THE OWNER OF THE HEART ROOM
76

Richard's face stiffened when he heard the voice of his father seemed very serious asking him to go to Semarang today, and alone.

His father would not answer a word when Richard asked why his parents suddenly forced him to go home today.

They are not usually like this.

There must be something big and important they want to talk about. Butwhat?

Wedding with Nawang?

But if it does not seem to have to be that tight his voice also to ask him to come home.

Job problems?

I don't think his papa business is a big deal. The two of them just talked about it last night on the phone.

His own business is fine too.

Family issue?

What problem does his family have?

Last night he ran out of calls with his mom in Singapore, and it was fine, there was no problem whatsoever he said.

Then what's up?

Richard chose to find Nawang's number and called him to say goodbye before he left for Semarang right now.

"Callo....." Richard smiled and greeted Nawang at the end of the phone.

The woman still does not like it when she calls for a long time in working hours like this.

Although still lifted, but definitely stiff voice. It makes me uncomfortable talking for a long time.

"Just want to go to Semarang. Being told to go home just now, I don't know what's going on" Richard said.

Nawang asked the condition of his mother, whether sick or why.

"They're all healthy, all right. That's why I also wonder why they really need me to go home right now." richard's light was answered by Nawang to go home soon but must remain careful on the road and not forget to bring the medicine if it is like he will stay overnight.

"Of course, Madam. Medicine is always there. Once I got there I told you. Love you." said Richard before hanging up his phone call.

After saying goodbye to Hans via VN, also giving some impromptu tasks to Hans, Richard runs his car out of Jogja, returning to Semarang to find out what is waiting for him there.

********

Richard hugged his smiling mother welcoming him at the door.

He felt his mother's embrace for a long time this time.

What the hell is it?

"You're healthy, right?" ask her mother to hold her. He heard her voice holding back tears.

What the hell is this?

"I'm healthy, Ma. As you can see." replied Richard with a calm smile.

"Have you come home yet, Ma?" richard asked as soon as his mother let go of the hug.

"There's another inside watching." replied his mother with a smile.

But for some reason Richard saw that smile was like hiding a cry.

The two had already entered the living room and Richard saw his papa sitting while staring at the tv screen in front of him with a serious face.

Still the same since he was a child, his father always saw business shows only on tv.

"Pa.." said Richard as he approached and hugged his father.

This time his embrace felt different than usual. Tighter and longer.

Even many times his papa patted his shoulder like he was bracing.

What the hell is wrong with them?

"Have you eaten yet?" asked his papa as their old embrace finally unraveled and Richard sat casually beside his papa.

"Udah. Had eaten just come here. What the hell is Pa, Ma? I think it's really horror the atmosphere from earlier." asked Richard while chuckling to see the tense faces of his parents.

They usually have that kind of face.

Richard was shocked when he saw his mother suddenly crying and hugging him.

Her cries grew even more so as Richard hugged her to calm down.

He saw that his father was also looking at him with a view that Richard himself could not understand.

And now his father chose to bow down, not to reply to questions through his eyes.

"Already, Ma. Calm your heart." said papa after a long time mama hugged Richard.

His crying had subsided even though his tears were still flowing.

"You don't know what it's like to be me. I can't see Eric. I don't want her to be like this" Mama told her father.

Richard was increasingly confused by his mother's words.

Papa seemed to be breathing heavily.

"What the hell is Ma, Pa?" asked Richard could stand it no longer.

Mama inching up sitting right next to Richard.

He leaned his body toward Richard, just as his father did.

When will I think this?

"What's really going on? What's wrong with me?" richard finally had patience.

Papa finally cleared his throat to start talking.

"So Darto came here with his wife" said papa slowly.

"Sir Darto? Why?" asked Richard to start was-wasting.

"They're sorry on behalf of her daughter for making you HIV" he said next, staring sadly at her and the sobbing mama.

Richard was stunned, unable to return his papa's gaze.

What he was trying to hide from his parents forever, was opened by someone else.

"Why are you hiding your situation from us? Why not tell us the same story, son?" asked mama on her hook.

Richard could not answer.

"Did you also hide your situation from Nawang?" ask papa later.

"The hand knows how I am" said Richard quietly.

He heard papa's discordant laughter and saw his father shaking his head.

"Even you trust Nawang more than we do" said the father in a sad voice.

"It's not so, Pa. He accidentally met my drugs, because he was curious to search on google the drugs for what. From there he knew it, not that I intentionally told him" Richard explained.

"That means you were also intending to hide this from him as well?" ask papa not to think.

"Yes. I also did not dare to expect to be close to him again because of my circumstances. Once he found out and it turned out he could accept my situation, then I ventured to invite him to marry even though he was not sure he would" said Richard while looking down.

"You don't think he wants to be with you out of pity?" ask papa make Richard's chest suddenly like burning.

Nawang accepted it out of pity? Did ya?

"Pa!" sergeant mama warned.

"You still have bad thoughts with Nawang" said Mama did not like.

"I'm rational, Ma. Not a bad thought." papa said calmly.

Richard was silent.

Did Nawang accept it out of pity?

"Don't he ever ask for anything with you?" ask papa again.

Richard tightened his jaws holding the bubbling in his chest which suddenly felt boiling.

He didn't like to hear that question. Really don't like.

"Papa still hasn't changed looking at Nawang" hissed Richard to hold his voice to keep it in a polite tone.

"He even asked for a proposal and wedding event that was as simple as possible later. He didn't ask for any treasure, if that's what you're worried about. Even yesterday she asked us to make a prenup so that she could only receive her rights as a legal wife, without any grants or property that would reduce Darren's rights as my heir later. He wants the stars to take nothing from me. Especially?" ask Richard cynically.

His heart is wounded at this moment.

He thought his parents were worried about his health, but his father was more concerned about saving assets.

Oh, my God, it hurts so much.

"That's not what your dad meant, honey. We just want to convince ourselves, you'll be fine going through your marriage with Nawang" said his mother trying to neutralize the atmosphere.

"I would have if Nawang wanted all my property, if he wanted it. But all this time I knew, he wasn't like that. About him marrying me because he was pity or indeed because of love, let it be our business alone. As long as he stays loyal beside me, treats me and Darren well, acts kindly to mom and dad, that's enough for me, Pa. I can already be happy with that." Richard said at last.

Papa looked at him. Mama hugged her arm back sobbing.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell my mom papa. I just don't want any unrest and sadness in my mom and dad's life because of me. After this pray I am always healthy, can live my life as normal as possible" said Richard quietly.

"Is your health always on control?" tanya papa tried to divert the conversation.

"Always." replied Richard convincingly.

"Alhamdulillah. Promise me you'll always be fine." said the father, looking at Richard with a pleading gaze.

"I promise, Pa. Especially if someone is watching my life. He was very fiercely watching me." Richard said as he glanced, trying to melt the atmosphere.

"Thank God he could be mean to you. At least we're calmer and sure you'll always be fine" said papa with a small smile.

"I'm sorry, all this time we didn't know you had that pain. We're really desperate to be parents" said papa later.

A sorry tone sounded from his voice.

Mama was sobbing beside him.

Richard nodded sadly.

He didn't like his parents to feel this guilty.

They are clearly innocent of this situation.

If you want to find who is wrong, obviously he himself is guilty of not being able to keep himself from the captivity of the woman.

But why is all this being talked about now? It won't change anything that has happened, will it?

"Nothing to forgive, Pa, Ma. Nothing is wrong. My path has to be this way. And I can accept my situation. Just pray for me. It's worth a lot more to me" Richard said, hugging his mother's father with both arms.

"We must always pray for you, Son. Sure." said mama lirih while slashing into his chest.

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