Home For My Soul

100|Yang Actually

“What?” matt said he didn't believe it. “So, that cheap gossip is true? Theo's not Papa's son?”

“Can you all calm down?” lerai Papa's. “We'd better talk inside. Don't be here.”

I clenched my hand holding back the emotions. After sighing and exhaling for a while, I felt quite calm. I followed them to the family room. Finally, the moment I was waiting for came as well. It's time for us to talk.

Matt crossed both hands in front of his chest and looked at both of our parents sharply. I sat by his side so we could sit opposite them. Mama pouted and would not look at me or Matt. Only Papa looks dizzy himself.

“You two are our biological children. Do not believe the news. The Winara family also did not threaten us with anything. The match between Chika and Theo is purely because your mama and her mama saw you two match,” Papa said.

“Do you know what you've done to force me to agree to marry that woman?” ask me without further ado.

“You and Amaryllis can't be together, son. I told you, if there are better women, then I will consider your choice,” said Papa softly.

“Gue has reason to choose Amarylis.” I put my right hand on my left chest. “My heart lives when I'm nearby, Pa. My organs are dead because of both of you. Because of you too, I can't trust anyone anymore. But I want to believe in Amaryllis. I entrust my heart to him.”

“Nak, which happened in the past—” Papa is trying to explain.

“Is the reason Mama forced me to marry Chika. Mama threatened Amarylis by ruining her family's business and paying hackers to steal their savings. Mama also worked with Aunt Winara to spread the videos and photos of me kissing Amarylis. Does Papa know all that?”

“Honey,” muttered Papa surprised. Mama just closed her lips.

“What are you talking about? What happened in the past?” ask Matt confused. “If you don't want to open your mouth right now, I'll leave the house. Why do I stay here if I'm not considered part of the family?”

Papa holds Mama's hand. “Shortly. Wait for your mama to come out of this room.”

“No. Theo's right. I don't want to make my son a mash to keep my good name. So, I'll be here, listening to you tell our second son the doom we once endured.” Mama turned to Papa and nodded slowly.

Papa took a long breath. I closed my eyes, counting to ten, prepared myself to hear the bad news again. “After we were legal as husband and wife, I woke up in a hotel room alone. I don't remember what happened, but I panicked because my wife wasn't with me.”

“Be at night I know, she was in another hotel, sleeping with my sister. They both don't know what happened. We cover the event as best we can even all traces we delete.” Papa closed his eyes.

“Unfortunately, we forgot something important. Your mama's pregnant. He was late for the moon and we checked. Her soul was still shaken from knowing that her first night was spent with my sister, you guys wouldn't be able to imagine that pregnancy breaking her heart.

“He wanted to abort the not-even five-week-old content, but Grandma forbade. To him, the baby was still his granddaughter because it came from my sister. I don't accept. I prefer my wife to my mother.

“Since that second, Grandma ended her relationship with your mama by asking for her ring back. I took my wife to the clinic and removed her womb. We know we have committed a great sin, but letting the child grow up without love his mother is much more evil.”

The room became very quiet after Papa stopped his story. Mama didn't cry as I expected, whereas Matt was busy himself with his thoughts. He'll need time to process all that information. I didn't show any reaction either.

Slaughtering the womb is the same great sin as killing. If the public at that time knew this, not only was the family's good name destroyed, but my parents and the doctor who handled the process could be prosecuted.

So, I immediately knew this event was made as a sentence by the Winara Family so that Mama agreed to marry me to Chika. If people find out, we will be destroyed. Even if the case is out of date and my parents cannot be prosecuted, nothing will save us from media and public attacks.

“Who has done that?” ask Matt slowly.

“Omku, your grandfather. He still does not accept me as my father's successor. But he also can't do anything. Just spend money Grandpa.”

“Wow. Our family is really solid,” Matt said with sarcasm.

“Proof what friend Mama had so Mama did this?” come back to our main topic. “Please, don't lie anymore.”

“You know I'm active in a social foundation that helps women with unwanted pregnancies. If this incident is exposed, our reputation can be destroyed.” Mama sighed softly. “He has proof of our arrival to that clinic.”

“There is no proof, dear,” Papa said, interrupting.

“She said there.”

Mama was stunned for a moment. “You mean, Stephanie lied to me?”

Papa nodded. “I know it shook us all. He must have seen that crack and pranked you. She's a woman, so she knows your weakness. Which mother can think clearly when reminded of the child she once defused?”

We had dinner in each other's rooms, except Matt. She followed me to my room after I finished my bath. We just kept quiet about each of our meals. The news must have been very soul-shaking. We have a mother who was never born.

I understood why Grandma was so angry with Mama, that she didn't consider her son-in-law anymore. But Mama is innocent. He doesn't want a child who will continue to be a reminder of the worst night of his life. A night that should not be forgotten because of his first experience with a loved one.

“Lo okay?” my many.

“Iya,” the answer is slow.

Mama hasn't been out of the room for a few days since we talked. So, how relieved we were when he came out of his lair that morning. He asked us not to make any plans on the weekend, so Matt and I said.

I was worried when I found out that Chika and her parents had come to have dinner with us. Mama greeted them kindly, while Matt and I were as nonchalant as ever. Matt deliberately chose a sitting position where he was between me and Chika.

After dinner, Mama took us all to the family room. What a strange choice. The front room is usually our choice to entertain guests. But just a few minutes, I also understood the reason for the selection of the place.

She turned on the television and played a video. The three people took surprised breaths looking at him. I looked at my mother who was smiling at me. I'm not gonna ask, because I know he must have told people to hack my e-mail.

“What are you doing, Ruth?” ask Aunt Winara.

“Downloading evidence of why I broke off my son's engagement to your daughter,” Mama replied.

The woman rounded her eyes. “You're serious? You ready to be destroyed?” threaten her.

“I'm serious, but I won't be ruined,” Mama said calmly.

“Ma, don't be quiet. Say something,” urged Chika.

Aunt Winara close her lips. We waited, but he didn't say anything. They finally came home. Only Om Winara was polite. We sat in each other's places, no one drove them home.

Matt was the first to cheer. He hugged Papa and Mama tightly while jumping on the spot. I left them, not interested in taking part in the celebration. This should never have happened, if Mama had been honest with Papa.

I know one problem is over, but there are other problems waiting. My parents won't wait long to give me a new wife. Katelia's only been dead for two years, and they've been setting me up with Chika. Next, who else?

The door to my room was knocked, I let her in. Mama smiled at me from the door slit, then went in and closed it back up. He looked around my room before sitting on the edge of the bed. I stopped my activities and waited.

“I'm sorry,” he said slowly. “I've been so mean for the past few months to you.”

“Mama has also been evil to Amarylis,” timpalku.

He was silent for a moment. “Our family is not like any other family, son. Matt, we don't allow you to be close to an ordinary girl, let alone you. I was wrong about Chika, but I will not be wrong again choosing your future wife later.”

“Mama chose my first and second mate wrong. How can you be sure the third one will not be wrong too?” my challenge.

“What do you mean? What's wrong with Katelia?”

“Gue will choose my own wife, just like Grandma's will. Papa and Mama have failed to find a decent woman, not just once, but twice.”

“Theo—” Mama trying to cut.

“Gue hasn't forgiven Mama, so don't make me reckless, Ma.”

“Little kids like you challenge me?” Mama grunted softly. “OK. I want to know what you can do to stop us. That grandmother you are proud of is dead, will not be able to help you oppose me again.”