THE CHOICE IN MY LIFE
SECTION 78
“Mother???” Tia was surprised because the greeting was no stranger to her inquisition. Rio once mentioned his mother with that greeting.
“Iya darling.” Answer Aunty Ajeng spontaneously. “I am very happy you want to directly call Aunt with a greeting Mother.”
“Not, Tia meant, Tia earlier . .” Tia hesitated for fear of being considered disrespectful. That innocence made both of his guests smile widely.
“Have . . . already. Poor, Nda.” Said Om Gunawan to his wife who was still smiling happily. “Tia, we are both Rio parents who just came from America. Sorry for intentionally insulting you.” It is the next Om Gunawan.
“Call Mommy and Dad from now on. Sorry, Tia. We want to get to know you firsthand. We also know that Rio is going to Raka's mother's house. Because we asked Kak Mega to call Rio.”
Tia could not hide her expression of shock, it was fitting that the man before her looked familiar because her face line that was passed down to Rio was so clear. Tia had felt suspicious but she thought that Rio's parents were still in America and it was impossible to return to Indonesia.
Brak . . .brak . . . The sound of the front door opening violently.
“Mother! Dad!” rio shouted from the front door. She ran over and immediately hugged her father and her already standing mother to welcome her.
“Why Daddy with Mommy doesn't bother Rio when you go back to Indonesia? Use the whole aunt Mega to play Rio.”
“We just want to see directly Mother's daughter-in-law. You did not choose wrong, Rio. Tia beautiful, attentive with older people.” Clearly Mother Rio.
“Clear, dong. Rio's choice is never wrong.” Rio's embrace turned to his wife.
Tia smiled stiffly as she was still surprised by the thing she had just experienced. But the next few minutes, the atmosphere had already melted away due to the jokes and stories from Rio's parents. Both of Rio's parents are very kind and can quickly blend in with Tia. From the current awkward feeling Tia could feel a sense of comfort among the people she had just met.
“Tia where to go?” call Mother Ajeng to Tia who suddenly stands from her seat.
“Tia want to cook for dinner, Nda. It's dinner soon. Mommy and Dad have dinner here.”
“Already, already. We'll just have dinner outside. You just sit here. Don't be confused to cook.” Mother Ajeng pulled Tia's hand to sit back to her place.
“Mother and Dad won't rest first? There's still time before dinner. Who knows Mommy and Dad would like to lie in the room.”
“Mother would like to change clothes then. Can Mommy go into the room for the two of you to change clothes?”
“Mother can enter Tia's room. We haven't got a room. Rio still trying to bring Tia to move to Rio.” room Rio was obviously on his parents.
“Emmm . . . it, because . .” Tia was confused as to how to explain it.
“Already, it's okay, Tia. No need to explain to Mother. Then, Mommy can ride to change Tia's room?”
“Sure can, Mother. Let Tia inter.” Tia led in front while the men were still downstairs.
“Please enter, Mother. This is the room, Tia.” Tia showed me her room that was always neat.
Mother Ajeng approached Tia and invited her to sit on the side of the bed. “Tia . . . You know? Mother will not blame you for anything you decide. This is your life, son. So Mother and Father will appreciate all the decisions you make. Whether it's to start a marriage or a follow-up decision. Rio already told you a little about your past, and Mommy understands how heavy your life is.” Mother Ajeng held Tia's hand.
“But one is sure. Rio is the only child of Mother, so Mother quite clearly knows how her character. Since long ago, Rio was not someone who could easily be attracted towards the opposite sex, even though he used to have a lover, but Mommy knows that Rio never loved his partner just yet. But you're different, Tia. Rio can change his cold face and turn soft when in front of you. Though in the past Rio only acted like that only when dealing with Mother or Father only.”
“You know? When he told me about you, the big boy was so excited. Mother had never seen Rio so excited about telling a woman. Only you Tia, only you can make Rio like that. She loves you so much Tia. And Mommy thinks you know about it.”
Tia nodded slowly and agreed to the opinion of her in-laws, “Tia knows and Tia is very grateful with all the love and attention Rio gave to Tia, Nda. It's just, Tia wanted to make sure Tia's own feelings were more certain. Tia was afraid that later Tia would hurt Rio.”'s feelings
“Dan . . . Tia also feels very grateful because Mother and Father want to accept Tia as it is.” Both of Tia's eyes began to glaze over.
“Do not cry, Dear.” Bunda Ajeng hugged Tia and gently rubbed Tia's back, “We are not old-timers who are like a lot of drama stories. You are not alone, son. From now on, there is Rio and there are us as your parents. You can lean on Mother and Father if in the future Rio does something that hurts you. Mother will install the body to protect the daughter Mother.” Mother Ajeng wiped the tears of Tia who had soaked her cheeks. “Already, don't cry. Later Rio will be angry at Mommy for making his wife cry.”
“Thanks, Nda.” Tia hugged Mother Ajeng once again.
“Iya, Darling.” The hug from Mommy Ajeng is so soothing. In Tia's heart, she felt full of gratitude for having found parents who thought of her as a real child.
“Mother change first, yes. After this we just go out all dinner.”
“Iya, Nda. Tia will also be preparing.”
After Tia and Bunda Ajeng went down, the four of them finally went out for dinner. While on the road, Tia gets a lot of additional information about Rio's teenage years. Rio occasionally protested his parents for telling Tia something embarrassing. Even now Rio feels if his parents love his wife more than he is his biological child. Because since then Mother Ajeng always defended Tia.
After arriving at the diestaurant, the four of them continued the small talk while finishing dinner. Rio noticed Tia who could laugh loosely in front of her parents without any worry.
“Mother and Dad don't want to stay at home?” Tia expressed her wish.
“We just go home to our house. We haven't visited the main house in a long time. Besides we don't want to disturb the newlywed couple huh, Yah.” Goda mother Ajeng.
“Iya right. We haven't met any other big families either. From the airport we headed straight for your house. You guys just go home now. Raka driver is already on his way here to pick us up.”
“Mother and Dad are indeed the best.” Reply Rio pleased.
“You don't think we know? We were young once, Rio.” replied Gunawan's father while letting go of his laughter.
“Then we first yes, Nda, Yah.” Rio.
“Iya. Be careful on the road, yeah. Take good care of your daughter. Remember that! Never make your daughter cry. Just be careful when she cries.” Threatening Mother Ajeng to her son.
“Rio promises it won't happen, Nda. Then we say goodbye first.”
“Daa . . . Careful.” Father and Mother Ajeng waved at the child and his daughter-in-law who started entering the car.