Persist

Part 17's

With a heavy heart I am still in this house. Yeah, Aqil brought me back here. For reasons not wanting me to be away from him.

I used to think this house would be a field of heaven for me. I was Aqil's first wife. As much as possible I try to hold back my anger and all my jealousy.

"Have you come?" I saw Nia walking in a row.

"I'm sorry. Because of me, you prepared breakfast for them" said Nia. He saw I was done with breakfast this morning.

"It's okay. I don't have a job either." I stared at the dishes for them to eat including Nia.

"You also have breakfast, Nia. I'm going to the room to change." I left Nia at the dinner table. He might feel sorry for me. But I try to stay strong.

"Alisha. Thank you" said Nia.

"Yes. You have breakfast first, you have to go to the same office Aqil."

I went into my room to get ready for the store. In the store I feel free and calm, if at home I will definitely feel very burdened.

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After breakfast, I went to the flower shop. It is impossible to keep quiet at home. Mei is also home. I don't want to hurt myself.

"Where are you going?"

Tumben Aqil asked me about my activities this time. "I'm going to the flower shop."

"That's all?"

I'm nodding.

"Meet Papa and persuade him to accept Mei."

"Me?" I pointed at myself. "Why should I? Why don't you ask for your blessing."

"Is that how you talk to your husband?"

"Since when do you consider me your wife? Not that I'm just a tool to get Papa's sympathy."

"Come on. Help me, I don't want Mei to just be my sir's wife."

"Just make a wedding. Finish it." I got out of the house and got into my car.

I just found out that Mei is only the wife of the Aqil series. Wouldn't I be more deserving because I'm his legal wife. With an angry heart I drove my car.

I'm going to see Mama this afternoon. She must have been devastated by what her son had done this time. Either way they should know about this.

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I saw Giel who was receiving a customer. But, it looks very strange from his tone. I intentionally slowed my footsteps.

"I'm sorry, I can't do it" Giel said in a repugnant, polite tone.

"I want to explain something to Alisha. It's important."

"Sorry sir."

"What's Giel?" I looked at the desperate Giel with all her rejection.

"Alisha. Finally you come, I beg you this time listen to me."

I saw Vidi in a shabby-looking outfit. Her hair also looks disheveled. Not like the usual Vidi.

"sorry. I want to be alone."

"Alisha. It wasn't me who caused my brother's accident. I'll tell you everything."

This time I looked. He looks real. After all, he is my uncle. I'll try to trust him this time.

"good. We're going outside now."

Vidi and I were looking for a place to talk. He tried to explain everything to me. There are some things that are still puzzles in my heart.

"You said that it wasn't you. But Gama? So what was the reason for him to do that?"

"Gama wants you to feel the pain of all that rejection. The accident didn't happen when you were seven. But when you're 17".

"What else is this? I clearly remember that I was five years old". I feel played this time.

"sorry. You're in an accident and you forget your memories. Your memory stopped when you were five."

I bow my head. How could I not remember everything. What Vidi said.

"The logic is where maybe five-year-olds have been invited to date. And there's no way a five-year-old wouldn't do something that makes an accident."

That's true what Vidi said. Is it true that I experienced that. I have to accept all this now. But why Vidi still looks unconvincing.

"I'm sorry for being honest with you. At first I was going to make you my wife, but I realized. You are my Lilik."

I smile. If I keep rejecting Vidi maybe I'll still consider him a murderer.

"I'm sorry I was so prejudiced by Uncle."

"It's okay. Now you have to convince your husband. Don't let you and your family now be destroyed by Gama and his sister."

"Where's the uncle going?" I saw Vidi was ready to leave.

"After this. We will rarely meet. I'll get back to my job outside."

I hugged Vidi as a farewell thank you for telling me everything.

"Be careful Uncle. I'm sorry I couldn't get you," I said.

Vidi nodded his head. "You also have to take care of yourself."

I'm nodding.

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I feel very tired today. I again had to accept all the facts when I opened the door and saw Aqil making out with Mei. Jealousy must be there but I must be able to withstand it all.

"You're new from Papa's house?"

"I asked you Alisha. You're from Papa's house?" ask Aqil again.

"What am I going there for? I have my own business, too."

"You have to be a good wife? Is this how you treat your husband?"

"Aqil. I'm tired, I want to rest."

"I want you to go to Papa's house and ask for my blessing and Mei."

"But.."

"No buts."

Hearing that I just kept quiet. Aqil didn't even think about my feelings.

"I'm just asking for this. After that you can do anything."

"I'll do it tomorrow." I said that before I went into the room.

I just want to make Aqil happy. I have to risk my heart and feelings. I also need to stay calm so that Mei will confess to me about herself.

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This morning I was ready to go to Mom's house. I'll talk about everything before Papa Adrik goes to the office. I know they'll be very opposed, but what's the power. I am a wife who must obey her husband.

"Where are you going so early?" aqil asked as I was in the car garage.

"I'm going to Papa's house."

Aqil smiled and approached me. He rubbed my head gently.

"Thank you for helping me."

I just nodded slowly. My heart was beating again. This smile I rarely saw after Aqil married Mei.

"I'm taking you now." Aqil opened the car door for me.

"No need. You have to go to the office, no."

"You are my wife too. I'll take you, let's go up."

I got in the car. Aqil felt like she was happy. Is it because Mei is already with him.

After arriving at Papa Adrik's house. Aqil did not come down and immediately left me. I saw Mama watering the plants.

"Mama. I miss Mama." My mom and I hugged each other.

It doesn't feel like saying all that. But I reassured my heart. If this is for my path and Aqil's happiness.

"Is Papa still at Ma's house?" I looked around not seeing Papa's car.

"still. Tumben nyariin Papa's. What's up?"

"Please call Papa Ma. I want to say something important to Papa and Mama." I said slowly. Even very slowly.

"Yes. Let's go in first."

We went into the house. The same atmosphere and I still hesitate to say it all. Papa and Mama have come they look at me questioningly.

"What did you say, Al?" ask Papa.

"Pa. Sorry, I'm here because of Aqil."

"What's wrong with Aqil?" my mom's face looked worried.

"Aqil is okay. I just wanted to say that Aqil....." I bow my head.

"Tell me clearly Alisha," said Papa again.

"Papa and Mama promise you won't get mad, right?"

They looked at each other and nodded at each other.

"actuallys. Aqil and Mei are married. I just found out, too, but they haven't dared to ask for Mama and Papa's blessing."

"What?!" Papa stood up immediately.

"Pa. Papa, just listen to Alisha." Mom tried to calm Papa down.

"Pa. Don't be angry with Aqil. I know Aqil was wrong but it's all because of me" I said again. If only I hadn't confessed so quickly.

"What did you do until Aqil married Mei?" ask Mama slowly.

I started explaining everything. From the beginning I met Vidi at the funeral. Until I found out I was Lili.

"I already know Al," said Papa who looked sad.

"It was all my fault first. I know you've been Lili for a long time, this is also the reason you're married to Aqil."

"I'm sorry baby," Mama added.

I don't know if they've been hiding all this for a long time.

"Honey. Mama will tell Aqil. Don't be sad, baby."

"Pa, Mama. I'm here to ask for their blessing. Don't blame anyone. I've accepted everything." I said with a forced smile.

"You don't lie to Alisha. Papa will help you."

"No need for Pa. I must accept with a smile."

They just kept quiet to hear my answer. Yeah, I gotta stick around for them. Not just for myself.

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to be continued