The Exchanged Bride
Bonus Chapter - Pilgrimage

The next day, because it was Sunday, Aiden planned to take Haira away.

Now they're all on their way. With the twins and two babysitters.

"Honey, where are we going?" asked Haira who still did not know their purpose of leaving that day.

"The place that makes us feel calm." Aiden rubbed Haira's head gently.

"Quiet?" Haira was astonished.

"Hmm."

"And why are you wearing batik? And I'm wearing this dress? We want a party." Haira is still guessing.

"Our clothes are like people going to party?"

"Yes. Just ask Susi and Icha." Haira looked at the back bench.

"Mrs, my name,,,,,"

"Yes, Suzzy and Susi are the same. Just answer me."

"I think the clothes that Mr and Mrs wear are like people who want the presentation of celebration or study."

"the study? I'm not wearing,,,,,"

Haira stopped talking as Aiden dressed her in a black veil.

"Darling, do we want to study?"

"Be quiet, dear." Aiden rubbed Haira's cheek gently.

Because of the long and tiring journey, Haira fell asleep.

Haira opened her eyes and was amazed to see the place they came to was a public burial place, but the area was like a rural area.

"Honey, this,,,," Haira shut her mouth because she felt touched by the place they came to.

"We haven't been here in a long time. Time for a pilgrimage to my second in-laws' tomb."

"Aiden,,," Haira shut her mouth and cried. "Thank you." He hugged Aiden.

"Suzzy, Icha, stay here yeah, take care of the twins" Aiden said.

"Good, Sir." Suzzy and Icha get back in the car because William and Harry are also still sleeping due to fatigue on a very long journey.

Imagine, they would have to travel up to five hours to reach the countryside where Haira's parents were buried. And Haira fell asleep while still reaching half the way. Understandably, last night he was sleep deprived because he woke up many times to see his son.

"Darling, let's take ablution there first." Aiden invites Haira to a building near the cemetery for those who want to take ablution before making a pilgrimage.

After they took ablution, they immediately went to the tomb of Haira's parents. There they read greetings, Istighfar, short letters in the Quran (Alfatihah, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Naas), the word of tahlil and lastly reciting the prayer of the grave pilgrimage. Haira continues to shed tears .

After that, they sowed flowers and water on the graves of his parents. Both tombs look very well preserved because since the news about Haira's biological parents was revealed, he paid the funeral caretaker to take good care of the two tombs.

"Dad, Mother. I'm coming again. It's been a long time since I've been here. I was pregnant at the time. But now, my twins are all grown up. You know, my second son's name is the same as Dad's. That he might grow up to be like Dad. The patient, the loving, and the smart. Mom, now I don't have much time to sing. I'm sorry I can't be such a soft-spoken mom. Because my voice was so ugly, but Aiden always praised me. Though I know he's lying, he's the perfect husband."

Aiden who heard that all smiled and embraced Haira's shoulders.

"Relax Dad, Mother, I will always look after Haira until the end of my life. I will not let him grieve, therefore I immediately cancel the cooperation with the man who has hurt my beloved wife."

Haira who heard that was immediately shocked. He did not expect that the work Aiden did until late at night was the cancellation of cooperation with Naumi.

Haira wanted to talk, but she had not yet had time to make a sound, Aiden had already hinted Haira to be quiet.

Haira nodded. It's impossible for Aiden to say all that at the funeral. Therefore he would wait until they arrived at the inn they were going to in the village. The long journey, indeed required them to rest one day before returning to the city.