
..._____...
Candra clasps Della's hand, bringing her into a large and luxurious house. Yes, it was the residence of Surya and Hani, the parents of Tina who lived in Singapore.
They are Candra's grandparents. For a long time he had not visited his own grandparents, he was too busy with college and working side jobs, and if there was free time, he would take the time to give his time to Della.
Candra stopped her steps, silent for a moment in front of the main door while closing her eyes. Not knowing what would happen later, his mind was even already very scared.
No !
He should keep doing it. Invite her little daughter Della to meet her family. During this time, Candra always hid Della's whereabouts. She only entrusts Della to be taken care of by a woman as her babysitter since infancy.
"Papa, whose house is this ?" The little voice asked, looking up at his papa.
Candra flinched, she was too preoccupied with her thoughts and fears. He opened his eyes and looked at the little boy who asked while shaking his arms.
"Em, this... Let's go in first yuk.." Her words.
Candra pushed the door wide. After it opened, her footsteps carried themselves and Della into the house that looked wider inside her.
They continued to step up, until his steps came to a halt in the living room with the television on. There was an old woman controlling a television remote sitting on a sofa.
The old woman's gaze was sidetracked from the television screen as she realized someone's arrival. He stared at her long enough and sharpened his gaze to clarify who she was looking at.
"Grandmother !" Said Candra who greeted her first. He walked over and grabbed his grandmother's right hand and kissed her.
"Candra ?"
"Yes, this is Candra"
"Oh my goodness, dear..." Hani exclaimed, she pulled Candra's body and hugged her.
"Where have you been, never seen grandma !" His murmur behind Candra's back.
"Sorry Grandma, Candra is too busy working together, so don't take a look at grandma !"
"Nothing son, the important thing is that you're healthy" he exclaimed as their arms stretched.
"Grandma how are you, healthy ?"
"Grandmother's healthy son" answered Hani.
"Where's the grandfather ?"
"Mara..." An old man interrupted their conversation.
"Grandfather" said Candra, then embraced Surya's vulnerable body.
"For so long you are not here" muttered Surya while patting Candra's shoulder
"Sorry kek.."
"Eh, who's this little boy..?" Surya asked as her gaze caught the figure of the little girl standing behind Candra.
The little girl smiled as everyone stared at her.
Candra took a few steps back toward Della. He crouched down and faced the little girl. Grasping her little hands that felt so cold. I don't know what Della is feeling right now.
"He.. My daughter's cake " said Candra calmly and confidently.
But suddenly the atmosphere became quiet. It was as silent as in an uninhabited empty space.
Quiescent. However her eyes shone sharply at a man who casually and confidently told her that the little girl she was questioning was her daughter.
Wasn't her hearing wrong just now ?
"W-what..?" Either he didn't hear it, or he was asking for a word that could explain it.
Candra Slowly nodded. Justifying what he said just now.
"This child, my daughter" she said.
Surya's gaze increasingly shone sharp. Not to Candra, but to a little girl who is currently seen changing her facial features. A smile that also slowly disappeared from her small lips. To be precise, he was more afraid right now.
...___...
In the car.
Candra looked at Della who had only been quiet since coming out of her grandparents' house earlier. Candra knew enough, what the little girl was feeling.
"Darling.."
Della turned her head, flinched by the papa's call.
"Yes.." Answer her.
"I'm sorry papa, it's all papa's fault"
Della quickly nodded.
"Papa's no use, papa's not a good papa for Della"
"Pa, why do you say that" Della said.
Candra was silent, staring out the car window to hide the tears that were ready to spill. He felt so guilty about Della. At the age of Della who is still this small, she already has to get hatred from her family. This is only his grandfather and grandmother, not to mention his two parents later when they arrived in Indonesia. I don't know what kind of treatment Della will receive later.
It's impossible for Candra to tell the truth, telling everyone that Della is not her biological child. Candra couldn't imagine how devastated the little girl's life would be if she knew that she wasn't her biological child. Moreover, she no longer had a mother.
"Pa.." The little voice called.
Candra flinched, switched and looked back at Della. He held her daughter's hand.
"Whatever happens, Della can't be sad and put a no-no talk into the heart. Remember, at any time, papa will always be next to Della"
Della frowned, I don't know what the papa meant. Whatever it is, he will still obey what Candra says.
"Ready pa.." Tell her while smiling.
"Good boy" muttered Candra as she gently rubbed Della's head.
..._____...