MY FOSTER SON

Uncovering the Secret

From his seat, Jojo notices Kalingga. He knew the man was very sad over Merlinda's condition. Now he and his three younger siblings are still given the opportunity to make Merlinda happy at the end of the rest of his life, also to make up for every mistake and bad attitude in the past.

"Sister-in-law," said Kai while playing mobile phone.

"Hm." Jojo.

"How was last night? Have you guys ...."

"Hey, you're a kid. Why are your minds so far away." Jojo pinched Kai's arm hard. At times like this, why would the boy even have such non-conforming thoughts.

"Aww, I'll just ask," Kai lamented with a frown.

"Have you apologized to your mom?" ask Jojo.

"Sorry?" repeat Kai.

"Hmm, tell him all your mistakes. You have to admit if you've been wrong all this time, you're naughty. Tell me if you don't actually hate him," Jojo explained.

"Should I do it?" ask Kai. At the age of nineteen, the boy really could not put himself in position.

"Sure, you have to do it. Don't do it because I told you to, do it because you have to. Do it sincerely, express all your feelings."

Kai was pensive and silent for quite a while, he was thinking and trying to digest what he had just heard from his sister-in-law.

As a teenager who was only nineteen years old, the selfishness of the boy was still the thing that dominated him.

"I'm not pushy, do what your heart wants to do" said Jojo gently as he rubbed Kai's arm. The woman then moved from her seat and approached Kalingga who was still loyal to be beside Merlinda.

Since more than an hour ago, Kalingga had not even once risen from his seat. Jojo stood beside the man and rubbed his back. Jojo knows, this situation must be very difficult for Kalingga. He had been abandoned long enough and hated Merlinda until the last few years.

The man wanted a complete happiness. The presence of parents, the harmony of his sisters, also now the presence of Jojo as a wife for him. But in fact, everything did not happen as the will of his heart.

"Honey, let Mama rest" said Jojo. Surely Kalingga continued to invite Merlinda to chat and missed the woman's break.

Kalingga nodded and moved from his seat. He walked over to Kai and sat down next to his eldest brother.

A few hours passed, the three of them did not talk much, so Kai who usually always talked a lot and always had something to talk about.

This afternoon, Jojo's parents came to visit the hospital. They wanted to see Merlinda and say goodbye. Because both of them have to go back to their hometowns to manage their stores.

Jojo and Kalingga apologized for canceling all their wedding plans in the village. They were also unable to escort Jojo's parents to the airport. Both Jojo's parents don't mind. They try to understand the state of the child and his daughter-in-law.

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A few days later, Merlinda's condition showed no signs of improving. Even though all means have been done, Merlinda will not be able to last long.

"We've tried it before" replied Johnathan. "You've been on medication abroad for two whole months. And it didn't go well," he continued.

"Tell us, Doc. Is there anything we can do?" kalingga asked the doctor who was sitting across the table with him.

The male physician expert of internal medicine shook his head weakly. He's been dealing with Merlinda's disease for over two years, and it looks like they've had to give up on all the conditions.

"If you insist on asking him to live with all the drugs and life aids, you are the same as asking him to continue to feel pain. Mrs Merlinda has survived more than two years, she will continue to feel pain every day, every hour, and every minute."

Kalingga shut up and looked down. He can't say anything anymore. He just wanted to have more time to live with Merlinda and make up for all his mistakes.

After getting a lot of explanation from the doctor, Kalingga and Johnathan sat in the living room located next to Merlinda's nursery. They have to speak up to make the best decision.

While at Merlinda's place lying down, Jojo sat down beside the woman. Jojo continued to hold Merlinda's hand with lips unceasingly reciting all prayers for her mother-in-law's healing.

"You have to hold on much longer. They want your presence back" whispered Jojo beside Merlinda's right ear.

Hearing her daughter-in-law's voice, Merlinda opened her eyes. Faintly, Merlinda made a sound from behind the breathing apparatus that was installed covering her mouth. Jojo drew his face closer, trying to figure out what the woman was saying.

"Ja .. ga .. me. re .. re. ka," said Merlinda in a soft, stammering whisper. It made Jojo's tears shed instantly.

"I'll take good care of them. I promise," Jojo replied while whispering in Merlinda's ear.

The middle-aged woman lying weakly on the bed shed tears. Now he is happy, in addition to the pain in his body that is increasingly painful, he is still happy because he can be with his four children.

In another room, Kalingga explained to her sisters that their mother was difficult to heal. Even if they insisted on continuing to do the treatment, it would make Merlinda feel the pain even longer.

"So, Brother asked us to be sincere?" ask Kylan. Kalingga nodded weakly. He knows it's a hard choice, but he doesn't want to be selfish.

"Your mama's been fighting for years. He never sleeps well, he takes medicine every day, feels pain every day. And he also undergoes regular dialysis every one week. I think that's enough for him" said Johnathan.

"Have it been that long?" ask Keenan with a witty. Not even they all know about it.

"Think carefully. For me personally, I am sincere. It's been quite the pain she's been telling me all along." Johnathan got up and left the four of them.

When Johnathan replaced Jojo to sit next to Merlinda, Jojo immediately approached the four men sitting in the other room.

Seeing Kalingga standing with his body leaning against the wall, Jojo approached the man and hugged him. Despite not knowing about what information they got from the doctor, Jojo knew that it was bad information.

"I want to tell you something. But promise to be wise and mature. It's about something you may not know" Jojo said slowly. The four men set their eyes on Jojo.

"Actually, you're not your Mama's biological children" he continued.

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