The Untouched Heart

Chapter 19 - Bad News

I was busy writing on the blog when the sound of a car entering the home page. I raised my head and looked at the window in confusion. The needle on the watch shows at fifty-thirty. It's not time for Hendra to go home. After turning off the laptop, I walked out of my room with a frown.

Near the front door, Abdi stood up and prepared to open the door. Mom and Dad came in with happy faces. I immediately walked up to them.

“Papa! Mama!” happy say. It's a nice surprise. I hugged them alternately and took Mama's hand to the sitting room.

“We just met two nights ago and you already missed us?” seductive Mama. I just laughed a little.

“I will always miss my papa and my mama,” I said spoiledly.

Yuyun opened the door of the room for us. I thank him. Without saying anything about providing small meals, he would have understood. My mom and dad were sitting next to each other on the couch, and I was sitting across from them. Yuyun arrived a few minutes later carrying drinks and snacks. Right, ‘kan?

“Yun, about our dinner,” I said worried. It's too late to change the menu, but you can still add to it with other meals.

“All set up, Madam,” said Yuyun with a sweet smile. I looked at him in surprise. How could?

“Oh.” That's all I can say. Yuyun said goodbye and left the three of me alone with both of my parents. How did he know that Papa and Mama would come to visit?

“It seems like Nak Hendra did not mention our arrival,” said Mama meaningfully. Ooo, so so. He invited Papa and Mama here.

“She never told me anything because she likes to give me surprises.” Then I smiled. He had given me many surprises in just two days.

“I'm glad to see you guys happy.” Mom smiled. He looked towards Papa who also looked happy. That word ruined my mood.

“Mama knows full well that only she is happy,” I am not happy.

“Ara,” protest Papa.

“Pa ..” Mom touched Papa's hand. The man who almost always argued with me sat back down casually. “At least Nak Hendra treats you better than Aldo, Ara.”

“We will never know, ‘kan, Ma. I'm not married to him.” I shrugged both my shoulders and threw my face away. Don't want them to see my eyes warming and watering.

“I know. A mother's instinct, son,” said Mama softly. An instinct? Hearing that word, I raised my head again and looked towards Mama.

“So, because of that instinct also Mama forced me to marry Hendra?” my challenge. For that one thing, I still can't forgive them.

“I'm not forcing you. In that case I had a fight with your papa,” said Mama firmly. I saw her for a moment before throwing my face away again because my eyes were watering again.

“I can't believe,” I muttered slowly, but loud enough that they could definitely hear it.

“You're married to him. Believe it or not, it is no longer a problem for me,” Mama said in a serious tone. His gaze softened to see me turn sad. “Is it that bad to marry Mahendra?”

“No. She loves me. But I don't love him. That's where the problem is.”

“Give him a chance, son. Although he is not Aldo, he is not a bad choice.”

“Well, you guys have been married for six years, have you got any happy news for us?” ask Mama expectantly. My chest ached hearing that question. I'll never have happy news about grandchildren for them.

“Numbered, Ma. If Mama asks about grandchildren, I'm not pregnant.” Of course Mama meant grandchildren, but I pretended not to understand so as not to be caught lying. My face immediately turned sad.

“Isn't it time for you to check yourself out? Maybe the doctor can help find out what makes your business has not been successful,” he said giving advice. I don't need a doctor because I'm the one who didn't get pregnant.

“Good, Ma. I'll discuss with my husband.” I comply. I better not argue for the topic to be replaced immediately.

“No need to discuss anymore. You need to do it immediately,” urged Mama. I smiled hearing it.

“Good. Whatever origin happy mom.”

“That's my new daughter,” said Mama Happy. I turned my eyes to Papa. My forehead was wrinkled to see him as if he were not here with us.

“What's up, Pa? Papa seems to be thinking a lot,” I'm worried.

“I know I can't hide anything from you.” Papa smiled as he shook his head slowly. But I was not fooled by his smile.

“If there is a problem, I will gladly try to help,” I said offer myself.

“This is not the kind of problem you can help.” Papa shrugged both of his shoulders. I shook my head. There is only one thing I cannot offer him.

“I mean Papa, it's about money?” tanyaku.

“Iya.” Papa sighed softly. “Our house will be auctioned next month.”

“What? But why?” many surprised. I looked at the two of them in turn.

“We were forced to do it years ago to finance your college and Zach. Both of our incomes are not enough to cover all the needs of us and your sickly grandmother. Even though Mama has died, we still have a lot of debt to pay off. The only way out is to mortgage the house.”

“Why didn't Papa and Mama say? I won't want to continue my education if we don't have enough money,” my protest.

“No, Ara. Education is very important to you and Zach. It is our duty to pay for it. We have no objections and do not regret the decision. It's just, something happened over the past eight years so we can't pay the monthly bills of the house regularly.” Papa looked at Mama, asking for permission to continue his story.

“What's up, Pa? Tell me. What has happened over the last eight years?” I'm just impatient.

“You have a heart problem. These past few years, your mom's been on outpatient care. The drugs that must be consumed by your mother are not cheap and some treatments and drugs are not covered by insurance. So, we had to choose between Zach's education and medical expenses at the cost of the bill. We choose to ignore the cost of the home bill.”

I felt the floor I was shaking. Mama has a heartache and I never knew? How could I never know? Mama looks fine. Indeed since marriage, I have not lived with them anymore, so I cannot see any change in her.

Even if we met like this, Mama always looks cheerful so that if not taken care of properly, I would not know anything changed on her. Never once did I hear Mama complain about her health.

Zach has also been very busy since he finished his studies and went straight to work. The law firm where he worked, as well as Hendra's company, never let him relax. My sister learns fast and that means she gives almost all her time to work. He had no time for himself, let alone to pay attention to our parents.