Chapter 9 Arrogan

The atmosphere of the Wijaya family dining room is a little quiet without Frans and Wendi this Sunday because both are out of town. Arka and Lisa had enjoyed the breakfast provided by Sumi. Farrel extended his sleep on holidays.

"Farrel hasn't come down yet, Ka," Lisa said.

"Maybe he's still bathing."

"Catch up!"

Arka took a long time to respond, only preparing the breakfast menu on a plate and handing it to Lisa.

"He's a big boy, Lisa, don't spoil him too much," Arka said.

Lisa just watched Arka's expression. Once she was sure the breakfast dishes were on the plate, Arka began to enjoy breakfast with a glass of milk.

"Since when did I spoil her? Isn't that you, Dear? For you, Farrel has always been your favorite city, right?"

"Well, I'm training him to be more mature so he can take care of his little brother later."

Lisa didn't respond again. She wondered if her husband would have less love for Farrel, the adopted son he'd raised from infancy after having his flesh and blood.

"Tomorrow is your control schedule, right?" Arka changed the subject.

Lisa was stunned. Just remembered that she had to have a follow-up consultation with Suga for a week after administering the gynecologic booster.

Maybe afterward, the doctor would ask Lisa to think again whether her decision to keep the fetus was dangerous for the mother's safety or not.

"Yes. Tomorrow I'll ask Kardi to take me to Eka Hospital," Lisa said.

Arka knitted his eyebrows, surprised. "Why is that? Just call tomorrow and tell me what time you want to go, so I can pick you up," he suggested.

Lisa shook her head. She just wanted to talk freely and seriously with Suga. "No need, Dear. Didn't you say you have surgery tomorrow?"

"There is, but at eleven. Before that, I still had time to take you."

"You can't take your wife to a consultation for a while. There must be something that will be asked. Already, I'm fine alone. The operation is important, their safety is due to your efforts as a doctor."

Arka finished his breakfast. The paper towels on the table helped to clean the remaining milk that stuck to his lips. He didn't understand why Lisa insisted on going alone.

"Why, is it uncomfortable to have your husband at your ex's reunion?" Arka joked.

Joked like that, Lisa huffed and pouted. She didn't want to finish her breakfast. Arka just laughed at his words.

"Why don't you eat it? Finish it!"

"I don't want to. I want chicken porridge."

Arka's forehead furrowed as he scratched his temple. "Suddenly your taste changed to chicken porridge. What's the story?"

"Go now and buy the chicken porridge that often stands at the complex park. Okay?"

Arka patted his forehead as Lisa started craving again. At the same time, Farrel came down from the second floor and was very presentable after freshening up. Just as he was about to join them at the dining table, Arka got up from his seat.

"Are you ready for breakfast, Pa?" asked Farrel.

Arka just nodded and did not look intensely at Farrel. He went to his room and returned with his wallet and car keys. Lisa continued to watch Arka's movements.

"Is that all? Nothing else?" Arka asked.

"For now, that's all."

Farrell had also been watching Arka. "Where are you going?"

"To the park to buy chicken porridge for your mom."

Despite answering Farrel's question, Arka didn't look at his son's face.

"I'm coming, Papa!" whined Farrel.

Arka shook his head as he picked up a pinch of cookies on the table. "No, you can stay at home. I've got other things to do after that."

After giving Lisa a peck on the forehead, Arka walked away, leaving a strange throbbing in Farrel's chest. He continued to watch his father's back until he disappeared in the distance.

This was the first time Farrell realized his father didn't touch him before saying goodbye. He usually kissed, hugged, or held until the boy felt uncomfortable being treated like a toddler by his father.

"Hey, why?" scolded Lisa.

Farrel just shook his head. He smiled slightly as he prepared breakfast on his plate.

"Why is Papa so indifferent to me?" asked Farrel.

"It's not like that. Maybe Papa has a lot of work to do at the hospital. I'm sorry if you feel left out for a while, Farrel. I'm sorry for Papa. He has to think about his work, my health, and your birthday party."

After that, Farrell didn't speak again, just ate his breakfast even though Lisa knew something was lingering in her son's mind.

Not wanting to pry anymore, Lisa got up from her seat and cleared her plate. Sumi immediately approached when she saw what Lisa was doing. She could be scolded by Arka for allowing Lisa to work.

"Why are you stubborn too? I will be scolded by Master, you know," said the old aunt.

She still looked fresh despite being in her fifties.

In that house, Sumi was the oldest maid. Two more young maids were now busy with their affairs.

"You and Arka are the same, here."

Lisa sat back down and waited for Farrell to finish his breakfast. Only a little went into her son's stomach.

"Had your breakfast, dear?" Lisa asked.

"Hm, I'm full," Farrel replied as he put down his cutlery. "By the way, Ma, I've signed up for the music class at school. Is that okay? I was going to tell you about it, but Papa left earlier."

"Honey, it's like you don't even know papa. He already knows about it. He's already known about you at school."

Farrell chuckled. His round eyes narrowed as dimples appeared on his chubby cheeks.

"Eum... that's ...." Farrel's voice was held on the tip of his tongue.

"Why, dear?"

"If you've got a lot of work to do, I don't want to burden you. I don't think you should organize a birthday party for me, Ma. Besides, I'm embarrassed for my friends, when I'm this big."

Lisa was surprised when Farrel expressed his opinion. Was her son thinking after realizing the changes in Arka? It was clear that there was a reluctant look on Farrel's face. He wasn't as free as he usually was.

"Why? Don't you know that all the preparations have been completed? Papa has hired an event organizer to make your event festive. You're my favorite son. Don't be weird!"

Lisa got up from her seat and invited Farrel to relax in the living room. While watching the cartoons on television, although she didn't speak, Lisa just wanted to hug Farrel with her feelings that never faded.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Farrell.

"I just want to hug you. Since when did you become so big? I don't want to be hugged anymore," Lisa joked while kissing the top of Farrel's head.

Farrel didn't answer and leaned on his mama's shoulder. This was the first time Lisa felt that Farrel didn't want to let go of her embrace.

In the last few months, her son had felt big enough to be a little uncomfortable being hugged and kissed again like a kindergartner. Even though he is also still in fourth grade.

"I once told papa, don't treat me like a child anymore," said Farrell.

Lisa released his embrace. Her son's face looked sad although he covered it with a smile on his plum lips. He leaned his back against the back of the sofa.

"Papa said, forever I will remain a baby boy for him. But earlier, when you said goodbye and didn't say anything, let alone kiss me, why did I feel strange, Ma? Papa still loves me, right?"

"What are you talking about?"

Lisa sat back down and hugged Farrell. She stroked his head until she realized he was hiding his tears. He must have sensed the distance Arka was beginning to create.

"What's wrong with this my boy? After watching soap operas or being rejected by Mizu? So mellow," Lisa joked, rubbing Farrell's back.

"Why bring up Mizu?"

Lisa was happy to see Farrel start laughing again. What a beautiful laugh Farrel had, as well as a very pretty one.

If Arka knew that Farrel's smile was starting to disappear because of him, he would probably be hurt. Therefore, Lisa had to continue to strengthen Farrel's heart so that he would not be sad about Arka's changes from day to day. Human hearts do change easily.

'I don't know if Papa is starting to get away from you, but for me, you are a little angel given by God so I stay strong. God entrusted you to me so that I could learn to be a good mother before the arrival of your little brother, Farrel,' Lisa thought as she continued to look at her son.

Not only Lisa, but Arka's heart also still loves Farrel and will never fade. He was only too focused on the fetus in his wife's womb.

Arka was still sitting in the garden chair when he noticed an old man bringing him a package.

"Sir!"

Arka woke up and accepted the package of chicken porridge from the vendor. He reached into his wallet and handed over a twenty-thousand bill. After that, he walked out of the park and approached his car. Preparing to bring home the chicken porridge for his craving wife.