(Not) The Substitute

Eps 82 - Cold again

The next day Elnaz started his day as usual, he cooked fried rice because Elnaz had no time to cook another while today he had a morning class.

"Good morning, El.." said Papa, who just came out of his room.

"Good morning, Papa..." Elnaz greeted with a smile "Sorry this morning El can only make fried rice, El there is a class this morning" he said with a smile as if nothing happened.

"It's okay, son. Oh yeah, where's your husband?" mr. Malik asked and he helped Elnaz cook the cow's eggs.

"Still in the room, Pa" replied Elnaz and the husband's words reminded Elnaz of Arfan's yelling and tantrums yesterday. Even all night the two did not talk a bit and slept on each other's backs, as well as this morning. The two of them are still faithfully as if competing to close their lips tightly.

"Oh yeah, Pa. Mama why not come?" ask Elnaz later.

"Your mama will come later with your in-laws" replied Mr. Malik and Elnaz only with Oh Ria

"El.." his father called out to Elnaz so softly.

"Papa, El was sorry about yesterday. Sorry that El made Papa's first day here even messy" Elnaz apologized sincerely despite his premonition with great confidence saying that he did not misunderstand.

"It's okay, son. Precisely Papa would say thank you because you have cared so much for your brother, really Papa is proud of you, El" Mr. Malik also said sincerely, Elnaz can feel it. After almost 19 years, this was the first time they spoke from heart to heart as children.

"But still El was wrong, Pa" he said in a soft voice.

Mr. Malik looked at the boy who was now serving fried rice on the dining table, preparing three glasses of water. Mr. Malik knew that Elnaz could not lie, but Mr. Malik also very much hoped that Elsa was the one who said the truth, and Elnaz only misunderstood because if what Elnaz said was true, it was true, Mr. Malik felt that it was better for him to die than to see his daughter lose her direction and honor.

Before long Arfan came down and he looked neat, Arfan greeted his father-in-law and vice versa.

The three of them had breakfast in silence, Elnaz felt uncomfortable actually with his father, he felt guilty. He should be swimming happily now that his father has come to celebrate his birthday.

"Fan, are you going to the hospital?" ask Mr. Malik.

"No, Pa. I'm in the afternoon shift today but this morning I'm going to take Elnaz to campus." said Arfan as he glanced at Elnaz but Elnaz kept his head down on the food.

"That's our deal, Pa. Elnaz would only use a motorbike when I couldn't pick him up, but like now and then I would always pick him up" Arfan replied as he once again glanced at Elnaz.

Arfan did want to take Elnaz and make sure Elnaz did not do stupidity like yesterday again. Arfan also wants to make sure Elnaz stays away from the man named Robin.

After finishing breakfast, Elnaz prepared to go to his campus and of course with Arfan.

Throughout the second journey, he was also just silent and busy with his own thoughts.

Until the moment they reached the campus of Elnaz, Arfan just opened his voice.

"Call when the class is over" Arfan and Elnaz said, nodding without opening their mouths.

"No need to ask Robin anything about Jimmy or whatever it is, it's none of your business" Arfan said again and Elnaz again just nodded to make Arfan growl annoyed.

Elnaz jumped down from the car without salim at her husband and it made Arfan feel like something was lacking, Arfan had not even peeked at Elnaz's forehead as they used to do before.

.........

Elsa was pensive in her room, in her room in Olga's apartment. Elsa feels guilty for lying to her Papa, but Elsa feels she has no other way.

Yesterday when Elsa called her Mama, her mother immediately told Elsa that her father was going to Jakarta. It was an opportunity for Elsa to save herself.

Elsa's phone rang and Jimmy's name was on her smartphone screen.

Elsa refuses to answer him because she is still in a chaotic mind and feeling restless.

Now a message from Jimmy comes in, saying that Jimmy misses Elsa and wants Elsa to come home tonight to her apartment.

Elsa also did not answer him, because there is still her Papa in Jakarta and she does not know caught red-handed like Elnaz did.