Genius Children: Between Hate and Miss
Will Not Let Arsenio Injured

"Where are Surti and Arsen? Why isn't the clock coming home yet?" Tania paced back and forth in the living room with an anxious look on her face.

The wall clock has shown at nine o'clock in the evening, but the child has not yet arrived home. Dozens of short messages Tania sent but none of them Arsenio replied to. Even so with Surti, even the message sent to the woman only tick one black color. That means Surti's internet package is off, making Tania even more worried.

"Lord, please don't let anything bad happen to my son. I can't bear it if anything happens to Arsenio."

When Tania was busy thinking about where Arsenio was, from the direction of the entrance of the apartment, someone was pressing the password of her residence. Then before long the tiny figure that awaited stood in the doorway.

"Arsen, son. Where are you from, son? Mom is worried about you." Tania immediately clenched the tiny body so tightly as if afraid if Arsenio went far and never came back again.

"I took Arsen to the playground. Pity him if he goes straight home."

It was not Arsenio who answered, but Xander who stood behind his beloved son.

"I'm sorry I made you worry about our son" Xander said.

Tania breaks down a hug, then pulls Xander's arm away from Arsenio. When Tania was sure Arsenio hadn't heard their conversation then she said, "Where are you taking her, huh? Why don't you tell me before you take Arsen away?" ask the woman haughty.

"I invited Arsen to go play in the arena game at the Permai Mall, where we used to walk together. Just after the art show I offered to take our son to a place and it happened that Arsen said he wanted to go play. As a good Papa, of course I can't refuse my own children. Moreover, today he has performed the best performance on stage. So I was thinking, there's no harm in occasionally getting him to play without telling you first."

"But you've made me anxious, you know? I think something bad happened to Arsen." Tania drew a sharp look at Xander, the gaze of those eyes was like a sharp knife that slammed right into the heart.

Xander sighed deeply, then held it for a moment then exhaled slowly. "Yes, I know, I'm guilty. It's just, I can't bear to see Arsen grieving. Imagine how our children feel when all their school friends are invited to go by their parents, only he is someone who does not go anywhere. Must be sad, right?"

"Your absence this afternoon has made her sad, so should I do the same as you, letting Arsenio dissolve in her sadness? I am evil for accusing you of cheating on me with Abraham, but I am not an evil Papa, and I can let my own flesh and blood grieve when everyone is happy. I still have a conscience not to let Arsenio be confined in grief."

Xander's words were like a hard slap to Tania, piercing into the deepest recesses of the heart. The woman was silent, unable to speak.

Xander approached Tania, then touched both of his ex-wife's shoulders. "I was so engrossed in playing that I didn't realize that time had passed so quickly. I'm sorry, huh? I promise I won't do it again."

The only child of Jonathan Vincent and Miranda Pramono gave a smile to his ex-wife. "Udah, don't pout anymore. Poor Arsenio if she sees us fighting, she will definitely blame herself."

Tania immediately turned her head towards Arsenio, who was now sitting on the sofa. "But you promise not to repeat it again. I'm really worried about Arsenio. I'm scared ...."

"Sst, don't talk carelessly! As long as I'm around, Arsenio will be safe. I'll never let anyone hurt our son, okay?"

The ex-husband then walked towards the sofa, joining Arsenio who was watching television. Although the boy's eyes were fixed on the television screen, his eyes were unfocused, occasionally glancing at his parents.

Tania placed her knees before Arsenio, then smiled sweetly at her beloved son. "Darling, sorry Mama for not being able to come this afternoon. Meetings with clients can not be postponed to make Mama forced to attend the meeting. Actually Mama would love to watch your performance on stage, playing the prince, but Mama can not do anything because Grandpa Johan has entrusted everything to Mama. Again, please excuse me Mama, huh?"

The two looked up, it seemed Tania was waiting for an answer to what Arsenio would give. While Xander only watched his beloved ex-wife and son from a distance that is not too far away. Xander lets Tania speak heart to heart with the fruit of their love.

Tania smiled, her eyes did not want to be separated from the beautiful face of the child. "Of course I can. Ask Mama anything, insha Allah, Mama will grant."

"Ehm .. I want Mama to take a leave of absence, then we go on vacation to the top. I want my mom to be with me without having to be busy. Can Mama grant my request?"

Again and again Tania fell silent at Arsenio's request. Taking time off to just accompany Arsenio on vacation to the top? Oh my goodness, could he be so excited to go on an excursion when a myriad of jobs await him? However, making Arsenio hurt, it seems he was unable to.

Xander sees Tania's attitude getting upset on her own. If only their status was still husband and wife, it is certain that Xander will reprimand his wife for being too busy working to abandon their child.

Tania, please, don't make our child sad again. It's enough today that he's hurt by you breaking your promise.

Tania stroked Arsenio's face gently. "Mama will grant your request. When do we leave? This weekend? If so, Mama immediately makes a leave letter and files it to Grandpa Johan."

"Mama's not lying, is she?" The boy stared meaningfully at Tania. Even her beautiful hazel eyes looked teary.

"No, honey. This time, my mom was serious. We're going on vacation together this weekend. How, you happy?"

"Yeah, hooray! I'm going on vacation with Mama!" Arsenio clapped her hands, jumping up high to make her hair that was a light-brown color sway.

Tania's eyes glazed over, moved at how much Arsenio hoped they would be able to take a vacation, spending time together amid a pile of work waiting for her to be completed immediately.

"But I'm afraid Grandpa Johan refused Mama's request. If rejected, how? Did we fail the vacation together?" Instantly Arsenio's countenance changed, a gray cloud again came to the handsome face of a six-year-old boy.

Xander, who could not stand it, finally opened his voice. Then, he crouched down next to his beloved son. "Om who will meet with Grandpa Johan and ask him directly to give permission to Mama. So you and Mama can vacation without fear of being disturbed by anyone."

Tania glared at Xander, as if expressing her dislike of the man's attitude. However, Xander pretended not to see and turned his eyes in the other direction.

Xander, suck! gerutu Tania in heart.

***

Tania exited Arsenio's room, then swung her legs towards the sofa where Xander was sitting at the moment. The woman landed her ass on the couch. Tania's seat was currently blocked by only three sofas.

"Thank you for coming and watching Arsenio perform at school. I don't know what would happen if none of us were present, Arsenio might be sad. He must have felt that he was never expected by either of us."

Tania's fingers twisted the end of the shirt she was wearing. The woman's head was bowed, unable to face the owner of hazel eyes.

"Don't feel sorry for me, Tania! I just happen to be so lazy there is no reason for me not to come to see the greatness of my own son" replied Xander. "Udah, don't think about it! Most importantly, right now you are looking for ways to make up for your mistakes because you have disappointed Arsenio. Find a comfortable lodging, child-friendly tourist attractions until the pain in Arsenio's heart is slightly treated."

...***...