20 Years Adrift
Chapters 97. Call me "Om"

Bimo realized that he had misspoken. He then looks for other topics so that Affan forgets his previous remarks. However, it felt difficult because Affan had already heard it.

Aira's age when pregnant is currently slightly younger than Kayra's age when pregnant with Faya. This is the reason for Affan's fear. In the past, doctors said that pregnancy at a young age and the lack of experience of young couples can cause vulnerable problems.

"I'm sorry, Boss. I don't mean to remind you of your past bad memories. Times have changed, Boss don't have to worry. Medical devices are now very sophisticated, very few deliveries fail." Bimo tries to calm Affan down after the topic he is discussing fails to get attention.

This time Affan looked at her. Bimo's words grew his hope of being able to eliminate little by little the ever-present fear haunting him. Bad memories make her slumped and it is difficult to get up until she meets Aira.

Affan hopes Aira will be his last port and accompany him until death separates.

"I hope what you say is true. Don't forget I always pray for my son and wife. Sometimes the fear is haunting but on the other hand I believe everyone has a different destiny. If Kayra was destined to leave me that soon, I believe that Aira would not do the same. May she be given a long life and accompany me through my old age." Affan spoke with teary eyes.

Saying Affan so deeply made Bimo feel moved. It is rare for a person like Affan. A person who has good looks, wealth and all the things that all women dream of can survive to a dozen years.

Not wanting Affan's grief to drag on, Bimo thought of a way to divert the conversation.

"Drink the coffee, Boss. It's gonna be cold." Bimo brought Affan's coffee closer.

"Thank you. Let's drink and go home." Affan tried to smile in the midst of the bitterness of his heart.

Bimo nodded then sipped his still hot coffee. His heart felt relieved after seeing Affan's face had calmed down a little. For him Affan is not just a Boss but also a fun friend.

By the time work came home, they immediately prepared. Two men who love this wife seem so happy if they can go home early. They are far from being places of entertainment and hurrah.

"We're going home now, Bim!" bring Affan.

"Attep, Boss. Hours back from work are still fifteen minutes away. I don't want other employees to think I'm being treated special. Fifteen minutes isn't too long anyway." Bimo used the rest of his time to tidy up his slightly messy work desk.

"All right! Then I'll go first. Until tomorrow, assalamualaikum," said Affan.

"Wa'alaikum salutations." Bimo returned to focus with his job of cleaning up the items scattered on the table.

Actually Bimo has his own room but Affan often asks him to work in his room. According to him, this is more effective and can save energy and time. Almost all the work they do together.

The shadow guards that followed Affan were still around him. They immediately prepared when they saw Affan coming out of the office. Their whereabouts are unknown to the office dwellers, only Bimo and Affan know about it.

"Where are we, sir?" ask Mr. Sapto.

"Just go home, sir. Bismillah, may we be kept away from dangers that may come without us knowing." Affan prayed before leaving.

"Aamiin's." Mr. Sapto then drove his car out of the office.

Although he had only seen it once, Mr. Sapto memorized the motorcyclists who followed their cars. One of them was a member of the bodyguard who greeted him after the tragedy of the attack. His heart felt a little calm with their existence.

The city streets started to get jammed considering it was hours of work. Affan's car was slow and it might be a little late to get to his house. Their car stopped long enough every time it found a red light.

Along the way Affan saw a lot of disadvantaged children who were busking or peddling various products on the roadside. Actually every day they were there but Affan didn't notice it like today. A sense of compassion crept in his heart and made him think how to help those children.

Cash assistance provided directly according to him is less effective. The smell of money sometimes makes someone forget the giver's message. Often they use it for secondary needs even though the primary needs have not been met.

The number of orphanages in this city is not able to reach all the underprivileged children who still have parents. Affan thinks he can help them go to school. However, the more difficult thing is not that, he must straighten out the understanding of the children about the importance of education for their future.

'I feel like I would feel so dizzy thinking about it alone. Perhaps, Aira and Faya could help me to think about it. Other than for my family, I will spend my fortune on the afterlife savings. Perhaps in this way, my sin will be reduced a little.' Affan continued to stare out the window even though his car was not through the usual road filled with children.

Before the magrib they just arrived home. Sapphira and Sarah were seen playing in the yard when she came home while Aira sat watching them on the porch chair. The joy of the two boys had already returned after Hana's departure.

Safira seems not to understand about the departure of her mother while Sarah looks more sincere. Sometimes he looks like he is daydreaming. Perhaps Sapphira's existence made her stronger and eager to take care of her.

Aira stood up to welcome Affan. Upon realizing his arrival, Safira ran to greet him. Whether Sapphira considers who Affan is, he looks very happy when he sees it coming.

"Sir .. papa ...." Sapphira's small mouth smoothly calls Affan papa.

Everyone looks tense especially Sarah. He feels bad when his sister calls Affan papa. However, he could do nothing and just let it go.

Meanwhile, Affan thinks whether this call will hurt Aira and Faya or not. They did nurture and finance Hana's two children but there was no talk of raising her as a child. Both of Hana's children still have a father who is her guardian so they cannot carelessly adopt them without her consent.

"I won't be angry just because a little boy calls you father" Aira said, as if she knew the meaning of Affan's silence.

After hearing Aira's words, Affan immediately carried Sapphira who looked confused by her attitude.

"Call me, Om Affan. Try, Safira can't call me Om?" Affan taught Sapphira in a soft voice.

"Om What," Safira said with her lisp voice.

Affan smiled hearing Sapphira obeying his orders. He then repeated it while holding Sapphira walking into the house. Although very tired but Affan looks so patient serving Safira who invites him to play.

'Mas Affan is a patient man. He will definitely be more affectionate to his biological children later.' Aira monologues in heart.

After joking around long enough with Safira, Affan handed her back to the baby sitter who cared for her.

"Om Affan wants to take a bath and pray magrib first, yes. Safira plays the same shoot." Affan said goodbye to Sapphira, and then turned to look at Sarah.

"Sarah, don't forget to pray five times, yes. You can take Kak Faya if she's home." Affan asked Sarah to keep her worship as well.

"Yes, Om." Sarah is still shy when dealing with her new family.

Aira follows Affan to her room and helps him prepare a change of clothes for her. Actually Affan still forbids him to move a lot but according to him this is a very light job. Instead Aira even felt tired if only told to be quiet.

"Thank you, honey." Affan put on the clothes prepared by Aira and went to worship. Before going to bed, he would wear different clothes.

"I'll go ahead first, Mas" said Aira.

"Hmm .. okay. I'll stay here.

Aira had been praying while Affan was taking a bath so she did not know what to do while waiting for Affan. On the table was a paper and a ballpoint pen, Aira picked it up and drew a pattern. From childhood he was very happy to design and hope to realize his dream home from the design he made.

Overly engrossed in drawing, Aira does not realize that Affan is done and stands behind him.

"What a good one, honey!" praise Affan.

Aira flinched and dropped her pencil. He was surprised to not know that Affan was already standing behind him.

"sorry. Ngagetin, huh? I think I already know I'm done." Affan scratched his head while grimacing.

"Huf! I didn't see you, Mas. Suddenly you showed up so I was surprised." Aira spoke while holding onto her thumping chest.

"Sorry." Affan apologized again.

Aira nodded.

After Aira's shock subsided a bit, Affan picked up the paper in front of Aira. Although it is not finished yet, Affan is very impressed with the design made by Aira. The details of the room it makes look very real and very unique.

"You're so talented to make a design, honey. If you want to continue college, I'll support you" Affan said, putting the design back in his hands.

Aira shakes.

"I'm married and I don't need to go to college anymore. God has made me a wife and mother at a young age, I sincerely become nothing, Mas." Aira felt college would make her remiss from her duties as a wife.

"Alhamdulillah. I'm so glad to hear that. If you do not want to go to college and spend a lot of time outside the home, you can channel your hobby to fill free time. The design you created will probably give me a lot of ideas to give recommendations to our service users, dear." Affan company is engaged in construction and interior design.

"It's my pleasure to do it, my. I love to draw interior design. Maybe it's because my house used to be ugly so I aspire to have a nice house in my favor." Aira told me why she likes her hobby.

"Do you have a dream home that I need to make?" ask Affan.

Aira shakes.

"This house is already very magnificent and beautiful. I really like living here. This house is more beautiful than just a dream house." Aira was already very grateful for what she had right now.

Building a house takes a lot of money and a lot of time. Aira did not want to burden Affan with her request. He has no idea behind Affan's simple lifestyle, he has wealth unimaginable to him. Maybe if she knew how much money was spent on her and Hana's hospital expenses, Aira would scream.

"All right then. You can tell me if you change your mind then I'll make your dream come true." Affan kissed Aira's forehead full of affection.

They went out to prepare for dinner together. Faya and Sarah were already in the living room when they came. Affan smiled when he saw Sarah was getting along with his daughter.

"I'm so hungry, Dad. How about we eat now," said Faya when he saw the arrival of Affan and Aira.

"Can. Let's go to the dining room now." Affan.

They went together to the dining room. Safira was no longer there because her baby sitter had already taken her to the room. He trained Sapphira with various stimulation in order to grow and develop properly. Faya chose a really quality baby sitter for Safira.

"Sarah, did you eat a little?" aira asked when she saw Sarah's portion of the meal.

"This is enough, Auntie." Sarah has not been able to eat much due to her grief after losing her mother.

"Well, if you're hungry, you bring some biscuits to the room, huh? You can eat it with mbak .. mbak who was Safira's baby sitter?" Aira turned her head towards Faya for not being able to remember her name.

"Mbak Sifa" said Faya.

"Eh, yes, Sister Sifa," repeated Aira.

"Good, Auntie." Sarah nodded.

They stopped the chatter and continued eating. Seeing Sarah's shy attitude, Aira took the initiative to take some side dishes for her. The boy of Indo-Turkish descent looks very sweet.

"Ma, Dad, I go to the room first, huh? I still have a job to do." Faya moved from her chair.

"Isn't it tomorrow Saturday?" Affan thinks Faya has no schedule on Saturday.

"Lectures are a holiday, Dad, but assignments must still be collected and sent via email" explained Faya.

"O ...." Affan no longer debated Faya.

Sarah, who had finished her meal, stood up. He was very close to Faya.

"I'm coming, brother!" exclaim Sarah.

Faya smiled. Maybe Sarah's not used to Affan and Aira and she understands him. During her stay with her family, she first met him while Affan and Aira were still in the hospital.

After the departure of Faya and Sarah, only Affan and Aira live in the dining room. Aira's face looks sad because it feels if Sarah does not like it. However, he did not dare to say it to Affan.

"What's wrong with you, honey? I see you look sad?" ask Affan.

"Ah, no, Mas!" elak Aira's.

Affan.

"Surely there's something you're thinking about now? Don't keep your problems alone." Affan knew very well the nature of Aira, he could not hide his anxiety or sadness.

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