You're Not a Figurant

[POV Alex] Ch 40 - Meet with the Khansa Family

My feeling is soaring. I want to believe that Khansa loves me too. But the feeling of doubt came back to haunt me.

If Khansa loves me, why isn't she happy living with me? Wouldn't we be happier living with the people we love? If Khansa loves me, why would she ask me to take it off? The sheer amount of doubt made me even more distrustful that Khansa loved me too.

My business with that man is over. I've expressed my attitude to stay by Khansa's side no matter what. I will continue with my next plan.

Khansa asked to separate, but I will never let her go. If I am unable to persuade him, then only those closest to him can. I will go to the city of J**** and see his family.

***

"Yes Ma?"

"Al, where are you?"

"I'm at the airport. Why Ma?"

"Where are you? Why at the airport?"

"I want to go to J***** Ma."

"For what to J*****?"

"You're meeting my in-laws. Why is Mama calling?"

"Your parents? Mean besan Mama? Oh my God, we want to know him Al."

"Where's mama? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, everything's fine. We are preparing to return to Indonesia. I can't wait to meet your daughter-in-law. Diana said you live next door. Mama wants to visit him..."

"Don't Ma!!" I was shocked to hear Mama's wish. This is not the right time to meet Khansa.

"Why did Al yell? Why don't you let Mama meet her own daughter-in-law?"

"Now is not the right time Ma. We're having a problem. My goal to J***** was also to resolve the issue. Wait for the right time, I will definitely introduce Mama to him."

"Yes, Mama hold your talk Al. Oh, Al, this is your father speaking."

"Yes Ma." Mama's handing over the phone to Papa.

"Hello Al, it's Papa."

"Yes Pa. What's the matter, Pa?"

"Al, Papa's been thinking. Once we arrive in Indonesia, we will go directly to J*****."

"What's Pa for? Is there a corporate business to be done?"

"Stupid, not because of that. Al, you married someone's son without our knowledge. You also got married because your wife got pregnant first. We feel bad for your wife's family. Can you imagine how your wife's parents feel? Your son is hamili and when married your family is not present?!"

I was silent at Papa's words. My stupid brain never thinks that way. I never thought about the Khansa family's feelings. I thought everything was fine when I got permission to marry her. I never thought it hurt Khansa's parents to see her son get married while my family was absent.

"Why are you going to meet the Khansa family?"

"Yes. Before we meet his son, we'll meet his family. If your business is not so urgent, wait for us. We leave for J****** together."

***

I agree to papa's request. For several hours I waited at the airport in Surabaya. While waiting my brain thought. Andre's words were ringing in my head. When I try to believe it, my feelings will be happy. But given Khansa's last request, the feeling was lost again.

What is he doing now? Khansa has hurt me, hurt my feelings, but my heart and my head can't stop thinking about it. Remembering his last words always managed to make me cry. But it never lessened my love and affection for him.

Khansa spends more time in the room. Watch TV, do pregnancy yoga and other little things. In the photos, she interacted a lot with our baby. I don't see any sadness on his face. It seems like he was completely convinced of his decision. It makes me even sadder.

***

After a few hours of waiting, Mama and Papa finally arrived at the airport. We leave for the city of J***** together. Along the way Mama tried to pry my way, but I was too embarrassed to tell her.

We arrived in the city of J***** by midnight. It was so disrespectful to visit at night that we decided to meet the Khansa family the next day. We decided to go home and stay there.

Mom looks very busy. He debated many things.

"It can't be like this Pa. There's no way we're going to meet empty-handed like this. Al, what if the meeting is postponed?"

"Why should Ma be delayed? We go there first. The matter of preparation is that we think about later." said Papa. I looked at my parents in confusion. What are they arguing about?

"It can't be that way, Pa. We have to make a good impression with our besan. Our son has made many mistakes. He's been impregnating people's children. He also married without our family present. We should apologize and make a good impression that we received their daughter with open arms. We have missed various processions that should be done before the wedding. At least half of that procession we're doing right now."

"What else should Ma do? We will marry them again after their baby is born. But it's not time now." Papa refutes.

"Papa forgot something important. Before marriage there was a proposal show Pa. Even though it's too late, let's just say that we're proposing to their child to be our daughter-in-law. Anyway Papa take it easy, Mama will prepare everything." Finally Papa relented, obeying the stubborn will of his wife.

***

That afternoon we met the Khansa family with a large family in attendance. Mama mobilized all the families, both from her family and Papa's family. There were dozens of cars coming in tandem, making a traffic jam around Khansa's house.

The neighbors and residents who were there came out of their homes to find out what was happening. The people were surprised to see Papa present.

They flocked to Papa and kissed his hand. It's only natural they do that. Papa had led this city for two periods, so his face was widely known by its citizens.

I ignored all that attention and focused on the main goal, which was to meet the Khansa family. Without knocking, the door opened from the inside. Mom and Dad came out to see the noise in front of their house.

"What's this?" Dad looked at the people who were crowding in front of his house with a confused look. I'm approaching Dad soon.

"Dad." I took his hand and kissed him. Then I turned around to do the same to Mother who was standing next to Father, "Mother."

"Lho son, why are you here? Where's Khansa?" Mother patted my back, while her eyes looked around for Khansa's whereabouts amidst dozens of veiled people.

"Khansa is not coming with Ma. He's at Jakarta's. I came here with my family."

"Your family? Isn't your family in Singapore?" ask Dad confused.

"Father's home..."

"Where is your family? What's this a lot, huh? Why are there so many cars and so many people coming?" Father on his tiptoes, trying to see the center of the crowd. His tall body caught a familiar figure.

"Lho, isn't he our former mayor? Why is it here? Dad chose it. You go there first, Mom, you want to shake hands with him." Dad's face looked bright and enthusiastic, he had stepped up to approach Papa but I held him back.

"Dad doesn't need to go there."

"Dad just wanted to shake hands. After shaking hands with him, I'll meet you and your family."

"Dad didn't need to see him, because he was going to see Dad."

"Huh?" I looked at me in confusion. "Whatchu mean? I don't understand."

"He is Papaku. He is my family who will meet Dad. So you don't have to jostle to meet him, because his purpose here is to see you."

***

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