My Father is Not a Criminal

Chapter 13

Today Rio became very quiet. Since picking up Nabila at her grandfather's house until arriving at school, only a few words of greeting were said. Nabila was surprised by his girlfriend's attitude, but did not dare to ask. Nabila does not want to be said to be a boyfriend and likes kepo.

After parking the bike, Rio still did not talk. Only the head movement invites Nabila to immediately go to class.

"Later home, I'll wait in the parking lot."

"Yes, Brother."

Rio left Nabila, to go to his class. Only that short word was spoken before Nabila entered his class. Until sitting on his stool, Nabila still keeps his mind about his girlfriend Rio.

"Woy, early in the morning I've been daydreaming anyway, Neng?"

"Duh, make a surprise anyway, Des."

"You've been daydreaming, so I'd like a prank, ngagetin you. Why is it, moody?"

"I'm just surprised by Rio. Today he became very quiet, saying as necessary."

"What then? Are you guys fighting again?"

"No, Des. Only today, Rio kayak that, last night is also still joking. As if something else was thought of."

"Aren't you asking?"

"What would happen if I was? I'm afraid he's offended."

"Yes, you're his girlfriend. Maybe he has a problem again, you can give him a solution."

"But I'm not good, Des, if it's the case.Am I waiting, let him tell me himself?"

"It's up to you, Bil. If I were you, I'd ask."

When she sighed, she had a boyfriend for the first time. Still doubtful how to behave, afraid of offending Rio.

*****

Throughout this day, Rio seemed to be daydreaming frequently in class. His gloomy face made Joshua, his friend, wonder. Never had Rio behaved like that, Joshua knew, because he was my fellow Rio from 10th to 12th grade at the moment.

"Tumben is cloudy, Yo."

Rio turned his gaze outside the classroom, outside the sun was shining so bright, why did Joshua even say cloudy?

"Health, Yos?"

"It's healthy, it's not hot" Joshua said, holding his forehead.

"Maybe you need to wear glasses!"

"My eyes are still normal, they can still see well."

"Lha, how hot do you even say cloudy?"

"Your face is cloudy. From this morning the manyun continues."

Rio sighed. His restlessness was evidently read by Joshua.

"My mom wants to, so I can take Nabila home."

"It's good, your mom would want to know her ex-candidate."

"You're on your own, isn't it, my mama what? Must be interrogated later, I'll be the same as Nabila. She must have been surprised at my mother's attitude."

"Yes too. So remember Cindy, your boyfriend who cried immediately after being interrogated by your mama."

"Well, my mama named it up to Cindy's dad's salary for a month. Kan know yourself, Cindy's ort will open a stall, where income can be calculated a month."

"To the fullest, yes, your mama. So, what's the problem with Nabila?"

"So that's what you thought? Not concentrating on the same lesson?"

Rio nodded, Mama always urged him to take Nabila home. There have been many reasons that Rio raised, at this time it seems there is no more reason that makes sense and can be accepted Mama.

"Take it, Nabil met your mother! But before, teach me to talk."

"You don't know Nabila, he's not lying. So it's hard, teach him to talk."

"I'm so dizzy, Yo."

"Dizziness is heavy, you won't be strong, let me be," Rio said trying to be funny.

Joshua and Rio laughed, laughing at Rio's crisp joke. Soon Rio looked glum again.

*****

Papa Rio who is a successful mineral water entrepreneur, is preparing to go out of town. A large suitcase was prepared by Mama. Papa seemed busy with his phone, while Mama could only look at it grimly. After a while, Papa seemed to smile and put down his phone.

"How's your son, Ma?"

"Well, Pa. Tumben Papa nanyain Rio?"

"Can't you?"

"By the way, Pa," Mama bowed sadly.

"Have you met her boyfriend Rio?"

"Yet, Pa."

"Remember, Ma! Do not let your child make the family ashamed, by courting the same girl who is not in class with our family. Remind her! He's no longer the son of a stall owner, but the son of a businessman."

"Yes, Pa. Mama reminded Rio."

"And one more, tell the child to bring a car, do not motorbike butut like that. Papa doesn't want to, there will be bad talk about Papa!"

Mama just looked down, Mama had repeatedly told Rio to bring one of their cars to school, but Rio always refused. With complicated reasons if the road is jammed, mending bring a motor.

"Said Rio, it's better to bring a motorbike to school. Bring the car, make it hard if it gets stuck."

"Where there is a traffic jam here, this is not Jakarta or Surabaya. The reason for your son."

Mama didn't reply to Papa's nagging. Her husband was if it had been nagging, the length of it, maybe used to nag his employees in the office.

"The journey is long, maybe up to 2 weeks. And Papa wants, before Papa comes home, Mama should find out, how is Rio's girlfriend. If it doesn't fit Papa's criteria, mending ask to break up!"

"Yes, Pa."

"Alright, Papa leave first. Take good care of yourself!"

"Yes, Pa. Careful yeah!"

Mama kissed Papa's hand with reverence, then drove Papa to the front. While Pak Narto, their driver, was busy stuffing Papa's suitcase into the trunk of the car.

After Papa's departure, Mama sat dumbstruck alone on the front porch. Observing a collection of expensive aglonema lined up neatly on iron shelves. Mama sighed, there was a deep sadness that Mama hid.

Being the wife of a successful businessman like Papa, it does not guarantee a happier life. Priding treasure does not make the heart peaceful. The row of aglonema pots in front of him that cost tens of millions, does not make Mama's heart calm when looking at him.

Life is very different, with when Mama became the wife of a rice shop owner. Although the morning before dawn, Mama was already struggling in the kitchen, even while holding Little Rio, but Mama was happy. Rio's father, who is full of attention and affection for his son and wife, makes their small house never empty of laughter.

Even Rio's stubbornness was small, not once making his father angry. With soft words, Father reprimanded Rio for not repeating his stubbornness.

Ah, all that is just a memory, Mama shrank the tears that had spread in the corner of her eyes.