The Nick's Life
Eduardo Palermo

“Halo Diah..”

“Edo.”

“Long time no see. How are you?”

“Do you want to come here?”

“To meet my son, Nick.”

Diah's face paled, thinking Edo had no idea about her pregnancy, because the man had returned to Brazil before Diah knew about her pregnancy. For years the guy never showed up and now comes talking about Nick.

“Nick is not your son. He's my son with Bryan.”

“Lay as you please, Diah. Do I need to do a DNA test? You admit it or not Nick is still my son.”

“He's my son! I was the one who conceived her, who gave birth to her and raised her and cared for her until now. He's my son! My boy!”

“So that makes you feel entitled to his life? So you feel most entitled to determine what is good and not for him? Separate him from Iza?”

Once again, Edo knows a lot about Nick. The woman looked at the man before her. Edo's face has not changed much, only his jaw has been overgrown. His tattoos were many, once only one tattoo he had, on the back.

“Stop being stubborn. Don't stop Nick with Iza, let alone marry Nick to another woman. I won't stay silent.”

“You think I'm afraid of your threats? I'll do what I want to do. Iza and her father only brought havoc in Nick.”

“Open your eyes, Iza who has led Nick to goodness. As for Iza's father, I agree with you. I taught him a lesson too. If I don't remember him being the father of the woman Nick loved, I might have sent him to the afterlife. It's just his legs that I made limp.”

Diah's eyes widened to hear Edo's words. He had indeed heard from Arnav that Rahardi had an accident. Rahardi had an accident in the same place Nick and Iza had an accident and in almost the same way. It was all Edo. The man who once inhabited his heart seems to have changed a lot. The Edo in front of him was not the Edo who had married him before.

“Why is your face like that? Surprised? I'm not the old Edo. I am the one who is now capable of killing people without blinking. And do not hesitate to finish you if you try to block the happiness of my son.”

“Just do it, Nick will hate you for the rest of his life.”

“No problem. I don't care if he hates me, as long as he can live happily. If necessary, I will kill your beloved doctor. He's also a barrier for Nick and Iza.”

“Edo!”

“I'm not Bryan who's so patient with you. Come wake up, come with Rico.”

“Where are you?”

“Calm down, I still don't want to kill you. There is someone you need to meet first. After that you just decide, want to die quickly or slowly.”

Edo got up from his seat and then came out of the private room. Rico immediately entered as soon as Edo passed. The tall man immediately brought Diah out. With his car he took Diah somewhere, according to Edo's direction.

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With a stick in her hand, Iza took a walk in the foundation courtyard. He was still there, waiting for Linda to finish her work. To kill boredom, Iza chose to take a walk in the supervision of one of the foundation's staff. While walking, the tip of his wand hit something, making Iza stop her steps. His hands are out front. The woman was shocked when her hand touched someone's chest, the reflex she pulled on her hand.

“Ma. sorry.”.

“I should apologize for blocking your way,” said the man.

The man allowed Iza to continue his activities. But when Iza stepped, he stuck out his leg until Iza tripped and fell. The man helped her wake up.

Not far from them, two people are standing watching Iza's interaction with someone who turns out to be Rico. Edo accidentally brings Diah to see the current state of Iza. Nick's friends still haven't leaked Iza's situation at Iza's own request.

“Look at your son-in-law's situation now. Not only did Nick suffer, but Iza did too. She's lost her son-in-law, lost her sight and now you're gonna make her lose Nick too. Where's your conscience?”

“Since when can't Iza see? Why didn't anyone tell me?”

“When a broken glass accident hit his eye and made his cornea damaged. Iza is currently waiting for an eye donor. He asked Arnav not to tell you anything. He doesn't want to make you sad. Without her knowing, her dear mother-in-law tries to separate her from Nick.”

“Ba.. how do you know all this?”

“Of course I put a lot of eyes to keep an eye on Iza and Nick. One thing I regret, I pulled all my men when I found out Nick and Iza were married. I think he's happy and I can take it off calmly. But it turns out I was wrong. One of my men here reported on Nick's accident. I came back here to investigate.”

Diah's tears broke seeing Iza's condition. Because of her fear of losing Nick, she does something heinous to separate the two. Withholding tears, Diah walked over to Iza. The woman stood in front of the daughter-in-law she used to love so much. Realizing that there was a person in front of him, Iza stopped her steps.

“Sorry.. did I get in your way?” ask Iza.

“I'm blocking your way,” Diah's voice sounded vibrating.

“Mommy.”

“Iya. This is mommy dear. Mommy's son, what happened to you? Forgive mommy.”

She can't control her feelings anymore. Iza pulled him into his arms. Iza's crying broke in Diah's arms. For a moment the two women hugged each other while crying tears. Edo continued to pay attention to the sight of Haru before him. There is still humanity in Diah's heart. Rico walked up to Edo.

“Eye donor sent yesterday also does not match the cornea Iza.”

“Job! Why is it so hard to get an eye donor for my son-in-law.”

“Do you remember Jamilah's mother?”

“Who are you?”

“Women you helped a few years ago. KDRT victim woman who fled her husband with her three children.”

“Oh Jamilah, yes.yes I remember. What's wrong with him?”

“The child both had an accident and had a brain hemorrhage. It's been almost a year since her son fell into a coma, and doctors have sentenced him to brain death. That is, he might not live anymore. So far only life support tools that keep him breathing. Bu Jamilah decided to unplug all his life support tools. And he meant to donate his son's eyes to Iza. Hopefully his cornea matches.”

“Really? Oh my God, thank you.”

“But he asked for time to let his son go. She is still waiting for her first child who is in Saudi Arabia.”

“No problem. Keep an eye on him. Pay all hospital treatment fees and give whatever it asks for.”

“He doesn't want anything. This is his return for you.”

“Stay just offer him something. If indeed the cornea of the child is suitable, this will be a beautiful gift for the child and my son-in-law.”

Rico just nodded his head. Edo again noticed the two women in front of him who were still busy chatting while occasionally wiping the tears on their faces. Edo's smile expands seeing it. A smile that he rarely showed. The man put on a cold face and his brother.

“Zi.. do you want to meet Nick?”

“Can mommy?"

“Of course, you are his wife. Forgive the selfishness of mommy who tried to separate you with her.”

“I understand mommy. Mommy must be worried about Nick. Is it okay now?”

“Iya. He's out of the hospital. Even been working back. He opened a coffee shop here and named it the same as the old shop, Zicko Coffie. Said the name just flashed through his mind.”

Iza smiled happily. It turns out Nick unconsciously still remembers their memories. The reason Nick uses the name Zicko as his shop name. Diah clasped Iza's hand.

“Do you want to meet Nick?”

“What will not harm him?”

“Maybe he'll be in pain again, but mommy is sure he can handle it. He's been through his critical period twice, mommy's sure he's strong. There are you who can strengthen it. Do you want?”

“Iya mom, I want.”

“Then come to the coffee shop with Meta. Make it look like you're having an accidental meeting again. If mommy had brought you in front of her, mommy was afraid she wouldn't believe it. Because mommy once lied to her, manipulated her memory. Sorry Zi.”

“How many times should mommy say sorry? I've forgiven mommy.”

“Thank you, baby. Thank you,” Diah hugged Iza again. His desire, which used to want to separate Iza from Nick, has now changed direction. Now he wants to reunite his son and daughter-in-law.

“Your business is done here? Come on, mommy take you home. Mommy also wants to apologize to your sister.”

“Come mom, we go home.”

Diah helps Iza stand up. The two then head to the foundation office to say goodbye to Linda. Seeing that Diah and Iza were preparing to return home, Rico immediately approached. He will take the two women. Edo was gone first. He could not linger with Diah and Iza, for their safety.

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Ridho's car stopped in front of his house. His ears caught the voices talking. The man quickly entered the house and said his greetings. Ridho was surprised to see Diah in his house.

“Do you want to come here?”

“Abang.. mommy was the one who drove me home from the foundation.”

“Abang.”

Diah rubbed Iza's hand gently. For him it was natural that Ridho was being rude to him, because his attitude in the hospital had gone too far back then. Surely Ridho was very offended and angry at him.

“What are you doing here?”

“I want to apologize to you too Meta. Sorry for my attitude at the time.”

“Do you think it's enough for you to apologize? You've insulted my sister, consider her the unlucky bearer of your son's life. Do you think a single word of apology can erase everything?”

He was just bowed down, there was no objection or defense from him. The woman realized that she had hurt Iza as well as Ridho. Meta can not do anything, the nature of her husband is hard. Never mind Diah, even Rahardi can be cruel.

“Abang.. mommy came here to apologize and fix everything. Mommy will also meet me with Nick. But I leave it all to my brother. All this time the brother who was always there for me, the brother who took care of me, took care of me and gave me spirit. If you don't want me to go back to Nick, In Shaa Allah, I sincerely bang.”

Ridho gasped at Iza's words. He rubbed his face while saying Istighfar. For a moment the devil had taken possession of him. The man approached Iza and crouched down in front of her. Hand held by the sister.

“I'm sorry brother, Zi. Sorry to be carried away by emotions. How could you separate you from Nick. Only he can make you happy. Of course you're allowed. That is your wish, brother will support you.”

“Makasih. I love brother.”

“Abang also.”

Ridho hugs Iza, a little burden can be reduced knowing Iza can meet Nick. Meta rubbed the water in the corner of his eyes, as well as Diah who was moved to see the affection of the brothers. Ridho parsed his embrace and looked towards Diah.

“I'm sorry aunt, if it's rude and disrespectful.”

“Can you just call mommy? You're Iza's sister, she's mommy's daughter-in-law and that means you're mommy's son too. Do you want to have this stubborn and annoying mom?”

“Do mommy want to have a child who rarely smiles and has a stiff face like me?”

“Hahahaha..means we are suitable,” Diah damaged the top of Ridho's head.

“Ok... how about now we talk about Nick meeting with Iza?”

“Bby mom.”

Ridho, Meta, Iza and Diah begin to talk about how to get Iza and Nick together in a safe way. Meta proposes to repeat the events of the past, creating the same circumstances that Iza and Nick were in together. It may trigger Nick's memory. Ridho and Diah agreed that they would start the plan tomorrow. The sooner the better for them to meet.

Amidst the conversation, they were surprised by Bryan's arrival. Diah did ask her husband to pick her up at Ridho's residence. For a moment Bryan and Iza fell silent when Diah introduced them. Nick used to tell stories about Bryan and tell how much Nick misses Bryan.

“What is this daddy Bryan that Nick tells you so much about?”

“He often tells about me?”

“Iya dad.”

“My son turned out to love me very much,” is proud Bryan.

“He's my son,” says Diah.

“One more time you say Nick your son, I'll take him away from you.”

All were silent for a moment but then there was all their laughter. Ridho noticed Iza's face that was so sumringah. This was the first time he had seen the happy smile of his sister after the accident that had befallen him.

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In a private room of a five-star restaurant, Diah and Bryan are waiting for Edo's arrival. Diah recounts his encounter with Edo and Bryan is eager to meet Nick's biological father. Before long the door opened, the person he was waiting for finally came as well.

Bryan stood up to greet Edo and shook his hand. For a moment the two looked at each other. It was as if the two were judging each other. Bryan, wearing a long-sleeved shirt rolled up to his elbow, showed his clean white hands. Unlike Edo who wears casual clothes, jeans and a press body shirt that shows his body muscles plus a tattoo that meets both hands.

“So..you are the biological father, Nick.”

“And you're the father and unfortunately Nick loves you very much.”

Bryan chuckled at Edo's words. And so did Edo. It is unexpected that he can be jealous because the child loves the man in front of him more. But naturally, because from the womb until this big, Edo never showed his nose in front of Nick.

“Edo.. besides want to introduce you to Bryan. I also want to ask you for help.”

“What is it?”

“If you don't say it but I'm sure you're quite an influential and powerful person. Can you help find an eye donor for Iza?”

“For what do I do that?”

“C’mon Edo!” pissed Diah.

“Bryan.. how can you put up with this grumpy woman?”

“Hahaha... precisely that is the appeal, grumpy and stubborn.”

“Yaa. Those two things that made me fall in love with her, first. If now I could easily get a beautiful, sexy and young girl. Not like you still want it. Like a car, he's down the engine."

Angrily Diah kicked Edo's leg but quickly the man twitched. He already knows very well the death kick of his ex-wife. The man chuckled at Diah's reddened face holding back the anger.

“You rest easy, soon Iza will get an eye donor. Hopefully this one suits him. Actually, I've sent several eye donors to the hospital where Iza was treated, baby there's nothing suitable. Maybe God didn't let me give him an eye donor the wrong way. But what I'm doing now is right and legal. Hope it works.”

“Don't tell you.”

“I did get it from the enemy who tried to kill me. I killed him first and took out his eyes for Iza.”

“You're crazy.”

“Ya. I am crazy. This is my life, Diah. My reason why I can never come back to you is Nick.”

“Why did you leave me? Tell. At least I should know your reason, so I can answer it if Nick asks.”

“Is it important?”

“Ya. we should know. Nick should know about his real father. Please tell me,” pinta Bryan.

Edo took a deep breath, then took a sip of the tea available to him. Maybe Diah should know the real reason for leaving his son and wife. His dark past that made him unable to be close to his son, until now. The man looked at Bryan and Diah took turns and began to tell stories.

Eduardo Palermo, a Brazilian man born to a modest family. When he was 23 years old, he got an offer to work in Indonesia. Her career was smooth until she met Diah. The man fell in love with the parahyangan girl. After a few months of approach, Edo ventured to ask Diah to date and eventually get married.

Because he was a foreign citizen and quite complicated to take care of the permission to marry in other countries, finally the man decided to marry Diah sirri. Previously he changed beliefs, following Diah's beliefs. After becoming converts, the two married religiously. At first their marriage was fine, but in the third month there were problems in his office. There was a massive corruption case and he was made a scapegoat. After being dishonorably discharged, the man was also deported from Indonesia.

Sad to be separated from his wife, Edo tried hard to return to Indonesia. He did a lot of work to get back with Diah. Especially after his friend who is still in Indonesia reported that Diah was pregnant with her child. Edo was getting excited about raising money.

But good luck has not been on his side. Seduced by the persuasion of friends, he invested all his money in the hope of making a big profit, so that he could return to Indonesia and start his own business there, as well as legalize their marriage. But apparently, his friend ran away with all his money.

For two years Edo's life was lost, let alone saving, for everyday only sometimes the man had to endure hunger. The stay is also erratic moving from one contract to another contract. One night that changed his whole life.

Edo was warming himself up with some other people. Suddenly there was a commotion where they were gathered. Two of the biggest gangsters in Brazil exchanged fire during an illegal arms deal. Everyone who was with him immediately stepped aside, including Edo. But he was forced to return once he saw someone get hurt. With great difficulty he took the man away and managed to save his life.

Who would have thought that the man she saved was one of the important people in Nd*angh*ta. Nd*angh*ta is one of the largest mafia syndicates in Italy. The syndicate has an extensive network in various countries, including Brazil. Mateo, that person's name, he brought Edo along with him. From him Edo learned many things, especially learning to survive and kill.

Edo's life began to change at that time. Money is no longer a problem for him. His miserable life immediately turned into adequacy even arguably bergelilang treasure. Through drug transactions*ba and illegal weapons, he got a lot of benefits. But it all has to be paid for with his personal life. Edo could not return with his family for fear that their safety would be threatened. Many enemies are after his life and those around him.

While Nick was in college, Edo came to Indonesia, but he could only see his son from a distance. At that time he had just lost Emilia, his second wife who died was killed by one of his enemies. Luckily the only princess survived and Edo was hidden somewhere. Worried about Nick's circumstances, he returns to Indonesia, where the man recruits members in the country to look after his son and report everything that happened to Nick.

“My heart was calm when I saw Nick get married and live happily. But it turned out that the disaster happened after I pulled my men. I just want him to live a normal life. But it turned out that disaster approached him when I was not with him anymore,” Edo ended the story.”

“It was fate,” Bryan said.

“Ya and I want to change my son's destiny. I don't want him to suffer like me.”

“I'll help you. Because he's also my son.”

“Thank you, Bryan.”

Diah was only speechless looking at the two men in front of her. Two great men who loved their children so much. Had Nick known his father's sacrifice, he might have felt proud of Edo. One day, Diah promises to tell Nick about his real father.

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The sighting of Edo papai

Babe's original Nick