The Incomplete Love
Advice from Phil

An hour later, the children slept in their rooms. That night they were planning to stay at Phil's house.

After dinner, they sat on the patio. The air of London is rather cold, but not too cold so they can still enjoy the outdoor atmosphere.

Qiara leaned back to Devan, a bit tired after making love and then continued to breastfeed four babies including Abby. His eyes began to close. Devan looked at the wife leaning against his chest.

“Daddy is relieved you guys are fine.”

“Alhamdulillah, Dad.”

“You want to tell me what happened?”

“My mistake was keeping something from Qiara. I ... I face sexual harassment charges against fellow doctor colleagues.” Devan is embarrassed to say.

“What?”

Devan recounted everything, including how Qiara accidentally recorded the incident as valid evidence that cleared him of the charges.

Instead of going the normal route, his wife chose to go to Nadine.

“Speaking heart-to-heart said,” Devan concluded. While Phil glanced in disbelief. His daughter-in-law's actions are far from just light talk between women.

“She’s a keeper. Allegiances. That is all a wife expects. They were able to fight from below without any treasures. They will be willing to die as long as the husband and children are happy. But once the husband is unfaithful, it is tantamount to killing the wife slowly. His heart will be wounded and die.”

Devan embraced Qiara's head. Phil took the throw as a blanket for Qiara. Now the mother of five had flown into the dreamland.

“At first Daddy wasn't sure Qiara could move-on from her ex-husband. He seems to have to accept you. But over time, Daddy saw how much he tried to rise to build a household with you.”

Still with closed eyes Qiara muttered, “Kala come Abby don't be invited to fight.”

Two men who heard a smile. Even in sleep Qiara was still babysitting.

“Qiara is much different from your ex-wife. Stella loves you for herself. Qiara loves you because of you. Daddy take care of him, yeah. The marriage temptation is not just the third temptation. Your mother and Daddy have experienced a lot.”

Phil pondered, his eyes looking far away.

“Daddy was once cheated and lost all assets. Daddy didn't tell Mommy because she was pregnant with you. Mommy found out and helped out. With a big belly, Mommy cooks tekwan and is sold to Indonesian friends who are studying in the UK.”

Devan had never heard this story, his eyebrows raised. Thinking his parents' lives were peaceful always.

“Daddy is slumped into the spirit of seeing your mother cook and sell. There was no pick-up service. So your mother had to walk on a big belly to the post office. In winter, orders increase. Your mother was once caught in a blizzard when she was about to deliver an order. That's how a woman is if she is sincere in love.”

The waiter delivers two cups of coffee to Devan and Phil.

After sipping his coffee, Phil said, “Daddy misses your mother's coffee so much. Really missed. I almost lost Dian. A stupidity I intentionally did.”

Devan listens to the middle-aged man who looks to miss his partner very much.

“After rising from a slump, Daddy is very busy. Often have to go abroad. Even because of the preoccupation of work, Daddy likes to go straight to sleep and forget to tell your mother. Daddy travels around Europe to offer cooperation. It was exciting at the time, Dev. Our money is starting to be plentiful. Finally Daddy came home ..”

Phil pinched his lips.

“Almost one year Daddy left your mother without any news. Being far apart makes our distance difficult. If occasionally calling our conversation is awkward. No woman, Daddy never betrayed your mother's love. After a year of leaving, Daddy went home to an empty house. Your mother's family never liked Daddy. They picked up Dian and you then brought her back to Palembang.”

Devan is getting stupefied.

“Daddy catch up to Palembang. There the father-in-law and brothers-in-law are ready to welcome Daddy with divorce papers. They want Dian to marry the son of an oil palm businessman. Her fiance was before she married Daddy.”

“Daddy really felt the treasure sought until this bone fell out was of no use. You also do not recognize Daddy at all, even comfortable being held by your mother's future husband. Dian ... Dian looked at Daddy with a disappointed look. Daddy please have a second chance. Daddy was standing outside the house last night. Even standing on the terrace is not allowed. No matter the heavy rain that flushes Daddy still stand hope Dian forgives.”

Phil's voice sounded vibrating, imagined how painful it would be if you had to let Dian go.

At that time all the Dian family did force her to sign the divorce papers. Phil persisted and insisted until they left him stunned outside the house.

“Rain that flushed all night did not knock Daddy down. But when in the morning a handyman puts up a yellow janur for Mommy, that's when my world turns. Daddy immediately realized they were desperate to get married even though Daddy did not sign the divorce papers.”

Devan reflexes tightened his embrace onto his wife's shoulder.

“Maybe that time Daddy fainted, until there was a soft hand touching Daddy's cheek. Mommy whispers to Daddy to run away. You're in a sling like you know what's going on. As it got strength, Daddy stood in Mommy's arms and went straight to the car.”

Devan was increasingly agape, not expecting the life of his parents had experienced cross-sectional aral like this.

“Dev, this is all a real event. Too painful to tell but stored in Mommy and Daddy's heart. You knew? Mommy's husband-to-be family chases. We caught. They beat up Daddy but Mommy put on a body. Seeing Mommy get hit by Daddy protecting Mommy. You cried in Mommy's arms. Mommy's parents finally came. Mommy leaves you with them and stands next to Daddy. Ready to die with.”

Devan held back angrily imagining his parents being beaten.

“Your grandfather has finally relented. Giving back Devan into our arms. Then expel Mommy, stating Mommy is not her son anymore. Mommy was so hit. We're back in London. Mommy took off all the disappointments on Daddy. From there Daddy improved. Daddy became the place to lean on when his family completely dumped Mommy. Nothing is more sad when you go home to find an empty house because of Daddy.” behavior

Qiara moved to change position. Devan saw that his wife was really asleep.

“With the Mommy family finally all improved after a few years. We go home every day. Until the last moment your Grandpa and Grandma, they apologized for wanting to separate Mommy from Daddy. It's almost done to you and Qiara. Mommy and Daddy are leaning more on Stella as Liam's mother to return to be your wife. We only realized after you poured out your heart.”

Phil looked at his son. “Your lives are long. The husband can be heaven or hell for his wife. Order Daddy, build heaven together until your life is quiet. That's the most important.”

Gently, Devan stroked Qiara's head.

“In shaa Allah, Dad. Thank you for a past story full of lessons. Devan wants to go to the room first, yes, Qia is very sound even though the prayer ball.”

Devan carefully removed Qiara's head from his lap and then carried it.

“Ngga need more times too. You can build Qiara.”

“Syrics sign not able,” Devan replied short and clear.

“Bad kids!”

Devan chuckles then heads to his room. Phil spent his coffee.

“I miss you Dian ..”

***

Once the case is over, Devan starts practicing again. It must build credibility that was once tarnished. Eventually the patients who had moved because they did not want to be treated Devan decided to return.

Nadine was fired from the hospital. His reputation was damaged until he was forced to move to another country with his family connections. But wherever he went, fellow doctors looked at him one eye. Not cooperating with him.

Not to mention the female doctors who clearly show a hostile attitude. There seems to be a code of conduct among women to exclude actors and their seeds.

Despite Grayson's name, Nadine tries to walk upright with a reputation ruined by her obsession.

Qiara heard Nadine's last message: May you learn from your bitter experience.

***