The Nick's Life
Meet the Candidate Papa In-Law
As usual, on Sundays the city government of Bandung always hold free car day events in several places. One of them is on Ir. H. Juanda or commonly known as Dago. The word dago comes from ancient people who used to wait for their friends when going to cross this area. In the past, the Dago area was a dense forest area filled with wild animals. Then everyone who will pass through the forest must wait for others because they do not dare to walk alone. From there the term dago appears, short for the word padago-dago (waiting each other).
Nick invites Iza, Meta also Rivan take a walk in the car free day. While the other three friends are still cool asleep under the blanket. The four choose to walk to the car free day area because the location of the hotel they occupy is not too far from there.
Free day car that takes place ranging from red lights near the Cikapayang bridge to the Simpang market red light has been filled by visitors. In addition to people walking around. Along the way were also filled with merchants peddling his wares. From culinary to clothing and electronics are there. Coupled with entertainment such as music shows, joint gymnastics events or other art attractions that further add to the atmosphere.
Rivan faithfully accompanies Meta and occasionally becomes the girl's photographer. They accidentally separate themselves from Nick as well as Iza. Had Arnav known, maybe the man would have jumped out of bed immediately and immediately ran towards the car area free day like The Flash. Honey, that guy's still hugging his roll.
Nick invites Iza to sit on the sidewalk after buying a kebab to fill their stomachs. While eating the typical Turkish snacks, both are cool to pay attention to the traffic of people who walk, use a bicycle or play skateboard. From the young child to the old one becomes one.
Iza's eyes looked at the couple who were walking together. The husband's hand pushed the baby trolley. They had a happy laugh when they were talking. Nick followed the girl's line of sight.
“Pengen yes rich so?”
“See it's so adem.”
“Sabar yes. Later if abi already love your blessing, I will immediately apply you.”
“Ish.. what the hell is.”
Nick laughed a little. As usual Iza's face will be blushing after being teased like that. Actually having a happy little family is not only Iza's dream, but also his dream. Since childhood Nick always hoped to have a full family, having two parents who loved him so much. Honey, it's all just a dream because fate told her something else.
“Zi.. the man in your family photo is your sister?”
“Iya, his name is bang Ridho. Now brother's in Cairo. In addition to finishing his S3 lecture, brother also works there.”
“What does your brother work for?”
“Same as abi, lecturer.”
“You're close to bang Ridho?”
“Banget. That's why I was sad when my brother accepted work there while continuing his S3.”
“Marriage date?”
“Bang Ridho? Haven't. Who would want the same rich jutek man he is. If there is no sweetness. If you see people are also flat, there is no expression. I sometimes fear brother will be an old virgin,” Iza giggled amusedly.
“If you also jutek?”
“Ngga. Very good brother if to me the same ummi. He who often belain me if abi angry because I violated his ban.”
Iza pensively remembered the figure of the brother who was now far away from him. Since Ridho left, Rahardi has been keeping a close eye on him. Sometimes Iza can't breathe with all the rules made by her father.
“Show can you be authoritarian but why haven't you hijab?”
“Udah often told me, but honestly I myself was not ready. Actually I was also confused, is it true that I am not ready or this is one of the ways I rebelled against Abi. Ummi and bang Ridho don't want to force me. Maybe they know that so many are suing me.”
Nick was victorious, his life with Iza was completely opposite. Iza's perfect life has two parents but must be depressed because of his father's possessive and authoritarian attitude. While he was so longing for the figure of the father who can be used as a role model in his life.
“If you yourself have a sister?” iza's question breaks Nick's daydream.
“Ngga. I'm an only child.”
“News dong about your family. I am already.”
“What to tell? There's nothing interesting about my family. I was raised by a single parent. It's just the family mommy I have. Actually I still have grandparents from mommy but I rarely met them.”
“Why?”
“Ngga knows too. Maybe because mommy never took me to meet them. I know they kicked mommy out when they got married with daddy. They are disappointed because mommy changed faith when she married daddy.”
“You mean, mommy a convert?”
“Not.. the reverse, mommy apostatized.”.
Iza's mouth was round hearing it. But at once his forehead wrinkled when remembering the words of Nick first who said that he was Islamic KTP. Nick smiled faintly at the confusion on the girl's face.
“You heard my story?”
“If you want a story, I will listen.”
Nick took a deep breath, trying to fill his lung cavity which suddenly felt empty. Sooner or later, he did have to tell Iza everything. Like his commitment from the beginning, he did not want anything to be covered when he started a relationship with the girl.
“I have a mommy and three dads. The first is my biological father who until now I do not know what his face looks like. Mommy just said that she had married Sirri with a Brazilian man. But the marriage ended as soon as the man returned home, at the same time mommy was pregnant.
My second father I used to call daddy. She was American, mommy married her in the civil records office only and mommy followed her beliefs back then. As soon as his employment contract expired daddy had to return to Chicago. Daddy invited mommy but mommy refused and chose a divorce from him.
My third father was the late abi, ustadz Harun. Mommy marries sirri with abi and returns to being a Muslim. But their marriage did not last long because Abi died in an accident. Ummi, abi's first wife and also bang Farid, his son is still being nice to us. Bang Farid taught me religion as well. But after ummi died, bang Farid moved to Malaysia after marrying a woman there.”
Iza really did not expect Nick's family story to be quite complicated as well. In his heart he admired the figure of Nick's mother who could raise his son alone. Nick, a man who has confidence, is physically perfect, smart and nice to talk to, turns out to grow up without a father figure.
“What more do you want to know? I'll answer everything.”
“What's your favorite sport?”
“Many. Basketball, swimming, wall climbing.”
“Wall climbing?” iza's eyes look sparkling.
“Iya. Do you also like wall climbing?”
“Never tried. But I like to see people who wall climbing.”
“Why have you never tried? Not that you're not afraid of heights ya.”
“Ngga can equal abi.”
Iza's face returned grim. Abi did limit his movement space. Organize what they can and cannot do. Decide who can and does not be your friend. Monitor whatever the girl likes. If it doesn't fit his criteria then he has to stop it.
Rahardi prefers Iza to participate in activities such as Islamic studies, debate forums or charities. For the man, doing activities channeling hobbies such as sports or music is not something important. Iza better learn to cook at home than follow the sport of wall climbing whose fans are dominated by the adam.
“When we wall climbing. I'm the one who ajarin.”
“Bener?”
“Iya.”
Iza's face looks sumringah. I can't wait to try a sport that I think has its own challenges. The girl got up from her seat and then took Nick around.
“What do you want to bring for ummi?”
“Yes, we go down again if so. You're strong don't walk all the way down?”
“Constrate.”
“Call Meta first, all of them. Later just have Arnav pick up to kartika sari.”
Iza nodded, picked up her phone and immediately contacted her best friend. Before long Meta and Rivan joined, they immediately headed to the famous cake shop located near the red light of the cikapayang bridge.
Arnav looks at Nick and Rivan, who don't wake him. It seems like the two people were deliberately blocking his attempt to get close to Meta.
“Good..take a call. Where were you two this morning! Go not say.”
“Lo is still lazy, nyuk,” exclaimed Nick.
“Can wake me up, nyet!”
“Udah-already same-sex primates do not need to debate again. Bang.lo mending buy souvenirs for his parents kak Meta. They love bolen, especially durian.”
Without waiting for long, Arnav immediately darted to the storefront that displayed the typical Bandung souvenir cake. Take some bolen dus with various variants. And according to Rivan's instructions, Arnav more take durian bolen dus flavor. After hunting for souvenirs, they all returned to the hotel.
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After dzuhur Nick's group returned to Jakarta. Early in the journey, traffic was still good. But once out of the toll cipularang occurs a little queue there. The backflow makes the streets slightly jammed.
When arriving in Jakarta, the three groups separated from their destination. Rivan returns to Nick's car to take Iza home. Even the young man swapped places with Iza. Afraid that Rahardi was waiting in front of the house. Arnav is of course happy, finally able to feel the moment alone with Meta.
At four in the afternoon, Nick arrived at Iza's residence. All three get off the car. Rivan helps Iza drop the souvenirs. At first Iza asks Nick to leave, but Nick insists on delivering the girl to her parents.
“Ehem!!”
Nick, Iza and Rivan are shocked to hear Deheman from behind. Apparently Rahardi was standing behind them. iza approached and kissed the back of his hand, followed by Rivan and Nick.
“Come in!”
Rahardi walked ahead of the three into the house. Iza Ketar-ketir's heart saw Rahardi's face that was far from friendly. They entered the house and sat in the living room. Rahardi had already sat there, his eyes staring hard at Nick. He saw the young man from top to bottom. Rivan gulped his saliva rough looking at the uncle as if to pounce on Nick alone.
“Why just got home? didn't abi say that noon should have reached home!”
“Sorry abi,” reply Iza.
“Can't be trusted! You let abi down, Zi.”
“Sorry to om. All my fault.I took Iza also Rivan around the city of Bandung first. Don't blame Iza, it's my fault.”
Rahardi turned his eyes to Nick. His eyes were full of intimidation. Nick remained calm. He looked back at the middle-aged man.
“What's your name?”
“Nick, Nickolas Armando Litrell”
“You've worked?”
“Om.” already
“Where?”
“Hotel Ambrossia Hills.”
“As what?”
“Manager marketing and PR.”
Rivan rolled his eyeballs seeing his uncle asking already like a census officer. Next to her Iza did not dare to raise her head. The girl was busy pinching her fingers. Really Rivan hoped that his papa would appear suddenly and stop this crazy lion in front of him.
“Where do you know Iza?”
“Di hotel om. Iza time attend a seminar at the hotel where I work.”
“How long have you known Iza?”
“Two months om.”
“New two months but have dared to take my son out of town, amazing!”
“Sorry if I'm sassy.”
“Where do you live?”
“I live with my mommy in an apartment in the beautiful cottage area. But lately I have been staying in hotels more often. I was given room facilities there.”
“If you only live alone with your mother, where is your father?”
“It's afternoon, you better go home.”
Mina came from the kitchen. She had to stop her husband from acting possessive. The woman came with two glasses of cold drink and gave it to Nick and Rivan.
“Spend your drinks and then go home. You must be tired.”
Rivan nodded and finished off his orange syrup. Similarly to Nick, the man understood why Mina did this. After finishing the drink, the two went home. Iza drove to the front of the car. No words were spoken because Rahardi was watching from behind.
After Nick's car drives off, Mina asks her son to come inside. Iza rushes to her room, before Rahardi asks her more about Nick.
“Ummi intentionally did you tell them to go home?”
“Iya. Abi is outrageous, it could be abi interrogating Nick at the time of your first meeting.”
“That's because he's already made Iza violate the conditions that have been given. The kid should have come home this afternoon but just came home this afternoon.”
“Bi.. The iza is big. He knows what is good and what is bad. Give her a little confidence. Don't over-strain it like this.”
“This is all for his good. After all, abi still could not trust the child completely. Outside of a lot of jerks trying to get close to him. One of them is a boy named Nick.”
“Astaghfirullahadzim, istighfar bi. Abi was already suudzon the same person. Any idea where Nick's not a good kid? Do not accuse without a good reason. After all, if abi does not believe in Iza, it means that abi also does not believe in himself has educated your child well.”
Mina immediately passed into the house. This kind of debate always happened whenever her husband had started to control the princess' life excessively. Rahardi looked at the wife's back who was moving away. Shaking slowly, the man entered the house.
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How Nick first impression met the prospective in-laws😬