The Untouched Heart

Chapter 79 - The Real Reason

“He's a government employee?” ask Papa to me. I'm nodding. “Didn't you say he wants to be a private employee, then later will open his own business?”

“Iya, Pa.” That's what he said when we were together. I was also surprised to see him become a civil servant. A job he never mentioned before.

“Then why did he become a civil servant and now entangled in a bribery case?” ask Papa again.

“Papa this how? Ara couldn't possibly know it,” Mama said. Papa laughed feeling guilty. He scratched his head which I was sure wasn't itchy. “The man. I never believed him. And I'm so grateful now that you didn't marry her, Ara.”

“Why did Mama say, Mama never believed him?” aska I want to know.

“You guys are dating since SMU but she never once came to introduce herself to us. He took you for walks, but never asked us for permission. If you live in a rental room like her, it's okay. The thing is, you live with us, at your parents' house.” Mama shook her head slowly.

“I always ask your grandfather for permission every time I take your mother on a weekly night. Don't you think I don't tremble every time I come to his house. You know for yourself that your grandfather was a creepy man. But in the end, I got my blessing too,” Papa said proudly. “Vivaldo hasn't done that in all your years together.”

“How can we trust a stealthy person like him?” ask Mom rhetorical. “Papa you forbid you from connecting with men at school age does not mean you can date behind us.”

“Have college, even to work, he did not come to see us.” Papa clucked slowly. “Therefore I immediately agreed when Hendra came home and without hesitation proposed to you. The man loves you and respects you as a woman. He also respects us as your parents. He did not ask for permission to simply be romantically without a clear purpose. She asked for your blessing to marry you.”

“Vivaldo can't even speak for himself stating his intentions. You even talked at length about your relationship and your plans to get married. Which parent would willingly give his daughter to such a cowardly man?” papa said he didn't like it.

Waw. We've never spoken from heart to heart like this before. I never knew why Papa and Mama were against my relationship with Aldo at the time. Instead, I was so excited that I wanted to marry Hendra. So, this is the reason?

“Why did Papa and Mama never say this to me?” many wonder. They exchanged looks.

“You still ask? Have you forgotten what you were against us?” Mama asked back. “You love to die to the man until whatever we say just goes in the right ear and out the left ear. You don't want to listen to us at all.”

“You think Vivaldo is the best choice, nothing else. You love him blindly with all his flaws that will make you difficult someday. We saw it, told you, but you don't want to hear it,” Papa said.

“Then why Papa easily accept Hendra's application? Papa doesn't know him at all. How could Papa know that he would be a good husband to me?” many challenging.

“You've been good friends since college. You said that yourself. And I'm sure you hate him not because he did you any harm, but because he loves you. You're still with Vivaldo, so you refuse him. I'm sure, if you were still alone, you wouldn't reject a man as good as him. Because if he's a bad guy, you won't want to be his best friend.” Papa gave a stark answer that I could not argue.

Ja. My mom and dad knew that I was always careful when it came to choosing friends. I never let them down in that. Hendra is a good young man, a polite senior, so I am comfortable being friendly with him. If I was alone, it could be that I would have a romance with him after hearing his love words.

“What's up, Ra?” My mother smiled meaningfully. “You are at a loss for words?”

“It is a sin that I will carry to death. I myself still can't forgive myself.” I held back the tears that were pressing out. Mom and Dad touched my hand.

The door is knocked, Papa lets in. A hospital attendant came to deliver food for Mama. My dad and I looked at Mama meaningfully. As the woman was about to close the door, I heard a familiar voice. I turned my head and my friends walked into the room with happy faces.

“Hai, Auntie! Hi, Om!” greet them at the same time. They immediately hugged and kissed Mama, as well as me and Papa. I was surprised to see Lindsey and Claudia also coming.

“Aren't you guys going on vacation today?” many confused.

“The flight is tonight, there is still time. Take it easy,” replied Lindsey.

A nurse came to remind us not to be too noisy. Oh, dearGod. It's happening again. It would not be the last warning uttered by the guard sisters. My friends won't last long talk slow, they'll forget places again and scramble to talk.

Papa and I helped finish off the food Mama had provided by the hospital. My mom just wanted to eat the food that my friends and I brought. The sister came again asking us to calm down as we laughed together. Right, ‘kan?

“Ah, look, look!” lindsey pointed to the television. “This is the news I was referring to in the elevator.” We looked towards the screen. It turns out that what he was referring to was news of Aldo's arrest.

“He's a guy who came yesterday, ‘kan, Zahara?” ask Claudia. I nodded slowly.

“Come? Where to come, Ara?” ask Mama with a worried tone.

“Yesterday Aldo came home, Ma. She asked me to leave the house and come with her,” I replied honestly.

“Is he crazy? After ruining the event and humiliating all of us, he still dared to come show his face again?” mama was upset. I immediately touched his hand.

“Ma, nothing happened. I threw him out and he won't be able to come back home. And with the case he's in, he won't be able to bother us for very long, Ma. Please, calm yourself Mama.” I rubbed the back of his hand.

“What's up, Auntie? Does anything make Auntie worried?” asked Claudia who was panicking.

“Mama thought something happened yesterday at my house because of the arrival of the man on TV,” I explained.

“So. Don't worry, Auntie. Zahara immediately told his servant to forcefully drive the man out of the house. We were also there and prevented the man from hurting Zahara,” Claudia said with fiery eyes. Papa translated it for Mama. I looked at my friends and we laughed.

The door was knocked, then opened. A sister came in and made her eyes out to all of us. “This is the last warning, yes, Mothers. Please relax. You are in the hospital. The noise in this room can disturb the peace of other patients. If it's still noisier, you guys will I drive out.”