The Untouched Heart
Chapter 76 - Leave Him alone
What I'm afraid of doesn't happen. Hendra was still by my side when I woke up early. I even helped him put up his tie, then had breakfast together. We didn't talk much and were busy with our thoughts. But the silence calmed me down, not troubling me.
After promising to meet at the hospital when she gets home from work, I call Papa. I was relieved to hear that Mama was still sleeping and she was doing well. Zach has come to deliver breakfast and snacks for her, so I can be at ease.
“You rest at home. I promise I will contact you soon if there is a new development with your mama,” said Papa slowly.
“Iya, Pa. Don't be late for lunch, yeah. I'll come bring you dinner.” We said hello, and Papa ended the phone call.
I take a shower and change clothes before I start my day. I don't know what I'm going to do this morning. Continuing writing, my emotions are in turmoil. Although Hendra said that we would be fine, I could not feel calm yet. Something is going to happen, but I don't know what it is.
The bedroom door was knocked, I let you in. “Mistress, Mr and Mrs Big come,” Abdi told me. I saw his worried face. Everyone knows what happens when you dare to mess with my husband's extended family. I swallowed heavily.
Abdi opened the sitting room door for me. Papa and Mama did not turn their heads or stand up to greet me. No more hugs and kisses from them. Snacks and warm drinks have been served on the table, so I don't have to tell Yuyun anymore. Seeing their cold demeanor, I chose to sit on the chair opposite them.
“You have lied to us,” Mama said sharply. “I remember that I asked you about the man when we met at the charity concert. You said you had nothing to do with him. Turns out he's your ex. The man who made you reject my son's proposal. Yes, ‘kan?”
“Iya, Ma.” There is no point in lying anymore.
“So you meet him whenever my son is out of town? That boy is that boy?” ask Mama without making small talk.
“This child is my husband's son,” I said slowly.
“How can you know? You slept with two different men at the same time, how did you know that the boy was Hendra's son and not the man? Have you checked her DNA?” ask her sharply. “You deliberately acknowledged him as my son's son so you could get all our possessions. Yes, ‘kan?”
“I was pregnant before I slept with her, Ma.”
“At last you confessed also that you slept with him. I thought you'd continue to act sober by lying to us again.” He looked at me for a moment. “The man is right. You've been trying for six years and you're not pregnant. Although I don't want to admit this, it could be that my son has a problem. Admit who the father of the child is.”
“This child is the son of Hendra,” I said this time in a serious tone.
“We want you to leave this house as soon as possible and don't see our son again.” This time Papa spoke. I looked at him in disbelief.
“What does Papa mean?” my question does not understand.
“But, Ma,” I said trying to explain.
“Don't call me mama with your mouth full of deceit. I regret having accepted and trusted you all this time. From this moment on you are no longer my son-in-law. I can't believe you could betray my son after what he sacrificed for you. What kind of woman are you?”
“I even love you, care about you, and always defend you whenever you and my son have a disagreement. But this is the reply I received? You threw shit in our faces? What is our fault with you? What is my son's fault with you? My whole life, I never hurt her, you just broke my son's heart,” Mama said.
“I'm sorry. Please, I'm sorry. But I'm telling the truth. This child is the son of Hendra.”
“Once a liar, forever will be a liar.” Mama looked at me hatefully. “I gave you twenty-four hours. If tomorrow we come you are still in this house, then we will drive you out. Hendra wouldn't dare to do it because he loves you too much. Stupid kid.”
I immediately approached as Mama and Papa stood up from their seats. “I beg you, don't drive me out of this house.” I stood in front of Mama, preventing her from leaving.
“It's too late. You can't do anything to change our mind.” My mother was not touched. He tried to walk past me, I sat on the floor and touched his feet, preventing him from leaving.
“I've made a big mistake. I beg you, forgive me. I'm sorry, but don't kick me out of this place. Don't separate me from my husband. I beg. I didn't lie to Mom and Dad. This child is the son of Hendra,” I said.
“Get off my legs, Zahara. I don't want to hurt you and don't make me look bad. I'm not asking you to kneel down and apologize. I told you, there's nothing you can do to change our decision. You will leave this house and leave my son,” Mama said firmly.
“She won't leave this house.” Hendra's voice came from behind me. “My wife will stay in this house and no one can kick her out. Not with my own mom and dad.” I felt his hands holding my shoulders. “Build, dear.”
“Six years you are blind for love, how long will you let your feelings for this woman ruin your life, son?” ask Mama. Hendra embraced me as I was fully standing.
“My life is not ruined, Ma. I am happy living with him. There is no perfect marriage. Husbands and wives make mistakes and hurting each other is common. We have forgiven each other. Please, don't spoil what we've built back with great difficulty. I will not divorce my wife. And no one can force me to do it,” Hendra said firmly. Mama took a step back as if the sentence hit her hard.
“Son, this woman does not even love you,” Mama reminded. “He loves his ex and never has any feelings for you. You sure you want to live with a woman who thinks of other men when she's in your arms?”
“Please, Ma, do not interfere in our household affairs. Me and Za will solve the problem between us without anyone's interference.”
“I warned you, Hendra. You'll see later. He will only make your life suffer,” Mama said with fiery eyes. “Please if you still consider her a wife, but to me, she is no longer my daughter-in-law.”
