Secret Denis
Hundred Six

With a quick step Alex headed for Denis' room. Denis would be in the room if he was angry with her. And Alex knows very well that Denis is very angry with him right now.

The call from his men who said that Denis had come home made Alex immediately turn around and return home. Though he was almost desperate because he could not find Denis in all the places he knew usual Denis.

The phone wasn't picked up once by Denis. She also doesn't want to make her mother-in-law worry by saying that Denis left the house. He just pretended to call Rania to ask her a few things. And when Rania asks Denis, she finds out that Denis is not with her mother.

Alex opens Denis's room door. He smiled in relief as he saw the figure lying down with the blanket tightly covering his body.

Alex opened the shoes and the jacket he was wearing. Sitting at the edge of the bed staring at Denis' peaceful face as his eyes closed. Slowly she laid her body beside Denis. He slipped into the blanket and put his body in Denis's body.

Denis wriggled and twisted his body against Alex. She moved her body away from Alex.

Alex hugged Denis. Gets his hand in Denis' stomach.

"I'm sorry" he whispered right behind Denis' ear. He knows Denis hasn't slept.

Denis did not answer.

"I'm sorry, honey." Alex buried his lips in Denis's nape.

Denis closed his eyes. Amused to make his whole body warm up because of the touch of the man. But all his might he held back to remain silent. He doesn't want to talk to Alex tonight.

Alex tightened his arms. Denis let it go until the two fell asleep in the middle of the night silence.

******

"Where's Denis?"

Alex asked Bu Yati who was arranging food for breakfast at the dinner table.

"It seems to be going to Ms. Tania's room, Mas."

Without asking any more, Alex headed straight for her stepmom's room. Leaving Bu Yati with her mouth slightly open as she had not finished conveying the information to Alex.

Tania's room door was open. It shows Denis standing by the bed. Tania appears to be being examined by a doctor who routinely visits her every week. He was silent and calm when the doctor examined him.

"Why?" ask Alex to be astonished. Today is not the doctor's schedule to visit. It's still too early anyway.

"Bu Tania has a fever. He also did not want to eat from yesterday," the woman who used to take care of Tania replied.

"Is there a serious problem?" Alex asks the doctor who seems to have finished examining Tania.

"Just a fever is normal and there seems to be a slight disturbance in the stomach. I'll give him medicine. Let's see his reaction. If no change is made tonight, we'll take him to the hospital" the doctor said calmly as he wrote down a prescription.

"The medicine that used to stop first," he said as he handed the prescription to the nurse. The nurse nodded in understanding with instructions from the doctor.

After it was felt enough to give direction to the nurse, the doctor said goodbye to Alex and came out of the room.

Alex follows the doctor and stops him not so far from Tania's room.

"Is there any progress with his mental health? Looks like he's pretty calm today." Alex asked the doctor.

"Looks like. Alex sir try to talk to him. Let him communicate like we talk to healthy people. Hopefully it will help the healing process in addition to the medicine he has been taking."

Alex nodded at the doctor's explanation. After that the doctor returned and Alex allowed him to leave.

Alex went back to Tania's room. Denis was still there talking to the nurse.

Alex approached Tania who seemed to close her eyes with her breathing slowly.

"Mama" he called doubtfully.

Tania's eyelids that are still tightly closed appear to blink. A drop of clear liquid came out slowly from the corner of his eye.

Alex took a slow breath. It felt like something had pierced his heart when he saw that round of tears reaching Tania's cheeks.

"Mama," Alex sat on the edge of the bed.

Tania's lips moved. Like holding back a cry that almost exploded upon hearing a call from Alex.

Alex touched Tania's hand. Swiped it for a moment before then stood back up and turned to the nurse.

"Invite the driver to buy the medicine immediately. Make sure my mom drinks it."

"Good, sir."

"I'm the one who bought the cure" Denis took the prescription paper from the nurse's hand.

"Don't. Let the driver buy." Alex intended to snatch the recipe paper from Denis' hands.

"Why?" Denis keeps his hand out of Alex's reach. "If I only buy medicine, I can too. Not like you're always busy and don't have time for your own mama." Denis immediately passed after saying those words.

"Denis, wait!"

Denis ignored Alex's call.

"Denis, I'm sorry. Last night ...."

Denis is riding his bike. Wearing a helmet without compromising the presence of Alex who continues to follow him.

"Listen to me first" Alex holds Denis' motorcycle handlebar. "We need to talk. Now." Now."

"Your mom is more important. You should know what to prioritize."

Denis starts the bike and leaves Alex staring at Denis's motorbike which is getting away.

"Alex?!"

A call made Alex immediately turn to the source of the voice. His eyes were wide open to see who the person in front of him was.

"Sir Darman? Is this really Mr Darman?"

The old man smiled happily.

"Yes. This is the father, Alex."

Mr. Darman's eyes are glazed. It was so good to see the person he had treated some time ago. She never thought she would see Alex again.

Alex embraces the body of the man who became his guardian angel without the slightest hesitation.

"How can you be here?" alex asked after taking the old man to a seat. His eyes can not be separated from staring at the face of Mr. Darman who still shows his novelty.

Mr. Darman sighed slowly.

"long story. Almost a month more fathers were stranded in the streets with no place to take shelter. He also had to be a scavenger to survive. Thankfully, I met Denis last night. He brought my father here. He said it's your house."

"Yes, Sir. This is my house." Alex confirmed the man's words. "Why did you leave your father's house in the valley?"

"Mr already felt unsafe living there. A few days earlier, there were some people coming there. Fortunately, they saw him before they saw him. I'm sure they're men from the man you told you about."

"So it's like that. But it seems like you've misunderstood."

"Misunderstand how? I'm sure they had bad intentions by coming there."

"Actually, I had told my men to pick up the father at that time. I was very busy and could not leave my job so I told my men to pick up my father. I want you to stay here with me."

Alex's words surprised Mr. Darman.

"Son Alex told people to pick up dad?"

"Yes, Sir. But they say your house is empty and seems to have been abandoned before."

"Yes?"

Mr. Darman frowned.

"That's it. Now the important thing is that you are here with me. I am very happy and I hope you will stay here. Consider it your own home. If you need anything, just tell me or Denis." Alex rubbed the old man's shoulder.

Hearing Alex's words made Mr. Darman even more moved.

"Thank you very much Alex. May the kindness of Son Alex be reciprocated by Allah SWT."

"Amiinu. But this may also be God's way of repaying Mr. Darman's kindness to me and Denis" Alex said.

"What you do is only a duty as a human being to help people who need help. Don't want Alex to be indebted to you."

Alex smiled at Mr. Darman. His heart felt very cool when he heard the wise words of the man who had such a simple appearance. It was like he had found his father back.

"Anyways, from now on, you can't go anywhere. Stay here with me. If you are pleased, think of me as your own son."

Mr. Darman's eyes glazed over when he heard Alex's words. She embraces Alex's body and is powerless to hold back her tears that force her to come out.

"Bapa seemed to rediscover the family of the father. Thank you very much, Alex's son."

"Hopefully someday, you can meet your family again."

"Aamiin.."

*********