One Roof With Honey Choice In-Law
Should I Take Responsibility

"You kicked me out?" ask Talitha.

"Yes. Never set foot in this house forever if your attitude is like this!" reply Ral.

Talitha bit her lip. Then stomped his feet exactly like a sulking little boy. Crying was certain and he had no face left to stay any longer. So he decided to leave.

"Damn!" ral Ompat.

The man hit the wind before sitting on the edge of the bed. Seemed annoyed, but unapologetic despite knowing what he was doing was quite rude. On the other hand Dzakiyya returned the comb to the drawer and asked Ral to follow Talitha.

"Pursue him!" dzakiyya Pinta.

"No way!" reply Ral.

Instead of leaving, the man threw himself into bed. It doesn't matter even if someone would see her and accuse her of cheating again.

"Don't you want to marry her?" ask Dzakiyya.

"It's been six years. Don't I have a lot of reasons to change my mind?" reply Ral.

"Do you think I believe?" ask Dzakiyya.

Dzakiyya knows Ral likes Talitha. Ral had even asked for Dzakiyya's blessing personally since six years ago. It's just that Talitha was too young and Ral was so gray. It looks so dick and unreliable. Hence Dzakiyya put forward some conditions if Ral wanted to marry his sister-in-law. Two of them were asking him to change his bad habits and not to refuse when Abidzar pulled him into the company.

"Dza, don't think of anyone else. Think of yourself!" said Ral.

The man switched the conversation then got up and stood behind Dzakiyya. From the mirror before him, Dzakiyya knew Ral was watching him.

"Why see me that way. Do I look pathetic?" ask Dzakiyya.

That silly question made Ral laugh even for a moment. Dzakiyya's eyes are so swollen that they barely even open. That doesn't show how sad he is. But forget about it because of his arrival this time to straighten out what happened yesterday.

"Dza, about yesterday I'm really sorry. I don't know why I can sleep in your room with,-"

"Ral, please don't say anything else about yesterday. I know you didn't do it" cut Dzakiyya.

The woman turned around. Seeing Ral clearly showed a face of regret. This guy can't be like that. Dzakiyya knows very well how the habits of his childhood friend. And if there's anyone who should suspect Dzakiyya not Ral. Except for two maids who have gone missing somewhere since last night.

Although not sure why, Dzakiyya sure that his mother-in-law must be involved about the events of yesterday. But since her husband was so stubborn and did not want her anymore then there was nothing worth exploring. It's better this way. Divorced and raised their own children. That way her mother-in-law will probably let go and won't bother her anymore.

"Then, how now?" ask Ral.

"Divorce is divorced!" Dzakiyya.

That word seems so easy to say. But to say it Ral believes Dzakiyya needs a lot of courage.

"So, should I take responsibility after you're divorced?" ask Ral.

Dzakiyya was glued for a moment. What kind of joke is that. Why should they get married. What Dzakiyya looks like is a person who will get married immediately after divorce. After all, the one who should have married Ral was Talitha not herself.

"Don't say anything unreasonable. If you want to get married, doesn't Talitha have to be the bride?" Dzakiyya.

Ral responded to Dzakiyya's protest with a wry smile. The plan is so. But the more backward Ral was the more doubtful. Especially considering how Diana treated Dzakiyya all this time. And again, there is someone who needs it more.

This time Ral glanced at Dzakiyya's stomach. He was not thinking about himself but about the fate of the baby in Dzakiyya's stomach.

"Your son needs a father" Ral said, holding Dzakiyya's head.

Dzakiyya was touched by that sentence. A glance at his smile. Why is Ral always this way. Although it looks like a delinquent but he knows when to act like a real man. Unlike her husband who always obeyed can not even fight for the sake of filial piety for her mother.

Well, Dzakiyya was indeed touched by Ral's sincerity. But that doesn't mean he wants to be pitied until he has to sacrifice Ral's own happiness.

"Having an uncle like you. It was my son's greatest fortune" said Dzakiyya.

"Dza?" call Ral.

The man looked at Dzakiyya with a different look. Wanting to explain that he didn't mind if Dzakiyya wanted it. Ral, however, felt guilty about yesterday's incident. That's why he said his willingness to take responsibility. But before Ral could say it, Dzakiyya had already asked for something else instead.

"Ral, I'm fine. If you feel guilty, just set aside a little time for my son so he doesn't lose a father's affection after he's born" Dzakiyya said.

Well, that's all Dzakiyya expected. Hope Ral is kind enough to set aside a little time for his son and replace the role of father that should be the responsibility of Abidzar.

"Just like that?" ask Ral.

"Yes, just like that" replied Dzakiyya.

Ral could not take it anymore. Consciously pulled Dzakiyya and kissed her head. So good so beautiful but had to suffer because of her mother-in-law. Really, Ral felt this was very unfair to a woman as sincere as Dzakiyya.

"Then let's go home. I'll take good care of you" Ral asked.

"I don't want to!" reject Dzakiyya

Here's where. At her parents' house that gives her many sweet memories. Dzakiyya wanted to spend her time with the rest of those memories.

"Dzakiyya, you're pregnant. You can't stay alone. What if something happens to you?" ask Ral.

What Ral said was true. Dzakiyya herself was also a little scared. But he was too shy and did not want to trouble Ral more than this. The atmosphere calmed down as neither of them spoke. But a few seconds later, a noise was heard outside. Dzakiyya and Ral came out to see what happened.

"Rafael, why are you still standing there. Help mom move things!"

The shout came from Bella, Ral's mother who has lived abroad for several years. The woman did not come alone because behind her appeared another figure who was none other than Ral's father.

"Honey, Haris is home!" said the man who used to call Dzakiyya Om Haris.

The two middle-aged humans were half-running. Then he hugged Dzakiyya and showered her with a kiss. Treating Dzakiyya like a real child and setting Ral aside like a stepson.

"Ma, Pa, you're hugging the child wrong!" ral protest.

Instead of serving Ral's talk by hugging him. The pair of parents even gave a big surprise to Ral by handing over a check.

"What's this?" ask Ral. A little surprised considering his parents are used to being stingy. And that made Ral suspicious.

"Take it. That's money!" answer Haris.

"Really?" ask Ral.

One eyebrow raised. How could he possibly get a windfall without effort. Seeing the expression that his son Bella showed also said where the money came from.

"That's your house's money!" said Bella.

Bella smiled broadly to reveal her eight teeth. Not showing the slightest guilt despite having sold the house unilaterally.

"Where do we want to live?" ask Ral.

"There," replied Haris while pointing at the house next to Dzakiyya's house.

Yesterday, Ral told me everything. They knew Ral was planning to bring Dzakiyya home. But they also knew that Dzakiyya must have refused. So they are willing to sell the house and move next door to Dzakiyya's house. So that they can watch over and take care of Dzakiyya, the son of his late best friend without asking Dzakiyya to move house.

"Dear, don't be afraid. You are not alone. There's us, there's also that punk who's gonna take care of you!" said Haris.

The man hugged Dzakiyya. Letting Dzakiyya feel what it feels like to embrace a father she hasn't felt for a long time.

"Thank you!" Dzakiyya.

...***...