Reaching the Moon
Chapter 26

'But sorry, Nizam boy. Wardah wasn't patient enough to wait any longer for something uncertain. A few weeks he waited and finally came another man who proposed to him. Coincidentally who applied for this senior in the hospital, so Wardah immediately accepted. God willing, next month they will get married.'

Nizam let out a lethargic breath recalling the words of the father from Wardah that night. He can't blame anyone right now, if anyone is to blame, it's definitely himself.

How not? From the beginning Khaira introduced Wardah to Nizam, he never seriously responded, nor said no, let alone said yes. Now he realizes the impact of his attitude. Not only disappointed, but also embarrassed.

"Kak Nizam why? Any problem? The feeling from earlier continued," asked Nizwa disperse the daydreams of the brother.

"It's okay, don't poke, mending up your food, it's late, you know!" nizam's reply slowly made Nizwa snort.

"Appaan, anyway! Nizwa, I just want the same attention as Brother, that's it, really."

"Have you done, Nizwa, it seems like your brother's mood is not good anymore. Finish your meal, son, you'll be late for his office" Khaira said.

"Yes, Mother" said Nizwa.

After breakfast, the girl took a break and went to her office as usual. Now only Nizam and his mother still have breakfast in silence.

"Ekhem, Zam, you don't think about last night, yeah. If Wardah does accept another man's proposal, it means you're not a match" Khaira said.

"Yes, Mother," replied Nizam as he pulled one end of his lips into a thin arch.

"What if it's the same with Hannah? She's beautiful, independent, and successful, who knows you're a good fit." This time Khaira again gave the option to Nizam.

"As for Mother, try on the phone first, not to let her also have been proposed" said Nizam. This time he didn't want to be ashamed to be back like that night at Wardah's house.

"All right, son." Khaira agreed to Nizam's words and immediately contacted Hana's mother after finishing breakfast.

While waiting for her mother to finish her call, Nizam tidied up her clothes and shoes before leaving for work. Sometimes he observed the look on the face of the mother who looked happy. The smile on his face did not fade in the slightest from the beginning of the call until the phone call ended.

"Zam, you're coming home this afternoon, Dad. Thank God, Hannah has not applied. Your friend agreed to meet with us at his restaurant later this afternoon," said Khaira excitedly.

"Good, Mother. God willing."

Nizam finally left for the office that morning feeling more relieved. He hoped that this time there would be nothing to be ashamed of or disappointed.

☘☘☘

That morning, Arfan waited for the boss in front of his room impatiently. Several times he paced back and forth while looking at the circular watch on his wrist.

"Tumben he's late coming," monologue Arfan.

"Wait for who?" asked Nizam who had not been standing behind Arfan since when to make the man who had been waiting for him aghast.

"Astaghfirullah, please, boss."

"You've been unfocused ever since. I came and I was busy looking at the watch." Nizam walked into his room soon followed by Arfan walking in the back.

"Look, Boss. Syifa's mother came here to see you, but you didn't come, she left first because she had a sudden business."

"Oh, huh? it's okay, if he needs something, surely he will come back later," said Nizam casually while taking off his suit.

"Anu, Boss. There's something that's been troubling my mind since then and I have to tell you."

Nizam who was about to sit in his great chair immediately undoes his intention. He turned to look at Arfan with a furrowed forehead. "What's that?"

"Look, Boss. It's about Ms. Syifa, ever since you got back from the clinic, she's been calling me to ask you questions. He even asked if you already had a wife or not" said Arfan.

Nizam's forehead is getting wrinkled until his eyebrows are almost interlocked. "Why did he ask that?"

"Let's see, maybe he's interested in you."

"Isn't he married?"

"Then?"

"Well, it looks like he's willing to offer to marry her, that's what I get from every question he asks me."

Nizam laughed softly as he landed his body on the chair. "You don't make conclusions first. Miss Syifa is older than me, her taste must be a man older than her." Nizam stopped his words for a moment.

"Oh yeah, this afternoon my schedule is empty, right?" ask him about Arfan.

"Yes, Boss."

"Well, I'll be home early."

☘☘☘

A meeting of two families attended by Nizam, Boy, and Khaira, as well as Hana and her family was taking place at a restaurant that afternoon. A happy look on their faces, except for Nizam and Hana who prefer to stay still while enjoying the food in front of him.

"Hana is quite mature, we have often asked her to get married, but she is always focused on her work" said Hana's mother with a laugh.

"Yes, Mom. Nizam was like that too, asked for marriage, uh even work. What he does not know, we as parents have been dreaming of grandchildren," said Khaira laughs.

"It's perfect, what if we marry our child soon?" asked Hana's father so enthusiastically.

While they were telling each other, Nizam said goodbye to go to the toilet for a moment. Let it be the talk of the parents, he is now resigned. One thing he believes, a soul mate will never be misaddressed.

A few minutes in the toilet, the man came out with a fresh face because he had just been wet with water.

"Pak Nizam." Nizam's footsteps stopped when he heard someone calling him. The man immediately turned his head towards the source of the voice where Hana was already standing there.

"Eh, yeah, what's up, Miss Hana?"

"Can we talk for a second?"

..

Nizam returned to his seat, followed by Hana a few minutes later.

"How, Son. You agree, wouldn't you if your wedding date was done in conjunction with Nizwa?" ask Khaira.

Nizam was silent for a moment with his hands clenched under the table. The man looked at the faces of his parents who looked so happy, then he turned his gaze to Hana's parents who were no less happy.

"I'm sorry, Daddy, Mommy, Om, and Auntie. I ... I can not continue this matchmaking," said Nizam then bowed.

"What's? Wh why? Didn't you guys agree? Mrs Khaira, what is the meaning of all this? Aren't you the ones who contacted me for this meeting? Are you deliberately trying to drop our family's pride?" fawning at Hana's mother with reddened eyes full of anger.

Khaira was silent, of course she was so surprised to hear Nizam's words change his mind. The woman looked at the son with already foggy eyes, asking for an explanation through the blinds. However, until a few seconds he waited, Nizam did not give an explanation at all, he even looked down not wanting to look into his own eyes.

Likewise with Boy who looked at Khaira with a surprised and sad gaze that mixed into one. Really, what he heard from his son today was very different from what his wife told him a few hours ago so cheerfully.

"Sorry," said Boy representing Khaira who is now only bowed with guilt.

"You guys are too much! I am truly sorry for giving you hope!" Without saying goodbye, Hana's mother immediately left, followed by Hana's father who went along while pulling the princess' hand.

Right after their departure, Khaira also went and walked leaving two men of different generations who now look at him with sadness. Boy gives Nizam a sharp look, then immediately follows his wife out of the restaurant, leaving Nizam alone.

Nizam decided to come home with his parents. Along the way back home, the atmosphere of the car felt so quiet. Both Khaira and Boy were reluctant to talk to him.

Even until they got home, they still ignored Nizam. If they accidentally stare at Nizam, then it is the sharp gaze they give. This made the man's heart very hurt.

"Sorry, Dad ... Mother."

- Connected