NOT A REPLACEMENT
Meet the In-Law

“Mama,” hiss Eve when she saw her car in-laws already parked in front of the house.

Eve had just arrived home after taking Lucia for a walk while shopping for daily necessities at the supermarket. Lucia herself still sleeps in Sumi's arms.

“How are you, Ma ? When to Jakarta ?” Eve approached her in-laws who were sitting in the living room.

The expression on Mama Ami's face looked irritated making Eve a little tense and wondering in her heart.

“Please take Lusi to his room,” Eve said to Sumi who immediately nodded after greeting mama Ami.

“Mama when to Jakarta ?” Eve repeated her question as she sat down near her mother.

“Why are you still sleeping separately even though it has been almost 2 months married ?”

Eve is surprised to hear mom's question but tries to be calm and smile.

“What Adam still can't accept you as his wife?”

“Not so, Ma. Adam was good to Eve, but all this was so sudden and it still felt awkward from brother-in-law to husband and wife. Eve herself is not comfortable if you have to sleep in the room with Mas Adam besides that we are trying to give understanding to Lusi so that he can accept Eve as a replacement for Mbak Erina.”

“Why do you have to be awkward, Eve ? You were very close to Adam long before Erina even had a few times you slept in Adam's room while playing at home. Mama always believed in you and was a little disappointed when Adam chose Erina instead.

Now that you're united as husband and wife, papa and mama are happy, it's never been cleared in our minds that you took Adam from Erina.”

Eve smiled bitterly even though there was a sense of happiness sneaking in her heart hearing Mama Ami's words. Eve does not forget how she cried while apologizing when Eve came 3 days before the man's wedding with Erina. The moment Eve waited for Adam to come out in the middle of a torrential rain.

“But Mas Adam's status as a sister-in-law makes the distance so close it becomes very far, Ma,” muttered Eve.

Mama shifts her seat and hugs Eve. Lovingly, Mama rubbed the back of her daughter-in-law.

“Mama and papa understand that you are hurt by Adam's decision and attitude 5 years ago but believe that until now part of Adam's heart is still filled by you. Your togetherness for 15 years will not be removed just like that.”

“Eve will remember the words of mama but now there is a Susi that needs to be given understanding.”

“Lusi is not too close to Erina as seen so far,” Mama said with a bitter smile.

“Means Mama ?” Eve looked surprised.

“Not to think about, it's all over. What matters now is your relationship with Adam as husband and wife. Mama wants to have grandchildren from you.”

Eve's eyes fiddled and her face immediately blushed in embarrassment especially when her hands again clasped her fingers as if to say that mama was serious with her words.

“Lusi's problem, Mama will help give understanding to the child. Mama sure Lusi would be happy when she knew you would be her mom.”

“Eve will talk about it with Mas Adam, Ma. About Lusi, Eve had asked about the position of surrogate mother and Lusi was immediately happy if Eve became her new mom.”

“Well, right ? Mama had also guessed that Lusi would definitely accept you. Papa and mama are also happy that you are finally the wife of Adam.”

Eve smiled awkwardly. Their relationship was once very close even Eve often came to the family home Adam on the grounds of tutoring lessons.

”Where is Papa, Ma ? Still in the Netherlands or come home to Jakarta ?”

“Papa again to Adam's office. Actually, Benny and Aunt Lia invited us to settle there because there was only papa, the only brother that Benny had, and papa intended to meet Adam to discuss, and he was still there, but my mom called me to postpone the plan. Mama wants your problems resolved first, then mama can relax stay away from you.”

“Ma, everything takes time. Everything is not the fault of Mas Adam alone, Eve is also a bit difficult to accept the reality and put yourself as Mas Adam's wife. If Mama and Papa want to move no problem, Eve and Mas Adam will definitely be fine.”

“Sorry if you have to get Adam as your former sister,” said the mother with a sad face and clasping Eve's fingers.

“Padahan since a long time ago, we especially mama always pray that you guys mate and become the only partner in your life.”

“Ma, the reality that Eve means is not a problem of used or new Mas Adam, but from sister-in-law so husband,” said Eve while laughing softly.

“Mama should meet Adam directly. It feels like your mouth is itching to scold the child and pull out his ears. Not ashamed of the same age that has been above the head of 3 and forget that it has become papapa. Behaviour is still like a boy, given a second chance instead of being used as well as you ignore it,” scolding mama with an upset face.

Eve just laughed softly and tightened her grip. There is a sense of happiness because the affection of Adam's parents never decreases let alone change even after Adam married Erina, Eve never again came to Adam's house because of Adam's drastic change in attitude and to keep her brother's feelings in check.

***

“Papa ? When does it arrive ?”

Adam was surprised to see Papa Damian sitting on the sofa in his study. Adam had just returned to the room after an internal meeting with the Division Heads.

“Barin noon.”

“Why didn't you tell me before ? I can pick you up at the airport. Papa go home alone or same mom ?”

“Mama deliberately does not want to tell you or Eve, want to give you a surprise he said. Now mama is at your house meeting Eve and Lusi and it looks like Mama got a little surprise there.”

“Papa why don't you ask me to come home or wait at my house ? I will definitely go home if I know Papa and Mama are already in Jakarta.”

“Papa actually wants to have a casual chat with you because there are things that Papa wants to discuss, but it seems like this plan should Papa delay until Mama gives the green light.”

“What problems, Pa ?”

“Om Benny invites Papa to move and settle in the Netherlands to be close to him. After 2 months of trying to live there, it seems like papa and mama are suitable to spend old age there especially we think you are married to Eve. Mama was relieved and believed that your life would be happier with Eve, but..”.

Papa Damian deliberately did not continue his sentence. He let out a long sigh and looked at his only son with narrowed eyes.

“Mama asked papa to tell Benny that we both postponed the plan because it turns out you are still being hard on Eve even you are still sleeping in a different room.”.

“Definitely Eve directly reports to mom,” murmured Adam while pulling one corner of her lips. His face looked annoyed at being convinced by his guess.

Papa smiled faintly then shook his head.

“Until when will you make Eve a scapegoat ?”

Adam did not answer immediately, only taking a deep breath because he himself did not know the answer.