The Untouched Heart

Chapter 187 - Winning the Bet

~Za~

Papa and Mama came to the house to help us look after Dira. I can't take him to the hospital. He'll get tired of being there and I don't want him to get sick being among the less healthy.

Liando will take Hadi and Colin home after they finish school. My parents will also help take care of them. Papa and Mama's relationship with my in-laws has not yet recovered, so they decided not to come with us to the hospital. After all we all need to keep Mama's feelings stable and calm ahead of the operation.

When my husband and I arrived at the hospital. My mother was ready to be taken into the operating room. Papa was talking to him. Hendra is approaching. I stood behind watching them. It turns out that Papa is praying for Mama. I took a calm attitude and followed every prayer that Papa said.

“Everything will be fine. See you later, dear.” Papa took off Mama's hand, and the medic pushed the gurney where Mama was lying. I could see Mom's face smiling.

We stood waiting until Mama got into the operating room and the door was closed in front of us. Hendra invited me and Papa to sit down. I look around us. Where is that woman? Why didn't Nora take Mama along before she got into the operating room? Didn't he stay here last night with Papa?

“What's up, baby? You looking for what?” ask Hendra. I looked towards him.

“He must be looking for Nora. He won't come,” Papa said to surprise me. I looked at him in disbelief. Nora's not coming? Who helped you get ready before the operation? “She is still relaxing at the hotel and I'm sure she will just check-out this afternoon.”

“Papa mean, he used the stay voucher he won on our show since last Saturday?” I just don't believe it. Papa nodded his head.

“The receptionist who worked on the day she checked in confirmed my suspicions. He came on Saturday afternoon.” Hendra laughed a little. “What I said, she won't bother taking care of Mama. Before the operation, everything will be easy. After the operation was a difficult time. People who care for Mama will need patience.” I still can't believe it.

“How did Auntie feel when Nora didn't come yesterday, Pa?” aska I want to know. It's so sorry Mama. He must have been very disappointed. How could Nora do this? Mom believed in him very much. And this is a great opportunity for him to prove the seriousness of his feelings for Hendra.

“He took some time to process that the woman could lie to him. After you came home and he said goodbye later on Friday, he promised that he would come on Sunday afternoon to go with him to the hospital. Unfortunately, her phone could not be reached and your mother's message was not returned. Finally, we went alone.

“Naava only want to be accompanied by Nora because of that I intend not to stay the night. Three in a room is very uncomfortable. But Hendra called and asked me to come too because he was sure that Nora would not come.” Papa and Hendra exchanged glances. “And he's right.”

“In addition to being true, I also won,” Hendra said meaningfully. Damnit. I forgot about our bet.

“Win?” ask Papa.

“Iya, Pa. Papa's beloved daughter-in-law is so convinced that Nora is a reliable woman. I didn't believe from the beginning that she would take care of Mama until she recovered. So, we bet who is right.” I just pouted at his triumphant smile.

“It's a good thing I didn't bet, I'm sure I'll lose too. I still believe that the girl is a good person,” Papa said slowly.

“We met at a charity event. Her mother was interested in having a charity concert with your mother. Then Nora told me about her encounter with Hendra on the plane. He told me that they talked about a lot of things during the flight. So, we thought, our son is interested in him.” Papa looked at Hendra meaningfully.

“I don't even remember ever meeting him. I'm sure he's the only one who greets me and acts like an old friend. Papa knows that I've never bullied any woman in my entire life. Of course besides this woman named Zahara.” Hendra wrapped his hand around my shoulder, then kissed my temple. “Do not be fooled again, Pa. There's only one woman in my life.”

“Can you stop raiding and get a little serious? We are waiting for Mama to finish the surgery,” I said reminded. They both just laughed.

Nearly three hours waiting, the door of the room opened and a doctor and a nurse came out. We immediately stood up and approached them. How relieved we were to hear that the operation went smoothly. She is in the ICU and will be transferred to the hospital after her condition stabilizes.

While waiting, we decided to have lunch in the hospital canteen. There were a lot of people eating in the room. Some appear to be patients' families, some medical personnel or hospital employees. Papa and I sat there waiting, and Hendra bought us some food.

Papa stood up and approached my husband after he was at the cashier. Papa helped bring one of the trays. I smiled at the food chosen by my husband. Everything's my favorite. Papa led the meal prayer, then we started to enjoy our lunch.

The originally quiet atmosphere of the canteen was slowly bustling with the conversations of the people around us. I look around us. They spoke while looking in one direction. I looked up and saw the show on television.

It turns out that there is a recent news show regarding the arrest of the Managing Director of Kencana Karya Group and PT. Integral Core Network. Nora and Dicky's father. Finally, evidence of their involvement in the corruption case has been received and considered valid to arrest them. No one else will be able to tear apart our family.

I just need to be careful of Nora. He is still roaming around freely and he could have taken revenge on us. He can't be blind. He must have known that Hendra was behind the revelation of his father's name in the case.

Hopefully with this, those who try to disturb our peace of life think twice about destroying our good name. I looked over as Hendra touched my hand. I smiled at him. We win! Yeah, God. Finally, we won! I turned to Papa and touched his hand on the table. Our family won!

“It's a happy day. Why are you crying?” Hendra smiled as he wiped my cheek. I did not realize that tears were pouring down my face. The object on the table trembled, we simultaneously looked towards the arrival of the sound. “Ya, Xavier?” Hendra looked at me. “Oke.” She's stunned. I looked at him not understanding. “I don't know what to say. Fine.”

“What's up?” I asked when Hendra thrust his phone at me.

“Ann wants to talk to you,” the answer is short. I received the object in a daze, then greeted Annora who was across the phone.

“Zahara? Oh, Zahara! You won't believe this!” Annora squealed happily. I looked at my husband in confusion. “Oh, God. Ii'm sorry. I shouldn't feel happy.”

“What's up, Annora? Did something happen to you? You guys got in trouble in Bali?” manyworry. First he cheered happily, next he apologized. I'm rattled.

“No. We're doing just fine. Do you know why Nora was so obsessed with manipulating DNA tests and ruining Hendra's relationship with her children?” ask with enthusiasm. Of course I don't know. “Za, he's not his parents' real son. They cover this reality from everyone so that Kencana Karya remains the property of their family and does not fall into the hands of her male cousin.”