HIDDEN WIFE
You've sacrificed Enough, son!

A few days after Lula was allowed to go home by a doctor, Alika was finally allowed to go home. During the trip, there was no talk between Dirga and Alika, although several times Alika tried to indulge by leaning on the arm of Dirga who was driving. 

“You why the hell, since last silenced me continue?” ask Alika sulking. However, Dirga did not reply as if his mind was floating out of nowhere. “Dirga!” 

“Please, Lula! I'm driving!” 

Alika's eyes flashed furiously after hearing her husband mispronounce the name. A long sigh was heard implying a peaking annoyance. 

“Lula? So since I was thinking about that woman to silence me?” 

Dirga was aghast after realizing the wrong name. Dazzling, he glanced at Alika at a glance, then refocused on the road ahead. 

“What's the matter, Al. I just mispronounced your name that bad. Can't I be wrong just a little bit?” 

“The problem is that you called another woman's name. Any wife would be upset if her husband mentioned another woman's name.”

“He is no one else. Lula is my wife,” Dirga said inwardly. 

“I'm sorry, Al. I was not accidentally.” Although he apologized, it did not make Alika complacent. He remained nagging all the way home, venting his frustration. 

The car entered the yard and stopped right in front of the door. He opened the car door and got down. Take out Alika's suitcase in the back trunk. Alika was again irritated when Dirga walked casually towards the door by dragging a suitcase. 

“I have to do something. Dirga is now starting to change since knowing Lula. Usually he would open the car door for me. Now he's like forgetting me.” 

Alika took a deep breath to meet the needs of oxygen in her lungs. Dirga's treatment seemed to confirm that she was no longer a queen for her husband. Alika then got out of the car, then accelerated his steps following. 

“Dirga, why are you? Lately I feel like you've changed a lot like me. You didn't even open the car door for me.” 

Putting the suitcase near the sofa, Dirga then stood facing Alika. “Sorry, Alika. I'm hustling. Want to pick up mom at the airport.” 

Alika instantly silenced. He had almost forgotten that today his in-laws would arrive from abroad. Though deep down, Alika hopes never again face to face with the mother of her husband. 

“Why should you pick up? Not at home mom there are many drivers huh?” 

“Indeed why if I picked up mama?” dirga asked Alika's gaze back. “Why do I feel you are not happy with the arrival of mama?” 

Alika was aghast, palpating the back of her neck with a wave. “I'm not unhappy. But you know, your mama has never liked me since the beginning of our marriage.” 

“Not mama. But you who do not want to have a good relationship with mama.” 

“How will I be in a good relationship with my mom if she never tries to be nice to me?” Alika again snorted, throwing her gaze in the other direction while crossing her arms in front of her chest. Dirga who has memorized his wife's body language can only shake his head. 

 “Al .. mama is our parent. You as a child who should try to be kind and take the heart of mom. But what you've been doing all this time is the opposite!” 

Alika was suddenly silent and at a loss for words. He resigned when Dirga left him to pick up his in-laws.

*** 

At the airport ...

Dirga kissed the back of Mama Diana's hand shortly after meeting in the lobby. They did not meet for nearly six months because Diana was spending more time abroad.

Mahendra's family business is spread in several countries in Asia and Europe, making Diana's mother busy and rarely in Indonesia. 

“Mama how are you?” dirga asked without taking off the longing release hug. 

“Good, Son. You alone?” 

“Good, Mah.” Dirga took off a hug and looked at mama Diana with a smile.

Mama Diana then glanced back and forth as if she were looking for something. But not found. His face suddenly turned flat. “Where is your wife?” 

“At home,” replied Dirga.

“Know, but Alika is sick. So she breaks at home.” 

"Always the reason for pain. Mama has memorized."

Dirga lowered her head, she knew Mama Diana had never found a match with Alika.

"I'm sorry Alika, Mah. Let's go home." Dirga then dragged Mama Diana's suitcase to the car in the parking lot.

Along the way they talked about many things about the Dirga household with Alika.

"You're the reason, son. If you are not happy, why not just get divorced. You also need a wife who can make you happy. Lah, if Alika's model wife, can you be happy?"

"Mah ..." While driving, Dirga occasionally glanced at Mama Diana with resignation.

"You have sacrificed too much, you also need to be happy, son."

"I'm happy, Mama," said Dirga slowly.

"Don't lie! Your lips may say happy, but what is your heart? Don't tell me you love Alika because you know that's not true" said Mama Diana.

"I love Alika. It was hard at first, but now I'm used to it."

"Custom because of force. That's what you mean, right?"

"Mah ..."

"Enough Dirga!" Screeched Mama Diana. "You don't try to plead again. You've borne enough of the wrongs you didn't make until you married that woman."

Dirga was silent for a while when he arrived at the crossroads. Waiting for traffic lights to change color.

"I have to how? I've made a promise to Alika and can't deny it."

A clear liquid pooled in Mama Diana's eyeballs, then immediately wiped it as tears began to drip down her cheeks. He remembered what happened a year ago. Which makes his favorite son trapped in a complicated situation.

"If Azka had not been drunk, perhaps none of this would have happened. You don't have to bear the burden of your mistakes."

"Well, don't talk like that. Azka's sister has calmed down. Let's not look at the past anymore."

"But the past is what you have endured until now, Dirga!"

"You know how else. Let's just say it's part of destiny."

Mama Diana grabbed a piece of tissue and rubbed her nose. The tears had stopped, leaving the sound of sobbing. Until a while later, Mama Diana was only able to control her sadness.

"Yes if you want to survive with Alika. Mama can do what," he said. "Is there no sign of Alika getting pregnant yet?"

The question kept Dirga stunned. Don't know what to answer. If Mama Diana found out Alika's womb had been removed, she would have asked her son to marry again and Dirga had promised to hide Lula's status as a wife.

"Not yet, Mah."

Both were silent for a while. Both Dirga and Mama Diana dissolved in each other's minds.

Shortly after, the car arrived in front of a minimalist house. Mama Diana's forehead creased as she stared at the house.

"Whose house is this, Dirga? Why are we here?" ask Mama Diana.

Dirga was surprised at her. Unknowingly he drove off and stopped in front of Lula's house.

Go to Lula's house anyway? Didn't you go to Mom's house? inner Dirga.

****