Mystery of Small Shoes

46

So excited to play with Fabio and Fathia, Rudi's mother to forget the question about the child who Fabio was. He enjoyed being with that cute little boy.

The time is 15:35. Rudi immediately returns to his parents' house to pick Fabio up and return him to Arini according to his promise.

"Assalamualaikum" Rudi said his greetings as he entered his parents' house.

"Wa'alaikumsalam!" simultaneously Fathia, Fabio and his mother answered Rudi's greeting.

Rudi was stunned to see the familiarity of Fabio, Fathia and her mother who were engrossed in playing snakes and ladders in their living room.

"Lord...!" Fabio rushed towards Rudi

Rudi's mother frowned when she heard Fabio calling his son 'Papa'.

"Rud, who's Fabio?" ask mother.

"Rudi's son, Mom," replied Rudi while holding Fabio.

"Don't mess around. I seriously asked you!" his mother said a little.

"Serious, Mom. Ask this kid! Who's son's bio, honey?"

"Papa's son" replied Fabio.

"Papa who?" ask Rudi again.

"Father Rudi!"

"Whose person?"

"This one!" Fabio pointed to Rudi's chest.

"Printers. Papa's son is so cool," Rudi kissed Fabio's cheek.

"You're all playing games with Mom. The right answer! Whose son is this Bio?" ask her mother annoyed

"Bio this is Sarah's son, Mom. Before he knew his real father, he already considered Rudi as his father. Her biological father left Sarah to remarry while Bio was still in the womb" explained Rudi.

Rudi's mother was surprised to hear Rudi's story. He felt sorry for Fabio.

"Since birth he didn't know his real father. Only a few months ago, he knew his father. Sarah raised this child on her own without the help of her ex-husband" Rudi explained.

Rudi's mother continued to listen to Rudi's explanation.

"Since when did Sarah divorce her husband?" ask Rudi's mother.

"Rudi doesn't know exactly, Mom. But if it's not wrong after Fabio was 2 years old and the court ruled divorce dead because her ex-husband did not respond to all subpoenas."

"Dead divorce? Does her ex-husband really not care?" ask her mother again

"That time might be. I don't know, for sure before Bio met his father, Sarah was living her son alone," explained Rudi again.

"Did his real father refuse Bio, Bang?" ask Fathia.

"It's precisely his biological father wants to take Bio from Sarah," said Rudi.

"Why is that? Very nice to take!" Fathia.

"Sarah was frightened to leave this city, but it seemed like this matter had subsided! Her ex-husband never saw them again."

"That means Bio's biological father doesn't want Bio anymore?" ask Fathia again.

Rudi shrugged and both of his hands hinted that he did not know.

"Later to talk, huh? Brother must return Bio to Arini's daycare. I want this at 4. I promised before 4 o'clock! Come, Honey. We're going home to Arini's mother."

Fabio nodded then ran towards his mother Rudi.

"Grandma, Bio go home first, huh?" said Fabio then kissed Rudi's mother's hand.

Rudi's mother did not answer the little boy's words. It was as if he was thinking of something.

"Oh yes. Careful, will you, honey?"

"Yes, Grandma. Assalamualaikum" replied Fabio.

Rudi followed the farewell, then took Fabio to his car and to Arini's daycare.

***

The Rudi Old Man's House

Rudi's mother is still thinking about Rudi's story about Sarah and Fabio. Her motherly side felt sorry for the mother and child. Sarah's struggle to survive with her son deserves a thumbs up. But the ideal side of a mother who wants the best for her child is no less powerful.

Her husband saw the change in attitude of his wife who suddenly became quiet and no longer complained about Sarah, his son's choice wife.

"Mom, what's wrong?" ask Rudi's father.

"What's up? Nothing," Rudi's mother tried to cover up her turmoil

"Well, what's going on? I saw a lot of silence today. Is there a problem?"

Rudi's mother finally recounted the incident last afternoon which made her confused to make a decision about Rudi and Sarah's relationship.

"Believe the best for our children. We cannot prevent the destiny that God has outlined. No matter how hard we get in their way, if you're a mate, you'll still get married."

"But why with a widow, Dad?" said Rudi's mother

"What's wrong with widows? It's just status, Mom. No woman will ever want to be a widow. Better open your heart. There is no harm in accepting our children's choices. I think he knows what's best for him" explained Rudi's father flatly.

The little heart of Rudi's mother justifies her husband's words, but her ego still cannot refuse Sarah to be the life partner of her favorite eldest child. Bio's shadow suddenly flashed in his mind.

"That kid!" mumbling Rudi's mother.

The atmosphere became silent, Rudi's father and mother did not speak a word. The husband focused his attention on the tv show, while the wife was busy with her own thoughts.

Soon Fathia joined them. Fathia can always make the atmosphere of the house come alive.

"What happened to diem-dieman? Same father Mother again enemy?" fathia Goda.

"You're! Come and accuse the enemy. I'm watching tv again, about our country's next economic prediction. Here, accompany me to watch!"

"Oh, what's that show? Very bosenin! Males, uh! Watch the others napa, Dad. Watch our favorite movie series, just want to start again!" said Fathia while grabbing the tv remote next to her father. But he lost agilely from his father who managed to get it first.

"Don't move first. A little more of this!" father says.

Fathia frowned because she could not get a TV remote, forced to watch the show.

"Mom, Sarah's son is funny, huh? Gemsin!" said Fathia was trying to get her mother to talk.

"Hm!" replied mother.

"No whiny, polite, pinter again. If taught anything cepet usually tuh child. At that time Fathia taught her to play games, she could, Mom!" said Fathia again.

Rudi's mother looked at her daughter, she caught the impression from Fathia's talk that Fathia had met Fabio several times.

"You've been playing with that kid a lot?" ask mother.

"I mean Bio's mother? A few times, Mom. Excited if playing with him, Fathia so like not to age. Ha ha ha...!"

"Hm."

"Mom why the answer from earlier ham hem ham hem aja? Males again, yeah?" ask Fathia.

"What do you think that is?" asked her mother as if she hadn't heard Fathia's question

"Serah's sister according to Fathia is a good person, not fierce, dear to her son, not stingy, not always willing to be alone with just brother. Fathia likes it before if you see people want to be alone and only if dating! Brother and sister Sarah is not like that!" obviously Fathia was excited.

Rudi's mother feels her efforts to hinder Rudi and Sarah's relationship will be in vain. In addition to no one supporting him, he also began to like Fabio who had made his day cheerful as when his children were young.