Mother To Aina

BUA 14

A few days after Alvin's statement, Haifa had not answered anything. Haifa chose silence. Alvin can't blame. Alvin admits it might be too fast.

Now Alvin just feels like Haifa is avoiding Alvin and Aina. Alvin was prepared for all sorts of risks including this time when Haifa chose to avoid him. But not with Aina, the little boy sometimes whines even tears when none of his calls are picked up by Haifa.

As Alvin is currently accompanying Aina to play and suddenly Aina asks to call Haifa and does not succeed.

"Why why in the past did not lift Aina's phone? Aty Tantik even tama Aina? Aina's naughty, huh?"

"Maybe the aunty's busy, baby. The aunt also has to learn."

"But biatana aty always lift call Aina telus if busy aty say later again yes aty belajal used to be it papa."

Alvin was confused as to what else to answer to Aina. Because it's impossible for Alvin to answer 'Son this is all because of papa. Papa was too quick to make up his mind to propose to your beautiful aunty.'

"Next time we call her aunty again."

Aina nodded uninspiredly.

Haifa was sitting in the living room with her parents. Haifa is now home. From that time on, Haifa decided to go home. Because Haifa was not ready to give any answers to Alvin. Don't answer Yes or No. Giving permission for Alvin to meet and get acquainted with his parents also felt Haifa was not ready.

"There was a phone call from earlier that sounded many times kok didiemin aja not polite. In the lift dong deck who knows important." scold mama.

"Haifa doesn't know who she's from" Haifa replied.

"Yes how do you want to know someone ade not lift." replied Papa.

"Maybe it's just a prankster" Haifa said.

"White a few times?" answer mama.

"Mama, ah Haifa said to the room. Assalamualaikum."

"Wa'alaikumsalam" replied papa's mother.

"Eh adek this phone misses." shouted mama.

But it seemed that Haifa had gone up so even her mother's screams were not heard.

Haifa mobile phone is back.

"This grandfather's cell phone sounds again." Call mom. But there's no answer.

Once, twice my mom and dad ignored calls on Haifa's cell phone. For the umpteenth time, Haifa phones are ringing again.

"Who did you try from?" said papa.

"Lecturer pa. Mama Anterin first who knows important" said mom as she moved from her seat.

She got an order from her mother to pick up her phone. No need to follow Haifa. But since the phone is in Haifa's hands the phone has been disconnected and there are no incoming calls anymore.

Haifa was grateful that she knew that the one who called her was Alvin. Haifa has not communicated with Alvin. Not because Haifa's big head. Haifa was simply not ready if Alvin again asked the same thing. The desecration?

Haifa has been avoiding Alvin for almost two weeks. Closing all accesses communicate with Alvin. Fellow right? Haifa felt that way too. Because he even avoids not facing and solving the problem. But how else did Haifa feel surprised and perhaps at that time Haifa was not ready and never expected Alvin would reveal it.

But for two weeks Haifa kept silent and thought about this, including bringing her in do'a chants.

Haifa knew she could not continue to avoid especially she was always told by Zia if Aina always whined to ask her questions.

Mr Alvin :

'Assalamualaikum's chat. Sorry to interrupt. You scanned me long enough. I never wondered what would be your answer to my question. But at least I need a definite answer. Enough Yes or No. I've considered any possibility including the worst possible. I hope you can give me an answer soon. Thanks.'

Haifa just read the chat that Alvin sent about 3 days ago.

Haifa ventured to reply to a message from Alvin.

Haifa

'Assalamualaikum's chat. Sorry sir if I interrupt your time. If you want me to meet your father. Talking 4 points with your father. Thank you.' Haifa wrote in a message sent to Alvin.

Either by chance Alvin is on standby with his cell phone or whatever the reason. But this time Haifa did not have to wait long Alvin had already replied to his message.

Mr. Alvin

'Wa'alaikumsalam. Enough time for your hibernation? I hope after this I can get a clear answer. Don't be afraid I'll respect whatever you decide.

Please decide when and where. Let me adjust.' reply Alvin.

Haifa

'Fri Friday afternoon in abc.'

Mr. Alvin

'OK I brought Aina as well so we wouldn't both.'

Haifa

'If I may ask you please don't involve Aina first.'

Haifa was afraid that if Alvin involved Aina then Haifa would become weak with the decision he made.

Mr. Alvin

'alright.'

Haifa

'Thank you then. Assalamualaikum.'

Mr. Alvin

'Wa'alaikumsalam.'

Haifa breathed a sigh of relief. It doesn't seem that hard. Communicating with Alvin suddenly made him miss Aina.

Usually every day the little boy would call her. But the end of this may be because Haifa never picked her up Aina was getting tired of contacting her.

"Aina again what? Kangen aunty tuh." said Haifa.

The time agreed upon by them finally arrived.

Mr. Alvin

'Assalamualaikum's chat. I'm at the College, would you like to be together?' tawar Alvin's.

Haifa

'Wa'alaikumsalam. Thanks but I can go by myself.'

"Haifa where are you going to hunt?" ask Inara.

"Haifa wants to go home. Far enough to Haifa's house long ago." Reason Haifa.

"When you're so far away why did you come home anyway? What are the hostages doing, too?" ask Dinda.

"Not that but Mama same Papa tuh now at home again both alone teteh teteh teteh no longer at home. Sepi said so Haifa's coming home." Haifa has to find an excuse.

"Oh yaudah that's it. Be careful." said Inara.

"Thank you. Then Haifa said yes Assalamualaikum."

"Wa'alaikumsalam."

Thirty minutes Haifa arrived at the designated place. Haifa is looking for a place far away from campus. Avoid the risk of meeting with a college friend or the severity of meeting one of the other lecturers or campus stap.

Alvin arrived first.

Mr. Alvin

'Assalamualaikum's chat. I have arrived. You where?'

Haifa

'Wa'alaikumsalam. Sorry I'm still on my way sir.'

Mr. Alvin

'I wait.'

Haifa did not reply again, no idea what to do.

Long enough waiting. But there is no sign of an expected arrival. Alvin decided to call him again.

Mr. Alvin

'You're not playing, are you?'

Haifa did not reply as she was already at the entrance of the place.

"Assalamualaikum" said Haifa.

"Wa'alaikumsalam's chat. Sit." Sit."

Haifa looked to the right and left. In his heart he spoke.

'Duh why Mr. Alvin chose his seat in a quiet one anyway.'

"So full and just left over here. If you are uncomfortable and want to find a more crowded we can move from here" said Alvin understand what Haifa is worried about.

"It doesn't seem to be necessary sir. It is also still quite crowded which is important not in a closed space and just the two." Haifa replied.

"So?" ask Alvin.

Haifa looked to be breathing.

"This sir. Before answering my question at that time. I want to tell you something that might make you have other options" Haifa said.

"You mean?"

"Do you know Inara Management 4B?" ask Haifa.

"My students are not just one class" Alvin replied.

"So gini, Inara's my best friend."

"Having something to do with me?"

"I was horrified sir."

"okay."

"This is my best friend. All I know is that my best friend likes you."

"Then?" actually Alvin is starting to understand where this conversation is going. But he still tried to listen.

"Mother might consider Inara to be the father's choice?" haifa said she was afraid to offend Alvin.

"My age and status is not the time to joke or be concerned about the feeling of liking."

"One of the main factors I was looking for was also being able to accept my child and accept my child."

"I can help you bring Aina closer to Inara sir" Haifa said.

"No need to bother. My son is not a pet who can easily change employers. My son is not that sad."

"Sir Ma... I mean not so." said Haifa.

"I think this meeting will provide some clarity. But it's not yes. Looks like you still need some time. I'll give you some extra time then. Next time don't bother to invite me to meet in a distant place if nothing matters."

Degs... Haifa felt guilty. Haifa was wrong, Alvin was offended by her remark.

"Sir.." call Haifa but it's not covered by Alvin.

"Actually all I need is a yes or no answer. I am ready for whatever your answer is. If you answer no, I'm ready for the possibility that you will avoid me and stay away from my child. I'm already ready. If you answer yes, I will not simply invite you to marry. Maybe it will go that way. But not so fast as that process."

"If you answer yes, not necessarily your family will agree too. Actually you just have to answer Yes or No. Whatever the rest of the answer is still me who will fight?"

"If you answer yes. I have to fight in front of your family. And if you answer no I have to fight to normalize my life, especially my son, to the point where he doesn't know you."

"Sir." call Haifa but again not responded by Alvin.

"It was too late afternoon. I still have other responsibilities. Excuse me first then. Assalamualaikum." pamit Alvin then left Haifa even before his greetings were answered.

Haifa regretted her offending remarks and possibly hurt Alvin. But Haifa was also burdened with Inara. I know his best friend often told him that he liked Alvin.

Haifa folded her hands on the table then hid her face over the folds of her hands. Her tears just fell.

He offended and hurt his teachers. Then if Inara knew this incident did Inara not feel offended as well?

"Haifa stupid. Haifa is a fool." said Haifa to herself.

***

**To be continued...

See you next part**...