The Love of Habib
Chapter 21. 14

"What did Aira say?" Dad came into the living room with Grandpa and Grandma.

After a month of crisis in the company, the family can finally breathe with relief because the funding of those who are experiencing problems can finally be fixed despite having to borrow a large amount of money from other companies. Because of that problem, the weight of the same people dropped dramatically. They have thin cheeks and are much thinner than the past month. Even Auntie who has a lot of fat in her body in just a short time has a slim body. If you do not see a face that is haggard because of thinking too much about heavy things, then people must think if he has been on an extreme strict diet.

Sighing weakly, Mother put her phone on the table.

"Aira did not return home because there is one thing that must be taken care of in the boarding school. He said he'd come home after the final exam scores came out." The answer is not excited.

Grandpa looked at her, "Then what about Aish? Did he say he'd be home soon?"

Mother immediately silenced. He did not have time to ask the news of his stepson because he was too focused on talking to Aira. After all her daughter had been mistreated in the boarding house by Aish, so why would she bother asking how she was doing?

"no? Or you didn't ask?" Grandfather understood immediately.

"Sorry, Dad. I didn't have time to ask because time was limited. We can't talk long because it's the rules of the cottage." Mother's Reasons.

Her position in this house is Stepmother to Aish. So without asking, everyone is clear with the role. Not many parents who really love their stepchildren, even if there are only a few people.

"I understand." Grandfather said in a disappointed tone.

The room temperature dropped. The atmosphere became awkward because of it. Father looked at Mother with a dissatisfied expression. Just like Grandfather, he was also disappointed by his wife's attitude.

Uncomfortable, Mommy thinks quickly looking for a topic of conversation to eliminate the awkward atmosphere.

"Oh yeah... When Aish had a fight with Aira last night, a foreign woman came to him. The woman asked Aira to tell us that she came here to take the severed nasab. Though Aira did not know the woman and did not pay much attention to her because she was overwhelmed with Aish last night..." Mother spoke as if Aish was in the wrong position. There were a few words corresponding to what Aira said on the phone earlier, but there are also some words that are deliberately exaggerated by Mother to emphasize if Aira's life does not go well in the boarding school as long as there is Aish there.

The focus of almost everyone was in line with his expectations but not with Grandpa. Grandfather's reaction was huge when he heard the foreign woman called. Especially when mentioning the severed nasab, both of Grandfather's old eyes immediately broke into shock. His vulnerable hand trembled on the back of the sofa.

"The severed branch?! Finally came..." Grandfather stood up hurriedly and almost fell down if Father and Grandma did not hold him back immediately.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Ask me to worry.

Not only was Dad worried, but everyone in the room was worried as well. Grandpa was afraid of why and increasingly afraid to imagine if there was a big problem that was waiting for them behind the words of the foreign woman.

"Take me to the boarding house..." Grandfather said without any intention of giving any explanation to all of them.

"To the boarding school? What are we going there for? Dad, relax. Aira must be home after a few more days"

"This has nothing to do with Aira!" Cut Grandpa out in a loud voice and startle everyone.

Mother immediately closed her mouth as much as possible. She was embarrassed because it turned out that this had nothing to do with her daughter.

"Then what are you going to do there?" Ask Dad as gently as possible.

Grandfather was obviously not calm at the moment. Hearing the words of the foreign woman had stimulated Grandfather's fear.

"For my grandson, Aish. Her... There is no point in saying this to all of you because no one will care. Never mind... I don't want to talk to you guys anymore." Grandpa let go of the hands of Father and Grandma who were holding his arm.

"What's wrong with Aish, Dad? I'm his father, how could I not care about Aish-'s life"

"She's your daughter, so where were you when she was cornered and treated unfairly in this house, where were you a father? Have you ever heard his complaints, his dissatisfied outpouring of heart, and most importantly... Have you ever celebrated Aish's birthday in this house?" Grandfather cut Father's words with a sharp cold tone.

Has he ever done everything Grandpa said?

Dad is rarely at home and busy in the office, has not paid too much attention to the affairs of Aish's life because maybe his daughter is not far from troublesome words. Bothered because Aish has a lot of problems at school and elsewhere that greatly embarrasses the family. He never listens to Aish when he is alone, never hears his outpouring... And his birthday... I forgot when I last celebrated it.

For a moment he feels slapped and just realizes that he was never present as a father to Aish.

"I'm..." Father endured the pain in his heart.

"I'm going out of town to take care of my little stake. After finishing it, I will stop by the boarding school to meet Aish and Aira. This is not a big deal, you and the others cannot come along because the affairs here still cannot be left behind. So as long as I'm out, please don't cause any more trouble." Grandfather suddenly made another plan.

Her goal is to go to the boarding school but she can't take her family there because she wants to get her agreement with the Arumi family 16 years ago. If the woman who came was indeed the party of Mama Aish, then she would not hide anything else from this family. Well... Until then, he hoped God would make his move.

"So... Dad's out of town on office?" Ask one of my aunts.

Grandpa nodded his head weakly.

"I have business with that foreign woman. I suspect he came here to take something from me. So I'm gonna go make sure it goes straight to that town."

But Dad doesn't believe. He believes this has something to do with Aish.

"Then why did you mention Aish's name?"

"That's because what the woman wants is related to Aish. So I came there to make sure of it." Father answered faintly.

"Does this have anything to do with the shares that Dad transferred to Aish back then?" Ask another aunt.

They hope that Aish loses the money and now their prayers are answered. The foreign woman must have wanted to come to take the money that Aish had in her hands.

Grandfather did not answer which made everyone feel that this was the answer.

It's just that Dad is confused, what is the relationship of money with a broken nasab?

He doesn't understand this at all.

Grandfather immediately went out of the city after observing his belongings. For this trip, he specially brought his lawyer and personal assistant. These two men were also involved, bearing witness as he shook the brave boy's hand. And they both remained witnesses when the agreement was renewed 5 years ago. A year in which his beloved grandson faces many trials.

"Mas, Dad's attitude is too weird. What do you think you're really doing out of town? He left without listening to the advice of all of us. Though Dad was unwell and unsuitable to travel far." Mother asked her husband

Dad breathed all along. Right now he has a lot of thoughts in his head. Wondering inwardly, has she missed anything related to Aish?

"Let's go. Just wait to hear from him." The answer is not sure.