Marrying the Father of My Foster Son

Lunch With Lulu's Parents

"Ma, when are you waiting here? It's been almost a week you've been in the hospital. Don't you want to go home to rest for a moment to remove those eye bags?" Mr. Hardi was so concerned to see the appearance of his wife who was exhausted from accompanying Andri who had been rushed to the hospital a week ago due to being beaten by Yogi all out. As a result of the persecution, Andri's head was seriously injured and fell into a coma.

Without distracting from her son, Ms. Tania replied, "Mama doesn't care about these eye bags, Pa. Mama just wants Andri to wake up from the coma. Mama can't bear to see him suffer."

Sighing heavily. It was hard to persuade his stubborn wife. "Honestly, even papa actually did not have the heart to see my own flesh and blood treated in a way not sister. However, this was in retaliation for the crime he committed against the victim. Don't you know if the victim almost lost her baby because she was pushed hard by our son?"

Rise up and look cynically at her husband. "You're sure our son is guilty, Pa? What if the truth is that the fucking woman is guilty? He pretended to be a victim to throw Andri into prison."

Mr. Hardi shook his head. Eyes staring at the figure of his wife. As a fellow woman, Ms. Tania did not have the slightest sense of empathy for the victim.

"Come, Ma. Where maybe the woman took the risk by sacrificing the fetus in the womb for the sake of entering Andri into prison. Now Andri is unconscious, but after he realized, papa will ask him directly about the truth of this news. If it's true that Andri deliberately did that then papa will not do anything to free the child. Let him suffer the consequences." Break up Mr. Hardi. It was difficult to be in this situation, but he had to make wise decisions for the good of everyone.

Ms. Tania took a few steps forward. Highlight sharp eyes with both hands clenched beside the body. There was a flash of emotion from the woman's eyes. "Mama does not agree! We have to free Andri at all costs. If necessary, let's bribe the cops not to take our son into the detention cell. Mama's willing to pay whatever they ask as long as Andri stays with us."

"Don't be stupid, Ma! Take the effort to collect this wealth then you say you want to give my money to free the stupid boy. Cheih, papa is not going to! Just let him rot in jail for playing around with someone's life."

Tania's jaw is hardened. There was a sound coming from the woman. "Whatever. Anyway mama will keep fighting even without getting your support!" Then the woman went from in front of Mr. Hardi. Being around the man for too long makes the emotions inside him even more.

"Mom and son alike, both make my head want to break." Then Mr. Hardi turned his attention to Andri. His son did not move at all. There was only the sound of medical devices in the room. "Andri, Andri. the bigger instead of the better even the worse. I don't know how many secrets you're hiding from us. Hopefully, after you've awakened, not many secrets will be revealed. If that happens, somehow papa's gonna react to it."

"You're papa's boy. The only family pride and hope papa, but even disappointing." Mr. Hardi ended his sentence by swinging his feet towards the door of the room, leaving the prince who was still busy closing his eyes.

When the door of the room closed, a twitch made Andri's fingers move slowly. However, his eyes were still closed.

***

"Son Leon, add his name. This food is specially made to welcome Nak Leon here so don't hesitate to finish him." Mr. Idris thrusts a basket of rice in front of Leon. In between his activities eating the cuisine of the wife, he continues to serve a variety of delicious dishes on the table.

Ms. Fatimah processed the fresh tilapia her husband bought in the market. He also made a decoction of cassava leaves, lalapan, tofu and fried tempeh and did not forget the fresh tomato paste as a complement to the dish. Although impressed simple, but able to make Leon's appetite doubled than before.

"Thank you, Mr. Idris. But my stomach was full, from then on. If it continues to go on, it can be my fat," teased Leon joking. Trying to melt the atmosphere that feels very tense.

"Loh, even good dong. The fatter the more prosperous. Is that right, Lu, Mom?" Mr. Idris asked for the support of the two women who were very meaningful in his life. Meanwhile, the two women just nodded their heads without saying anything.

Lulu's fingers stretched forward about to pick up the remaining piece of fried tofu on the plate. However, at the same time Fatimah's mother was eyeing the tofu, making her hand touch the back of the princess' hand. There was awkwardness between the two, but Lulu was soon able to take control of the situation.

Pulling his hand from the plate and placing it on the plate next to him. The plate next to it contains fried tempeh which is still four pieces left.

"Mom just take the fried tofu, Lulu just eat this one."

"You alone, Lu. I've taken a lot of fried tofu pieces since. You're just gonna take three. Here, just eat it, son." Ms. Fatimah said while putting the last piece of fried tofu on Lulu's plate. Although he still wants to eat processed foods made from soybeans, for the sake of his only child he is willing to sacrifice.

Isn't a mother always giving up for the sake of her love? Every mother in any part of the world will do it, as well as Fatimah.

Mr. Idris and Leon looked at each other, then before long a smile rose at the corner of each lip. Feeling this is a good start for both to make up.

Lulu wants to put the tofu back on her mother's dinner plate, but Leon's advice is ringing in her ears.

Close your eyes for a moment while scooping the air around slowly. "Thank you, Mom," said Lulu sincerely.

After eating lunch, everyone gathered again in the living room. Today, Fatimah and Idris asked Haji Kasman to leave the farm because there will be a favorite child back home.

"Son Leon, this mall stays here. You have asked permission from Mr. RT and local RW, saying that you will stay at the father's place. Thank goodness Mr. RT and Mr. RW allow you to stay here for a few days, otherwise, maybe Nak Leon will stay at the mosque with Mr. Soleh, Al Ikhlas mosque minister. There, Nak Leon must have been told to clean the mosque.

"Well, thank you very much, sir. Duh, I feel troublesome, nih. I promise, during my stay here will diligently help you and Mom work."

Mr. Idris's hand waved in front of his face. Then smiled sweetly at Leon. "Don't say that, son. You even like to be bothered by your own potential ghost. After this you will often stay here, so you must get used to serving you."

Leon's heart warms. Mr. Idris's treatment to him was excellent, the man even treated him like a real child himself. It was beyond Leon's expectations.

"Oh yes, Lu. It's not like you just said to me that there's something to talk to Mom about. As we gather, why don't we just say it directly."

Lulu's eyes bulged, but when she saw the gesture from Leon's narrow eyes made her realize that now was the right time to apologize to her mother, Fatimah.

Lulu didn't speak right away. He took a deep breath, held it for a while then exhaled slowly to gather courage within. Convince yourself that everything will run smoothly as expected.

"Mom, I .. I want to .. apologize for being angry with Mom. I realized what I did wasn't good. No matter how angry I am with Mom, it is not appropriate to scold my own biological mother. I'm sorry, Mom. I lost control until I was mad at you." Lulu sat down in front of Fatimah. Like when he apologized on Eid al-Fitr.

Sontak bu Fatimah was surprised at the sudden movement of the princess. However, his attitude of surprise did not last long. Fatimah rubbed her daughter's back slowly.

"Mother also apologized for making you a guarantee of my mother's debt, Lu. At that time I kept minjem money to Juragan Tatang to pay for your father's medical expenses. Mother is not good if you have to ask for money again with you, even though a week before you have sent money for daily needs."

"Living in a big city definitely needs a lot of money, especially there what is expensive. I'm sure with your all-round salary will run out without rest if mom asks for it all. Therefore, I decided to meet Juragan Tatang and borrow money from him."

"Mom, why are you keeping this a secret from me? If you know the money from Juragan Tatang, you better return home, do not need to be treated all in the hospital. It's a waste of money" said Mr. Idris. Quite surprised after finding out the reason his wife owed him and it was all because of him.

Mr. Idris was hospitalized for DHF and required intensive care. Worried that something bad happened to her husband, Fatimah decided to borrow money from a local loan shark because that was the only way she got money instantly. If borrowed to a neighbor, not necessarily given a loan, which there he got everyone.

With teary eyes, Fatimah replied, "Mother is afraid that you will not be admitted to the hospital if you know the money was sourced from the Tatang. I know you are most anti with the name of debt for fear of not being able to pay. So, I was forced to lie and say that the money was a shipment from Lulu. It's all mama lacin for the sake of the Father. I'm sorry, sir."

Mr. Idris was restoring his hair in frustration. He never owes anyone anything. As long as he is able, he will try hard to get money, even if he has to work hard, take a side job in addition to being a laborer in Pak Haji Kasman's plantation, he is willing as long as he does not live in the shadow of debt.

"Ehm, I'm sorry that I was impressed to interfere, but shouldn't we start forgetting about everything that happened today? Let's just say this never happened. Lulu forgets her problem with Ms. Fatimah, and you also forget the mistakes of Mother who is considered to have lied. In this way life will feel peaceful because it can forgive each other," said Leon tried wisely.

Leon turned his eyes to his future mother-in-law. When the tail of Fatimah's eyes sat with Leon, a thin smile was engraved on his face. The woman was proud to have a good daughter-in-law like Leon.

"Mom, in the future if there is a problem try to be open to the couple because after all, Mr. Idris has the right to know what happened to Mother. Who knows by being honest, you can find a way out. And ... for you, Lu, next time don't be mad at Mom because we never know what's behind your mom doing that. It could be that your mother's in a state of urgency to make you a bail."

Lulu nodded. Leon's words are like a tititah to be obeyed.

"Sir, Mum. Next time, if you are sick or need anything, do not hesitate to contact me. I was ready to help even though I was busy. Think of it as an expression of gratitude because you guys have worked hard to raise a beautiful girl in front of there until I finally met with Lulu, the figure of the ideal woman to be a wife." Leon got up and bowed his back and said, "Thank you for raising Lulu until she grows up to be a strong, independent, hardworking woman."

...***...