DREAM OF THE SHADOW

CHAPTER 45

Shua looked at her phone screen. There was no reply from Yuna. He was confused whether to call her or leave her alone for a while. It's 22:18. Is Yuna sleeping? Her thought. Shua hugged her pillow roll. Put it under his head. Then hugged him again.

"Aaagh...You kepo woman." He was still upset considering the incident.

Yuna kept it quiet ever since they came out of the restaurant. Shua is not a stupid man, she knows the reason Yuna is angry. But the situation did not allow him to tell the truth immediately.

'Hey, I'm not Vanya Aprilia's husband. Note that! Spread it if you need to.' I really wanted him to say that. But no, he still thinks rationally. If he had said the truth, things would have gone awry and it would have spread quickly that he and Vanya were liars. Or worse, there will be news if Joshua gets Vanya pregnant with no marriage bond.

Tok.dok...

"Have you slept, son?" Nissa appeared behind the door.

"Yet Ma. When will papa come home?" tanyak .

"Looks day after tomorrow. Just golf up to Pontianak, confused mama." Nissa sat down next to Shua while stroking her beloved son's hair.

"Mama never suspected the same dad? Shua just asked Ma." Shua's question made Nissa laugh.

"Mama's relationship with papa has reached the stage there will be no suspicion and regret anymore. Amit-amit, if you have another woman, you can no longer be angry with your father. How do you explain it to you? Mama's sure there's a good reason your dad did that. That'sallthatis. Because papa is here, my mother's heart. He won't be able to go anywhere anymore because he'll be there as long as mom's still breathing."

"Well, papa is really lucky to have mama hahaha...By the way Vanya's asleep?" tanyakanya.

"Vanya..He's coming home to the apartment."

"Huh? Wh why? Why didn't mom ban it?" Shua was quite surprised to hear that.

"It was, but he insisted. Yes, you have, sleep. You must be tired." Nissa kissed the head of her only child.

"Yes, Ma. I love you."

Nissa walked out of the room with a chaotic feeling. Actually he wanted to tell what Vanya asked him, but seeing the tired face of his son, he did not have the heart. Let it be, later he just talked about it.

*****

"When do you want to, honey? It's been two months since you were rubbed with Vanya. If you're not tired, I'm tired! Wherever I go with you, I see people as if I'm on the same path as people's husbands. Even in the office I feel like they're talking about me." Shua saw Yuna's eyes glazed over. This is the second time Shua feels like she failed to be Yuna's lover, even to the point of making her cry.

Shua runs out to drive Yuna home from the mall after they look at the wedding expo held there. Yuna had already asked Shua to wear a mask, but still her near-perfect figure made others easily recognize her. Yuna was already visibly annoyed as people whispered seeing them join hands. He took Shua's hand off, but the man pulled her again. Until finally Yuna could not stand it and asked to go home without any results at the wedding expo they came to.

"It's just quiet again, right?" Yuna throws her bag over the sofa of her house. This time her tears actually flowed down her cheeks which were flushed with emotion.

"Sorry, dear." Shua reflexively wanted to hug him, but Yuna thrashed.

"I don't need your forgiveness. I want certainty." Yuna lowered her volume.

"Ok, give me a week to finish this. I promise, Honey. I'm also tired of all this" Shua said as she hugged Yuna who was still crying.

Actually Shua hoped that the gossip would subside as time went on. But it turned out that it took longer than he thought. Shua has been to Vanya twice since she left home. But Vanya seems to buy time often if Shua asks when they will hold a press conference.

*****

"4077. Ok. Thanks to Valen." Door opens.

'Good!' Nissa was shocked by the terrifying sight before her. Wraps of small meals and canned drinks were scattered everywhere. Not to mention the dirty dishes and clothes scattered on the floor.

"Vanya? Vanya? Where are you, son?" Nissa gave Sam a code to put the food he brought on the table. Nissa went into the master bedroom and she screamed in surprise.

"Vanya, what are you? Vanya? Sam Sir! Mr Sam!" his yell. They took the fainted Vanya to a nearby hospital.

Nissa looked at Vanya with an infusion attached to her left hand. He looked pale and thinner when he got out of the house two weeks ago. Doctors said he lacked fluids and nutrients that caused his blood pressure to be very low. This could endanger her and her baby. Nissa was crying silently. Since when did the beautiful and jolly Vanya become this pitiful? Why should he torture himself?

"Ma, how's Vanya?" Shua went into that room.

"Don't you have a meeting?" Nissa wiped her tears.

"It's over." Shua was at a loss as to how to be firm with Vanya at a time when the girl was so fragile.

"He is lacking in nutrients. His blood pressure is also very low."

"Shua, here. Mama wants to talk." Nissa pulled Shua's hand towards the sofa located at the end of the VIP room.

"What the hell is Ma?" Shua complied and they sat there. Nissa took a deep breath and clasped her son's hand before she started talking.

"Shua, you know how much Mama loves you and Vanya. My mom rarely asks for anything from you." He took another deep breath. It was hard to ask for something that would hurt his son. As for Shua, it could only wait for what he would say.

"Look, Son. Mama wants to ask you to marry Vanya." Nissa seemed to hold her breath as she expressed that intention.

"Huh?? Shua didn't hear Ma wrong?" He yelled.

"So your voice. Vanya's sleeping."

"Shua doesn't care. Joking Mama's not funny, Ma. What is that request? Shua go!" He was about to leave, but Nissa pulled his hand.

"Listen to Mama first, son. Sit for a minute." Shua complied with an annoyed and angry look.

"Mom asked for this after heavy consideration. Mama knows how you feel about Yuna. But sorry, Son. Mama can't let Vanya slowly kill herself and the baby. At least please marry her until she gives birth and can sue Jack. Mama's sure Vanya can be strong again if you accompany her."

"Ma, be honest with Shua. Where did you get this silly idea? Did Vanya ask for it?" Shua looked at her mother's eyes who was somewhat surprised.

"Rubber right? Shua knows very well the nature of Mama. Shua thought this conversation never happened. Forget it."

Shua walked out of the room with mixed feelings. He was angry because his mother obeyed Vanya's unreasonable will. On the other hand, he was also sad to see Vanya with her distended stomach lying weak as before. It was just that why the power Vanya needed had to come from her? Shua actually knew long ago that Vanya liked herself as a man. He pretended not to know because he could not hurt his little sister. But now the circumstances are different, he has to be firm. Shua will not follow the crazy idea, she will not be able to hurt Yuna or lose her.

*****