Married Because of Ijbar

Chapter 4. New born Maula

A few days later, doctors allowed them to bring home a newborn baby. Complete is happiness in their family.

In addition to her loud cries, it turned out that the baby girl was very hyperactive. Since he was born, Khayru was the one who helped his parents who began to age twilight, to just invite play, put to sleep, make milk, feed him, bathe, dress up, even change diapers.

Khayru never got angry even once her schoolwork was interrupted by her sister's mischief. No wonder the little girl is more obedient to her brother.

___

Nine years later, Maula grows up to be an agile and cheerful child. Fortunately, fifteen-year-old Khayru was always able to keep up with her sometimes unruly attitude.

One day, Mr. Zul was sitting by himself at the window. Long enough he daydreamed like the days before. Madam Maulida approached while patting her on the shoulder.

“Pa ..”.

“I-iya ..!” Mr. Zul looked over. He was shocked by his wife's sudden arrival. “Since when did Mama stand in the back? Papa, really, don't you hear Mama coming in?”

“Papa daydreaming, so do not hear anything.” Maulida sat next to her husband. “Mama is sure, there is something Papa is thinking about lately. Mama will wait until Papa tells me everything.”

Mr. Zul turned his body. He looked at the wife's face. How many things were weighing on his mind at this moment. He can't possibly tell me everything. However, there is one thing that he thinks is important to tell in order to get approval from his wife.

“Kids where, Ma?”

“Abang again nemenin adeknya studying in the room, Pa. Mama left them so as not to disturb.”

“Papa wants to talk to Mama. Please close the door.”

After closing the door to the room, Maulida sat down again. Her heart began to fidget as it felt that something was amiss with what she was about to hear from her husband.

“Pa, mom, really, feeling bad. What's the matter exactly?”

After taking a deep breath, Mr. Zul squeezed the hands of his wife who did not stop staring suspiciously.

“Ma. Since we brought Khayru to this house, papa has never stopped looking for her biological parents.”

“Not that we have agreed that Khayru's parents were declared dead because they were never found, Pa? Why suddenly Papa brought it up again.”

“Because the truth .. who died was only his mother. While his father is still alive, Ma. I'm sorry, Papa kept this a secret from anyone all along. Papa was wrong, Ma.”

“What?!” Madame Maulida was a little shocked at that moment. “Don't tell me if Papa wants to tell mom that her father Khayru asked her son back, Pa?” He could not imagine how much grief he would have to endure if his conjecture were true.

“No, Ma. His father Khayru did not even know that his son was alive. He thought his son and wife had already died during the disaster of that time.”

Madam Maulida rubbed her chest in relief.

“After recovering from his trauma, Khayru's father returned to Morocco thinking he had no one here. His Indonesian wife and Khayru—his only son was declared dead.”

“Mama was relieved she wasn't in Indonesia, but suddenly mama also felt guilty, Pa. We have separated the son from his father.”

“Because of that, papa wants to talk about this with Mama. During this time papa sent someone there, so that he could secretly help and take care of her, but ..”  

“But what, Pa?”

“A week ago, papa's man delivered bad news. Khayru's parents are very sick there.”

“Innalillahi .. then what should we do, Pa?”

Mr. Zul was silent for a moment before revealing his plan. “Papa .. would like to tell this truth to Khayru, Ma. Khayru had to go back to her parents. Her father needs Khayru more at this time.”

“Lalu ... Once Khayru finds out all this, will she hate and forget us, Pa?”

“Papa is ready if he'll hate papa. This is a risk that you have to bear.”

“But mama is not ready to lose Khayru, Pa.” Madame Maulida's cry broke out instantly.

Mr. Zul hugged and rubbed his wife's back. “Papa apologize, Ma. All wrong Papa.”

“When Papa will say all on Khayru, Pa?” Madam Maulida looked resigned even though she was unable to stop her crying.

“Quickly, Ma. Before it's too late. Papa does not want if one of us leaves the world before revealing this secret especially his father Khayru is very sick there,” he said slowly.

While crying, Maulida grabbed her phone. “Mama will call Khayru to come here right now.”

Mr. Zul nodded his head. A smile was forced to hide his sadness.

Before long, Khayru came. He was amazed to see the faces of his parents crying and grieving.

“Mama, Nangis? Why, Ma? What happened, Pa?” He looked at his parents' eyes in turn.

“Sit down first, Ru. Papa wants to talk.” Slowly Mr. Zul explained everything without covering up the mistakes he made. Khayru looked confused. Mr. Zul spoke very clearly. Everything that disturbed his mind was already told.

“Papa is kidding?”

“Papa serious.”

There was not a word Khayru could say at that time. He's not thinking. Why would a person he considered an angel be able to do a lie like this.

“Papa understands if finally, you should hate papa, but don't hate your Mama, she doesn't know anything. This is purely papa's fault because papa is very afraid of losing you, Ru. Now you realize, there are people who are more entitled to you. Papa doesn't want you to be late to see him.”

“Sorry, Pa. We'll talk again. Iru wants to be alone first. Iru beg yourself.” He went to the room and didn't want anyone to bother him. At dinner, his father knocks on the door for fear that Khayru misses a meal before going to bed.

Before long Khayru came out and gathered at the dinner table. After finishing his meal together, he made the decision to go to Morocco tomorrow. He will stay in Morocco to take care of his biological father.

“Papa appreciate your decision. Even though we're here in desperate need of you. Papa also accepts if you don't want to forgive Papa. One thing you must remember, until anytime, you are always in the heart of papa and mama.”  

Suddenly Madam Maulida came back crying. He could not accept the fact that his son would soon go to the far-flung African continent. “Ru, you're still Mama's son. Even if you hate. Mama still loves you.”

Khayru got up from her seat and hugged her mother. “Ma, please don't cry like this, Ma. Believe me, Iru will not be able to hate Mama as Papa. It's just that Iru has to keep going. Thank you for all the love you have given me so far. Sorry if Iru much wrong.”

“It ... What the hell is it? You're crying because of what? Explain to me right now!” insist Maula. He did not understand the problem.

Khayru hugged Maula. “Maafin Brother, yes, Deck. Brother has to go tomorrow.”

“Where?!”

“Ke Morocco. Someone has to take care of it there.”

“Business trip? Isn't every business trip always back home? Why should Mama cry?” Maula smelled a bad smell tonight.

“This time you do not know when you will return to this house. No need to wait Brother, yes, La.”

Maula brushed off Khayru's embrace and pushed her body. “I don't want to hear anything.” He ran to his room.

“Maula ..!”

“Dek! Wait!”

“Let Papa explain to Maula. Accompany your Mama first.”

 

To be continue ....