Chapter 4 My Husband

Not long after, I finally arrived at the front gate of my house.

"Thanks a lot... Hadi," I said with a grin. The guy removed his helmet, frowning in confusion.

"Hadi?"

"Don't you remember? Back during junior high school orientation, all juniors had to call the male seniors 'Hadi'. You were even the leader of our group," I replied with a chuckle.

He raised an eyebrow, thinking.

"Oh, that was just some silly senior rule. Alright, I'll head off now," he said.

I nodded awkwardly. Great. I'd done something dumb again.

"R-Right... Thanks again," I said, bowing slightly.

Clang!

We both flinched as the iron gate opened. I turned to see Mom standing there.

"Is that your friend, Tipa? Why didn't you invite him in?"

"No, Mom... He was just giving me a ride-"

"Come on in! I'm cooking lunch. What's your name, dear?"

Hadi looked like he was about to leave, but hesitated-probably too polite to decline.

"Hadi... Auntie," he answered.

"Come in, Hadi. Tipa, bring your friend in. We just got back from a charity event at the restaurant, and we have extra food," Mom said warmly.

"No, Mom, Hadi's busy. He can't- Thanks again, Hadi. You can go now," I said quickly, pulling Mom's hand.

"You're too pushy, Mom..."

"The timing's perfect! Come on, join us for lunch, Hadi?"

"Mom... He's busy, and that was just-"

"It's okay. I'm not busy," he replied, surprising me.

"Huh... Not busy?" I whispered, stunned.

He parked his motorbike in the garage and followed us in.

"Why is he listening to her? Is he hungry or something?" I mumbled to myself.

An hour passed. Mom and Hadi chatted away, and I just listened quietly.

"I'm glad Tipa finally brought a friend home. Usually, it's just her laptop and phone. It's nice to see her with a boy," Mom said.

I swallowed hard. Did she really think I had something going on with Hadi?

"Where do you live, Hadi?"

"In the (...) residential area."

"That's a nice area. We're still saving up to move there someday," Mom commented.

"Yes, Auntie. I live with my uncle. My parents are out of town," Hadi explained.

"Alright then, help yourself to the food-there's plenty," she urged. Hadi nodded and continued eating.

"Oh, by the way, Hadi... are you serious about Tipa? Ready for early marriage?"

Cough!

Hadi almost choked on his food.

"Mom! Seriously?!" I gasped, stunned.

"Here, drink this," I offered him water.

"You know I'm old, right? It took me forever to have Tipa, and now she's my only child. She should get married young," Mom said.

I sighed, whispering, "Oh my god, Mom! Hadi and I aren't a thing!"

Hadi looked baffled.

"We're just friends, Auntie," he said awkwardly.

"There, you hear that, Mom?"

"But... do you plan to be serious?"

"Mom, seriously..." I facepalmed. Hadi looked even more confused.

"Well, fine, just take your time. Sorry, I'm just eager," Mom said.

I exhaled, then muttered, "Mom... I don't want to marry young. After high school, I want to study in Korea."

"That's fine. With your husband," she added casually.

I let out a deep sigh.

That night...

I still couldn't get over the day. How did I end up having such a hilarious moment with Hadi?

"Why am I grinning like this? Ughhh," I muttered to myself. I couldn't stop smiling whenever I remembered Hadi's reaction to Mom's marriage question.

"Oh my gosh, Mom! You're so embarrassing-but also kinda funny, LOL," I whispered to myself.

I hadn't even touched my laptop all day, too preoccupied with thoughts of Hadi.

Bzzz Bzzz Bzzz

I jumped as my phone buzzed. It was a call... from Ditra?!

My eyes widened. My blood ran cold.

How could Ditra's number be active again? He was... gone.

With trembling hands, I answered.

"H-Hello? Who is this?" I asked, voice shaking.

"Hello, Tipa? This is Dirga, Ditra's older brother. Sorry, I checked his WhatsApp and saw your contact," he said.

I let out a relieved breath. I missed Ditra, but receiving a call from someone who'd passed away... that would've been terrifying.

"Yes, um... what is it?"

"Nothing urgent. I just wanted to reach out. The night before it happened, he texted you, even though he didn't tell the family anything," he said.

"Really?" I murmured, touched.

"Yes. Oh, and Tipa... I heard you transferred to Tunas Bangsa High? I'm your senior there-12th grade," he said.

My eyes widened again.

"Really?"

"Yup."

"Well, see you at school tomorrow, then. And please tell your family I'm sorry. Ditra was a good guy. That's probably why God called him early," I said softly.

"Thank you. My mom actually wants to meet you sometime. Ditra talked about you a lot," he replied.

I chuckled. "Maybe someday... if there's time."

There was silence on the other end.

"Well, I should go now, Bang Dirga. I've got assignments to do," I said.

"Alright," he replied.

I looked at his name on WhatsApp and decided to change it from "Ditra" to "Bang Dirga."

"I hope you're happy up there... I miss you," I whispered, staring at his profile picture, tears welling up.

The next morning at school...

After what happened yesterday with Mom, I decided to apologize to Hadi.

"Good morning," I greeted him as he parked his motorbike.

"Morning..." he replied.

"Um... sorry about what my mom said yesterday. Please don't take it seriously," I said, walking beside him to class.

"It's okay," he replied curtly.

I didn't know what else to say, so I tried again.

"Really, you're not mad or anything?"

"I told you already. It's okay," he said, firm.

I swallowed and gave a weak nod.

"Just in case you were offended... Sorry. My mom's always like that. I've never brought a guy friend home before," I explained.

He nodded but didn't even glance at me.

We kept walking until we were stopped by a guy-seemed like another senior.

"Morning, Tipa," he greeted. I stopped and looked at him.

"Who are you?"

"I called you last night," he replied.

"Oh, Bang Dirga!"

"Nice to meet you," he smiled.

Hadi stood quietly, listening.

"Nice to meet you too, Bang Dirga. Can't believe we're at the same school now," I said.

"Got any plans this afternoon?" he asked.

I glanced at Hadi, who had stopped walking earlier too.

"Uhh... no, not really," I replied, unsure.

Hadi didn't get involved and walked away.

"Mind if we hang out tonight?" Dirga asked.

I hesitated. "Hang out? I've never gone out at night with a guy, sorry."

"That's okay. Can I visit your house then? Is your mom strict?"

My eyes widened.

"M-My mom? Yeah, very strict. Maybe not at home... I'll just come out in the afternoon," I said quickly. No way I could bring another guy home. Mom was already set on Hadi.

"Alright. I'll text you later then. See you," he said.

I nodded absentmindedly.

After that, I walked into class, realizing I had cut off my conversation with Hadi.

"Hadi, I-"

"All done talking to your 'brother'?"

"You keep calling him my brother. Everyone's a brother to me," I muttered.

His tone caught me off guard.

"Is he... jealous? But why would he be?" I wondered silently.

DING DING DING...

The school bell rang. Everyone started filling the classroom.

I took my seat.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you!" Reni complained.

I was still stunned by Hadi's attitude. I glanced at him now and then.

He ignored me completely.

"Is he jealous? No way... right?" I thought again.