The Untouched Heart

Chapter 181 - Favorite Food

“You have made sure that this fish is cooked and not half-cooked, ‘kan?” I asked Fahri again. He's laughing a little.

“Mistress, this is not my first time cooking roasted salmon with broccoli and peas. Madam don't worry. All these foods are perfectly cooked and clean, very safe for the Big Lady .. ah, I mean, Mrs Naava,” she said reassuring me.

“I'm just being careful. You know for yourself that Mama is suffering from cancer, should not eat carelessly.” I received a box of supplies that had been beautifully decorated by Yuyun. “Thank you. I'm not going to have lunch at home, so you guys eat. Don't wait for me. See you later.”

Dira was in the arms of Abdi who then helped him to sit in a chair, especially in the car. He closed the car door after I sat down next to my daughter. The girl was not afraid to sit in the middle seat. He was even happy to be able to see firsthand the sight of traffic in front of him.

Hendra's gonna be pissed if he finds out about my departure today. But I'll face him later. I cannot help but support my own mother-in-law who will face a scary day for any woman.

I was by Mama's side when she was so afraid to take the next step to treat her illness. The fragility he only showed me in one of the meeting rooms in our family's office building.

Mama seemed calm during the event on Wednesday, not that she was not afraid and pounding looking forward to the big operation she will undergo. It just so happens that today Will brought Colin to lunch at his son's favorite restaurant. They invited Hadi as well, so this is the right time to come to see Mama and eat with her as well as Papa.

“Welcome, Madam. Come, I take you to see the Master and the Big Lady,” welcome the butler who opened the door for me and Dira. I thank him. We were taken to the family room. “Master, Mistress, there is Lady Mahendra.”

“Hai, Son. Come on, come in,” greet Papa who stands up to greet me. Mama sat by his side and did not look at me at all. Nora sat on a chair nearby with a contrived smile. Why should I see him in this place too? My visit will not go well with this messmaker.

“Hai, Om, Aunt, and Nora,” reply me by greeting them all. Aunty just nodded her head, while Nora looked at me for a moment before drinking her tea.

“You can stop calling me Om. Call me as you normally would.” I almost cried hearing her words. But I managed to hold back. I nodded slowly. “Come, sit. What are you carrying? The aroma is delicious.”

“Oh. It's food for Auntie. Roasted salmon with broccoli with peas and tomato salad, carrots, and red cabbage, Pa. Everything was prepared by Fahri,” I replied. Papa's face immediately turned cheerful.

“Wah, darling, look! How fortuitous. You said you wanted to eat salmon. Thank you, Nak.” Papa received the box, then gave it to the butler who was still in the room with us. “Prepare this food in the dining room.”

“Good, Mr.” The man then came out. I sat down with Dira.

“Where is Hadi? She's not coming with you?” tanyanya saw me just coming with my daughter.

“So lunch with his schoolmate, Pa. I can ask Liando to pick him up and bring him here if Papa wants to see him,”.

“No, no. Next time only. I just want to know why she's not coming with you.” Papa looked at Mama. “We're having lunch now, baby? You said you were hungry.”

“Iya.” Mama stood up and turned to look at Nora. “Come, Son. We eat now.”

“Good, Aunt.” The woman stood up and held Mama's hand. He turned a glance at me to throw his triumphant smile. I just shook my head slowly.

Papa was still sitting, I looked at him confusedly. She just followed Mama and Nora with her eyes. After they came out and the door closed, Papa turned to me. I waited because it seemed like Papa wanted to say something.

“No, Pa. What is it?” aska I want to know.

“Steak from your favorite restaurant and your mama,” Papa said meaningfully.

“Can't Mama not eat meat?” many wonder. Papa laughs.

“Because they were just silent when they knew what you were carrying.” Papa stands. “Come, let's see. Whether your mama will eat the dishes you bring or sell expensive.” I'm laughing a little.

Papa and I exchanged glances when Mama ate the food I brought. Because Fahri is the main chef's student in this house, the taste of the cuisine is not much different. Nora just pouted just to see how greedy Mama ate.

Dira also asked to add a few times. But he only wanted to eat fish and had to be persuaded to eat his vegetables as well. Papa and I prefer to eat food prepared by their chef. Roasted chicken with a spice that is not too spicy. That way, Mama can eat as much fish as she needs.

“You and Hendra are going on honeymoon tomorrow, are the kids coming too?” tanya Papa broke the silence in the dining room. I looked at him for a moment. Did my husband tell you about our plan?

“We decided not to go, Pa.” I smile. “Hendra is busy looking for who spread false news about Papa and Gista. He also tried to keep this news from getting wild. His team is hunting down some accounts that deliberately shape public opinion.” I saw Mama and Nora as well while talking, while watching their reactions.

“Did you see me like that? You're accusing me?” ask Nora offended. I was stunned to hear that. He doesn't have to feel accused if he doesn't do anything. “I don't pay anyone to spread slander. I've promised never to do it again, and I won't break my own promise.”

“Zahara is not just looking at you, Nora. He's looking towards all of us. Why do you think that he is accusing you?” ask Papa confused. Nora close her lips, she must not have guessed that Papa would defend me. “I'm sorry, Son. Your show ended badly because of the issue about me. Until your honeymoon is off.”

“It's okay, Pa. Papa's problem is our problem too. We'll soon find out who did this bad. Just like the previous cases, they will be punished accordingly. That's Hendra's promise,” I said comfort him. If it wasn't for Hendra and the strange rules, I would have touched Papa's hand to express my support.

“I'm glad there are still people who believe in me and not that reporter.” Papa looked towards Mama. “Son and my son-in-law believe that the issue is a hoax.”

“They will say anything as long as they can get support from you. It could be those who spread the news, then pretend to finish it. They knew that Nora would be the only suspect because she had done something similar.” Mom shrugged both of her shoulders casually. I looked at him in disbelief.

“The one you just accused of without proof is your own son, dear. I understand if you don't believe in Zahara's sincerity. But Hendra is our son. He would never once hurt us on purpose,” protested Papa.

“As long as he's alive with this woman, believe me, Pa. Hendra will do anything for us to forgive this woman and accept her back as our daughter-in-law,” Mama said.

“Hendra does not need to do anything to gain the support and trust of his parents. Whether we like it or not, Zahara is our legitimate son-in-law. They both have been referred,” Papa said firmly.

“Om, I'm sorry to interrupt. But Aunt is sick. Om can't scold Aunt like this.” Nora touched Mama's hand on the table.

“He's just sick, not dying. Precisely if he continues to hold grudges, anger, and negative thoughts in him, then his disease will increasingly gnaw his body.” Papa looked towards Nora. “Since he knows you, we haven't stopped fighting. It is very different with Zahara. He can always make us who fight big even though back friendly.”

“Om and Aunt quarrel over the issue, why does Om blame me instead?” He put on a sad face. “If I don't want to be in this place, I'll go.” Yeah, God. What drama is this? Why are my two in-laws like this?