Lovely Love

Not the Choice Son-in-law

Surya and the divers conducted a sweep along the river flow for one week with zero results. They believe Papi's body has been dragged to the estuary so that the search is impossible to continue.

Police assigned Papi to missing person status after various attempts. The decision was final given that there was no evidence that there had been a murder or death due to disaster.

Nadine herself thinks Papi is dead. He couldn't possibly last that long without a penny. He needs a drink and a woman's warmth, a habit that can't be abandoned.

Mami supports the police decision in the hope that one day her husband will come home. He did not believe Papi was swept away by the river or killed because his body was not found. Papi could have gone a long way with an old friend and had no intention of returning.

Mom could not accept her husband's departure. A reality that makes Nadine's heart tight. She was worried that her mother was nurturing this false hope of her relapsing pain. Now Mami often daydreams so that her child is confused how to.

"I'm surprised" said Nadine while putting clothes into the travel bag. "My brother should be confiding in his sister, not my husband."

"Don't be too jealous" said Gerdy. "And don't tell me this is baby stuff."

"I'm not jealous, just surprised. Can't I wonder?"

"How come the face is folded like that?"

"I don't want Katrin to know my home address" Nadine said. "I'd rather he didn't see his newborn nephew."

"Kok that?"

"It has to be so" Nadine said. "He must have seen nephews all the time after my husband who was fasting. I can be helped because forty days isn't a minute."

"Katrin the day after giving birth."

"Oh, he must have asked for caesar."

"The waiting time is the same."

"Lusa caesar next week she dares make love to you when I give birth."

"You can think so of your brother?"

"I know my brother hasn't changed. He's just trying to hold back so Mami and Prilly can go home. So I hope Papi doesn't come home forever so it doesn't happen again."

"You mean you want to sacrifice Mami's feelings?"

Nadine breathed in with tightness. "Mommy can long forget about Papi. If you can't forget, it means there's a mistake with your love."

"Love a lot of mistakes."

Nadine tidied up the travel bag, then put cosmetic equipment on a small table into a cosmetic pouch. He brought a travel bag and a cosmetic pouch gift from Vishnu for his home.

Tonight they will return to Jakarta. Gerdy's relatives start arriving tomorrow to welcome his parents from the Holy Land. Nadine has been living in this house for thirty days. The queen is over. He will return to life as most people do.

Nadine has made a good impression on the house people. They hoped that the young mistress could stay for good. A hope that was difficult to materialize because she was not the son-in-law of choice.

Nadine knows she doesn't belong in this palace. He did not feel hard to leave and never regretted. Perhaps her husband is heavy leaving all the luxuries just for the love of a woman with a bad family background.

Nadine had to start preparing her heart to be a single parent when her husband changed his mind. He only wanted to know one man for the rest of his life. He will still enjoy their love in solitude. To be honest, she doesn't deserve to be a daughter-in-law in this house.

Dinner arrived so soon. The atmosphere was not as cheerful as usual. Misty faces perched on every chair. Nadine is difficult to control her feelings because of the situation. They made this dinner a farewell.

"On this occasion I want to say something important to you" said Gerdy. "The princess and I have been married for nine months. A reckless decision because without the blessing of parents. I know what the risk is. Tonight may be the last dinner for us because there is no chance of coming back. Then I apologize for all my actions during this time if it hurt you. I choose to live an ordinary life rather than lose my love."

They quietly listened. No one dared to speak up unless there was an order. That's the rule that applies in this house.

"Thank you for your service to me. You never let me down. I will remember that in a new life. I'm gonna miss you guys." Gerdy turned to Nadine. "Please my wife if you have anything to say."

"Thank you my husband" Nadine said. He spoke briefly to them. "The thirty days I was with you were a very memorable experience for me. Memories that will not be forgotten for the rest of my life. I'm sorry if there's any displeased behavior in your hearts."

"I will fight for you to return to this house" said Vishnu. "You are my family that should not be crossed out of the genealogy because of unimportant background."

"I don't want you to risk your life" Gerdy said. "You are the successor of the family dynasty. I think this is enough testimony. We start eating."

They started to dine. Gerdy and Nadine chose the roasted yellowfin. Dinner was solemn. 

The tears of the servants fell as the young master and mistress left to finish dinner. They drove up to the car and stood still until the luxury SUV left the gate. All pray that it is not for eternity.

Gerdy runs the car casually splitting the darkness of the night.

"I knew from childhood that you wanted to live like a family of kings" Gerdy said. "Only thirty days can I give you."

"That's enough for me" said Nadine happily. "I have chosen you to be my husband since childhood because I want to live like a family of kings. Ever since I knew love, I chose you for my love, which is more luxurious than the lives of kings."

"You're very memorable for them.'

"Vishnu is very good at shaping my image."

"He learned from his brother."

Nadine quipped, "Wisnu play boy too? Don't-don't Andini that day enter your sister's room because he knows my story?"

"He wouldn't dare to mess with Andini."

"Truly?"

"Andini that day asked permission for me to photograph the test card of Vishnu practice that was left in the room."

"His face looks so happy."

"Who is not cheerful at how luxurious their bridal room will be? You were so excited when you first made love in my room."

Gerdy turned on the penny lamp and turned into Katrin's yard. The gate opened, meaning Sastro came home. He was in the hospital waiting for the birth of his son.

"We should take Mami home" said Nadine. "Living here makes it hard to forget Papi."

"I want it to be. What about Katrin?"

"He doesn't need to know."

"It would have been angry to see that Mami wasn't home."

"He made me angry."

"Why?"

Nadine looked in disbelief. "You still ask why? Katrin is a brother who has no manners. He used to tell you, I never did. What does it mean try?"

"Cok ask me?" turn Gerdy relax. "Ask the same thing."

Gerdy got down and walked around the cabin, then opened the door for his wife. He held the delicate hand it helped down. My mother appeared from inside the house.

"You want to go home?" tanyakanya.

"Yes" replied Nadine. "I want Mami to come."

"I don't feel good about Katrin. Time to go without saying goodbye?"

Gerdy whispered, "What did I say?"