Mama'S Twin
Valex and Hospital

The confused Michael sat in an empty chair beside his wife. The three of them sat around a table in the cold-air side courtyard.

The air may be cool and refreshing because this place is very far from a crowded city and a lot of pollution. But their hearts are not cold. There was a burning and thumping turmoil that erupted with the breath of the Madam.

"Mr Dario was here with a woman. My wife misunderstood that it was her. Actually it's not just Mr. Dario and the woman who come here and stay the night" Michael said, carefully composing his words.

"Who else then?" ask Mrs Sanio to investigate.

"There's Mr. Shan and one more man. Maybe his friend or the woman's husband." Michael let out a short breath in nervousness.

Mrs Sanio started to feel some awkwardness. He wondered when Dario would come. Was it when the boy left the house while angry that Celia cancelled her divorce? So the kid ran away here?

"Tell me when he came here and how long?" ask Mrs Sanio.

Joan just shut up. The old aunt caught the code from her husband to keep him quiet.

Michael mentions the time of Dario's arrival and how long he stayed.

"But he's alone, madam. The woman and the man left. It's only a day" he added.

Yeah, just one day ago Julie ran away and has been looking for her at every train station.

Michael thinks he can correct the mistake of his wife's careless talk.

At least, he did not say blatantly. Just enough.

Mrs Sanio but not that innocent. Dario was once caught keeping an ultrasound photo of the contents in his suit, and now Joan says he has a wife?

Yes, although Dario assured him that it was a misunderstanding and it turned out that the photo belonged to Shan's pregnant wife, but still, his instincts were very strong. Something is awkward here.

Silent moment. Only the cool, cold Valex city wind slapped their skin.

"The woman's pregnant, right?" Mrs Sanio immediately shot the two workers suddenly and without further ado.

He saw that the couple looked surprised and looked at each other with uneasiness.

Michael's forehead was sweating in this cold weather. He definitely can't dodge it anymore now. So thought Mrs Sanio.

"mmm...Y.yeah, Madam. It seems so." Michael answered nervously.

He looked at the two with a probing look. Mrs Sanio assessed and weighed.

Michael looked depressed but he could dodge and answer questions quickly. But Joan wasn't. He was innocent and nervous.

"alright. Michael, please shut up. I'll just ask your wife. Joan, answer my question and look me in the eye. Understood?" ask her with an intimidating eye glance.

Aunt Joan just nodded. His hands were clinging to each other and squeezing the end of the apron he was wearing.

"What is a pregnant woman like? You said there were three men here. Dario, Shan and the other man. So, who does she look closer and familiar with?" ask Mrs Sanio.

Aunt Joan looked stiff. Lying is not his skill. He is a sincere and honest soul owner. Now he feels desperate.

Her husband stepped on her feet twice under the table.

Twice?

Joan seemed to think. If twice means answer number two of the three choices. Then he should answer Mr Shan?

"Answer, Joan. Wh who? Dario, Shan or the other guy?" Madam Sanio urged him.

"Pak Shan, Madam," he replied quickly.

Michael looked down at the terrace floor carved from this natural stone. Arghh. He cursed in the heart.

"Shan?" Madam Sanio seemed to think.

"So Michael said maybe the pregnant woman was the wife of the other man. So which is right?" Madam Sanio looked at the two alternately.

Joan looked innocent and convincing. Maybe he lied? He had known and been close to Joan for a long time. Even long ago when he did not have Dario.

So if it was true that the pregnant woman was close to Shan, could it be his wife Shan? But what's he here for?

Madam Sanio looked back at the couple who looked nervous. Ah, he was carried away by the mood and emotions. Though they have been meritorious in caring for and guarding his home.

"Oh, sorry. I was just a momentary emotion. So what was Dario doing here?" ask her in a relaxed tone.

"He pondered a lot and almost all day always in the room of the late Mr. Omar." Joan replied. Michael confirmed.

Lady Sanio nodded in understanding. Does that kid miss his dad? Was he like he used to be when he scolded her, always complaining to her papa?

The poor boy may have been so distressed at his unilateral decisions all along.

He knew Dario was weak in front of him. His father always advised to keep and obey his orders since childhood. So he took advantage of his son's weakness.

***

Dario asked impatiently to Anna's doctor. Shan.

"How, Ann?" ask her with desperate eyes.

"Baby survived. Two beautiful girls who must keep fighting until the next few weeks in the NICU. But relax. The equipment in this hospital is the best. They will grow perfectly later. Be patient."

There was a relief of its own in his chest. A large rock that fell on his chest was like it was lifted up. But there was still one more stone that made his chest feel tight.

"What about Julie?" ask Dario impatiently.

Doctor Anna was silent for a moment.

"I can tell you he's in a coma. His vital condition is stable. She's had quite a struggle and complications for a woman her age."

The remaining stone grew bigger. Stripped his chest increasingly tight and sore.

"Hey, I've also been a mother. Be calm. He must have woken up even if he had to fight a little more. He went through a lot to get to this point."

And Dario's legs are getting limp. It was as if all the bones were removed from his leg.

"I can't do anything but ask you to wait and be patient" said Anna's doctor, patting her on the shoulder.