Not the First
Suddenly Enrolled

"How's Devara doing?"

Chat came in from mom. Not as usual. If there's anything or just asking me about the news, mom always calls me.

"Oma's grandson is fine. He was so happy with Rey's presence in this house. The day their relationship grew closer" Wibie replied with the truth.

"Will you be back?" ask mom again

"Yes. After taking Devara to school of course. I want him to feel the presence of his parents on his first day of school,"

"I'm sorry, son. Your sister also needs to be accompanied. This is the birth of his first child. I have to make sure she's okay,"

"Yes, Mom. Wibie understand,"

Long enough mother looks to be typing, but never finished.

"Bie,"

A short call. I saw my mother typing something for a long time.

"Surely there's something to say?" my question is in my heart.

"Yes, Mom," I said briefly.

I waited long enough for a reply. Mom is still online, again she is typing.

"Rey's a good boy. I think he fits you, son,"

A reply I was waiting for was sent. I was shocked to read what Mom said.

"Yes, Mom. But Rey still wants to go to college. I'm not sure how I feel anyway,"

"Talk about him. I'm sure the boy's older than his age,"

"Yes, Mom" Wibie replied again

"Think of Devara, honey. I can't be with you forever,"

Honestly speaking, the last mother's words really made me slice. It is true what he said.

Besides me and Devara, mom also has to share her attention with my sister and her baby-to-be. Considering we lived in a different city, it made it even more difficult for mom.

All this time I've been troubling mom too. In his old age, he had to be bothered with the affairs of grandchildren.

"Yes,Bu. Will Wibie think,"

"Just right away, baby,"

"Sorry, I didn't call you. Worried that Witha heard our conversation. I don't want her to feel guilty. Since mom came all Devara thought about. He was worried about his nephew. Afraid Devara had nothing to take care of," explained the mother again, before she ended her conversation

"Yes, Bu,"

My answer is still read by my mother. But he did not reply.

Wibie took a long breath. He put his HP on the nightstand, on the side of his bed.

He saw Devara who was asleep beside him. Her innocent face made Wibie so sad.

"It's true what my mother said. Maybe it's time I got married again. Devara needs a mother figure who can give her attention and affection" she whispered softly.

Wibie looked at the wall clock hanging above the door of her room. The clock shows at 11 p.m.

Even though it was this late, his eyes could not be closed. What mom was talking about really troubled her mind.

*Wibi*e Character Illustration

*******

"Right now I have to share some time between Devara and my sister Witha. She's going to give birth these weeks. So you have to be on standby in Surabaya," Wibie was silent for a moment. He grabbed his coffee cup and sipped the rest of his drink calmly.

"What I'm most worried about in this world is just my son, Devara. From birth he did not know his mother. She grew up with me, especially my mother. He took care of her,"

"Now mom's not here. I was so worried about leaving her for such a long time," Wibie's face suddenly became gloomy.

"Where are you going?" ask Rey innocently

"I have to get back to the field. Two weeks is not a short time, you know,"

"Eh, yes. Sorry,Pak. I forgot, "Rey hurriedly apologized because she saw Wibie's face getting upset

"Father don't worry, I'll take care of Devara as long as you're gone. There's Mom, Fat too" Rey tries to cheer up by offering a solution

"Of course I haven't calmed down. Devara, who was a child, was left for quite a long time by a family close to her. Who wouldn't worry?"

"Rey, would you marry me. Being a connecting mother to Devara?" Wibie caught full sight of Rey who was in front of him.

Rey stuttered. He did not expect that the direction of the conversation Mr. Wibie will lead to here.

For a moment Rey stiffened the earlobe, pressed it with her index finger and then took it off. Rey wanted to make sure hearing was not being disturbed, possibly covered by dirt in her ear.

"Married?" rehash Rey again

Rey has her hearing fine. Wibie stared intently at him. Observe the girl's behavior with a sharp look.

"Yes!" wibie replied firmly

Rey bit her lip. Putting his face deep.

"Is this guy really serious about what he's saying?" Rey's whisper in my heart

"Why did you choose me" asked Rey. This time he was eager to get an honest answer as to why Wibie suddenly asked him to be his wife.

"You owe me a lot. I'm good enough not to charge everything anytime soon. And most importantly of all, I've helped you escape Aldy, won't you return the favor to me?" Now the tone is starting to get high.

"That's all?" ask Rey again. He wanted to confirm the heart of the man in front of him.

"Because Devara is comfortable with you" he added

"That's all?" Ask Rey again.

"I have to answer what else. You've pissed me off,"

"Why did you suddenly become angry. I just want to make sure, why you want to marry me,"

"You always urge me. I gave you the reason. Is that less?" Ask again in such a strong tone

"We're talking about marriage, sir. Things that will keep us tied up for life. What is enough with that reason alone," This time Rey spoke in a firm tone.

"Why do we get married if we both don't really want to" she added.

"I don't know what you mean by what you say?"

"How old are you now?" Rey asked a little annoyed

"27" he answered briefly

"Ah, it turns out that age does not guarantee a person can think rationally," Rey jokingly so

"What did you say? I'm asking you to be my wife that's irrational?" Ask Wibie again. This time with a sharp look

"Ah. You wanted to marry me because you demanded my return and because your son was comfortable with me. Is that a rational reason for a grown man to choose a wife?" ask Rey again. This time with a tone that is no less high.

"I don't think this is a marriage. More precisely it can be said as a business deal,"

Wibie. Rey is right. It would be very selfish if he married this girl just for that reason.

"I'm sorry. I am not a man who is good at words. Including in this. Frankly I'm nervous, I'm not ready for that either. Mother asked me. He thinks you love Devara so much. For that he urged me to talk quickly about this,"

"Yes, God, that's not what I meant. That reason I can understand and it doesn't burden me. I just want you to say, you married me because you wanted me to, '" Rey cried in her heart. This time he was so upset.

"What about Mr. Wibie himself, do you want me to be your wife?"

"Why are these muters like this. I told you. I want to marry you. You just answer me. What would it not be?"

Rey is getting upset. Apparently Wibie was not immediately responsive to what was in his head.

Rey thought hard. If he refuses this proposal what about the job he just enjoyed and also his college.

Wibie's a good guy. All this time he treated her well. If he had to repay that favor by accepting his proposal, no problem.

"If we get married, do you still hire me and still let me go to college" Rey asked. This time with a softer tone.

"I'll pay your tuition up to S5 even if you want to,"

Rey chuckles. Wibie's face that had been so tense had become slack. At once he smiled wryly.

"What's funny" he said again

"No. I just want to finish S1, which is important with my knowledge, one day I can live independently. I don't want to get to the S5, even though the new price is very high if it has been used the price drops drastically," Rey said in a joking tone. Wibie laughed because of it

"So how do you want to marry me?"

"Yes, already. If you want that. What harm I'm gonna take,"

"Why does your tone seem to have to be. Otherwise, you don't have to be forced,"

"You yourself how. Applying to people is also half-and-half," Rey argued again.

Wibie is getting all wrong. Not to mention he spoke up, Rey had already abandoned her intentions.

"It has. Don't go up pintam. Finish your coffee first, baby," This time Rey looked at Wibie with a seductive look.