The Nick's Life
Edo Tapai

“Halo.. Edo.”

The guest, who turns out to be Edo, sits quietly in front of a man whose age has reached more than half a century. At first they were just business competitors, but the relationship between the two worsened when the man before him disturbed his family, even his beloved wife to death because of his actions. Edo's grudge on this fat man is of course still blazing in the chest.

“Joseph.”

The man named Joseph only smiled obliquely at the arrival of Edo, the man who had been his sworn enemy for the past ten years. Because of Edo, his business was a little hampered because several times the man thwarted his transaction. Some of his clients even switched directions and chose to do business with the man.

Besides being clever, Edo is also so slippery. It's hard to get that guy. Some of his men who were assigned to kill him, actually lost their lives before they could touch the man. All because of the work of Edo's men who are now his captives. He was sure that tonight Edo's life would be lost in his hands.

“Have guts too you came alone.”

“Do I have to be afraid of you? Free my men.”

“He must be your favorite boy, until you are willing to come alone to free him.”

“Of course, everything in my circle, I've considered my family. So, before my patience runs out, release him.”

“Alright, I will obey your wishes. But there is a price you have to pay.”

“Say.”

“Nyawamu,” man named Joseph was pointing a gun at Edo.

Joseph's eyes flashed as he pointed a firearm at Edo's head. Soon he'll take the man's life. His finger began to move it pulled the trigger, but his effort came to a halt when he felt something cold at his temple. The bodyguard who had been standing next to him pointed a gun at his temple.

“Before you shoot it, this bullet will first penetrate your head,” said the guard. He then turned to the guard behind, gesturing to release his hostage.

Joseph seemed stunned to learn that his guard of trust had betrayed him. Now keadan turned around, himself who was under pressure. The other guard was also helpless. It seemed like he was underestimating Edo too much. It was only fitting that the man dared to come alone to his lair.

“You stole my men!” furious Joseph.

“I didn't steal, he himself came to me. I told you to treat the people in your circle well, but you treat them like trash. Don't blame me, if they end up choosing to be on my side.”

“What do you want? Killing me? Just do it, I'm not afraid!”

“I will not dirty my hands with your blood. Without killing you, you too will die. I just want to see you suffer, like me.”

Edo codes Paolo, his men who were prisoners. The man took the phone out of his pants pocket and showed Joseph a video. Joseph's eyes rounded to see his youngest daughter in someone's captivity. He gulped his spit upon knowing who had taken his son.

“Katrina!” Joseph called his son's name.

“Your fault has disturbed Don Marco, in return he took your daughter. Just wait what the man will do, because I heard he is a cruel man, even his cruelty exceeds the father.”

DORR

There was a gunshot from the video that Joseph was watching. The man was shocked when he saw his daughter sprawled with a head covered in blood. Don Marco just shot his daughter in the head.

“NO!!”

“Consider your suffering, Joseph. Feel the pain you gave me first. Even though it's not through my hands, you've got the reply.”

Edo stood up from his seat, then left the basement with his two bodyguards. One of Joseph's bodyguards who saw Edo come out safely, rushed towards the basement. He was shocked to find Joseph lying on the floor. The man just had a heart attack. The bodyguard quickly asked his friends for help.

“We will meet with Don Marco when?” ask Paolo.

“Now. We are going to De Castille now.”

Paolo nodded his head, then opened the door for Edo. Along with the other bodyguard, the three left the club. This time it was Don Marco's five-star hotel. Edo will meet the man to give the promised gift, in return to the man for avenging Joseph.

The car that Edo was riding in entered the De Castille hotel area and stopped in front of the lobby. Along with Paolo, Edo entered the hotel and headed straight for the top floor of the building. They're gonna meet Don Marco in his room.

After a strict inspection, Edo was allowed to enter. Only the man can go in to see Don Marco, while Paolo waits outside. A three-year-old man greeted Edo. Don Marco was Edo's business partner two years ago. He liked Edo's non-talking style but was deft at work and unlike Joseph's cunning. With a hand gesture, he allowed Edo to sit down.

“How's Joseph?”

“Shock certainly. How's son? Did you really kill him?”

“Yes, I don't want to keep a tiger cub. Who knew that one day he would bite me.”

“Thank you for helping me.”

“I did intend to kill him and his entire family. You don't have to thank me. What about the gift you promised?”

Edo took the phone out of his pants pocket and sent a message to Rico who had been following the man. Shortly after, Rico arrives with three women. Don Marco looked one by one at the woman Edo had promised him.

“Hmm.. beautiful.. what's their name?”

“This old man, Widya and this is his son, Amelia. The younger one is Reisa. They are all gifts I promised.”

“I don't need this old man,” points to Widya.

“You can make it a waiter,” Edo replied casually.

“Hmm. I love this young one,” Don Marco stroked Reisa's cheek with the back of his hand.

“Be careful, she's a cunning woman. Even for the sake of maintaining his existence as an artist, he was willing to drop his content.”

“Wow.. Reisa.you're beautiful, and I like you. But if you dare to betray, then your body will end up in the trash in a lifeless state.”

Reisa shuddered at the threat of Don Marco, a handsome man yet emitting an aura of darkness so thick. Not only Reisa, but Widya and Amelia also felt the same fear. They don't even understand why Edo kidnapped and brought them here.

“My business is done. Can I go?”

“Please.”

Along with Rico, Edo exits Don Marco's room. Paolo also joined the two and left the luxury hotel. Outside, Edo chooses to go along with Rico.

“How is Iza?”

“Operation is smooth and he can already see again.”

“Thank God,” Edo leaned his back against the car seat.

“Are you going back to Bandung?”

“Yes, but not now. I still need to be careful with Joseph. He could have gone crazy for losing his son.”

“Now where are you going?”

“Ke dorm. I'm going to see my bad girl.”

“Good.”

Rico pressed the gas pedal deeper to increase the speed of his car. Edo began to close his eyes, trying to rest his body for a moment. Soon he will meet his only daughter. It was certain that the man needed a lot of energy to deal with his daughter.

🍂🍂🍂

Bryan's vehicle drove past rows of mansions, then out through the back of the complex. The wheels of his vehicle were still turning, down the road that can only be passed by two cars until finally Bryan turned his iron train into the gate of the town house and stopped in front of the house painted with young ash.

Nick, who was tailing behind him, stopped the car right behind Bryan. With a puzzled expression, he helped his wife down. Bryan and Diah still haven't said anything, they just sign Nick and Iza to get inside the house.

The couple were shocked when confetti welcomed their arrival. Inside it turns out there are already the entire family of Iza and also the friends of Nick, minus Fahrul. They are asked by Diah to help surprise her son and daughter-in-law.

Abe, Denis and Arnav hug Nick in turn. They are happy, finally the friend can find his happiness again. Although the man did not fully know what kind of suffering he had experienced to be with his beloved woman. Sansan and Ayura also embraced Iza, happy that Iza had her eyesight again.

“Fahrul where?”

“She can not come because today also Mai same baby can go home,” explained Abe.

“And the good news again, his brother Mai already sorry him, they did not become separated,” continued Denis.

“Alhamdulillah,” replied Nick and Iza together.

“And it's all thanks to your abi, Zi,” Arnav said.

“Abi?”

“Iya, abi meets abah Mai. They talked at length until finally he changed his mind and allowed Fahrul with Mai again.”

Iza looked towards Rahardi who was helping Mina arrange food at the dining table. With a slow step, Iza approached her ashes. Seeing the child approaching, Rahardi stopped the work for a moment.

“Abi.”

“Iya, Zi. Wh why? You need something?”

“Content, abi has helped Fahrul and Maira.”

“Abi only talks to Maira's parents. God has softened his heart. Abi is grateful he wants to change and abi is also grateful you want to forgive abi.”

“I love abi.”

“Abi also.”

Rahardi grabbed Iza's body and hugged her. There was no other desire for the man than to be able to reunite with his family and see the happiness of his children. Mina looked haru at the two, her prayers had finally been answered as well, the husband had returned as before when he had just known her.

“Let's pray for you and Nick quickly get another child,” Rahardi said after releasing his embrace.

“Nick still doesn't know about the miscarriage I had. Better he doesn't need to know, please don't say anything to him.”

“Iya dear, yes,” Mina gently stroked the top of Iza's head.

The happy atmosphere is so felt in this house. Discussion, laughter and jokes accompany them together. While enjoying the dishes, everything was cool. Ridho has started to blend in with Nick's friends. Although at first he was surprised by their leaking mouth.

The women also gathered together while talking about their husbands. Sometimes their laughter broke when they heard the absurd story of the household they lived. Meta who also talked, occasionally his eyes looked at the husband. Between Ridho and Arnav already did not look awkward anymore, the two could talk casually.

Meta is grateful Arnav has great heart to accept their relationship that can not continue to the level of marriage. He is also grateful that Ridho can still be kind to the man who was once a part of his life and almost became his future. The woman just hopes Arnav will soon find his soul mate.

By late afternoon, Nick's friends were saying goodbye. Shortly after Ridho and Meta followed, Rahardi and Mina also came home along with her son. Only Bryan and Diah survive. They still clean up the house a little messy. Nick also helped, while Iza was asked to stay rest because his condition was still not fully recovered.

Taking care of the house business, Diah invites Nick and Iza to speak in the living room. He and Bryan had decided to say something about Edo. Nick needs to know about his real father. Without having to wait for the man who knows when will come back.

“Mom.. Whose home is this?” finally out also the question that had filled Nick's head earlier.

“This is your home, a gift from your father,” replied Diah.

“Daddy?” ask Nick.

“Not daddy, but your real dad, Nick,” Bryan explained. Both Nick and Iza were quite surprised to hear that. Especially Iza, because Nick once told me that his biological father disappeared somewhere while he was still in the womb.

“My biological father?”

“Yes, your real father. His name was Eduardo Palermo, he was commonly called Edo. At first mommy thought she was leaving mommy to return to her country and never came back because she had found another woman there. But it's not really like that. Just like daddy Bryan, Edo is around you. He watches and looks after you from a distance.”

Nick is shocked to hear Diah's story about Edo, his real father. In his heart was moved to hear Edo's struggle and sacrifice for himself as well as Diah. Resisting the longing for the safety of the baby and his beloved wife must not be easy. Coupled with the hard and dark life he lived.

“What does Edo mean by mommy is the person that daddy introduced me to as his friend? People visiting the coffee shop?”

“Iya.”

Nick was speechless, it was only fitting that when he met Edo that he felt something else from the man. Although it feels foreign, but Nick feels an inner bond with him. This made him quickly familiar with Edo.

“Donor the eye that Iza got, it was also the result of Edo's struggle. Thanks to the kindness he once did, he was able to get that eye donor. So is this house, this is its gift to you. Actually he forbid mommy and daddy say this all. He said there will be time for him to acknowledge who he is to you. But mommy thought it would be better if you knew faster.”

“Nick, daddy knows you might be surprised to hear about him. But no matter how bad he is, as black and as hard as any life he lives, he is still your real father. Even though Edo did not say anything, but daddy knew he also wanted to be called by you.”

“Now where to reach Edo?” asked Iza who had just been quietly listening.

“He's back in Rio before you get surgery. Mommy doesn't know at the moment either. He just said he was taking care of something and forbade mommy from contacting him.”

“But Edo is fine, right?” ask Iza.

“Hopefully Zi. Pray nothing happens to him.”

The mood became quiet. Nick still has no voice, it seems like he's still surprised to hear about his real father. Iza hugged her husband's arm, rubbing his back slowly. He knew Nick still needed time to accept all this.

🍂🍂🍂

Nick's home looks lonely. Bryan and Diah had gone home. Now only Nick alone with Iza who lives in this minimalist style house. Nick looks pensive on the balcony of the room while enjoying the breeze of the night. Iza glanced at the clock on the wall which showed it at nine o'clock in the evening. It's been an hour since her husband was there. Iza approached and hugged her husband from behind.

“It was evening. Come in.”

Nick releases the wife's embrace and then turns his body around and pulls Iza into his arms. For a moment his head was immersed in the niche of the wife's neck, inhaling a body scent that could calm her in the moment of turmoil that engulfed her heart at this moment.

After a while Nick took off his embrace, then took Iza in. The door that connects the room to the balcony closes and the two go up to the bed. Nick laid his body down and put his head on his wife's chest. For just a moment he wanted to be spoiled in the arms of Iza. Since the conversation with Diah this afternoon, Nick has been thinking about Edo. He was so worried about his birth father.

“What do you think? What about papai?”

“Iya.”

“What mas still can not accept it?”

“Not. I'm just worried. I was afraid something would happen to him. I'm afraid I didn't get to meet and call him papai.”

Nick's voice sounded choked. Finally he could also say what was weighing on him earlier. Iza tightened her embrace, as she felt her husband's back tremble. Nick is not a man who cries easily, if he does it means the pia is no longer able to withstand his sadness.

“In Shaa Allah will be fine. He'll come back here and meet you. Papai loves you so much, he will definitely come back. Either way he will definitely come back because he wants to hear you call him papai.”

There was no reply from Nick, only his hands were getting tighter hugging Iza's waist. In his heart he understood what his wife had just said. It was not only Edo who wanted to hear the word papai. But he also wanted to immediately call the man by the name of papai and hugged him tightly. May God grant his wish.

🍂🍂🍂

I live part happy, yes. Uh there's Arnav still single🤣