The Nick's Life
The Selfishness of Father-in-Law

“Nick..”

With a limp Rahardi walked closer to his son-in-law. Nick kept staring at Rahardi, the longer the feeling kept attacking him. The memory goes in and out of his head. An indistinct memory was only pain that kept crashing through his heart.

“Aaaarrrgghhh,” Nick groans in pain while holding his head.

“Nick!!”

Iza was shocked to hear Nick's pain. The woman got out of bed and tried to get to her husband. Several times his feet hit the objects that were nearby. Mina who saw her son, immediately helped Iza.

“Mas.”

“Aarrgghh.”

“Mas.”

Iza keeps trying to reach Nick. Diah quickly stepped aside as Iza approached her son. He helped Iza get to Nick. Iza immediately pulled Nick into her arms. Her husband was still groaning in pain.

“Mas.. quiet mas. Breathe deeply.. calm down.”.

“Zi.”

“I'm here mas.”

Nick held his arms against Iza's back, his head buried in his wife's shoulder. He kept trying to calm himself while inhaling the scent of Iza's body. Slowly the pain she felt gradually subsided. The tension that had been felt by everyone, came out already, along with Nick's condition that began to calm down.

Mina immediately pulled her husband's hand out of the room. He did not want Rahardi's presence to make Nick's situation worse. They walked slightly away from the room and sat down on the waiting chair that was near the nurse's desk.

“Nick.. is he still alive?” ask Rahardi.

“Iya.. Nick is still alive.”

“But why did Diah say Nick was dead? You too.”

“Did you expect Diah to be honest after knowing that the mas has caused his son an accident? We should be grateful that our children and Nick are still safe, even though their condition after the accident is far from good. Iza loses her eyesight, loses her future son, and Nick loses his memory. Are you satisfied now mas?”

Rahardi fell silent, the man was unable to speak out to refute it all because it was true. Because of his selfishness, his son and daughter-in-law suffered. Because they had to lose a child, his future grandchild.

“Better mas wait in room only. I've rented a room upstairs. We'll sleep here until Iza is operated on.”

“Why don't we go to Ridho's house?”

“Do you think Ridho would accept you? He is silent does not mean to have forgiven and forgotten all your deeds.”

“I'm sorry Mina, I'm really sorry. I want to apologize to Iza as well Ridho.”

“Prove first if you are really sorry, then I apologized to them. Now wait in room.”

Mina hands over the keycard to Rahardi. The man received the key. He stood up and walked towards the elevator. After Rahardi died, Mina returned to her room. The woman was able to breathe with relief once she saw Nick's condition had improved.

“Are you okay, Nick?” ask Edo.

“Iya, um. Sorry to make you anxious.”

Nick wakes up while helping Iza stand up. He took his wife back to the bed. At the same time, Rega's doctor came in with a nurse. He's approaching bed Iza. Others came closer, wanting to hear what the doctor said.

“How do doc?” ask Nick.

“Noor condition is good. Tomorrow he will be operable.”

“Alhamdulillah,” exciting another.

“Later after six in the afternoon, you no longer eat and drink. So, make sure you eat and drink enough before.”

“Good doc.”

“Then I excuse you first.”

The handsome doctor said goodbye. Before leaving he turned to look towards Iza. Her heart was happy to see the beautiful girl's smile. But then his smile faded when he remembered the woman he loved was still married. When he was ready to open his heart, it turned out that his heart was anchored in the wrong place. With a slow step, Rega's doctor stepped out of the room.

“I pamit. Tomorrow I will be here again,” said Edo.

“Iya, um. Thank you once again.”

Edo just nodded his head. In a hurry, the man immediately walked out of the room. Rico had just reported that Joseph's men were beginning to sniff out his whereabouts. Not wanting to harm the child and everyone around him, Edo chose to step aside.

“Nick.. Iza. daddy has to go, too. Daddy has to go to the plantation.”

“Iya dad. Mommy is coming too?”

“Ikut dong. Later if in the middle of the road daddy you have a nyelikan how?”

“One dares to kidnap daddy?” ask Iza.

“There. Widows living near the plantation.”

Bryan just shook his head. Diah was always jealous of Imas, the beautiful widow who lived around the estate. The woman had indeed expressed interest in him, but her love for Diah made the man unable to turn to other women.

“Mina, I go first.”

Mina just nodded her head. His eyes continued to look towards Diah and Bryan who were walking out of the room. The woman then approached bed Iza. The hand of his youngest daughter. Iza's face now exudes happiness, not like it used to look uninspired. It's like a living corpse.

“Ummi glad to see you happy again. Thank you Nick for staying and remembering Iza.”

“If my memory has not returned, but I know that Iza is the only one I love. The man I've been looking for.”

“Ummi will always pray for you.”

“Where to go, ummi?”

“Abi is resting in the room. Hmm.. you guys don't mind if ummi goes back to the room.”

“Please, ummi. Ummi must be tired,” replied Nick.

Mina rubbed the top of Iza's head and kissed her forehead. The woman signaled Ridho to follow her out. After saying goodbye to Iza and Nick, Ridho and Meta came out following Mina's steps.

“Dho.. do you not want to meet abi?”

“Later, ummi. I still don't want to see Abi right now. After Iza could see again and she was really happy, only then could I meet abi. I still can't forgive abi for now.”

“Ummi understands. Ummi just reminds you, however he is still your father.”

“Iya, ummi.”

“Ummi stay at home right?” ask Meta.

“Ngga. Ummi's rented a room here. Ummi to room first.”

Mina rubbed the child's arms and daughter-in-law alternately, then left. Meta looked towards Ridho. The look on her husband's face changed a little once her mother talked about Rahardi.

“Abang where to go now?”

“Abang should be to campus. There is one course at one time later.”

Ridho looked at the clock on his wrist which showed it at half-twelve in the afternoon. There's still an hour and a half left. While embracing his wife, the man walked towards the elevator.

“How about we have lunch first?”

“Bby bang.”

“Let's go to campus. No longer, just two hours.”

“Keep me what?”

“Wait in the office or come to class, so assistant brother.”

“Ngga want, shame. I don't know the courses that my brother taught.”

The man chuckled. His hand that was on Meta's shoulder slowly dropped to the waist. After the awaited elevator arrived, the two immediately entered the iron box. The man's hand was not out of the wife's waist.

Meanwhile, in the room, Nick goes up to the bed and settles down next to Iza. The pain he was suffering from was quite draining his energy. Iza raised her head slightly so Nick could stretch out his arms.

“Zi.”

“Hmm.”

“Didn't your brother like me?”

“So when I met him, my feelings said demkian. I feel sad, disappointed and angry. Did I make a mistake to make her dislike me?”

“Ngga. It's not wrong. Abi just misjudged you. Abi cannot see the goodness and excess in you.”

“Do you want to tell me?”

“Do you really want to hear it? I'm afraid..”

“I'll be fine. Can you tell me?”

Iza was silent for a moment. He hesitates to tell about Rahardi. Just remembering what his brother had done that alone had made him claustrophobic. But Iza also could not let Nick wrestle with his curiosity. After taking a deep breath, the story of Rahardi flowed from his lips.

Nick listened carefully to everything Iza said. Occasionally his finger rubbed the tears that flowed through the cheek of the wife. Next to his hand hugged Iza's shoulder to get closer to him. He felt a great sadness when he met his father-in-law.

“So abi already know about our wedding?”

“Iya. But abi covered it up. The accident that befell us happened when we tried to run from his pursuit. I'm sorry, because I'm all this happening. If I hadn't fought with Abi back then, maybe nothing would have happened.”

Iza's tears were getting louder, Nick hugged the wife's body tightly. He could not hold back the tears that flowed from the corner of his eyes. A moment later he broke his embrace.

“Everything that happens to us is not your fault. This is the destiny we have to live. I will try even harder for our happiness and I will also try to be a good daughter-in-law for your brother. I'll melt her heart again and try to get her blessing.”

“After what abi did, mas can still say like that. What is your heart made of?”

“Made from.. bamboo propeller,” Nick imitated Doraemon's voice when he mentioned the word bamboo propeller, making Iza unable to hold back his laughter.

“It's so dear. I'd rather see you laugh. You look more beautiful when you laugh. Miss Universe and Miss World just lost beautiful from you.”

“Basic gombal.”

“If the one you combed, halal only.”

Nick brought his face closer and kissed Iza's lips. Then repeat the kiss all over the face of the wife. Nothing is missed that ends with a long kiss. After various trials and troubles, he just wanted to be happy. Suffering and sorrow will never take over their lives again.

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By late afternoon, Meta can finally be transferred to the inpatient room. His condition is stable. This news was welcomed by the whole family. Fahrul's friends who had been loyal to accompany him, were also happy to hear it. Ayura and Denis, who just two hours ago arrived, were also relieved to know that Maira's condition had improved.

Fahrul's parents, who heard his grandson had been born, took a morning flight and arrived at Ibn Sina's hospital an hour ago. Although Surya still does not approve of Fahrul returning with Maira, but the man still welcomes the arrival of his besi.

Fahrul walked back and forth in front of Maira's inpatient room. The doctor is still checking on his wife. Maira's condition is still weak but has passed the crisis period. Now there is only a period of recovery. Shortly after, the female doctor came out.

“How is my wife, doc?”

“Maira's mother's condition has improved, only it still hasn't moved much. He's still weak. Remember, do not say anything that can make it depressed or trigger stress. You should be able to maintain his mental condition.”

“Iya doc, thank you. I'll remember it. Can I see it now, doc?”

“Please sir. But one by one yes, if you want to visit Maira.”

“Iya doc.”

Fahrul turned to Denis, Abe and Arnav. His feeling was relieved to hear Maira's condition had improved. With a slow movement, the man opened the door of the room and walked towards the bed. Behind her pale face, Maira tried to smile, welcoming her husband. Fahrul pulled a chair near the bed and sat himself there. He put his wife's hand down, then kissed her back gently.

“Aa.. how is our child?”

“Alhamdulillah, our son is safe. It is still in the NICU. He's still in the incubator. But it's good.”

“Sorry aa. I can't help it. Our son was born sooner before his time.”

“That's not all your fault. Thank you for giving birth to such a beautiful child for me. Thank you for surviving for us. I love you, Mai.”

“Aa don't go anywhere. Here just accompany me.”

“Iya darling. But outside many want to see you. We can only see you in turn. If all is done visiting, aa will accompany you here.”

Maira's head nodded weakly. Her eyes stared deeply at the Fahrul Netra. She could feel the sadness of her husband. His hand was raised and then rubbed Fahrul's jaw overgrown with fine feathers.

“Aa now much thinner.”

“Let's rest, later after recovery you can take care of aa again. You can definitely make a distended stomach because your cooking is very delicious,” Maira's smile rises to hear her husband's jokes.

“Which is important now, you need to be healthy again. You have to be healthy for our children and for yourself. Aa will always take care of you even though it cannot always be by your side and our child.”

“What does aa mean? Do you want to go?”

“Ngga darling. Aa ain't going nowhere. Aa will have to work, so can not accompany you 24 hours,” Fahrul rectify his words.

“Aa must promise, no matter what happens, aa can't give up. Aa will keep fighting for me, right?”

“Iya dear, of course.”

Fahrul stood up then kissed his wife's forehead long enough. Then his kiss went down to both of Maira's eyes, cheeks and lastly on the lips. With a gentle movement Fahrul clenched his wife's lips. Clear circles escaped from both eyes, as the man closed his eyes.

Surya and Darmono who had just returned from the canteen could breathe a sigh of relief once they heard Maira was awake and could be visited. But the man's smile faded as soon as he heard Fahrul was still inside the room. Annoyed, he sat down beside his wife.

“Why did the boy just walk into Maira's room?” pissed Surya.

“She's her husband. He has the right to see and accompany his wife,” said Reni who began to be careless to see the attitude of her husband.

Darmono and Asti were silent. Actually, in a small day they did not accept his son was treated like that, but once considering Fahrul had made a fatal mistake, both only closed their mouths.

“Anyways, Fahrul should keep divorcing Maira,” firmly Surya.

Ayura who was sitting not far from them, turned her face. Since his arrival, his ears have not been able to hear Surya's curse on Fahrul. The man continued to corner her husband's best friend. Angrily Ayura woke up from her seat and approached Surya. His mouth was already itching to reply to all the old man's words.

“Sorry to.”

“Who are you?”

“I'm his friend Maira.”

“Oh, you're Ayura, her friend Mai?” ask Reni.

“Iya aunt.”

“If you are her friend Mai, you must know what happened to Mai,” exclaimed Surya.

“Slightly much yes om.”

“Good. You can be a witness in court later.”

Ayura clenched her hands tightly. Inhaled a lot of okseigen to fill the cavity of his para that suddenly empty once heard the words of the man in front of him.

“Fahrul is a jerk man. She's already having an affair behind Mai and making Mai suffer,” Surya smiled hearing her. Thought Ayura would support her decision.

“But he already realized his mistake. Ever since Mai found out about her affair, she's been out of touch with Reisa. And the child Reisa conceived was not her child. I really hate it, Mom. But seeing her earnestness to improve, apologizing to Mai, trying to maintain her marriage, I realized that she really regretted and sincerely loved Mai.”

“What do you mean? He's just a jerk who ruined Mai's life. Look at Mai's current condition, it's because of her work!”

“Not..what happened to Mai because om who was too selfish. I know as a parent it must be heartbroken to see his son wasted. But I beg you to also be able to see the seriousness of Fahrul to change. See her struggle to get an apology from Mai, her struggle to become a better person and her struggle to solidify into a daughter-in-law om. All this time he was only fixated on his ugliness, without opening his eyes to all his efforts. Before Mai was brought back to Bandung, her condition was fine. But since om took him away, separated him from Fahrul, his condition began to decline. All wrong, om.”

“Know what you are! You brat!”

Denis immediately approached his wife and tried to take her away. If you don't remember Surya is the in-law of Fahrul, maybe he has floated a bogeman on the man.

“Ngga problem om call me a brash kid from origin I can open my eyes om. Stop being so stubborn, om. In the end, this attitude of om will only make Mai suffer,” growled Ayura.

“It's dear, don't interfere. Free you talk to the person whose heart is already petrified, there will be no use.”

Denis immediately pulled Ayura's hand away. He took his wife to the cafeteria. Otherwise, surely Ayura would continue to argue with Surya. Darmono was stunned to see what Ayura was doing. The woman, who had no relationship with Fahrul, was willing to defend him but she was only able to be silent.

The door of Maira's room opened, Fahrul walked out. He continued to head towards Surya. Darmono, Reni and Asti were shocked when they saw Fahrul sitting in front of Surya. Abe, Sansan and Arnav who are still there are also no less surprised.

“Change.. I beg you, let me accompany and take care of Mai until she recovers. And please don't show my dislike to me in front of him. The doctor said Mai should not be depressed. If Mai's condition has recovered and her condition is as healthy as ever, I will fulfill your request. But before, let me accompany Mai until her condition recovers.”

“Rul.”

Asti rushed straight towards his son. Fahrul's body fell into his arms. Tears poured down the woman's face. So did Fahrul, the man could not help but cry in the arms of his mother. Darmono turned his gaze in the other direction. His heart also looked at his son's condition. But in his heart also tucked happiness, seeing Fahrul had returned to the right path.

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