The Untouched Heart

Chapter 252 - We Face Together

My mother-in-law's reaction to the reason I wasn't pregnant for the first six years of our marriage still surprised me. It's still fresh in my memory that they want grandchildren so much. Almost every time we met, their questions were just about whether I had any good news.

They were not angry or disappointed with my answer. Is it true that they are only curious about my answer and there is no sadness? Or am I over-thinking because of their response beyond my expectations?

I hate my suspicious way of thinking. But I could not prevent my head from thinking about it. After so many times of peace to be ruined by painful events, I was always worried when things were going well.

“This is not a dream, Za. It's reality,” said Hendra comforting me. “You don't have to bother yourself with worrying about everything, baby. When something bad happens, we'll face it together. You're not alone. You have me, our family, and your friends who won't let you face problems alone.”

I smile. “The problem must have come again, yes?” askaku.

“As long as we're alive, that's for sure. Now, calm yourself. Think of a beautiful thing.” He kissed my lips and helped me lie down. “Rest. I'll check on the kids, then come back with you.”

Hendra's right. I don't have to think about all the bad things, just think about the beautiful things. I should be grateful that we are doing well. If there's a problem later, I won't face it alone. I have family and friends by my side.

After pregnancy gymnastics that morning, I took my parents to the bookstore. I want to see if that bookstore still has stock of my books. And their answer disappointed me, I should have been happy, but I really wanted to be able to take a picture with my work book displayed in one of the stores.

The shop employee took me to the shelf where my book had been. Empty, and there is a note promising that the book is being ordered and will be on display soon after they have stock again.

“You didn't say that you're a writer, Ara,” Mama said confusedly. “What does your book cover look like?” I pointed towards us. There was a banner with the announcement of the date of publication of my book, complete with the title, synopsis, and author's name.

“Wow. I also just found out that you are a writer, Za.” My mother-in-law clucked slowly. “I tried to contact my friends, who knows who has the book. I'm going to borrow.”

“I will also ask my arisan friends,” said my mother does not want to lose. I'm laughing a little. They both looked at me confused.

“Ma, I'm the author. I have some stock of the book if you both want to read. I give it for free complete with my signature.” I embrace them both.

“Ah, I want your lip stamp too,” said my mother-in-law. I frowned at me. “There must be a lot of books laced with your signature, while the ones with lip stamps are only mine and Anya.”

“Good.” I laugh. “Come, we're home. I'm hungry.”

“Sorry,” said someone who greeted me when we just turned around.

“Ya?” I asked while releasing my embrace from my two mothers.

“Are you Zahara Aprilia?” ask him politely. I looked at him and his two friends in surprise. I nodded slowly, assuring. They immediately cheered happily. “We are readers of all your books!”

“Can we take a picture with you? Ah, I brought your old book, can I have an autograph? Can we order your new book directly from you? We're out.” The three of them continued to shower me with questions so I had no chance to answer. “Wah! My friends will be jealous of me!”

We took a picture together, and I signed my autograph on the book they brought. Since I was on the shelf where my book was supposed to be, they must have planned to buy the book. Maybe they just checked in at another store that also ran out and hoped to get the book here.

Although they did not get a book, they were more fortunate to meet with the author directly. It's not just the three of them who know me. A few more people came to check the shelves and screamed hysterically seeing me here.

The security guard had to intervene to help me get out of the bookstore. Well, this is what it's like to be famous. Famous for the good things I did, not for the pursuit of the journalist who thirsted for the scandalous news of my life.

The dining room that was usually bustling with our non-stop conversations became quiet because my mother and mother-in-law were so serious about reading my book. Whenever my father or father-in-law tried to get them to talk, they kept them quiet. I laughed to see it.

I put an exclusive invitation on my mama's second lap. They took their eyes off the pages of the book they were reading. They took the invitation and read it. Their eyes then simultaneously rounded.

“Size as well as book signing?” ask them not to believe. I'm nodding.

Mom looked at me and Dad. “Are your two papa uninvited too?” ask Mama confused. I'm laughing a little.

“It's just an invitation example, Ma. I'd like to tell Mama about the big event that I'm going to officially hold. Papa and Mama are my family, not needing an invitation to come. But Mom needs this to buy a book. The stock is limited, so only those who have this invitation can buy books at the time of the event.”

They nodded in understanding. “Good. We must have come,” said both my mama cheerfully.

From waking up to our departure for the big event, Hendra pouted. Both of my mama had worked hard to make me look perfect with a long-sleeved turquoise dress with skirts widened down slightly above my knees. They braided my hair behind my head and gave me white clasps, minimalist makeup, and my appearance was enhanced with white low-heeled shoes.

But my husband was still pouting and not interested in seeing me. Our parents were confused. I don't want to bother thinking about his attitude so that my mood remains good. Today is a very happy day for me.

I am satisfied with my appearance. Even though she had already provided makeup artists to help me look perfect, she was not disappointed to cancel using their services. The event organizer team again reminded me what I needed to do. We talked about this at the meeting, but I listened to them anyway.

I was shocked to see so many people filling the hall of the publishing office belonging to the Official family. I really didn't think I had that many fans. I hope my right hand is strong enough to write so many signatures today.

The first session was a discussion and question and answer about the book I wrote and the theme I raised. I saw my mother-in-law crying in her seat. Our relationship was my inspiration when writing the book, so I understood why she was moved.

After the first session, they started marching to get my autograph. Most of them asked me to add any sentences before signing autographs, some asked me to write the sentences they had prepared.

When the next person standing in front of me was Mama, I chuckled. My mother-in-law stood by his side. “We want you to write any sentence in our book, do not forget, we want you to put a lip stamp when at home later,” said my mother-in-law.

“Iya. Don't do it now, many will ask for the same thing,” said my mother.

I wrote the same thing on the four books they put in front of me. “I'm proud to be Mama's daughter. I love Mama very much. Thank you for accepting me for who I am. Zahara Aprilia.” I saw both of them reading that sentence. We help each other wipe away the tears that wet our cheeks.

*******

    Meanwhile, not far from the entrance of the hall.

    Hendra pouted seeing his wife so happy in front of the hall. Za smiled every time a fan came over and said something to him before his wife put her signature on the book.

    “What's wrong with you, son?” ask Adhyana amusedly. “Your wife is happy at the peak of her career as a writer, you even frown like this.”

    “It is precisely because he is happy, he forgot something more important today,” replied Hendra still with an unsightly face.

    “Something more important?” ask Adhyana confused. Hendra sighed softly. He was not surprised that his papa had forgotten this important day, but he did not expect that his wife would too.

    “Papa sad?” asked Dira with a curious look. Hendra's heart melted to see the face of his little angel. He lifted the little girl into his lap, then kissed her cheek.

    “Papa is no longer sad. Is that what you eat?” asked Hendra to look at the piece of fruit that his daughter was holding.

    “Apels. Papa want?” He brought the fruit closer to Hendra's mouth. He took a small bite to keep his daughter away.

    “Thank you, baby,” said Hendra as he kissed his daughter's cheek again. Dira laughs amusedly.

    Hendra looked back at the long queue of people who wanted to get his wife's autograph on their book. He sighed softly, missing the hope that today would end happily as he had hoped.