Mahabbah Love Khalisa

168

Valerie carries her bag into the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, losing her sanity by flying from Jogja to Surabaya just to meet Rindang. Valerie remembers how much she hated Levin's wife. But after spending time pondering Michael's words, Valerie realized that she was wrong.

"Levin has been quite difficult and feels alienated in his own family because he is the only Muslim among us, now he is happy with his wife, he said, we must give him support so that their happiness feels complete, it is enough Mama angry with Levin, after all now Rindang is pregnant, we must accept Shady no matter what the circumstances."

Valerie has been overpowered by the ego so she remains on her stand to reject Rindang as a daughter-in-law. Valerie is too obsessed with Khalisa to be her son-in-law. The disease that Rindang idap also made Valerie unable to accept it. Valerie always thought that Levin was too good and perfect for Rindang— whose disease could not heal for life. But when Levin tells Valerie that his income is nothing compared to Rindang, Valerie is a little aware that her thoughts are wrong.

Of course two couples united by marriage will complement each other. Nothing is more perfect and superior. They have advantages and disadvantages of each that can be covered by a partner.

"Ravina, don't run!"

Valerie regained her senses from her long daydream when a child hit her leg as she passed through the lobby. Valerie was hypnotized for a moment when she saw the boy's wide pair of eyes and his double-pointed curly hair was adorable. Wait, this kid is no stranger.

Valerie turned her gaze forward until she found a woman dressed in black with a veil covering almost the entire face.

Unknowingly Valerie took a step back when she saw Rindang when this was her goal to come here to meet Rindang. But Valerie felt too embarrassed because she said hurtful words to Rindang the last time they met. To apologize, Valerie is too prestigious but she also wants to end it all. Valerie wants to take Rindang and Levin back. Can Valerie jump over the apologizing part, and she's Levin's mom anyway. Should he apologize?

Leafy was glued to her place because she suddenly met Valerie here. Rindang may not be surprised if this is the hospital where Valerie works but they meet in a place far from Jogja.

"Geez!" Ravina appoints Valerie and calls out for Ama, she is familiar with Valerie's face because her father and mother often show Valerie photos.

Valerie gulped because her throat was so dry, she seemed to have forgotten to drink water after eating the bread just now.

"Sorry Ma." Rindang immediately raised Ravina, he lowered his head in fear that Valerie was angry because Ravina had called her Ama.

Shady stepped past Valerie after nodding her head.

Valerie turned her back to follow the direction of Rindang's departure.

"Master." Call Valerie.

Rindang's steps spontaneously came to a halt, his heart racing even as sweat began to drench his palms. What if Valerie scolded Ravina for haphazardly calling her Ama. Ravina was too small to accept Valerie's nagging. Rindang can understand if Valerie is angry with him but not with Ravina. In Ravina's eyes, Valerie was one of her Ama besides Michelin. That's because Levin and Rindang always tell about Valerie in the hope that one day Valerie will accept them.

"Sorry Ma, me and Ko Levin often show a picture of Mama, sorry if Ravina called Mama suddenly just now, don't be angry with Ravina Ma."

Valerie was stunned to hear Rindang's sentence, he was indeed too cruel in the past so Rindang thought he would be angry. Valerie never gives a good impression in front of Rindang.

"You don't know why I'm here?" Valerie walked over.

"Mama must have some business here." Leafy put Ravina's head on her chest as if afraid that Ravina would see Valerie's anger.

"I want to see you."

Rindang's eyes rounded hearing that, whether he had made a mistake on Valerie. Did Rindang write something on social media that offended Valerie. Rindang thought hard about whether his mistake was with Valerie.

"I'm sorry." Leafy back down, whatever he had to apologize first in case Valerie scolded him here— in the hotel lobby where many other guests were passing by.

"I heard you were pregnant."

Rindang had suspected that Valerie would know about her pregnancy because Levin had told Michael.

"I want to see how you are so I'm here." Valerie touched Rindang's stomach. He can't pretend there's any other business here. Valerie should put her ego on for a second.

Rindang's body stiffened but when Valerie stroked her stomach slowly, she began to calm down.

"He'll be my first grandchild." Valerie looked at Rindang.

"He's Mama's first grandchild." Rindang patted Ravina on the back. Rindang had no idea what kind of wind had brought Valerie here and wanted to see her. But Rindang thought maybe his prayers had been answered.

Valerie glanced at Ravina who had called her Ama earlier. How could this wide-eyed child be his granddaughter? no. gabe.

"How about we talk in Ma's room?" Take Rindang. He went to the bakery in front of the hotel. But for Rindang, chatting with Valerie is much more important than buying the bread he wants.

Valerie accepted Rindang's invitation to go to their room.

The awkward atmosphere controlled the elevator because there were only three of them there. Rindang's room was on the 13th floor, the numbers on the elevator kept moving up but it felt very long for Rindang.

"We're planning on checking out later in the afternoon, Ma, so the room's a little messy." Said Rindang when they were almost in his room.

"You really have to make a messy room before you check out."

Rindang lets Valerie sit on the couch while she looks for Levin.

Levin was stuffing his clothes in the suitcase when Rindang called out to him. Levin was astonished to see Rindang return so quickly.

"Not buying bread?" Ask Levin.

"There's Mama." Lirih Rindang's.

Levin's eyebrows shot up, whose mom? Michelin or Valerie? There's no way Valerie would suddenly come here.

"Mama Valerie."

Levin couldn't say anything because there were too many sentences in his brain. He can only follow Rindang to the living room.

"Mama." Levin can't believe he saw his mama actually here. "Why did Mama suddenly come here?" Levin sat in front of Valerie followed by Rindang and Ravina in her lap.

"Dear from Papa you are here, Surabaya is closer than Banyuwangi." Valerie didn't want to waste this opportunity because she couldn't leave the hospital for too long. "You just want to know how you've been, you haven't been home for a long time" Vin."

How Levin can go home if his whereabouts are not considered by Valerie. Levin hasn't been able to see Valerie since.

"The word you have to say first is sorry, Mama has to apologize to Rindang." Levin said that firmly, he still remembered how much his mama said words that hurt Rindang.

Valerie swallowed her saliva, it turned out that the moment she had to apologize could not be passed. Valerie was embarrassed because after issuing a diatribe to Rindang, in the end she had to apologize.

"Mama herself taught me and Meylin to apologize to others, Mama had hurt the feelings of Leaf at that time."

Shady touches the back of Levin's hand and then shakes faintly as a code that Valerie does not need to apologize to him. With Valerie coming here alone it was enough for Rindang.

"Your sincere apologies to you, Rindang—my words at that time have gone too far, may you be generous to forgive me."

"I've forgiven Mama ever since."

Valerie did not think that Rindang had a big heart, now she understood greeting Levin insisted on marrying Rindang.

"Let's get on good terms after this like family in general." Valerie developed a thin smile.

"Thank you Ma." Rindang.

Valerie brought them breakfast together at the hotel restaurant. Valerie also needed a heavy breakfast because she only ate a piece of bread on the plane earlier. Valerie also had to return to Jogja soon after.

"You're also going back to Banyuwangi today?" Valerie looked at Rindang and Levin alternately.

While Rindang held Ravina, Levin bribed her. Ravina could not stay still now so Rindang had difficulty eating alone.

"Yes Ma." Answer Levin.

"For your wife, it must be difficult for her to get pregnant with a condition that is always changing at all times."

"Ko Levin always took good care of me." Rindang Sahut.

Valerie looked at Rindang, she used to say that Rindang's goal was to marry Levin so that he could get treatment for the rest of his life. Valerie believes that even though Rindang has forgiven her, but those words will remain in Rindang's heart. Valerie can't fix everything that's gone by. But he will try to do better now and in the future.

"Why did you decide to get pregnant Rindang, was it because of my words back then?" Valerie was curious about it, if it was true then she would be very sorry because it had gone too far to Rindang. What if something bad happens to Rindang. Of course Valerie understands very well on the situation of Rindang.

"It's actually beyond our plan Ma." Rindang and Levin looked at each other. When I first used the test pack and saw two lines, Rindang felt in disbelief as well as happy. This is an infinite blessing to their little family.

"I hope our first grandchild is born healthy."

Rindang and Levin guarantee Valerie's prayer.

Valerie took out a box from her bag. Valerie placed it on the table and pushed it near Rindang.

"This is what Ma?" He saw the black box. It looks like a jewelry box with a layer of velvet all over its surface.

"You can open it."

Shindang picked up and opened the box, he saw a necklace, bracelet and ring that glittered to his eyes.

"I'm sorry you guys got married simply without Mama's presence." Valerie wants to make amends for not blessing their marriage just yet.

"May but I don't wear jewelry."

"At least wear it in front of Levin, even if it won't make up for my past mistakes but you have to accept it anyway."

"Actually Mama does not need to give this because a simple marriage is our decision but— thank you Ma."

"Ma, Levin hopes Mama accepts Ravina too."

Valerie nodded faintly, certainly not that easy she could accept a child who had no blood relation with Levin and Rindang. Valerie won't be able to think of Ravina as her granddaughter.

"Try Mama Ravina's bench." Tukas Levin's.

Valerie was about to refuse but Levin first moved Ravina into her lap. Ravina laughed looking at Valerie who put on a bland smile.

"Ni hao Ama."

Valerie was surprised when Ravina's tiny lips said the word in mandarin. Valerie was amazed, this two-year-old boy was already good at speaking Mandarin. Apparently Rindang taught Ravina well.

Ravina's pair of eyes charmed Valerie for the second time. Valerie can't help but fall in love with an Arabic baby who is oddly good at speaking in mandarin but that's Ravina, she was raised by Chinese parents.

******

Kafa comes out of the hotel room lazily following Mahira who insists on teaching her to ride a bike. Zulaikha who was in Mahira's arms, stared at his papa lethargic face. Zulaikha laughed as Kafa returned his gaze, as if he wanted to comfort the turmoil of the father.

"Some time, learn to ride your bike." Kafa pulls Mahira's gamis hoping it can undo Mahira's intention to teach him to drive a motorcycle.

"Where again, I send Zulaikha to Mbak Khalisa." Mahira has rented an electric bike for Kafa to learn how to ride it.

"Emang Cece will take care of Zulaikha?"

"You know, I've been texting."

Kafa kissed Zulaikha's nose, "Zulaikha is so beautiful." Kafa looked at the baby amazed—still can't believe if he could have a child. It was an amazing miracle for Kafa.

"His mom is beautiful."

"But Zulaikha looks more like me?"

"Everyone says Zulaikha looks like me." Mahira crushes the numbers on the elevator, they will approach Khalisa at the hotel restaurant to leave Zulaikha.

"I planted the seed." Kafa Lirih.

"Hm?" Mahira turned to Kafa, he did not hear Kafa say what just now. But Kafa did not repeat his sentence, he did not want to argue with Mahira. They had to reduce the debate because Zulaikha had started to understand the speech of the people around him.

"Who is the same as Ci Rindang?" Mahira sees Rindang in one of the restaurant chairs with a woman in her 50s.

"That's Ko Levin's mom." Answer Kafa. "But hasn't Mama Ko Levin approved of their relationship yet?"

Mahira widened, it means that Mama Levin has received Rindang as a daughter-in-law because sometimes they look to laugh crisp. Mahira widened her smile as Rindang looked towards her.

"Want breakfast?" Rindang greeted Mahira and Kafa. "Khalisa's in the corner." He pointed Khalisa at one of the tables in the corner of the room with Azfan, Azka and newlyweds Huma and Hamiz.

"No Ce, I want to send Zulaikha to Cece Khalisa back." Answer Kafa.

"Where are you going?"

"You're dating so his son is signed first." Kafa chuckles to cover up his tension because he will soon be riding a bike, he still has not forgotten when he fell with Azfan and hit a tree.

Mahira elbowed Kafa, "let's Ci Rindang." He encouraged Kafa to leave immediately.

They walked over to Khalisa's desk.

"Cece really doesn't matter if we take Zulaikha?" Ask Kafa.

"It's okay, Azka is sad that she has a friend." Khalisa takes over the adorable looking Zulaikha with a red jumper.

"That means Azka is ready to have a sister." Chirps Huma.

"More process."

"Titip Zulaikha was Ma'am." Mahira waved at Zulaikha.

The electric bike that Mahira rented was already in front of the hotel, he would take Kafa to the field to learn to ride a bike.

"You've studied before, so it should be easier the second time." Mahira sat in front and Kafa followed behind her.

Kafa did not answer, because this is the second time after he fell, he felt it would be more difficult. Kafa no longer had the courage.

"When what happens?"

"You've got a lot of money, just compensation." Mahira replied lightly even though he was also afraid if until Kafa made this bike damaged.

"Why the hell do I have to learn to ride a motorcycle, we can ride a car everywhere."

"If you go to a dirty place, we can ride a bike to save electricity too."

"Why should you save electricity?"

Mahira did not answer, this unimportant debate will continue if one of them does not succumb. Since Mahira was focusing on driving then he had to give up. Kafa must be trying to negotiate with him so as not to learn to ride a bike.

"Everybody uses electricity without thinking why should we care about electricity?" Kafa was still not satisfied even though they had arrived in a field that was quite quiet because it was a working day.

"The realization must start from a small thing, after all there is no harm if you learn to drive a bike." Mahira got off the bike, "i believe you can." He patted Kafa's shoulder twice to encourage him. "There's no tree here, you won't crash."

Kafa shifted his seat forward, he held the bicycle steering rigidly.

"Inget, slow down even though I know your hobby is gas-gas but this time you have to slow down."

"Who's a hobby?" Spray Kafa.

"Well that is."

Kafa immediately closed his mouth, he wanted to finish this study session immediately. Kafa likes to learn new things but not on a bike, he hates it. Even now he must be hot under the hot sun of Surabaya. Kafa will sue Mahira if his skin is burnt, he must ask Mahira to stretch his body with a scrub until bright again.

Mahira wears a hat on Kafa, knowing her husband is hostile to the sun. Although it doesn't help much but at least a handsome face said protected.

"Slowly." Say Mahira again.

Kafa takes a deep breath before turning the gas. Kafa managed to run the bike at speed while circling the field. Ah Mahira was right, after trying for the second time Kafa found this easier.

"The brake is left, baby!" Mahira shouted while jumping up and down in excitement because Kafa could ride the bike. Kafa should have tried earlier.

Mahira sat in the gazebo because she could not stand the sun when it was only 10.

Kafa surrounds the field several times. Until finally Kafa stopped right in front of the gazebo, he noticed Mahira leaning against the wooden wall of the gazebo.

Kafa giggled amusedly realizing that Mahira overslept when they had not been here for 30 minutes. Kafa sat beside Mahira and looked at her for a long time.

"Can we get married? look at your face, I've been sprained, uh it turns out you gave birth to my child, a beautiful and adorable child like her Mama."

Mahira heard all Kafa's words but pretended he was still asleep. Hopefully Mahira's cheeks don't blush because Kafa will definitely know if he's just pretending to be asleep.

"Thank you for being my debate partner, we'll argue again tomorrow, the day after tomorrow and the years that follow." Kafa rubbed Mahira's head.

Kafa is shocked when Mahira suddenly opens his eyes.

"Are you pretending to be asleep?"

"You really need to sleep and you talk so I wake up, you finally say your wife is beautiful." Mahira brought her face closer to Kafa.

"When did I say?"

"I just had to hear you say, the beautiful and adorable child like her Mama did not directly say that I was beautiful."

Kafa looked the other way, if not pretty why would he marry Mahira. Although Kafa knows there are many beautiful women out there but the choice falls on Mahira's caraway. The woman who boldly approached Kafa first.

"Can you ride your bike?"

"Can you just see it?"

"Try riding again."

"No, it's hot." Kafa looked at the cloudless blue sky, he did not want his skin to burn. "Let's go home, I drive."

Mahira sees Kafa hesitating, isn't Kafa only able to ride a bike. What if they fall?

"I really can, don't you believe me?"

"I am the one who drives." Mahira hurriedly jumped off the gazebo and climbed onto the bike before Kafa took the wheel. "You're a screwball, next time you use my bike, you drive."

Kafa pursed his mouth, what use did he learn that in the end Mahira who kept driving.

"Get a tight grip, I'm speeding, you're afraid of the sun, aren't you?"

Kafa hugged Mahira's stomach, "who fears the sun, I'm more afraid if I don't give him a ration of malem."

"But you pervert!" Mahira hit the back of Kafa's hand before striking the gas.

Kafa only chuckled behind, leaning his head against Mahira's tiny back.

Marrying Mahira made Kafa realize that happiness is not only obtained with money and something expensive. Kafa recalls how much he hated Azfan for thinking that Khalisa had to suffer after marriage. But after getting to know Mahira and marrying her, Kafa realizes happiness is obtained from simple things such as cooking a pack of instant noodles for both when it rains at night. Even Mahira deliberately turned off the lights of the room and lit candles to make it more romantic he said. Though Kafa could have invited Mahira candle light dinner at the restaurant.

"I just found out that instant noodles are this good."

"Yes, let alone added cayenne pepper same egg half mateng."

Kafa realizes that the days he spent with Mahira felt much more pleasant despite their many opposing natures. Kafa is like knowing a new world after having Mahira.

There is a saying in the past that says that do not hate someone will fall in love. It turns out that the expression is not entirely wrong. Now Kafa has fallen so deeply on the figure of Mahira.

Kafa: Don't make me take photos under the sun

Mahira: Why the sun doesn't bite.