The Nick's Life
Meta vs Ridho

“Nick is alive. He's in Bandung now.”

Meta's speech successfully attracted Ridho's attention, until the man stopped his steps and began to respond to Meta's remarks.

“Do not lie to you.”

“I'm not lying. Nick is alive but he's lost his memory. His condition is still unstable, which is what makes his mommy say that Nick is dead. You can ask ummi if you don't believe it. I want to come to Bandung because I want to help Iza meet Nick. So please help me yes, bang.”

“Thank you for the info. But once again I say, Iza is not your responsibility. Let me take Iza to see Nick.”

“What do you think bringing Iza in front of Nick is enough? The situation is not that easy. Do you think you can reunite them with that stiff attitude and expressionless big brother face?”

Ridho's eyes rounded hearing all the Meta sayings. This girl is getting bolder just to put out the sentences that make her heart goosebumps.

“I'll help Iza meet Nick. I won't bother you brother, I won't ask to eat with brother. Just find me a job and a place to stay. The rest let me take care of myself. Thank you.”

There was no reply from Ridho, the man continued his steps towards his room. Not only surprised to hear Nick is still alive, but he is also upset, Nick's whereabouts are covered from the younger brother. But hearing that Mina had also found out, Ridho tried to temper his irritation and would talk to his mother tomorrow.

Meta stomped his feet in annoyance. It turns out that talking long with Ridho can cause shortness of breath. No woman wants to be his wife. Who is the woman who can stand with her annoying attitude plus the face of her feet.

🍂🍂🍂

The afternoon atmosphere at Iza's once calm house turned tense as soon as Mina got a call from the police. The car her husband was driving was hit by a box car. Rahardi was rushed to the hospital while the driver who hit him fled. Even more shocking is the collision right at the location of Iza and Nick had an accident.

Mina hurried to change clothes to see her husband. Same with Ridho. Iza asks Meta to help her change clothes, he also wants to go to the hospital. Previously Iza took the time to tell Rahman, also happened to be the brother of Rahardi was in Jakarta for a business. Hearing the news from Iza, the man also rushed to the hospital.

The online taxi Mina booked arrived at the front of the house. Along with Ridho, Iza and Meta, the woman rushed to the hospital. Mina repeatedly said Istighfar in her heart, her heart praying that her husband be given salvation. Although she was disappointed in Rahardi's attitude, but deep down, Mina still loved her husband. The faces of Ridho and Iza also looked tense. As bad as Rahardi's attitude was, the man was still their father.

After traveling for half an hour, the taxi finally arrived at the hospital. Everyone rushed to the IGD. Mina immediately asked the sisters when she arrived at the IGD. A police officer who took Rahardi to the hospital immediately approached the woman.

“With mom Rahardi?”

“He's right sir. What's wrong with my husband?”

“From the cctv recording it was seen that the father's vehicle was crossing the intersection when a box car broke through a red light and hit the car Mr. Rahardi. The vehicle continued to drive after crashing. We found the vehicle 2 kilometers from the location but the driver was no longer there. After checking it was a stolen car. Most likely the perpetrator is a curanmor specialist. We will continue to search for the culprit.”

“Iya sir, thank you.”

Iza was caught hearing stories from police officers. In addition to the collision event at the same location when he was in an accident, the chronology is also almost the same. Instantly his feelings are stricken with anxiety, afraid that his father will be the same fate as Nick.

“My condition abi how sir?”

“On that, you should ask the doctor who handled it. I'm sorry.”

Mina looked at her daughter. After what Rahardi did to her, Iza was still worried about the man's situation. Enfolded Iza's body, clear circles wet his cheeks. Mina's embrace unraveled when she saw a doctor approaching her.

“Dok.. how is my husband?”

“Mother's husband was seriously injured in the leg due to a car body pinched. We have to take an operation. Do you agree to perform the operation?”

“Of course doc.”

“Good. After mom signed the consent letter, we will immediately operate on the patient.”

The middle-aged woman simply nodded her head. A sister came and gave me a letter to sign. Mina quickly signed the letter, while Ridho along with Rahman immediately went to the administration to register and pay the deposit.

Blankar carries Rahardi's body out of the IGD chamber. Two nurses took her to the operating room. Mina, along with Iza and Meta followed closely behind. Mina's heart paled to see her husband lying weak. There were some wounds on his face, but the most severe was the leg.

The three women sat waiting in the waiting room for the operation. It wasn't long before Rahman and Ridho came. Meta chose to step aside for a moment to see Rahman who seemed to be talking about something serious. The girl chose to go to the cafeteria to buy a drink and some snacks. As soon as Meta, Rahman started talking.

“Mina. But looking at Hardi's condition now, can't you rethink the matter of divorce? I know he's made a lot of mistakes, but may I ask you to give him a second chance? He was once a good husband and father to you. Can you guys give him a chance to come back like he used to?” Rahman looked at Mina, Iza also Ridho alternately.

There was no answer from either Mina or Ridho. The two men still closed their mouths. Seeing the reaction of the two, lying that Rahman did not feel disappointed, however Rahardi was his sister. But the man also could not force, the fault did lie with the younger brother.

“Thus it is true, ummi. There is no harm in ummi giving a second chance to abi. Let's just say abi is lost and ummi who must be a guide for abi in order to return in the right direction.”

“Zi..” Mina could not continue her words. His throat felt choked.

“If not ummi, who will take care of abi? Ummi is here with abi. You agree, right?”

Iza directed her gaze towards the right, the position where Ridho was sitting. The man just nodded. Iza's hand was raised, trying to find the whereabouts of her brother. Ridho welcomed Iza's hand then held it with both hands.

“All I leave to ummi. I will support whatever the ummi decision. But I will still take Iza with me to Bandung. Ummi knows for myself, next week I start teaching. Whatever the ummi decision about abi, my relationship with abi has not changed. He's still my father, as bad as he is. But ummi, ummi has the right to determine whether he still wants to be next to abi or not. If ummi chooses to go back to abi, I still support. But I'm sorry that for now I still don't want to meet abi. Maybe if Iza has fully recovered and wants to forgive abi, I will also forgive him.”

Just sobs coming out of Mina's mouth. Ridho moved to sit next to Mina and hugged her. Iza grabbed Mina's arm and hugged her. Rahman turned his face the other way while wiping the puddle of water in the corner of his eye.

“Ummi to you, Dho. Pray for ummi so that she can bring your old brother. Hopefully he can be a good father again for you both.”

Ridho just nodded his head while continuing to hug his mother. He really hoped this was the right decision. May God open the door of the father's heart. Rahman said nothing but gratitude in his heart.

You see, Di. How your wife and children still love you. I hope you can take the wisdom of this incident and change all your vices.

Meta came back from the canteen, for a moment he observed the situation. After Iza and the others had finished talking, the girl walked over. The bag of groceries containing drinks and snacks on the chair, while he sat his butt next to the friend.

“When will you leave for Bandung?” ask Rahman.

“In Shaa Allah three more days.”

“Iza will come directly with you?”

“Iya, abah.”

“Then who will help Iza there?”

“Just relax, I will find someone who can accompany Iza during my teaching.”

Meta was surprised to hear Ridho's words, he looked at Ridho as well as Mina alternately. The girl guessed that Mina did not move to Bandung because of the accident that hit Abi Iza. With courage, the girl invited Ridho to speak together.

“Bang.. can we talk?”

“What's the matter? Talk here aja.”

Meta shook his head. With a gesture of eyes and a look of face, he asked the man to come with him. Lazily Ridho stood up then followed Meta steps from behind. Meta is looking for a place far enough to talk. The two stopped at the end of the corridor, right in front of a large window overlooking the street.

“You said what?” asked Ridho without a stale base.

“Abang really want to move to Bandung alone without ummi?”

“Iya.”

“Why not wait for the condition of abi until recovering new brother invite Iza? Who accompanies Iza if ummi does not come?”

“You said yourself that Nick is still alive and in Bandung. I need to get Iza there immediately. I will find people to accompany and take care of Iza during the work battery. Ummi will not be able to move to Bandung. Ummi will stay here with abi.”

“Then I do, let me change ummi. I can stay with you guys, brother don't need to find people to take care of Iza.”

“Don't be crazy you.”

“Bang.. please,” Meta pulled the end of T-Shirt Ridho's arm, making the man stop his steps.

“Lease!”

Meta released his handle on Ridho's shirt. Unknowingly the girl pursed her lips in annoyance her desire was never responded to by Ridho. I heard Ridho's long breath. The man turned his body then looked at Meta with his expressionless face.

“So..what do you want?”

“I want to come to Bandung. I can take care of Iza.”

“Ngga can!” Ridho immediately continued his words as soon as he saw Meta's mouth open.

“One... if you take care of Iza, you can not work. Two.. Iza is my responsibility, not yours. Three. I don't want you to ignore your life because of Iza. Four. I can't let you stay with us because we're not muhrim. Even if there is an Iza, it's not true. Lima. What would your parents say if you were busy thinking about Iza. I don't want to be judged as an irresponsible brother to his sister. Understand?”?

Meta silenced to hear all the reasons that Ridho mentioned. Satisfied to be able to make the girl before him speechless, Ridho turned his body back. But again the girl uttered a sentence that left her dumbfounded.

“Then we get married. Brother lammar I, we got married before you went to Bandung. If we get married, I can stay with you. I also do not need to bother looking for a job because there is a brother in charge. My parents won't be angry either.”

Ridho turned his body in annoyance. He approached towards Meta, making the girl shuffle backwards. His steps came to a halt as soon as his body hit the wall behind him. Ridho stopped his steps.

“Are you crazy? (are you crazy?). You can talk about marriage lightly. Looks like something's wrong with your brain!”

PLASTERED

Ridho flicked Meta's forehead quite hard, making the girl's forehead slightly reddish. Without caring for Meta's ringing, the man turned around then left him without feeling any guilt at all. Talking to Meta makes his head dizzy.

Ridho's steps came to a halt when Meta caught up and stopped in front of him. Ridho tried to keep going, but Meta continued to block it. Ridho paused while giving a sharp look at Meta. But Meta was undaunted, he stared back at Ridho no less fierce.

“Do you not understand human language? What language should I speak to you in!” ridho's voice sounded slightly raised.

“Please listen to my reasons. You can refuse it after hearing my reason.”

“What?” Ridho folded his hands in front of his chest.

“I know how Iza feels right now, because I've experienced it too. I lost someone I loved. Three years ago, I lost my future husband. My life was ruined, I even tried to kill myself, but Iza prevented it. As long as I'm down, she's always by my side until I finally get through everything and live a normal life again. I want to do the same for him. I want to reunite him with Nick. In addition, Iza also once said that he wanted to match me with his brother. But beyond all that, I did it because I love Iza.”

Meta lowered his head after saying all that. Recalling the bad times first, awakening his sadness again. No response from Ridho. The man only looked towards Meta for a moment, after which he stepped away. Meta raised his head, looking at Ridho's back that was getting further away. There was a humbling laughter, after humbling himself in such a way, Ridho was still unmoved. With slow steps, the girl returned to where Iza was waiting.

Just when Ridho reached the waiting room, the doctor who operated on Rahardi came out. Mina quickly approached the doctor, followed by Rahman. Iza just sat waiting while putting her ears on well.

“How does my husband doc?”

“Operation succeeded. The patient's legs shifted due to impact and squeezed the car body. We managed to restore its position as before, only the length of the legs between the left and right legs became different.”

“But no harm to himself right doc?”

“No. The patient will no longer be able to walk normally. In a moment, the patient will be transferred to the inpatient room. I'm sorry.”

The entrance to the operating room opened again, two nurses seemed to push the blankar carrying Rahardi's body. Mina and the others immediately followed the nurse. Meta helps Iza stand up and then leads her.

Mina sat on the side of the bed, her eyes constantly staring at her still-covered husband. Two hours ago the operation was completed, but Rahardi was still unconscious. Rahman, Ridho, Iza and Meta were seated in a chair in front of the inpatient room. Ridho glanced at the clock on his wrist, time was already at half-eight in the evening.

“Zi.. You want to go home now?”

“Let's bang. I want to wait until abi realizes.”

“Then brother between Meta go home first. Abah, I'll take Iza for a second. Can I borrow the car, brother?”

“Bby,” Rahman handed over the car keys to Ridho.

“Ayo,” invite Ridho on Meta.

Reluctantly Meta woke up from his seat. After saying goodbye to Rahman, Iza as well as Mina, the girl came out of the hospital building along with Ridho. The two headed for Rahman's car parked in the south part of the building. After installing the seat belt, Ridho drove his vehicle.

No talks during the trip. Meta continued to stare at the window next to him, lazily looking at the stiff-faced man next to him. She also felt ashamed to have asked the man to marry her and was rejected. Meta daydreams about how to move to Bandung and help Iza meet Nick.

Because cool daydreaming, Meta did not realize that the car he was riding had arrived in front of the house. Ridho unlocks the car and turns off the engine. He turned his head towards Meta who was still silent in his place.

“Ehem!!” Meta turned his head towards Ridho, upon hearing the man's deheman.

“You don't want to go down?”

Meta looks out the window. He cursed himself who had unknowingly arrived in front of his house. His hand opened the seat belt and got out of the car. The girl kept coming into the house. It was not realized that Ridho was tailing behind him.

“Assalamu’alaikum.”

“Waalaikumsalam,” heard the answer from inside.

“Eh No Ridho.”

Meta was shocked to hear his mother's words. He looked back. He wanted to throw the man away, but his mother had already invited him in. Not only his mother, it turns out his father also warmly welcomed the arrival of the annoying man.

Efendi, father of Meta, invited Ridho to sit down. Mother of Meta also immediately made drinks for her guests. Meta was forced to sit in the living room.

“Om heard your ashes were in an accident. How's he doing now? Is it bad?”

“Alhamdulillah ngga om. Operation was successful, abi was injured in the leg.”

“Thank God. Sorry for not coming to see you. In Shaa Allah tomorrow together with aunt will visit. Has Anton been told?”

“Om.” already

“How is Iza?”

“Alhamdulillah Iza situation is better. Thank you for allowing Meta to help care for Iza all this time. Sorry if it's a hassle.”

“It's okay. They are good friends, they should help each other. Iza used to help Meta a lot in the most difficult time.”

Ridho smiled a thin smile. Meta is screeching slowly. If only Ridho could behave this well when talking to him, maybe he would not be this sad and covetous. Meta's mother came to bring him drinks and cakes and put them on the table. The middle-aged woman then sat down beside Meta.

“Come to drink first.”

“Iya aunt, thanks.”

Ridho took the cup in front of him then sipped it slowly. Thought Meta who still put on his upset face. After putting the cup back on the table, Ridho looked towards Meta's parents.

“Om.. aunt..I came here because I have something to talk about.”

“What's the problem?”

“Begini om. sorry in advance if my arrival was sudden and at the wrong time. I intend to apply for Meta.”

🍂🍂🍂

Dumplings... Arnav really is heartbroken..