Mahabbah Love Khalisa

132

"Abi, Abi look!" Khalisa exclaimed as he jumped up and down excitedly at the sight above the bed. He called Azfan who was in the bathroom.

"What's wrong?" Azfan hurriedly opened the door even though he had not finished washing his face, he had already imagined bad things happening because Khalisa kept calling him.

"Look at Azka!" Khalisa pointed to Azka who could lie on his own without the help of himself or Azfan.

Azfan's surprised expression immediately changed with a smile looking at the bed where Azka was laughing on her stomach. Not to forget Khalisa immortalized the moment with his phone—photographed many times from various angles. Since has Azka phone Khalisa and Azfan full of photos Azka. Khalisa also prints some of the best photos and saves them on a special album.

Azfan returned to the bathroom because his face was full of soap, he finished it quickly and approached Azka. Azfan looked at Azka with sparkling, he was amazed at Azka who every day showed new developments. Azka becomes a chatty baby who always responds when spoken to. It looks like Azka will have a Khalisa-like nature that is friendly to everyone.

"More and more children Abi." Praise Azfan.

After being satisfied to take pictures, Khalisa invites Azka to joke and play peek-a. Azfan rushed to change clothes as they had an appointment to eat with the Khalisa family at the Aswatama hotel.

"Khalisa, can you come in?"

Khalisa turned his attention to the door hearing his father-in-law's voice. Khalisa let Kirana in because she happened to not lock the door.

"Azka let me wear clothes so you can get ready too."

"Thank you Mom, I've prepared Azka's clothes on her Baby Taffle." Khalisa raised Azka and kissed her cheek twice, "Azka changed clothes with Mbah Uti ya."

Kirana takes Azka out of Khalisa's hands and puts her on top of Baby Tafel to change clothes. Meanwhile, Khalisa followed Azka to walk in closet.

Yesterday Kirana came to see Azka and decided to stay for a few days. Kirana's presence helped Khalisa to take care of Azka. Although there is Nadira who is always ready to take care of Azka but Khalisa knows taking care of the little boy is not easy. Plus Nadira does other homework even though Khalisa forbids it because Nadira's goal here is to help take care of Azka. But Nadira still finished homework when Azka slept.

"Will all the families be present?" Azka saw her appearance in front of the mirror after wearing the shirt and pants that Khalisa had prepared. Khalisa always had time to prepare clothes for Azfan and Azka even until he forgot to prepare for himself.

Marriage teaches Khalisa to suppress the ego and prioritize the needs of husband and child rather than himself.

Slowly Khalisa understood why his mother used to eat alone or only with her papa, it was because a mother wanted her children to eat first. Being a mother is an amazing gift that Khalisa is always grateful for.

"Although not all but I'm sure there will be a lot of people present because the reception time last night was just a moment, Ai and Susuk want us to be able to talk longer."

Azfan was nervous even though he had often met with Khalisa's extended family. But meeting a lot of people always makes him nervous and lose confidence.

"Don't be nervous, there I am." Khalisa grasped Azfan's hand, without saying it Khalisa understood what Azfan felt. "Again the center of attention will be our newlyweds, Kafa and Mahira."

Azfan remembered when the early married, the big family Khalisa must ask about work, the field of study he learned on campus to the family business. Or while trying to chat with the Khalisa family, Azfan could never blend in because he did not understand what they were talking about. There were many words that Azfan had never heard before. As a result Azfan will be a listener and nod and occasionally laugh when others laugh. But at such times Khalisa always present to save Azfan from the people who make Azfan cornered.

Now Azfan can be calmer because surely the Khalisa family will focus more on Kafa and Mahira who are newly married. The presence of Azka also made them no longer ask Azfan much. The existence of Azka which became a rotating trophy made Azfan no longer worried about many questions about work and business.

"Uti's granddaughter is getting cute on a change of clothes." Kirana held Azka up high to see the appearance of the grandson who had changed clothes. "Azka here is just the same Uti do not have to follow Abi and Umma."

Khalisa smiled looking at Kirana who was chatting with Azka.

"Mom, I'm sorry there's Mom but Khalisa and Mas Azfan just have to go."

"Nothing Nduk, anyway you guys are not nginep." Kirana kissed Azka's puffed cheeks many times even she clenched her teeth so anxious to the grandchild.

"We'll be back soon."

"Don't rush, enjoy your show, eat together like that can't be every day, I'm still here for a long time."

"Thank you, Mom." Khalisa's putting Hipseat on his shoulder, "What would you like to bring for dinner?"

"No need to Nduk, I cook alone in the refrigerator a lot of vegetables the same as meat." Kirana positioned Azka facing her Umma, "Mom can not use a sling kayak gini, good to use a pull."

"Actually the array is better, ma'am, but if you make it out Khalisa use this."

"So much better looking too."

"Mom, Azfan is the same as Khalisa's leaving." Azfan kissed his mother's hand as well as Khalisa.

"Yes, be careful on the road." Kirana kissed Azka again, she missed Azka so much after not seeing her for a long time.

Hotel restaurant Ashwatama is filled with Jaya Alindra family who wear black clothes and mocca as her dress code. It was just a regular dining event but still the restaurant was given a little touch of decor in each corner. The ordinary meaning is relative to everyone. For Jaya this is common whereas for new people like Azfan and Mahira this is amazing because the restaurant is closed to the public only for the event.

At first Mahira thought if Kafa said just eating ordinary then in his shadow is really ordinary eating without dress code let alone decoration. But this was beyond Mahira's expectations, fortunately he wore a mocca robe that happened to fit the dress code that day. Unfortunately the people Mahira knew like Khalisa and Azfan, they wore black clothes and even Kafa did too. Mahira felt betrayed because Kafa had not told her before.

When Khalisa and Azfan arrived, Azka immediately changed hands with Samuel who was Daniel's cousin. Khalisa believes during the Azka event will move from one hand to another.

"It seems like almost all the families are coming." Khalisa was amazed to see Jaya's extended family come that day when gathering a full family was very difficult. They had their own busy lives, Ayesha and Umar must have tried hard to gather everyone.

"Are there any of them I've never met before?" Azfan took Khalisa by the hand when they stepped in to join the family members who came first.

"There's only a few I'll know." Khalisa developed a big smile on Azfan, "Abi can answer the question of the trial time tester, the family's own nervous meeting period." His word.

"Because if the examiner's questions I've anticipated before whereas their questions are always unexpected dear."

Khalisa chuckled, "their questions must be standards, jobs and future plans."

"Where's azka?" Ica was astonished to see Khalisa and Azfan coming without Azka.

Khalisa circulated the view, "it's the same Aunty Ariel."

"His mother never had a chance to hold on." Ica looked at Azka and changed hands.

"Should meet in person at home." Khalisa Kanda.

"Mama is back in Banyuwangi."

"Well, did Zunai and Azmal come back?"

"Yes, there's no way Mama lives in here later the more you take care of you dear, you greet the others gih." Pinta Ica to Khalisa and Azfan to greet their other siblings.

Khalisa introduced Azfan to two of Daniel's cousins who live in Canada and this is their first time to Indonesia to attend Kafa and Mahira's wedding.

"Uncle is not fair, when I married Uncle Chris did not go home."

"Because Papa you were suddenly talking about her while Atalie from a month ago was telling you, so this is your husband?"

"Yes Uncle."

"It's fate or coincidence but A-kiu Jaya's children and grandchildren are married to non-Chinese, starting from Atalie, Daniel then Khalisa and now Kafa."

"Isn't it because you're selfish?"

"I mean Uncle?" Khalisa frowned.

"You don't know, the news is spread among family members, Ama you Renata died from thinking too hard because you were married to a non-Chinese."

Azfan's face grimly heard the words of Uncle Khalisa named Chris.

Netra Khalisa widened, he did not know such gossip spread within their own family. Of course the news is not true because from the beginning Renata met Azfan.

"Although the news is true, Ama will not survive since Ai Aisyah married proof Ama lived all her life with happiness."

Chris chuckles down on Khalisa's answer, saying it's just a defense.

"Is Uncle less happy so far from Canada just talking about this?"

Now it's Chris's grim turn, how dare Khalisa talk like that. He thinks Khalisa has no manners.

"I'll excuse you Uncle." Khalisa pulled Azfan to get out of there.

"Umma's okay?" Azfan Brief.

"It's okay, things like this are common."

"Umma sure?" Azfan stopped the steps of researching the face of the wife.

"Yes." Yeah." Khalisa smiled, "as long as there is Abi, I will be fine."

The meal began, everyone sitting on the seats that had been provided. The chairs surround a rectangular-shaped table that stretches throughout the restaurant.

"Mahira, how come you eat so little?" Khalisa saw Mahira's plate, there was only a little rice and a piece of English chicken sauce and a little mushroom. From earlier Khalisa saw the face of Mahira tangled as usual who always put on a sweet smile.

"It's good too." Khalisa thrusts wonton soup near Mahira's plate. "It's kosher, there's also fried."

Mahira tries to smile, she has been badmood since realizing that only she wears Mocca-colored clothes among her in-laws, Akong, Daniel, Ica, Khalisa, Azfan and Kafa.

"Try this." Khalisa bribes Hakau to Azfan. "Enak right?"

Azfan mangosteen, he could not answer because his mouth was full of Hakau containing shrimp. Azfan and Khalisa can eat quietly because Azka has been sleeping on her stroller.

"What is Khalisa's college?" Ask Ariel.

"Lost wait for Aunty's graduation." Answer Khalisa.

"Then what are your plans after this, want to continue the apothecary lecture right?"

"Not thought of it yet." Khalisa wants to learn again to manage Alindra Beauty, he also wants to sew again if he has free time.

"I heard that Kafa's wife's family also has a food business, bakpia, if not wrong?" The other Tukas saw Mahira.

"True Om." Mahira replied, he did not know how many people had asked him similar questions since he and Kafa arrived.

"How many branches? is there not yet in Banyuwangi?"

"It's just a home business and no branches."

"There's not yet." Kafa is the word Mahira.

Mahira understood the meaning of their views which seemed to lower him. Mahira had to refrain from sitting sweetly in her chair at least until the event was over.

The afternoon chat was about business and making fun of each other between families. If Azfan thinks the meal will be warm because all the families have gathered then he is wrong. It's like a reunion that's always in Azfan's shadow, they show off each other's wealth and success. Now Azfan understands why Kafa and Khalisa are ambitious, it is because since childhood they live in families that always compete in terms of wealth. It wasn't too bad either but this was far from Azfan's usual life. Azfan was unable to keep up with their chatter while he only had a small calligraphy shop.

Caramel Custard and Vanilla Custard are served on the table after they enjoy a delicious main meal. Aswatama hotel restaurant is famous for Vanilla Custard so Aisyah chose it to be a dessert.

"I'll excuse you." Mahira went and stepped away from the restaurant, he could not last much longer because from the beginning he had indeed lost interest in attending the event. Mahira did not like Kafa telling suddenly because he also needed to prepare himself. Why didn't anyone tell him to wear black. Mahira wanted to be angry right then and there but she couldn't possibly embarrass herself.

"Cursue." Khalisa codes Kafa to go after Mahira.

Kafa moves in, initially thinking Mahira went to the toilet but he realizes that his wife stepped out of the hotel after Khalisa told him.

"Mahira wait!" Kafa half-screamed calling Mahira who stepped out of the lobby. "Where are you going, our car is there." Kafa pointed towards the row of parked cars while Mahira stepped in the other direction. Kafa held Mahira's hand. "Why did you suddenly come out?"

Mahira looked at Kafa sharply, what did that question mean. Does Kafa not realize that since until his family gave a question that cornered Mahira. Kafa should know that.

"Why don't you tell me that everyone wears black, I mean Ummi, Abi, Mbak Khalisa, Mas Azfan even you wear black, I don't think you know?"

"I swear I don't know if they're wearing black, it's a coincidence."

"If from the beginning you know the dress code is black mocca, we should wear the same clothes." Mahira's body shook with restraining emotions. "I want to go home." Ketus Mahira's.

"Let's go home, let's get in the car first."

Mahira let go of Kafa's hand and stepped out of the courtyard area of the Ashwatama hotel. Mahira would ride anything that passed in front of her eyes to go home.

Kafa gets into his car chasing Mahira who somehow has his figure out of sight. Mahira walked so fast that Kafa could not catch up to him.

"I think I'm sorry, I was wrong." Kafa pokes his head through the car window when he sees Mahira on the sidewalk. "We're talking slowly." He got out of the car and arrested Mahira.

"No release?"

"No, I don't want to leave."

"Please!"

"You're my wife, I don't want to let go!" Kafa lifts Mahira's body by force and takes her in the car.

Mahira could not fight back because the power of Kafa was much greater. Mahira sat in the car seat helplessly, her tears flowing down.

Kafa installed Mahira's seatbelt and locked the door so that his wife would not run away again.

"Mahira Atiqah," Kafa held Mahira's hand and looked at her. "I'm wrong, I didn't tell you before if we wanted to eat, we should wear the same clothes, sorry I love." Kafa's face is sad, only a day married he has made Mahira cry.

"I know I'm not from a family equal to yours, I'm also self-conscious when they corner me." Mahira felt that there was nothing among the other Kafa families, he could not forget the views of the Kafa brothers towards him.

Kafa shook his head, "you're my wife, you're a part of me." He pulled Mahira and hugged her. "I'm wrong, if you don't want us to not have to come to an event like this again, yeah."

Mahira was devastated because Kafa's tone was so soft, unlike Kafa usually who likes to yell at Mahira. Since the beginning Mahira did fall in love first, he would easily be crushed by the seduction of Kafa.