The Struggle of Women
Episode 11

Meeting and Farewell.

“Twin?” repeat Brian again, making sure his voice is really heard Jenny this time.

Jenny nodded, even though she knew it wasn't enough to satisfy Brian and that many questions were on her mind right now. After Jenny leaves the delivery room, the first thing the woman does is drag Brian into her room before meeting Elma and her babies. The room was the only safe place to talk about this in the hospital.

“Ta-but Tanubrata is only expecting one child, not I mean, the one we are waiting for is only one. I don't know how to tell Liam that it turns out his twins.”

Both of Jenny's shoulders lifted, “Because that's exactly what we expected.”

Brian forehead pleated confused, “You mean ?”

“Iya, Brian. That's what you have to say—no you don't have to say anything about this. Let Liam consider his son is indeed only one, the boy who will continue the lineage as the family Tanubrata.”

The man in front of him broke his veiled face. Such a situation is not included in the calculations at all, so how should he protect Elma and her family for things that are not included in this agreement?

“You don't have to do anything, Brian. You're pretty tight-lipped, because that's what Aunt Arini and Elma.” want

“They know?”

Jenny rolled her eyes lazy, not exhausted think Brian who often boasted his cleverness that can issue stupid questions like that. “Of course, you think pregnant women can not know the condition of their own pregnancy?”

“But didn't we agree to not—”

“They know the fetus is 2 after several USGs, but that does not mean they know the gender. If it's really only I know.” Jenny cut in, knowing clearly what kind of question would roll from Brian's mouth.

Brian nibbled at his own thumb nail for some time, looking serious with his own thoughts before re-raising his gaze at Jenny. “You said you were a baby boy who was going to be with Liam, does that mean the other baby is a girl?”

Jenny nodded back in response.

“Elma and Aunt Arini who will take care of him?”

One nod Brian received again.

“Dan separated the two children from his own brother?”

Jenny cheered, “Brian, from the beginning this baby will indeed be separated from her mother. What is the difference between being separated from your brother? We're both cruel, you know? You just need to be quiet, as the agreement was made from the beginning.”

Brian exhaled heavily, smashing his face once more to pull his own hair down. For some reason it felt even more untrue, his heart was completely made heavy to accept the reality that Elma and her children had to face.

***

It felt like Elma was anxious to cry, seeing her two little angels now wriggling by her side that held them tightly. Never could he have imagined himself to have this happy feeling, seeing two little creatures that had grown in his stomach for nine months now could be seen in real life.

“You know we have to hand over one of them, El. Immediately,” said the mother. Arini can understand Elma's feelings because she is also a mother. And Elma's current gaze was clearly a gaze that she was unwilling for her sons and daughters to be taken everywhere.

They have been moved to the treatment room, of course, the first-class treatment room that does not require the mother and child to be separated as usual.

“Just a minute, Mom. I want to be near my two children for a little while, a little longer.” Elma's eyes glazed over and her voice choked. He was well aware that the day of their meeting would also be a farewell day, and that made his cry unstoppable.

Elma's kisses were given to her sons, especially her son whom she would soon never see again. It hurts, it hurts to accept the reality he has to face. But he was clearly aware that the presence of the two was thanks to this agreement, the agreement he had to fulfill, especially when he had received what he needed more than nine months ago.

“What to bring now?” tanya Arini voiced the contents of her daughter who was still busy arranging tears, even though she did not look better than Elma's circumstances, Arini just pretended to be tough. Because no one can do that role but him.

And it felt like Jenny wanted to be evasive, saying that everything was not necessary to rush. But if it gets delayed, the separation will obviously feel heavier. Whether it's Elma and her mother, or for herself. The woman was unable to make her voice to answer, until only a nod and a faint smile could she give.

“Please give me a minute, brother. Please give Elma a little more time.” said Elma in between her tears, getting hold of the son in her arms tightly. “Let me suckle her once, please... I beg..”.

Jenny took a deep breath, taking her eyes off Elma so her tears wouldn't fall. Brian beside her clasped the woman's wrist firmly, until their gaze met. Slowly Brian nodded, hinting at Jenny to make his decision.

“We wait outside,” said Jenny quickly without being able to stare at them for too long. After that, the woman came out. Brian smiled dejectedly, returning Elma's gaze that led to him, the man slowly nodded before catching up with Jenny out of there.

The first thing Brian saw as he closed the door to the room was Jenny crying not far from there. In the end, the tough attitude Jenny showed all along collapsed as well. Brian approached the woman, touching her shoulder to calm down, but Jenny's first movement into his arms made Brian speechless, until the woman's voice entered his ear.

“I feel like the worst person now ... I ruined their lives. Me, Bri.. i.”.

Brian bites his inner cheek, replying to Jenny's embrace in his arms. The man knew that words wouldn't make Jenny feel at ease with her guilt, because if she had to be busy looking for who's more evil here, it was clear circumstances might be to blame.

For almost an hour, the two women cried because of their respective positions. Jenny with her guilt and Elma who with a heavy heart must fulfill her obligation to give the handsome baby to the family who is more entitled to care for him.

Tears still flowed though without a sob as before. Elma smiled wryly as she watched her hero's face sleep deeply after being breastfed. Arini approached Elma who threw her own gaze at her mother, slowly letting the tiny figure out of her arms while whispering as much as possible, “Mother loves you, dear. You know, right? Mom loves you so much... Forgive Mom, I love you.”.

When the little guy completely moved out of his hand, Elma again could not stem his sobs. The girl clutched the other figure by her side, crying there evaporating all the ill and bitter feelings she received.

While Arini took the little one in her carrier away from the mother. She brushed off her tears before opening the door, with heavy steps approaching Jenny and Brian, handing the baby in her cradle slowly to the doctor.

Arini said nothing, unable to say anything other than the look of the eyes that looked the same hurt, the same pain and the same pills. Even so Arini gave a smile and a gentle pat on the woman's upper arm, as if a sign that the baby was fully delivered as per the agreement they made.

Jenny was unable to stem her grief that seemed to be breaking down again, especially when Arini touched her and turned around with such a grin. Brian took a deep breath, put one arm on the woman's shoulder, embracing her to give strength. This incident will never be easy, either for Jenny or herself. The man moved his body so that Jenny would come along. The sooner all of this ends, the better for everything, Brian thought.

Therefore they stepped with a heavy heart, looking down trying to hide the expressions of the people who passed by the two. The further they left Elma's nursery, the heavier the burden they felt carrying, but they obviously couldn't retreat, they had no authority whatsoever.

As soon as the foot left the main hospital building through the side door, Brian's embrace of Jenny stopped, making the woman do the same. Jenny turned to Brian, seeing the man set her gaze straight ahead. Jenny's reflexes followed that line of sight. Jenny's lips were increasingly made to close when she found Mrs Tanubrata standing there, not far from her luxury car stopped.

Not those who then approached, but Larissa with her graceful figure who smiled gently towards Brian and Jenny. Stopping exactly a few steps in front of Jenny, the woman looked at her with a shady look, giving a question gesture to the figure in Jenny's arms at the time.

Jenny did not immediately answer, although she understood the meaning of the question that the woman threw at her. Knowing that she could not make anyone wait, Jenny nodded slowly creating a happy smile that was engraved from the graceful woman before her.

“Liam would probably be upset if he knew I was here. But I will not break his agreement by finding out the identity of the mother of my grandson.” Larissa looked down, staring at some of the parcels she had brought with her own hands. “I just want to thank you, really.” Look at Larissa either on Jenny or Brian alternately, then slowly extend the parcel with the expensive labels into Brian's hands.

“Please convey my gratitude to him, Bri... Please.” If the woman with a high position has delivered a sentence of help to him, even though he did not want Brian to be unwilling to accept the outlines of those objects.

“Sorry Aunt, I didn't know she would be willing to accept this or not. But I think he will reject it..”.

Larissa once again smiled softly, not at all offended by Brian's words, “What no, you are free to take care of those things if she refuses. Just I ask, please keep saying my thanks and sorry. She's a great woman, she's a great mother.”

Brian nodded, nodding stiffly. Larissa's satisfied smile was engraved clearly, until now she could turn her eyes on Jenny and the tiny figure in the woman's arms again.

“You can hand it to me, no need to deliver it to our home.” Larissa's hand was outstretched, and for a moment Jenny was made to freeze and wanted to keep what was in her arms now, until once again Brian beside her resuscitated the woman. Brian's anxiety on Jenny's shoulders is a sign that Jenny must give up things that from the beginning are not their power, not something they can maintain.

📽To be continue🎞