To Mutia

A lifetime contract

"Well, how did you come here?" Mutia asked Mbah Sriti, upon arrival to the fifties woman who had just entered the lobby with Joseph in her cradle. Mutia took over Joseph, then watched her son with a worried look.

"Did something happen to Joseph?"

Mbah Sriti smiled motherly while rubbing Mutia's arm, attracting the attention of the twenties who for two months had become a mother.

"Yusuf is fine. Mbah here told Mas Yudha. There was an office driver who picked me up."

Mutia was just about to face Sri's words when her phone rang. Ripping into the pocket of her work pants, Mutia found Yudha's name adorning her phone screen. Mutia immediately raised the call, still holding Joseph.

"Assallamoallaikum, Ma'am."

Yudha's voice responded to Mutia's greeting. "Mut, take my room. There's something important I want to talk to you about."

Mas Yudha wants to talk to me, but why ask me to come here?

Although confused, Mutia asserted Yudha's words. After the call ended, the woman took Mbah Sriti to Yudha's room. And not until twenty minutes, they had arrived at their destination and sat on the sofa available in the room.

Yudha himself did not immediately approach the two women of different ages, instead opening the door of his room and talking to his secretary.

"Please clear my schedule for the next hour." he asked the secretary, who immediately got a nod of the head from the woman standing behind his desk.

After that Yudha left the door, without closing it and sat down on a single sofa that was beside Mutia's seat.

With his back leaning and severed, Yudha said the intent of his goal was to summon Mutia. "I want to offer you a lifetime contract."

"Lifetime contract?" Mutia looked at Yudha with her eyebrows knitted and eyes panned in confusion.

"Yes." Yeah."

At first glance Yudha looked at Joseph who was sound asleep in Mutia's lap, then reached into his pants pocket. Taking out a small box of velvet, then pushing the box on Mutia, made Mother Joseph increasingly frown.

"Marry me, Mutia."

Not only Mutia who gasped in shock, Mbah Sri also gave the same response. For years he worked for the Yudha family, never once did Sri see Yudha seem interested in a woman, especially to the point of wanting a relationship.

But now, he is being a witness of the proposal of his employer's son. And even he could see the earnestness and confidence in the twenty-seven-year-old man's black bead as he stared at Mutia, as if it was the mother of one who Yudha had been looking for.

"Ma-Mas Yudha, his jokes aren't funny." Mutia laughed blandly. Staring at his son with mixed feelings.

"I won't take anything as serious as marriage as a joke, Mutia." there was an offended tone in Yudha's sentence, which succeeded in making Mutia stare at the man intently.

"All the words that come out of my mouth will be held accountable. When I ask you to marry me, it means that I really want to commit my whole life to you. You need to know, Mutia, it's not easy for me to make a decision of this magnitude and you think I'm joking."

"Sorry, Mas. I didn't mean to." Feeling guilty, Mutia lowered her head. "I'm just shocked. It's so sudden." Then Mutia remembered something, and she immediately raised her face and looked at Yudha with narrowed eyes. "What... is this because of the incident that night? Because of the words of Mr Rt and the citizens?"

Yudha did not answer. Letting Mutia guess.

"If it were true because of the events of that night, Mas Yudha would not have had to come to this. After all, everything will be fine, as long as Mas Yudha does not come there often. So I guess, there is no need until Mas Yudha has to force herself to marry me. Because as Mas Yudha said, marriage is a lifelong commitment." and I no longer want to feel a sense of failure. Pretty much.

There was silence that created an awkward atmosphere of silence. Mutia sat wrongly as Yudha kept looking at her.

"Do you think I'm the kind of guy who'll make reckless decisions when he's desperate?" hiss Yudha in a low tone, yet sounded so sharp. "If it were, I would have proposed to you that night in front of RT and the people. But in reality, it took me weeks to think about and consider it, until I came to this decision."

"Then for what reason did Mas Yudha want to marry me?" mutia asked as she stared fixedly at Yudha.

"Because of Joseph." Yudha answered confidently and firmly. "I want to be Joseph's real father, and for that I have to marry his mother."

Mutia closed her eyes, enjoying the throbbing pain that had gripped her heart as she heard Yudha's reply.

Just because of Joseph. What do you expect, Mutia? He said he loved you? Your expectations are too high, honey. Mind's mocking.

Then with quivering lips Mutia let out her voice. "Mas Yudha could have been Joseph's father, without having to marry me."

"No, Mutia." Yudha shook her head slowly. "I've been in love with Joseph since I first held him and I can't lose him. If you decide to marry another man, I can no longer be a father to Joseph, for your husband may not like him."

Mutia fell silent. He's confused.

"You don't have to answer now, Mutia. Take you're time."

Then Yudha took Joseph from his mother's arms, fondling the little baby affectionately, before directing attention to Mbah Sriti. Joseph's nanny who he asked came to be a witness of his proposal and also became a third person so as not to re-emerge gossip if he was alone with Mutia in his study.

"Come home, mba. I'll take you away." Mbah nodded and Yudha turned to look at Mutia. "You can get back to work, Mutia. And bring the box. If you accept my proposal, please wear the ring."

...* * *...

Mutia was breastfeeding Joseph when her phone on the dresser let out a long ringing sound, drawing her attention to the flat object. The woman who had given birth a few months ago did not care about it at all, remained focused on providing nutritional intake to her son, while occasionally rubbing the small baby's black mane plan that felt gently touching his fingers.

Then carefully laid Joseph. Gently patted the tiny body of Joseph wrapped in a baby diaper, as the son squirmed. After putting two small bolster pillows on the right and left sides of Joseph's body, Mutia grabbed her phone.

"Yes, Sal?"

"Did the jerk call Ayuk?"

Ignoring the angry tone in her sister's voice, Mutia got out of bed, stepped towards the balcony, then stood there. Enjoying the wind that caressed his face.

"Whose jerk?"

There was an angry moan from across the phone. "She's ex-husband!"

"Ohh, Haikal you mean?"

Faisal grunting. "Ayuk has how many ex-husbands, huh?" his surprise was upset, as Mutia chuckled in amusement.

"No. He never called me."

"Last-lately?"

Mutia sighed softly. "Also lately. What's wrong?"

Faisal sighed in relief before responding to Mutia's words. "Ahh. It's been a few days that that bastard's been terrorizing me and Wak to ask where you are. That jerk must want to apologize to Ayuk, because realizing what happened to them now is the reward of what they did to Ayuk first."

"Rephen?" Mutia scrunched her forehead. "What happened to them, Sal?"

Instead of answering Mutia's question, Faisal cursed. Regret the words he said.

"So?!" Mutia urged, making Faisal throw a rough breath.

"Sonya miscarriage. Again."

"What does that mean; again? Sonya's had a miscarriage before?"

"yeah. The child they used to make an excuse to be together and cause the pain that Ayuk felt, only lasted until the age of seven months, because Sonya fell and had a strong impact on her stomach. The second pregnancy, Sonya became pregnant outside the uterus, so her fetus had to be removed. Then the third pregnancy, a week ago Sonya had just had surgery, because the baby did not develop according to age. And she's gonna be hard to get pregnant again. The jerk told Wak *lanang everything, wished Wak pity, then told him where Ayuk was and he wanted to apologize. But instead of getting what he wants, Wak beats up the jerk and drives him away." (*man)

"Astaghfirullah, what a pity for Sonya. In the past year she had to have three miscarriages."

"They deserve it. It may be a punishment from Allah, for they have committed adultery and also persecuted Ayuk."

Mutia did not respond to Faisal's words, she was dissolving in her own mind, until a loud pitched voice called out her name, successfully drawing her consciousness.

"Don't even think about contacting her, let alone seeing her, Yuk. If indeed you must meet, let God determine the time, do not come to him."

"Good." There was a smile in Yudha's voice. Then Faisal's voice evaporated. "Yes, Yuk. I'm going to bed. Remember, never call Haikal. Good night, my dear, my dear."

Sighing out a long breath, Mutia looked up, staring at the dark night sky decorated by the full moonlight. Is this God's answer to my prayer?

If it was his decision to marry Haikal at the request of his parents and because he wanted to show his devotion to them, this time Mutia involved God in the decision he was going to make.

Since Yudha's proposal a month ago, Mutia has been drawing closer to the Creator. As much as possible not to leave the obligatory prayer, then add it to the evening prayer as well as other sunnah worship.he was seducing God to give his best, because he did not want to fail again. If he is left again, not only will he be hurt, but also his Joseph.

"If he is best for me, I ask you to unite us in Your Ridho, O Allah. But if not.. I beg you to separate us immediately, before the feeling that I have is getting bigger." Mutia asked in every prayer, until tonight he received a call from Faisal.

Leaving the balcony, Mutia walked towards the wardrobe. Pull out the drawer in the closet, then take a red velvet box given by Yudha one month ago. Mutia hugged him in the chest, then opened the box.

"Bismillaahir rahmaanir womb."

...* * * ...

"Morning, boss!"

The greeting spoken simultaneously sounded a few seconds after Yudha entered the elevator. The twenty-seven-year-old man returned the greetings of his employees while commenting on a friendly smile and not forgetting to say a sentence of encouragement for his employees starting the day, which of course got a passionate statement from his workers.

"Please hold the door!"

Recognizing the voice that had just shouted, made Yudha's body move reflexes. Just know that his hand had moved to press the door holding button and a few seconds later the figure of Mutia breathing hard was already standing beside him.

"Thank you."

Focusing on wiping the sweat that filled her forehead, Mutia was completely unaware that it was Yudha who was holding the door for her. Therefore, as she looked up and turned to the side, Mutia was so shocked to find the man who always managed to make her heart work faster, to make her involuntarily rewind her body, staggered and almost toppled if Yudha did not swiftly hold her wrist.

"What's wrong with you? You see me, like seeing a ghost." she said in an amused tone, while helping Mutia straighten up.

Mutia smiled clumsyly. Lately he has been very easy to feel shocked and nervous every time he is near Yudha.

"It's not so, Mom. I just didn't..."

Mutia's words stopped immediately as Yudha retracted her wrist, and this time the man stared fixedly at her ring finger.

"You put it on, Mutia." Yudha's grip on Mutia's hand turned into a grasp, as her black bead stared at Mutia with a twinkle?

"You. accepted me."

Yudha's treatment and speech certainly provoked the curiosity of everyone who was in the elevator. They stared alternately at Yudha and Mutia with confused looks mixed in curiosity.

"Ma-Mas."

Awkwardly, Mutia observed around, reprimanding Yudha's actions while reminding the man that there were many people around them. But Yudha did not care. The man still clasped Mutia's hand tightly and smiled widely, as if he had just won the lottery of a luxurious mansion complete with its contents.

"I'll call my parents soon and have them see you as soon as possible."

Yudha spoke without removing the smile from her handsome face, making the few women who were inside the elevator stare with a gasp. The way the man smiled this time, was very different from usual. The smile this time looks so warm and alive.

The elevator clinks slowly, the door opens, they arrive on the second floor, but no one moves to get out. All the actions of Yudha seemed to stop the movement of time.

Yudha cleared her throat, staring at her employees. Attracting awareness of all those who had splattered. "Second floor. No one wants to come out?"

A second later Yudha pulled Mutia closer to her as everyone in the elevator flocked to get out. If he did not swiftly attract Mutia, it could be ascertained that the woman would fall and be trampled.

"Ma-Mas.." clumsy, Mutia slowly created a distance, then fixed the bag. "I have to get out too."

Yudha smiled as she nodded, but did not let go of her grasp at all.

"Mas," Mutia scolded as she looked at their clutched hands, making Yudha follow the woman's gaze.

"Oh, sorry." Yudha immediately let go of his grasp, then mistakenly rubbed his nape. "Let's go home with me. I. I want to see Joseph."

Mutia nodded with a blushing face, then stepped out of the elevator. He saw Yudha waving at him, before the door closed, making the corner of his lips drawn. But when turning over, Mutia's smile instantly vanished, changing with a confused look when she found her comrades standing before her. Looking at him like a news-hungry journalist.

"What's this?" the arrival of Dawn breaks their desire to ask Mutia about what Yudha said in the elevator. "The company is paying you to work, not get together like this. Disperse!"

No one dared to argue. They immediately disbanded. Leaving Dawn behind quietly, along with Mutia and Keyla who were still loyal stood beside her best friend.

"Btw, congratulations, Mutia." Dawn looked at Mutia with a ignorant flick, making Mutia blush in embarrassment. "You've already melted the iceberg. And I pray, may all be well."

"You...know where?" he asked with a confused look.

"A month ago I went to see the boss. But upon arriving in front of his room, I heard him propose to you." Putting both hands into his pants pocket, Dawn chuckled amusedly. "Ahh... now I feel relieved, because it turns out the boss is still looking for women." then Dawn breezed away, leaving Mutia who looked at him cengo.

So Dawn also thinks Mas Yudha, gay? Inner ticklish.

Mutia gasped in shock as someone pulled her hand.

"So you really want to marry the boss?" Keyla asked with a serious look.

Sighing deeply, Mutia nodded.

"By the splinter Gatot is washed once every two weeks,"

"Kok you know?" cut Mutia, making her get delicacy from Keyla, but she giggled amusedly.

"Oh, God! It's spectacular news, one of the wonders of the world."

"Our excess." Mutia walked away from the elevator and was followed by Keyla.

"I'm just waiting for the treaty and the invitation."

Mutia just shook her head slowly. Tired of responding to the madness of his best friend.

...* * *...

Mutia was on the first floor of the BM building, precisely in the workshop section, waiting for Yudha who a while ago sent a message to him, taking lunch together, and then, so he was forced to cancel a lunch appointment with Keyla at the last second. He was just about to leave the office when Yudha's message came in and Keyla, who stole his phone, forced him to wait for Yudha, while the woman herself breezed away.

"I still have a hard time believing your lamar boss, when all this time the boss does not seem interested in women. But now the boss is suddenly proposing to you."

Itjhe, the only woman in the workshop holding the cashier section, was now observing Mutia standing before him. A week had passed, but the news of her marriage and Yudha was still warm was the subject of conversation. To be honest he felt uncomfortable, but Yudha asked him to be indifferent.

"Iri is human nature, Mutia. When we are happy, others are sad. When we are sad, others laugh. If we live based on what people say and their views, then we will not move anywhere. Stay in place and always feel wrong. Let them talk what. As the saying goes; dogs bark, caravans pass."

Recalling Yudha's words back then, Mutia was now able to smile carelessly in response to the scornful gaze Itjhe gave her.

"I still feel like I'm dreaming too." Mutia said in an amused tone.

"There are a lot of beautiful women in this office, but the boss wants to marry you." Itjhe squinted. "You don't use black magic, do you?"

Astarghfirullah's. Although upset to accept the accusation, but Mutia still put on a smile. "The science that I studied in school used to be mathematics, biology, physics, and others. There is no black magic."

Itjhe growling. "I mean gag, pellet."

Before Mutia could respond to Itjhe's remarks, there was a voice of a man asking for the cost of repairing his car. The voice that Mutia recognized and succeeded in making her body instantly sculpted.