
There was something different this morning at the Apsara family home. There was a baby cry that echoed filling one corner of the house.
All the family members had gathered at the dinner table, Noah and Bryan were ready with their school uniforms sitting side by side next to Jelita. Bara sits alone in the absence of the Yonna who usually serves.
Immanuel looked at his son for a moment before opening his voice. He had heard everything that was going on in the house while he was away playing golf with his peers.
"Bryan, Noah .. are you done with your breakfast?"
"It's Grandpa" replied Noah who was accompanied by a nod of Bryan's head. The two boys began to move from his seat, approaching the three adults alternately to say goodbye.
The two boys began to get used to and independently leave school delivered by the family's personal driver.
"Papa heard from your mother. So what's your decision, both of you? If Papa is private, agree with what your mother said. You can take responsibility for the child, but not by taking care of him and bringing the child into this house" said Emmanuel.
Bara put his spoon on the plate, the food in his mouth has been swallowed into the throat that feels drag. Bara grabbed a clear glass in front of him, drank it a little before finally answering the speech of the man in the corner beside him.
"I told Alice that, but she seems to have started loving the baby."
"You are her husband, you should be able to be more assertive to your wife. Just look now, he is busy taking care of other people's children rather than serving his husband and also his own biological children!" timpal Jelita is upset. There is always a gap to corner if you don't like it.
"There are some things that can't be solved rashly, Ma. I was not unequivocal, but I also could not have directly snatched the child from Alice's embrace and carried it away that would eventually cause a commotion between us.
Immanuel nodded slowly. In his heart he admitted what his son had said. Every problem should not be solved by debate. Moreover, the problems they face today can still be finished with a cold head.
"It's possible that at this moment Alice wants a child present among us. Moreover, we don't have a daughter, it could be a strong reason why Alice doesn't want to let go of the baby to be cared for by others."
"She and you are not barren, you can have your own children! Or if you don't adopt another child. Not the son of that ja-lang woman! Mama is not ridho!" jelita jolted with her loud voice.
Jelita pushed her chair violently. Then just leave with an unpleasant face in view.
Yonna watched the debate from upstairs. He leaned against the railing of the stairs while staring sadly at the tiny baby in his carry.
"It's too bad for your fate, son. Born into a world without a father and mother. Even now your presence is still debated, like a worthless item you want to throw away," the inner Yonna looked at the baby who was now starting to close her eyes due to sleepiness.
~ ~ ~
Yonna stared at the small face with those long eyelashes. Cheeks with red specks with a nose that is quite sharp make the baby in his sling it looks so beautiful.
The little pink lips sucked the rubber dot so strongly. The eyes that were so round now began to dim until closed.
"You're full, huh? You are so funny, son. How can I give you to someone who is not clear who. From now on you become my son, my beautiful girl," muttered Yonna with a sweet smile.
Her hands brushed the dense black hair, until behind the left ear, Yonna was stunned for a moment. His eyes were looking at something he had just learned.
"This is this boy!" Jelita immediately grabbed the baby in Yonna's sling.
Sontak Yonna stood looking at her in-laws in wonder. He was giving formula to the baby in his room.
"What do you want with Arabella?" yonna said the name she gave the baby.
"If you can't make a decision. Let Mama take this baby away!"
Jelita was about to leave with the baby, but Yonna's hand quickly blocked her in-laws' arms tightly. Their eyes looked at each other sharply. For the first time Yonna opposed her father-in-law.
"No. Don't do it, Ma! Don't take Arabella away!" pinta Yonna is hopeful. Yonna immediately snatched the baby back from Jelita's arms by force. He hugged the baby as if he was afraid of losing.
"The baby is not your son! It was also not the flesh blood of the Apsara family. So he doesn't deserve to live in this house!"
"Ma, I beg you. Let this baby stay with us, I promise this baby won't trouble this family. I can't make him live out there. I beg!"
"I said no, still not! I don't want this kid living in this house!" reject Jelita firmly. His eyes looked at Yonna, the first time the two of them had clashed against each other.
"Well, if Mama doesn't let me take care of this baby in this house. Me and Mas Bara will take the kids to move into our old house" Yonna replied defiantly.
"You dare threaten Mama Alice? You want to disobey your own in-laws just for the sake of a child who is not clear who the father is, huh!"
Jelita's anger has peaked to the crown. No one wants to give in to it, Jelita's increasingly roaring breath makes Yonna quite self-conscious. She remembered her husband's advice that night.
"I'm sorry, Ma. I didn't mean to oppose Mama. But didn't Mama always urge me and Mas Bara to have another child, a girl. And I haven't been able to give it. That's why I think maybe this kid is the answer to our desire. I'm sure this kid must be different from his parents if we take good care of him. I beg you, Ma. Please!" Yonna held her palms together on the chest while pinning the baby in her arms
"You're really stubborn! Now it's up to you, but remember .. if anything happens, it's all your responsibility!" press Jelita with full threat. His reddened face was increasingly unsightly.
"Ma .. but—" Yonna has not finished speaking, but Jelita has just left the room without making a sound again without even turning her head.
Yonna let out a long sigh with a look falling on the small face that was still in her sling.
"Why is it like this? Was my decision wrong? I'm confused what to do to you? You are the trust entrusted to me, legally religiously I have an obligation to carry out. But should I oppose my own family? Tell me what should I do to you?" yonna lirih. He spoke as if the baby in his hand understood what he was saying.
"Or do I follow Mama and Mas Bara's will, give you to someone else or put you in an orphanage? Will God forgive me for breaking the promise of trust your mother gave me. Little baby, you definitely wouldn't be mad at me right, if I broke my promise to the mandate?" muttered Yonna as if asking the baby who is now suddenly awake and crying.
Yonna panicked, the baby's crying voice was so deafening.
"Ouch! Don't cry dong. The old lady will come back and throw you out of this house. You don't want to, do you? So don't cry anymore! I'm sorry for that stupid remark. Ok! Cup ... cup!"
Yonna wiggles her body while persuading. He began to fidget and panic, everything became complicated and confusing.