A Letter to My Mom

Chapter 4: Painful application

CHAPTER 4

At home, Milian daydreamed all day. His job fell apart and ended up getting a tantrum from his mother. Milian just kept quiet with teary eyes.

Once, he wanted his mother to ask him about his situation. However, it is like expecting rain in the hot sun. Milian was like a stepson in the house, but he was clearly born from the same womb as his three younger siblings.

"Sister Mili must have had a boyfriend, no, Ma. You see, from noon day on," said Taufan, complaining his brother to his mother.

"Who allowed you to date? Mama doesn't like it when you're hanging around outside. You saw Endah! She's pregnant without a husband. Make shame. Beware if you dare to smear your mama's face!" 

Ayudiah never asked the truth of the words of the Typhoon. Whatever the boy said, Ayudi would swallow him raw. Mili was always cornered, not even given a chance to speak.

"Good, Ma. Mili will remember the message, Mama," she replied in a quivering voice. 

Mili desperately wanted to scream in front of her mother, telling the woman that she was dying. However, all of that only exists in his imagination. He did not dare to go against his mother, for she was all Mili and his sisters had.

The next morning, they were surprised by the arrival of a luxury car. In their village, no one had a car that good. In fact, even the village head's car does not cost half the price of the car.

A twenty-five-year-old man was standing next to a car. While the driver was knocking on the door of Ayudia's house. The owner of the house had seen them from the window, but they were terrified.

"Billi! Do you owe someone?" Ayudia pulled Milian's hand and pointed at a man wearing a white shirt with his arms rolled to the limit of the elbow. "Look! He couldn't have come looking for someone like us."

"Mili never borrowed money on anyone, Ma," Milian replied firmly.

He was silent if scolded by his mother, but accused of being in debt to people who were standing outside, he did not want to stay silent. What if he was charged over the debt of someone else who used his name? He won't be able to pay. 

Moreover, at his current age, he could only do household chores. Milian did not have the opportunity to go to work like his friends. If he goes to work, then no one takes care of the house.

"Get out there! Tell them that you don't feel indebted" Ayudia said as she pushed Milian into the front room. While he and his three children were standing in Desi's room, seeing Milian coming out to an uninvited guest.

Chequek!

"Good morning, Ma'am. Right, this, Ayudia's mother's house?" ask the driver who wears a blue dongker uniform.

"really. If you may know, Father, who, yes?"

"I'm Wagiman. I came with young master Verrel Baratayudha. He wanted to meet Ayudia's mother and family" he replied.

Milian glanced at Verrel who looked seriously at the screen of his phone. Every now and then, he spreads a glance. The village was very far from the city, to the point that, Verrel was exhausted on the way. 

"What business, huh, sir? We don't feel indebted to anyone" Milian said.

"Just calm down, Ma'am. We just want to talk. We are not debt collectors" said the driver who appeared to be smiling faintly.

"Oh. I'll call mom for a minute."

Milian did not allow the two guests to enter without Ayudia's permission. He told this to Ayudiah. At first, they were terrified because they thought the two men were debt collectors. However, they finally allowed the two guests to enter after knowing the truth.

Milian came to bring tea and walked back to the kitchen.

"You better stay here, Miss," said Verrel. "I don't like to repeat words. So, it would be better if you also listen."

"Huh? Oh, yes." Milian stood beside his mother.

A tense atmosphere enveloped the room. Although both of their guests were not debt collectors, they were still frightened. Only, their fear was not as great as before.

"So, who are you? What's the matter with my family?" ask Ayudia, open the conversation.

"Seven years ago, your father saved my late father. He wrote me a will, I have to guarantee your family every month five million. And …."

Verrel glanced sharply at Milian. The girl looked shabby behind the old clothes. After observing Milian for a moment, he continued his words.

"My father also told me that I should marry the daughter of this family."

"What?! T-this isn't a dream, is it? You're gonna guarantee my family?" Ayudia seemed happy to hear Verrel's words. 

Five million was more than enough for Ayudia. His salary of a month was no more than two million and that was enough to finance his small family's daily life. If indeed he can get five million every month, then he does not have to bother going to work again.

"Yes, Mom. About the wedding …. I'm sorry. I hope you give me a year to get me and your daughter engaged for a year."

"No problem. A year or two, that's okay. Five years is not a problem" Ayudia replied with a sumringah.

He did not ask Milian first. All Ayudia had in mind was the money she would earn without having to work. He was tired of working under the pressure of the boss who was always angry with him.

"Mama didn't ask Mili just yet" said Milian.

"Are you going to refuse? Looking for a man like what? He's rich and handsome." Ayudia was outspoken in front of Wagiman and Verrel.

"Excuse me, Nona~"

"Milian, young master. My daughter's name, Milian," Ayudia cut. He forgot to introduce the name Milian to Verrel.

"Miss Milian. Don't act like you're so hurt. Here, I am the one who feels the loss. I have to run my father's will, nothing more. I've never known you before, do you think I'm interested?"

That question deeply pierced Milian's heart. She was a shabby girl who lived in an old wooden house. However, he is not that bad until he has to accept humiliation from the man he just met.

"It's an engagement ring and a small amount of money as a proposal dowry."

Verrel took out a red velvet box and a sum of money stored inside a brown envelope. The ring was made of white gold, as well as pink gemstones. Ayudia immediately took the ring and put it on Milian's ring finger.

Milian. He had to marry a man who had to propose to him. Can you imagine, what life awaits him? Better than Ayudia or worse than Ayudia who always blamed everything on Milian?

*Connected*