20 Years Adrift
Chapter 98. Letter Cans

Aira looked up at Affan. Seeing her sharp gaze made him not dare to oppose her. It was free to keep something from Affan because he must have continued to pursue him with the same question.

"Not a big deal. I just feel ...." Aira turned her head to look around her, afraid that anyone would hear their chatter.

Affan followed by looking in the same direction as that seen by Aira.

"I just feel like Sarah doesn't like me. What if he thinks I'm the cause of his mother's death." Aira spoke in a tone that sounded very sad.

Affan grabbed his hand and held it tightly to strengthen his heart.

"Don't think anything. We can explain it to him if that happens. But it doesn't feel possible. I'm sure Sarah's just embarrassed that she's not too familiar with us. If he knows and his sadness is reduced, he will definitely treat us the same way he treated Faya" Affan said.

Aira nodded. As time goes on, he will know by himself what the true story is like. Slowly, Aira would approach her and show her that she loved her very much.

"Yes, Mas. I won't think about it anymore. Maybe Sarah needs some time to get along with us." Aira did not want to think of anything uncertain.

***

Elsewhere, somewhere else,

Bimo just arrived at his house. After hours of commuting to work she goes to the cafe in front of the office to meet with the bodyguard leader who works for Affan. He provides evidence of drug syndicates directly connected to Sintya to them.

The legal apparatus behind the bodyguards are clean people who never sell positions to reap their personal profits. However, Bimo still asked them to keep Affan and himself a secret as the source of the information. Bimo's feelings felt a little light after the evidence was in the hands of the authorities.

"Assalamualaikum," Bimo said to his wife when he reached the room.

His little son was asleep when he arrived. Bimo did not rush to approach her before she took a bath. Babies are very susceptible to germs that may be carried by it.

"Wa'alaikum hail," jawan wife Bimo.

Bimo looked around the room. He searched where his father-in-law was. They were always in Anissa's room.

"Where are you, Nis?" ask Bimo.

"Oh, they just went outside to buy meatballs, Mas. They'll be back soon" Anissa explained.

Bimo nodded.

"Yes, already. I'll take a shower, okay? It's so hot." Bimo left Anissa who was still lying on the bed.

"Yes, Mas. Just wait for my mom to come. They'll be home soon."

"I ate already. Before I went home I met a co-worker. You're the one who ate with them, let me change Fattah's guard." Bimo answered Anissa before going to the bathroom.

Anissa nodded. He did not want to talk anymore because Bimo would take longer to bathe if he continued chatting.

"Father same old mother kog, yes. They've been out for almost an hour. What's the stall in front of the lid, huh?" anissa whispered asking herself.

Not long after, there were footsteps walking towards their room. Anissa was very sure if it was her parents. Not usually they come without a sound, maybe they are afraid to disturb Fattah who is sound asleep.

Anissa's mother and father were walking in shock with faces that looked extremely tense. They are like very frightened people. The chest of the two was seen going up and down like running out.

"What's up, sir, Buk? Why are you guys being chased by fierce dogs?" anissa asked half a joke.

Anissa's mother and father shook their heads. They did not respond to Anissa's jokes as usual. After feeling a little calm, Anissa's mother took water for her and for her husband.

"What are you guys really doing, anyway?" ask Anissa who is beginning to suspect if both her parents are really in trouble.

Not yet mother and father Anissa replied, Bimo out of the bathroom. She had yet to realize anything was strange with her in-laws and was acting ordinary. His hands were still rubbing the towel on his head while walking towards the two.

"Good night, sir, Buk," said Bimo politely.

"Yeah, Bimo boy." Anissa's mother's trembling voice made Bimo start to feel that there was something strange about their attitude.

Then, Bimo looked at Anissa as if he wanted to ask what happened to his parents.

Anissa shrugged her shoulders as a gesture if she did not know anything about this matter.

"Mother and new mother are coming. They look like frightened people. I was confused as to why they could be, "Anissa told Bimo.

Bimo turned to look at his in-laws.

Mr. Anissa walked over to Bimo and Anissa. He gave an envelope to Bimo.

"Someone asked us to give you this letter. They're very scary. It seems they are not nice people" explained Mr. Anissa.

Bimo immediately opened the letter out of curiosity. There is no sender name on the cover. There's only a piece of paper in it.

Not a lot of writing on the letter. There is only one sentence that contains a threat. Apparently, the syndicate behind Sintya also intends to threaten his family.

Anissa's mother and father told her about what they had just experienced. They were confronted by two men of sangar stature who asked about Bimo. The two men threatened to kill his family if they meddled in their affairs.

In the canned letter received by Bimo it is written that Bimo must submit evidence about the investigation carried out by the secret agent he hired some time ago if he wants his family to survive.

Bimo immediately grabbed his phone and reported what had happened to Mr. Kamil. As the leader of the bodyguard and the person in charge of the Sintya case, of course he has a solution to this problem. Bimo doesn't want the criminals to touch and disturb his family.

Mr. Kamil promised to send bodyguards to Bimo and his family. Before the Sintya case is completely resolved then they must remain vigilant. He also promised to ensure the safety of his family by cooperating with the police.

"Mom and Dad, just calm down. This night's events will not happen again. I've asked the security guard who is also escorting Mr. Affan to stand guard around the house. Now you guys just eat with Anissa let me take care of Fattah." Bimo calms his family.

They nodded. Although the remnants of that fear were still in his heart. After hearing Bimo's explanation, they didn't need to worry anymore and tried to calm down.

Anissa's mother walked slowly following the steps of her daughter who was still recovering after giving birth. The dining room is not too far from the room but feels like a long time to go because of Anissa who can not walk fast. Anissa's housekeeper had prepared dinner for them and poured the baso bought by her parents into a large bowl.

The mood still feels different. Anissa's usually cheerful parents suddenly became quiet. They thought about the safety of Bimo and their child in the future.

"I don't know what Bimo did so they threatened him like that?" ask Anissa's mom after they finish dinner.

Anissa smiled.

"Yes, Son. We always pray for your happiness, health and safety. May Fattah also be a good and successful child someday." Mr. Anissa represents his mother praying for his daughter's family.

"Thank you, Sir. Mothers must also always be healthy and happy in order to be durable momong grandchildren." Anissa smiled at her parents.

After dinner, the two returned to their rooms.

When everyone was asleep, Bimo sneaked out of his room to call Affan. He didn't want to make his wife and in-laws worry. Things get precarious and the invisible enemies start threatening their safety.

Arriving at his study, Bimo immediately closed the door and locked it from the inside.

'It turned out to be eleven at night. Boss Affan was surprised not if I called him? Hmm, not to mention if he kept the incident that happened to him last afternoon to his wife.' Bimo looks worried.

Bimo finally decides to just send Affan a message to tell him what he just experienced. He also advised Affan not to let Faya out unsecured. Just a little care then the enemy will take the opportunity and make it a weapon to fight them.

Almost ten minutes Bimo waited for a reply from Affan but there was also no reply. Maybe Affan has fallen asleep and put his phone away from his bed. Finally, Bimo returned to his room and waited for Affan's reply to fall asleep.

***

Morning, the morning,

Affan checked his phone just before going to the dining room for breakfast. He was a little surprised by the message sent by Bimo about the threat he received. Regarding Faya, before Bimo asked him he had already asked Faya to be careful while outside the house.

Although today is a weekend but Faya does not intend to go sightseeing during the two-day holiday. He's coming to college next Monday. The completed tasks were sent by him by e-mail.

Affan then replied to Bimo's message and said he was sorry for what happened to his family. To keep them, Affan asks Bimo to take some bodyguards from Mr. Kamil. Regarding the cost, Affan will bear it.

"Mas!" call Aira.

Before dis had gone to the dining room, seeing that Affan did not catch up, Aira chose to go back to her room.

"Y-yes, honey. I'm sorry to reply to an important message from Bimo" Affan said.

"Are there any problems at the office?" ask Aira.

"A little bit, but you don't have to worry. We can handle it." Affan did not say about the threat they received so that Aira would not worry.

Faya already knew of the matter but Affan asked her to keep it a secret from Aira.

Aira did not ask much more and brought Affan to the dining table. Sarah and Faya were waiting for him and had not started breakfast before Affan arrived at the dinner table. Faya teaches Sarah about manners at the dinner table.

Sarah's attitude changed slightly to Affan and Aira. He smiled to welcome them.

Aira's heart warmed when she saw Sarah's smile. His worries last night were completely unreasonable. Sarah did not hate him and gave him a smile.

Aira's facial expression made Affan feel calm. His wife is no longer sad. There was nothing more to worry about when she and Faya were far away from him.

"Sorry, you guys must have waited a long time. Let's start the breakfast!" Affan took his plate and started his breakfast.

"What time is my dad coming home?" ask Faya.

"Lonely. Today is Saturday." Affan caught the worry in Faya's face.

Affan gestured for Faya not to show her concern in front of Aira.

"Oh, I forgot. We haven't played badminton in a long time. What if we play badminton in the backyard?" Faya reasoned to cover up her anxiety.

"Who's afraid. I'll make sure you lose to me later." Affan smiled and showed off his white teeth.

Aira shook her head when she saw that father and son were not eating her breakfast immediately.

"Once, talk to him later. Pity Sarah so follow along to see you guys chat," said Aira.

Affan and Faya smiled. They immediately took his food and devoured it quietly. As much as possible they should behave normally so that Aira does not suspect.

Aira ate voraciously and ignored Faya's strange gaze to her father. Until breakfast ended, he was unaware of the differences in Faya's and Affan's attitudes. The clueless Sarah begins to get used to the presence of Affan and Aira nearby.

"Darling, remember my message, you don't do much. You better rest in the room. I'll ask Faya to report what you're doing at home if you break it" Affan said with a serious face.

"Yes, Mom, yes. I will do as Mas commands," Aira murmured with his face.

Her forward lips made Affan feel anxious. Fortunately there was Faya and Sarah so Affan did not dare to kiss her.

"That's a good new wife. I'll take care of you, take good care of yourself at home." Affan extended his hand before Aira and then Faya.

Sarah looked towards Affan but she did not dare to ask him to give her hand for her.

"Sorry, Sarah. Even though you were a child we were not mahram. Um, take a break, yeah. Good at home with aunt Aira and Faya." Affan explains the fundamentals about the beliefs he holds.

Sarah nodded and appreciated Affan's principle.

"Good, Om." Sarah is still talking.

"Assalamualaikum" Affan said before leaving.

"Wa'alaikum salutations." Everyone answered almost simultaneously.

Affan refuses when Aira is about to walk him to the door. Despite being fine, Affan asked Aira not to walk much. The reason was cliche but Aira felt obligated to comply with it.

"Dad's getting possessive with you, Ma. I knew my mom would get bored if she had to sleep. Take it easy, after this let's play the drama series from the laptop. I'll take him to the living room." Faya misses watching the drama together with Aira.

"Then Sarah?" ask Aira to Faya.

****

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