Prison of Love
Hidden Motives

67

What I'm seeing right now I really can't believe. Hengky, the lover I desperately hid from Abah, and Andy, the ex-lover who was once the source of the biggest trouble in my life are now sitting down to eat with my family.

Many times I blinked just to make sure I wasn't dreaming right now.

Hengky who has since looked calm is very contrasted with Andy who is usually good at controlling the public now looks very awkward. Several times he took out his phone just to kill the nervousness that overpowered him.

Guess where Hengky took us to eat?

Luxury restaurant in a five star hotel.

When Abah's car followed her car into the hotel basement, my family was busy nagging why instead Hengky took us to the hotel? Don't we want to eat? Because as far as they know, hotels are only places to stay, not to eat.

But when Hengky got out of the car, smiling kindly, even holding Grandma's hand, helping her while going to ride the elevator made Ali and Uwak who were initially the most vocal protest suddenly silent. Abah and I did not comment much. This makes my mind even more filled with negative prejudices about what they are planning.

There's no way Abah and Mama just invite them if they don't have their own mascudine, right?

“Sorry Abah, Mom, Hengky don't have a convenient resto recommendation except here. In shaa Allah the place is comfortable and there are many menus to choose from,”

Abah nodded while patting Hengky's arm, “You're here often, Nak?”

“Multiple times, Abah. In shaa Allah will not disappoint,” continued Hengky while slightly bending his back.

Hengky and Andy's height is very striking. That's why Ali who had been invited to talk by Hengky seemed to avoid. I know, he doesn't like to feel rivaled.

When the elevator stops and the door opens, our visuals are so spoiled with the feel of a typical European restaurant. The sound of a very friendly classical musical instrument is captured by the ears as well as the aroma of cooking that makes me swallow saliva.

In my heart I asked, “why did Hengky never bring me here?”

A male receptionist in her 20s greeted us at the entrance. From his gaze and manner of speaking, he seems to have memorized with Hengky and Andy. Without hesitation he immediately asked us to follow his steps into the VIP room.

Grandma, Uwak and my new Uncle first entered a luxury restaurant that has a VIP room seemed to be open with service and also a room that nuanced classic. This room is more elegant impressed with the style of medieval victoria. The arrangement of chandeliers, curtains, and wall ornaments is very slick. The look of the room tends to prioritize bright colors. It was then decorated with a variety of identical Victorian style furniture.

I suddenly felt like I was in Hengky's house. The interior and the arrangement of the space was exactly the same as the dining room in Hengky's house.

A waiter came in and gave me a menu book.

“By Hengky help order the food, Bah?” asked Hengky politely with a smile.

Abah nodded, “Please.”

“How to like what kind of food?”

While Hengky took turns asking about the food my family wanted to eat, I instead focused on looking at Hengky. I still don't understand why he could do this.

Without asking, Hengky had already taken the initiative to translate some food menus and explain to my family the type of food. Because this is a typical European restaurant whose menu is mostly foreign-speaking, then Grandma, Uwak or Uncleku, would be very confused if not helped by it.

Andy who is starting to relax, I don't think he'll be able to get this close, if I think about it, perhaps Hengky's experience from childhood is often invited and handed over to take care of his own affairs making him more mature and more sensitive than men his age.

“Naya?”

“Eh, I-iyaa..?” I stammered.

“What food do you like?” Hengky smiled at me.  Her acting is amazing.

“Tenderloin?”

“Bby.”

“Medium or well done.?”

“Well done.”

Hengky smiled as he nodded. He spoke to the waiter and mentioned some menus. After the servant left he put his hands on the table and looked at Ali and Abah alternately,

“It's Naya's sister huh, Abah?”

Abah nodded, “Iya, this is Naya's first sister, her name is Ali Husain and this is the youngest, Osman Al-Fatah. Oh yes, this is Grandma Naya, this is..” Abah introduced one by one my extended family.

After finishing introducing my family, Abah confirmed his sitting position, “Andy has graduated college?”

Andy who had been silent hastily nodded, “Alhamdulillah, bah. I just graduated last year. It's a little late.”.

“Hengky was graduation too right?” ask Abah again.

“Iya, Bah. Alhamdulillah.”.

“Where is your family, son? Not accompanying?”

My heart ripples. I already know for sure Abah invited Hengky here not without reason. What would Hengky say?

“Papi is taking care of some clients abroad while mami is busy at her Social Foundation, Bah..” Hengky replied calmly.

The voice of Uwak and Ali whispering to each other was very disturbing to my ears. The grandmother who was not very understanding about what Hengky said only nodded repeatedly.

“So busy until the time his son graduation is not present?” ask Abah carefully.

Hengky is not menajwa. He just smiled.

“Then what about your other brother, son? Uncle or aunt?” Mom started talking.

“Hengky's graduation schedule does clash with their schedule so no one can attend. Incidentally, uncles and aunts live in Surabaya, Makassar and there are also those in South Korea. Because of the large distance so it is not possible to attend. Thank goodness Hengky has a big brother who can rely on,” explained Hengky at length while looking at Andy.

Uncle Kasim, Mother's youngest brother laughed softly. He raised his hand, “Nobody can handle the family as we want, right? It's not Hengky's fault if his family no one can attend.”

“Not wrong but it reflects the quality of the relationship between his family.”

Abah's short but successful sentence makes the look of Andy's face an hengky changed. I sighed in annoyance, “Bah, can we not talk about anything else? Kok temenku so kayak in interrogation gini deh.”

Abah shook his head slowly,”Not, Naya. Abah just wants Hengky or Andy to know that your child will not let in and be taken by a family that does not even see each other's faces in the morning and does not greet each other at night. If Papi and Mami are busy, then you can expect what from the example given by his parents about the provision of being a husband later?”

“Change...” My eyes feel warm.

“Before your relationship gets further away, Abah just wants Hengky to know, this Naya is not the same as the women out there who might be able to easily get Hengky by relying only on mere treasures and wealth. If it is only a matter of possessions, in shea Allah Abah and Mother are more than able to meet the needs of Naya,”

“From childhood Naya has been strictly educated and restricted from hanging out with outsiders who Abah thinks are not good for her. If the association alone is very guarded Abah, how is it possible when foreign men who come from unclear families come to take Abah's only daughter and Abah will just leave it alone?”