The Honorary Owner
119

Ruby stared in all directions looking for answers to Almeer's questions. He can't just answer. Honestly impossible, it will hurt the feelings of Almeer and he also did not understand the complexity of this story. Explaining it in a simple way, Ruby is still looking for the right sentence until ...

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He felt the phone in his bag vibrate, he reached out and picked it up. His Ummy name that appeared on his phone screen increasingly made him riled.

"Mas, I'll take a call for a second, okay?" Then Ruby went somewhere else.

Hiko just stared at Ruby who was receiving a call from out of nowhere to make her go some distance to a rather quiet place. He did not stop staring at Ruby until a servant approached her again.

"Mas, the banana's burning is over. What's it gonna replace, ma'am?"

"Ooh, wait a minute. I asked the guy first." Said Hiko. "Al. wait here, okay?"

Almeer nodded and Hiko went over to Ruby who was still seriously talking to someone behind the phone.

"... Ruby accidentally meets Hiko, Ummi. Just an accidental meeting. Ruby never makes an appointment to meet him, Ummi doesn't have to worry."

The sentence that came out of Ruby's mouth made Hiko undo her intention to call Ruby, she stopped her steps and stood behind Ruby. Not to steal Ruby's talk, but her mind had already thought of many things.

".... Sorry, Ummi. Ruby could not if he had to return to Malang, Ummi did not have to worry. Mas Hiko did not know where Ruby lived or worked..... Yes, Ummi..... Da... Ruby's gonna call, Ummi.... Wa'alaikumsalam."

Ruby sighed and clasped her phone tightly. Ruby did not expect if Umminya finally knew if she and Hiko had met. He did not want to argue who told his umminya, after all the lies can not be covered for too long.

"Why did you hide our meeting from Ummi, By?"

The deg!

Ruby immediately turned around when she heard Hiko's voice behind her.

"Mas ..., since when are you here?" ask Ruby.

"What are you hiding from me, By?" Hiko did not respond to Ruby's question.

Ruby looks panicked.

"What is Ummi who is the reason for the severity of our relationship that cannot continue? is that what makes it so hard for you to accept me?"

"Maos ..."

"Can Ummi not forgive me, By?" ask Hiko

"Ummi has forgiven you, Mas. In shaa Allah Ummi has no grudge against you. Ummi's afraid I'm hurt again, Ummi's just trying to make me happy."

"Happy? by marrying someone you don't love, By?"

"Didn't I marry you without love?"

"You're painting our story, By!"

Ruby was silent, she spoke too far.

"Are you really going to marry another man, By?" ask Hiko.

"Almeer's own love, Mas. We have to get there."

Ruby looked behind Hiko's back, the little boy was staring at her and hoping to sit back with her soon. Hiko looked back, knowing that this was not the right time to talk about her story. His son was waiting to be happy with Ruby's presence as well.

Hiko and Ruby immediately returned, the maids were still standing at their desks waiting for an answer. Ruby canceled her order and apologized for making the waiter wait. Even though he was hungry, he had no desire to eat anything. The most important thing now is that Almeer is happy.

The night is getting late, Hiko and Ruby are already on their way home. Almeer had fallen asleep in the back seat, while Hiko and Ruby both just kept quiet not talking to each other even though Hiko was eager to talk about many things.

"Where should I take you?" ask Hiko.

"Just stop at your house, Mom." Answer Ruby.

Hiko just nodded, obeying Ruby's will.

Arriving at Hiko's house, Genta who happens to be in the carport is immediately asked to bring Almeer inside because he has to straighten something with Ruby. Both of them got out of the car, the atmosphere of the cafe was still very crowded.

"We'll talk to you for a second, By." Pinta Hiko

Ruby nodded, she knew if all this had to be resolved.

Hiko invites Ruby to go to his Studio, this time their steps attract the attention of visitors and Hiko employees at the cafe.

Hiko turns on the lights of her studio waiting room and lets Ruby sit there. Ruby immediately sat on the sofa and Hiko took a chair from behind her receptionist table to serve as her seat.

"If ummi can't let us go back, let me go there to explain to abi and ummi, By."

Ruby shook her head, "I don't want you or my family to get hurt back, Mas. I decided to follow my parents' will. In Shaa Allah in the near future I will give an answer to the man."

"Don't you say you won't remarry after my divorce, By?"

"I'm sorry that I can't stand my ground, Mas. I just want to be filial to both my parents."

"You don't want to fight for our love, By?"

Ruby was silent for a moment and lowered her head, "I chose to keep it, Mas."

Hiko stared fixedly at Ruby, "I'm sorry, By. I still want to keep trying to get you. I want to fight for our love."

Ruby raised her head to look at Hiko, "You're going to get hurt, Mas."

"You don't have to think about it, By. Loving you is my choice.if I get hurt, it's a risk I have to take."

"Maos ..."

"Let me fight for you, By. Fighting for you even if it hurts will be more acceptable to me than I have to let you go and let you go."

Ruby silently looked at Hiko, "I'm sorry for giving up so easily, Mas."

Hiko didn't answer.

"I'm going home, Mom. Give my regards to Almeer." Ruby stands.

"I'll take you forward, By."

Ruby nodded and the two went out. But in the carport owned by Hiko there are already two luxury sedans that just stopped. A tall and sturdy man opened the rear car door, they could have guessed if it was Handoko and Maria.

"Ruby!"

Maria is surprised to see Ruby and Hiko walking towards her.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Ma, Pa. How are you?" Ruby kissed Maria's hand and clasped both hands greeting Handoko.

"Ma'alaikumsalam ..."

Mary hugged Ruby and cried when she could meet Ruby. "It's good to finally meet you here, son."

"Ruby was also happy to meet Mama and Papa." Answer Ruby.

Maria let go of his embrace.

"How are you, son?" ask Handoko.

"Alhamdullillah is good, Pa."

"When did you go back to Indonesia? Last month Papa met your brother in Malang but your house was deserted."

One of the things that Ruby is grateful for is that her family and Hiko's family still have a good relationship.

"Eight months ago, Pa. It just so happened that my friend opened an animation studio in Jogja, so I live here."

Handoko and Maria looked at each other thinking of something.

"We've only met a few times, Pa." Said Hiko. "It's a coincidence."

"Maybe it's called a soul mate, son." Cetus Mary.

"Ma!" Handoko reminded his wife not to discuss anything.

"Even almeer's way up the hill, Pa." Answer Hiko.

"Same Ruby too?" ask Maria enthusiastically.

Ruby nodded, "Yes, Ma."

"Almeer must be happy." Maria said.

"It's too late, you better take Ruby home, Ko." Handoko.

"Tomorrow to see you, son?" ruby Pinta.

"Tomorrow morning I have to go to Malang, Ma. There's a need there."

Hiko looked directly at Ruby, "You won't-"

Ruby looked at Hiko not to continue her sentence. "I'm going home, Mas." said Ruby.

"I'll drive you, it's too dangerous to go home alone with Ojol at this hour." Said Hiko.

"Yes, By. Let Hiko drive." Force Handoko.

"I'll go home alone, Pa. Thank you for worrying about me."

Ruby said goodbye to Maria and Handoko, "Assalamu'alaikum ..."

"Wa'alaikumsalam, son."

"I'll take you to the front." Said Hiko.

Ruby nodded, both of them walking towards the gate. Ruby was busy ordering ojol with her phone, and Hiko just kept quiet with her thoughts until the two of them reached the Gate.

"Aren't you going to give me your phone number, By?" ask Hiko.

Ruby looked at Hiko and shook her head.

"Did you go to Malang to give an answer to that man, By?" ask Hiko.

"Looks, Mas. Ummi told me to come home soon."

Hiko let out a sigh, he was very upset to hear Ruby's answer but he was already unwilling to argue with Ruby. It seemed like the woman really did not want to fight.

Before long an online motorcycle driver came and confirmed Ruby's booking. After that the driver gave his helmet to Ruby.

"I'm saying goodbye, Mas. Assalamu'aikum ..." Say Ruby while riding on the motor.

"Wa'alaikumsalam,"

Hiko watched Ruby leave until she disappeared at a crossroads. He went back inside, Handoko and Maria were already sitting in the living room waiting for him.

"You got a plan?" ask Handoko without saying stale.

"Hiko wants it, Pa." He sat on one of the couches, "But it seems that the ummi don't approve of our relationship." continued Hiko.

"Papa, too!"

"Bah!" Mary was surprised by her husband's response.

"You better not get back together. You've hurt Ruby too much and her family. Although Papa loves Ruby very much, Papa can't let you be together anymore."

"By!"

Handoko looked at his wife, "No, Ma. Hiko should marry another woman only, In shaa Allah there is a woman who deserves Hiko. Let Ustadz Arsy find a future wife and a connecting mama for Almeer." Handoko.

Hiko remained silent. He had expected, his father would be difficult to change his decision and he was very lazy to argue tonight. His mind is too full.

**********

After the dawn prayer, Hiko met Ustadz Arsy. He wanted to tell and seek opinions from Ustadz who always guided him to be better. Almeer went home with Handoko first to the house while Hiko and Ustadz Arsy sat talking on the terrace of the mosque.

".... I'm honestly confused as to what to do, Ustadz. I have been trying to improve myself for the better. Am I still unfit to be his companion?" Hiko said after telling all his problems to Ustadz Arsy.

"Son Hiko, If she is a shaleha woman, of course, many want her, who love her, who pray expect her and try to be worthy of her. Do not be too selfish even though it has become a basic human nature.

It is true if the woman obeys both parents more than her feelings. However, the old man's ridho is God's riidho, his paradise is also at his mother's feet. If indeed he loves Nak Hiko but is hindered by parental blessing, it is better for Nak Hiko to go directly to his parents and try to convince them that Nak Hiko really has good intentions to make their daughter happy."

Hiko nodded.

"Most importantly, ask for the blessing of your parents first. I want everything to be done."

Hiko smiled and kissed Ustadz Arsy's hand, "Thank you ustadz, Thank you. Please pray that my affairs be made easy by God."

"Aamiin, I hope you can get that woman back, Nak Hiko."

"Aamiin, O God." Hiko raised her hand and rubbed it all over her face. "I said I was Ustadz, Assalamu'alaikum."

"Wa'alaikumsalam Warahmatullahi Westarakatuh."

Hiko immediately rushed home and met Handoko and Maria who were playing with Almeer in the front yard.

"Pa, Mama. Hiko wants to talk for a minute." Hiko.

"What's wrong? Early in the morning gini your face is so serious." asked Handoko.

"Al, Papa wants to talk to Opa and Oma first, huh? Al play first in the room, okay?" Hiko told Almeer.

"Okay, Pa!" Almeer took the ball and brought it into the house.

Hiko invited Handoko and Maria to sit at one of the cafe tables in the yard.

"Pa, Mama. Hiko wants to ask for Papa and Mama's blessing to invite Ruby to refer. This time Hiko was really serious, Hiko wanted to perfect Hiko's worship with the person Hiko really loved."

"Ko ..., can't it be with other women, only? Many shaleha Muslim women also want to be your wife" said Handoko.

Hiko shook her head, "Hiko's heart and feelings are only for a Tabina Ruby Azzahra, Pa. Not for the others. Please, Hiko's blessing so that God also meridhoi every step Hiko picked her back."

"Only Ruby according to Mama fits Hiko, Pa." Mary persuaded her husband.

Handoko fell silent and thought.

"Let our dealings with Ruby's parents be our only concern, Pa. Do not involve children and their feelings, they also have the right to choose and determine their happiness." added Maria.

Handoko looked at Hiko, "Papa hope you can keep your good name and our family's good name, Ko."

Hiko smiled broadly and grabbed both of her Papa's hands, "Thank you, Pa." He kissed Handoko's hand.

"Hopefully you can convince Nyai Hannah and bring Ruby back as a daughter-in-law in Papa and Mama again." Handoko.

"Aamiinu. Thanks, Pa. Ma." Now Hiko hugged Maria who was beside her.

"Hiko will book a ticket to Malang this afternoon. Hiko come in first, Pa."

Hiko ran inside the house happily. The blessing of her parents adds to her level of courage and confidence to get Ruby.

- Connected

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