The Untouched Heart

Chapter 212 - Thanksgiving

I had to remind my husband for the umpteenth time to watch the road ahead of us. He laughed a little while giving me a blink of an eye. Though I only wore a soft yellow dress that was quite polite with a sabrina collar and short sleeves, as well as a wide skirt that was slightly above the knee. I chose high heels because I didn't want to look like a little girl standing by her side. That'sallthatis.

My face is not given excessive makeup, my hair is also just draped without any hair decoration. But ever since I came out of the clothes room, his eyes did not stop staring at my appearance. He even does it occasionally while driving.

We were on our way to his parents' house. Today, Mama is holding a thanksgiving event for her recovery from cancer. Since this was just an ordinary lunch and the ones invited were the ones closest to us, our performances were nothing special. Just the clothes we used to wear everyday.

Ara also tagged along so that she would not be too lonely left behind for so long. Several officers greeted us and directed where we could park the vehicle. It seems like there are a lot of guests coming.

Hendra held Dira, while I held Hadi's hand as we walked towards my in-laws' house. Ara walked leisurely by our side. My husband reminded her to be nice. He also reminded me to keep my emotions in check during our show. So, Ara won't be lured to protect me from the bad guys. I don't promise to control my anger if something upsets me, but I will try.

The front yard of the house is already decorated with colorful flowers and ribbons. Several round tables and chairs filled the courtyard. Each table is given a white tablecloth with a glass vase containing a rose flower arrangement and neatly arranged tableware.

We approached Papa and Mama who welcomed the guests. Papa looks handsome in his shirt and trousers. Mom was wearing a white dress. She looks so beautiful with a happy smile on her face.

“I hope the big dog will be nice on this day because I invited both my doctors to come.” She looked at the table where the surgeon and his oncologist were sitting.

“Mama don't worry. Ara and I have been heart-to-heart talking to get her to be nice on this show. That's why I brought it along.” Hendra gave her a bouquet of roses. Mama opened her mouth to protest, but my husband faster, “I don't care what the rules are, I still want to bring something special to my dear mama.”

“Good.” Mama relented. He received the bouquet of flowers. “Thank you.”

“Come, find your seats immediately. The queue is long and I'm hungry.” Papa half threw us away. We laughed when we heard it. I looked behind us and Papa was right. The other guests were waiting to greet them.

The show began with Papa thanking us all for coming. Next, Mama is welcome to share her experiences and feelings since being sentenced to illness until finally free from cancer after surgery. He did not cover up the fact that he had not been completely out of harm's way before going through the first five years post-surgery.

We were then welcome to eat and the summit was over. Mom and Dad invited a band. They entertained us all afternoon with the music and singing they had prepared.

Hendra and I took turns to take food. He's the first one in line to take Hadi and Dira's food. As soon as he came back, I took food for both of us. I didn't know everyone in line but their faces were quite familiar.

“You think he wears cotton to hide his flaws or he does plastic surgery?” asked a woman next to me to the woman next to him half in a whisper. But his voice was loud enough for me to hear.

“He did not perform the operation to cover his shortcomings. So, she must be wearing foam under her underwear,” replied the woman next to her.

“One-time pity. She's so proud of her perfect body, uh, she's got cancer. He must have done so much evil that God punished him.” The first woman shook her head.

“The first evil thing he ever did was snatch his own sister's fiancee. Karma is real,” whispered the second woman. “We'll see what the next bad thing he's going through. He had borne shame for the actions of his cheating son-in-law, then cancer. I'm sure his grandchildren will also be cursed.”

“Mom-mom, be careful when talking,” I said mediate. Anyone in the world I allow insults and humiliates me. Again, not with my children. “Do not involve children in your cheap gossip.”

“Who is he? Why is he suddenly angry with us?” ask the second woman. The first woman immediately put an index finger on her own lips.

“That's Zahara, Naava's son-in-law. Time you don't know?” said the woman. He looked back at me. “We are just telling the truth. You don't need to be angry so.”

“Are the mothers shameless? You came here at my mother-in-law's thanksgiving and you dared to vilify her and her family on her own land?” I objected. People around me started to express their agreement with my words.

“You're wrong. The cancer that Naava's mother suffered was not because God punished her. The disease was inherited from his grandmother and mother. It only takes a little trigger to make the cancer cells grow large and endanger his life.” I was unaware of the presence of Dr. Rahmad. He was standing behind the second woman.

“Mom-mom hear that?” I said while staring at them one by one.

“They are just gossip mongers. No need to take heart, Zahara,” said a woman behind me. “They can die if they don't insult people for one day. Please, go ahead, we're all hungry and want to eat.” Now the people in line are laughing.

“Ah, yes. I'm sorry.” The person in front of me was far away from me. I immediately took out a tray, three dishes, and started filling it with rice and various side dishes.

Hendra smiled meaningfully as I returned to our table. I rolled my eyeballs to see it. He immediately took the tray from my hand. I sat down and let him put the plate in front of us. Then he returned the tray to a passing servant. Ara was eating her flesh and bones in the grass near my feet.

“Did anyone insult them both so you were that angry?” Hendra Goda. He deliberately only pointed at the children with his eyeballs so they wouldn't know that they were the ones we were talking about.

“We will definitely do what I do if you are in my position.” I started cutting the roast meat that was on top of my plate. Hendra came closer, then kissed me on the cheek. I smile.

“Well, so much better. I don't like to see you pout. It's a happy day.” He caressed my cheek. Alright. He's correct. He turned his head towards the table as his phone shook. “Ah, Will is here. I'll pick up Colin for a minute.”

“Colin?” tanya Hadi and Dira simultaneously. We laughed at the expressions of the two of them.

Hendra stood up, then walked towards the gate. He'll need time to walk there. This house is quite far from the entrance gate. Dira and Hadi suddenly had a fight because my son stole a piece of fries from his sister's plate. I broke them up by giving them extra potatoes on their plates from my plate.

Sensing a movement from which Hendra had gone, I turned my head. He came with Colin. The boy raised his hand cheerfully towards Hadi. My son immediately waved his hand. My husband smiled at me as he got closer to our table.

One of the women walking in the back accelerated his pace. I could hear him calling my husband's name. Hendra stopped his steps, then turned his head. The woman immediately hugged him with a very happy face. My hands reflexively clasped tightly onto the forks and knives I used to eat. What the fuck?!