8 To 4: The Mayor's Contract Wife

Black Campaigns

Along the way back to Batang Hulu, the Wira family home, Ajeng can only cry while holding the paper that his father gave him. Wira again clasped Ajeng's hand to calm him down.

“Papa has really cut off his relationship with me, Mas.” Mumbled Ajeng in the middle of his sobs.

“Papa mustn't have that kind of fuss, baby. Maybe for now he just wants to focus on the election. And I think for now, it's the best option. If all of our problems are revealed to the public, your papa will face a difficult time."

Ajeng. “I know. This is my choice. Not Papa.”'s fault

“The blood relationship between father and son can never be broken. We just need to be patient and wait for the right moment. Our family problem is a very sensitive and complicated issue, especially at times of campaigning like this."

Ajeng then wiped his tears and showed the contents of the paper that Suryo handed to him. "This is the place where my mother was impregnated.”

Wira pulled over her car and immediately hugged Ajeng's body tightly. He wanted his wife to share his grief with him.

“We will be there after you are calmer and ready. Okay?”

Ajeng nodded and re-hugged Wira to spill the tightness that was still left in his chest.

*****************

After staying overnight at Wira's parents' house in Batang Hulu, Ajeng and Wira were again urged to stay longer by Prabu. Because they had not met for a long time, they finally agreed and decided to stay in Batang Hulu until the election was completed next week. They actually want to immediately return to Nusa Beringin so as not to be affected by everything about the election. But Prabu insisted on forcing them to stay. So they had no choice but to accept it. After all, Ajeng had the opportunity to get to know her husband's family more closely.

That night they were watching a newscast together in the family room. Suryo does not usually invite Wira to watch television together. During this time, their relationship was very cold as father and son. They were rarely as thoughtless as sitting together for as long as that night.

[Headline News, Suryo Diningrat, the presidential candidate, is reportedly involved in efforts to sell Nusa Beringin Island to foreign parties. The news is alleged that Suryo Diningrat agreed to the development and construction of the island of exile with investors from Japan. As we know that Nusa Beringin is one of the islands of exile which by law belongs to the territory that should not be built and developed by the government -]

“What?! Not likely. That must be a misunderstanding. Papa may not sell Nusa Beringin.” Mumbled Ajeng who rushed to his room.

“Pa! what's the matter?” ask Wira after Ajeng goes into his room.

“Not does he deserve a reply like this?”

“But why, Pa? why is Papa using dirty ways like this in crucial times like this?”

“Do you think Papa doesn't know that old man trapped and imprisoned you? You think papa would be quiet to see your son treated unfairly like that?”

“But Pa, why now? Does Papa really want to win this way?”

“Papa doesn't care even if you say Papa is cunning and cheating. Papa just wanted to show that there was a time when the power he had would not even be able to protect himself. Now let's see what he can do with his power.”

“But Pa, wouldn't it be so overwhelming to make such an accusation? Mr. Suryo will never sell the island.”

“Not that the point. He, the one who should have been the most obedient but instead had broken the rules of the law for no reason. The public should know that such traitors are not worthy of re-election.”

"Pa, someone wants a girl by Papa. The hero wants papa to compete healthily this time because Pak Suryo, papa's arch rival is the father of Ajeng, Wira's wife, Pa."

“What?!”

“What?!”

“Beliau also makes Nusa Beringin a village that is recognized not to sell the island. Rather because it was the request of his beloved daughter who chose to stay there with the cowardly man he chose.”

Prabu fell on the couch.

“He may have indeed broken the law by building an island that should be the creepiest place in the world for prisoners. But do you know that there are hundreds of heads of families living and hanging their lives on the island? they were not criminals but also had nowhere else to go back. They are caught between a difficult life and death without clarity. But Pa, they're all Indonesian citizens, just like us. If it was not him who granted Ajeng's request and concerns, would Papa or any other president be able to realize that noble desire? Hero not sure.”

The spirit breathed a long and deep breath. “Wira just wants Papa to know that Mr. Suryo and Ajeng, they are noble people and dare to take risks for the sake of the life of others. Wira was quite disappointed because Papa used their weakness as a weapon to win the election this time. But it all happened. Wira just wishes Papa wasn't rash and used sneaky tricks like this again."

Wira then returned to the room to check on Ajeng's state.

“What else are you doing Jeng?”

“Mas, Papa blocked my number.” Ajeng said with an anxious face mixed with disappointment. “I have to talk to Papa. This must be a very heavy blow to Papa, Mas. Papa –“

Wira hugged Ajeng tightly. “I know Papa you can't possibly sell the island. He also must have known that the law did not allow the island of exile to be inhabited and built. But anyway He still did that, approved the establishment of Nusa Beringin Village and made it so advanced and developed like now for your sake.”

“Therefore I must speak to Papa, Mas. I don't want Papa to fail to win the election just because of me.”

“But this is not your fault, dear.”

“After that time I did not ask Papa to approve the establishment of the village –“

Wira tightened her embrace. “We will find a way to talk to your Papa.”

*******************

After many attempts, Ajeng finally managed to visit Alvin, his second brother who had just returned to the capital.

"Sister, how's papa?" tanya Ajeng on the phone.

"Good, Jeng. Looks like papa predicted that something like this will happen. Papa has proposed a law on the expansion of the outer island area since the beginning of his presidency. But until now, the proposal has not been approved by the members of the legislature. Brother also did not think that Papa would take such a risk."

"Does Papa still have any hope of winning, brother?"

"So, I'm not sure about that, Jeng. Let's see the progress. Brother will tell you if there is a latest update? Don'worry. Papa's not that weak."

'Ka Alvin is right. Papa can definitely overcome a crisis like this. Even though the chances are very small. But Ajeng hopes papa can.'

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