his employer had answered tersely and in a tone unfamiliar to the old
jongus
.

The surprised servant obediently arranged the car to stand-by while he informed Wanti and Albert that their transport was ready.

The couple left immediately.

Stephen stood looking down the road as his car disappeared from view. He was saddened by the events and was deep in thought when the houseboy knocked, apologized and informed him that the housemaid had completed the unpacking upstairs. Perplexed, he waved the
jongus
out without any acknowledgment and considered the immediate problem of the sleeping arrangements. There was no way that Wanti and Albert were going to share a bed in his house!

Suddenly he was angered by the delicate predicament in which he found himself. He thought the situation through and decided to instruct the staff to prepare a third room which he would occupy for himself. His domestic staff and, indeed, most of Jakarta was conversant with the state of his wife's mental health, or had been, before her miraculous recovery. The thought passed through his mind that Albert had deliberately not informed him that Wanti had recovered. How long had it really been, a month? Three months? Perhaps even a year? His pride was hurt but that did not diminish the feeling of betrayal.

Coleman spoke quietly to his trusted
djongus
and suggested that
njonja
was still not completely recovered and, acting under her doctor's instructions, she was to sleep alone during her visit. He further instructed the staff not to discuss this arrangement outside his household, knowing that the whispers would commence immediately the opportunity arose. They would think well of him for being so considerate to the beautiful woman he'd not seen in such a long time. The other ladies would applaud his behaviour as long as he could disguise the real situation. Certainly separate bedrooms would be appropriate. Considering the predicament he found himself in, Stephen had no great difficulty with the sleeping arrangements. If handled discreetly, he imagined that it could even work to his advantage. Later, when the couple had returned to Australia, he would fabricate a suitable story to account for the unusual relationship which, he surmised, would put the gossip-mongers to rest.

Convinced that he had handled the matter in a mature manner, Stephen waited for their return. They had been gone for almost two hours when Sukardi announced their arrival. Stephen waited inside as the couple entered. He spoke briefly to Wanti and then took Albert aside and advised him of his decision.

The older man was nervous and wasn't sure just how close he should stand to his former friend. He flinched as Stephen leaned forward quickly and put his hand on Albert's shoulder.

“
It's okay, Albert, nothing's going to happen
,” he assured the other man with a slight squeeze before releasing his grip. Suddenly he felt saddened and ashamed by his earlier reactions. Stephen could sense the fear and realized just how impossible their respective situations were.

“
Albert
,” he started slowly, looking directly into the eyes of the man whom he believed had betrayed him in the worst way, “
firstly, I wish to assure you that I have no ill feelings towards either of you
.” Stephen lied as he paused for the effect. “
I believe that I understand how the relationship evolved and, having considered how difficult it must have been for both of you then I must also accept some of the responsibility for what has happened. The neglect I showed during Wanti's illness....
”

“
No, Stephen,
” Albert interrupted.

“
Please, Albert! Let me to finish,
” he insisted, holding one hand up to indicate that he intended to do so anyway. “
It was not easy for any of us having her down there for such a long time without considering our own needs while she was away, if you understand what I mean.
”

Of course Albert knew exactly what Stephen was alluding to, but was embarrassed to say so considering his own behaviour and the question of Wanti's infidelity. The Timorese sighed and, cupping his hands under his chin, eyes downcast, listened to the younger man as he continued to explain his position. He wished he was back in Melbourne sitting with Wanti together and away from this confrontation. He could hear Stephen's voice rattling on.

He said nothing. After all, what could he really say?

They discussed the arrangements and, after an hour both settled on the plan Stephen had proposed. Albert really had little choice. As the moment provided the opportunity, Albert asked the final question. “
Mas, will you give her the divorce?
”

Coleman paused momentarily and nodded affirmatively.

“
But it's conditional, Albert. You must seek a dissolution only in Australia. Do not apply while you are here. Agreed?
”

Albert wanted to explain that divorce proceedings in Jakarta would be swift and permit them all to get on with their lives. He remembered that this man could be stubborn and all that had been achieved in the past few short hours could easily come undone if he persisted in obtaining the divorce in Indonesia. Wanti would not be pleased. Albert was not happy with this dilemma.

He hesitated and replied softly. “
Stephen, a divorce in Jakarta would be more convenient. However I will respect your wishes and finalize the necessary procedures only when we return to Melbourne.
”

Satisfied, Coleman nodded his head in satisfaction.

“
When will you return?
” he asked.

“
There is not much point in staying too long. Wanti should see her brother Bambang and then we could return when airline seats are available.”

Coleman weighed the problem in his mind. It would be difficult enough for all three to remain under one roof too long, considering the circumstances; however he felt that they should spend at least a week there, for appearances.

“
I will have my staff arrange your return bookings.
”

Relieved that their difficult discussion had finally come to an end, Albert extended his hand to his once close friend. “
Terima kasih, Mas
.”

“
Kembali kasih
,” he responded, surprised at how tired he felt from the emotional drain of the last few hours.

Saddened by the events, both men rose and shook hands, each realizing that their friendship could never be as before, while regretting the loss of the strong bond that had tied them together over the past ten years.

Stephen left the building providing Albert with the opportunity to explain to Wanti just what they had agreed. When he returned later in the evening, his houseboy informed him that both guests had apologized as they were tired and had each retired to their respective bedrooms. A trace of a smile passed his lips as he discovered that his faithful old servant had diplomatically placed a selection of his wardrobe in the middle of the three bedrooms thereby symbolically separating his
njonja
from the house guest. It was almost impossible to keep anything secret from the old houseboy.

 That night the household slept restlessly. Wanti lay awake, thinking of the two men who had played such a significant part in her

life. She felt saddened understanding that now she was divorcing the very man who had picked her up and given her everything except the one thing she longed for most. And he didn't understand as he had no comprehension, she was sure, as to what had always seemed to be missing in their relationship.

Albert lay on his side listening to the occasional traffic as it passed by his bedroom window. Car lights flickered across the room, running up the wall from one side and over the ceiling until disappearing altogether down the other. He was pleased that the meeting had gone as well as it had. Wanti had scolded him for not insisting that the divorce proceedings be carried out quickly while they were there, and although he had argued against it, she was still unconvinced. For a moment he feared that she might insist on talking to Stephen alone but, thankfully, she hadn't.

Stephen lay on his back, his hands clasped behind his head as he lay quietly, thinking of the days ahead. Although the tension between them had all but disappeared, he understood that there is no such thing as a friendly parting of the ways when a couple dissolves their marital relationship. He was pleased that Wanti would not claim from him in any way as he'd agreed not to contest the divorce. The potential problem of a messy financial haggling match had been avoided.