MY FOSTER SON

Life Expectancy

In another room, Keenan talked about the condition of Merlinda's body according to the doctor's examination. The middle-aged woman was already difficult to heal because the complications of the internal medicine had already gnawed at her body.

Even now, Merlinda has paralysis in the waist to the feet, making the woman unable to move without help.

"Be like nothing happened" Kalingga murmured to his younger siblings.

"How can you?" ask Kylan.

"Make your mom feel calm without thinking about the rest of her time. At the very least, you have to make him happy and let's just say this is our last day with him" Kalingga explained.

"But, Brother!" Kai wants to protest, but Kalingga ignores his youngest brother and leaves them.

Kalingga wants all his sisters to bury their past and hatred in a way that makes them think this is Merlinda's last day. Because basically, they all didn't want to lose their mother. It's just that, the attitude of childishness and selfishness is still too dominating his younger siblings.

Moments later, Jojo approached the three men and asked them for breakfast. Not wanting to leave Merlinda unattended, they decided to dine near Merlinda while taking the weakly lying woman in for a chat.

"Where is Mr Johnathan?" ask Jojo.

"Go home, get important files on your medical history" Kylan replied.

"Hmm, this is delicious." Kai smelled his tongue into Jojo's sweet sour shrimp.

"Did Mama eat a lot this morning?" ask Merlinda Kalingga.

"No, Brother. Just a few spoons of porridge," said Keenan.

"Why did Mom eat a little? Mama should eat a lot to get well soon. Later we will take Mama to our favorite restaurant with Papa first if Mama has been allowed to go home," said Kalingga.

Merlinda smiled faintly, her hands clasping with fast blinking eyes. He tried to hold the clear circle that had invited the river in his eye pelupuk. I don't know how long he hasn't heard the affectionate words of his eldest son.

"Ma, later Mama must taste Sister-in-law's cooking. Besides being good at taking care of the house, Sister-in-law is also good at cooking." Kai started telling stories with a smile for Merlinda.

"Of course, I will make a lot of good cuisine if my Mother-in-law comes home later" Jojo said.

"Do you know, since there is Brother-in-law, all our business can be finished easily. He took good care of us, Mama was lucky to get a daughter-in-law like him" Kai continued. Jojo pinched the boy's cheek in a fit of anxiety, not usually Kai praising him like this.

"Mom should be healthy, Mama should be healed. Because the three of us will also introduce future daughters-in-law to Mama," said Kylan.

"Hmm, yeah. Mama's gonna get some son-in-law from Kylan," led by Keenan. Everyone tried to laugh, they did not want Merlinda to see the sadness of her children.

Hearing various stories from her children, Merlinda was very happy. Just this time he heard many things that were sincerely conveyed by his four sons.

"I just want to be the only mother for them as long as I live. Thank you for being present in my life even though you were born not from my womb" Merlinda said.

If only the middle-aged woman could reveal all her happiness today, she wanted to hug her children one by one. He wanted to hug each other and give each other affection like they often did before.

Now Merlinda can't talk much, she has had difficulty speaking since she collapsed suddenly at Kalingga's wedding.

"Yes, we will prepare a room for Mama. Don't worry, I'll ask Mr. Johnatha for permission, he'll give permission" Kalingga said.

Faintly, Merlinda nodded and smiled. He would be happy if he had that chance even if it was just a day.

They enjoyed breakfast and finished all the food Jojo had prepared. Although the various burdens of anxious thoughts and feelings take away their appetite, they still have to smile, cheer, and behave as if Merlinda will be fine.

"After this, you can go home and rest. Your brother and I will be standing guard here" said Jojo.

"I'm coming with you here. There was no one at home anyway" Kai replied. He was on school holidays and had no activities. The results of his National exam are out and he is declared to pass. Kai is just waiting for his graduation day.

"What about your wedding in the village?" ask Keenan.

"It's okay. We've canceled everything" Jojo replied. It does not matter how much money he has spent to prepare for his wedding in his hometown. But his priority right now was Merlinda.

"You okay?" ask Kylan slowly. The man knew, how Jojo and Kalingga prepared all their happy days, and Merlinda's condition definitely made all their preparations in vain.

"Of course, don't think about it." Jojo nodded for sure. He doesn't want to regret anything. For Jojo, the inauguration of his relationship with Kalingga is the main thing, a party is not a must.

"What about your parents?" ask Keenan.

Jojo said that if he had told his parents about Merlinda's condition, it made Jojo unable to accompany them at the hotel and probably would not be able to take them to the airport.

"They're coming here this afternoon. After that, they'll come back home" Jojo explained.

"You can drop him off, we'll be back later" Kylan said.

"no need. My driver will drive them," Jojo refused.

Luckily, both of Jojo's parents are very understanding of the condition of the child and his daughter-in-law. They are in trouble and suffering, and Jojo's parents do not want to burden their children.

After a long discussion, Keenan, Kylan and Kai went home. There are a few things they should do, considering their work cannot be left out.

"Ma, we go home first. Don't worry, we'll be back later" Kylan said. The man kissed the back of Merlinda's hand and then switched to kissing her Mama's forehead.

"We have a little bit of business to do. Wait for us to come back, huh, Ma?" keenan. He also kissed Merlinda's forehead while holding her Mama's hand.

Because from the beginning Keenan and Kylan only took leave of work for four days after the wedding to be held by Kalingga, who was to be held by Kalingga, now they have to extend their leave for one more week in order to focus on taking care of Merlinda well.

After Keenan and Kylan. Kalingga sat on the bedside chair of Merlinda. While Kai and Jojo sit on the sofa located in the corner of the room.

"Ma, sorry for my attitude all along. I love you, Ma. Forgive your ungodly son" said Kalingga lirih. He held Merlinda's hand and kissed her. This regret hurt her feelings so much.

🖤🖤🖤