Let's Back From The Divorce

Silvia has experienced many unexpected things in her life. But unfortunately tonight Silvia was faced with something even more unexpected.

"I know this comes as a shock to you, Silvia, but marry me."

Silvia felt like cursing someone who had suddenly appeared in front of her out of nowhere.

How could she not want to curse the person who had just said those words? It had been five years since they had seen each other again. The former lover, Vishnu, came to her again without any prior news.

She don't know what wind Wisnu was blamelessly offering marriage. Silvia and Vishnu's first meeting after five years apart should start with a marriage offer?! Silvia had no idea what Vishnu had gone through during their five years of separation. Nor did she know how Vishnu had changed.

"Vishnu..." Silvia's throat felt choked. Her whole body was frozen for ten minutes. "Is this really you?"

In front of Silvia, Vishnu only looked at her through cold eyes. Don't imagine Vishnu saying the marriage offer sentence warmly. The only thing Silvia was sure hadn't changed about Vishnu was the cold aura in his eyes.

Silvia felt her tongue slip out. The grip of the hand holding the empty tray tightened. Her feelings were mixed.

Amongst the disbelief, there was an undercurrent of anger that dominated. It was as if all of Silvia's confusion after being left without explanation was bubbling up, wanting to be questioned by Vishnu.

Including about Vishnu's engagement relationship.

"How is it?" Vishnu asked again. "Don't you want to ask about our pending engagement?"

Silvia was immediately taken aback. The look on her face showed that she didn't expect it. I don't know why her annoyance suddenly surfaced.

"Oh, my, you still remember about our engagement?" asked Silvia unexpectedly. The curve of a sardonic smile filled her face.

Vishnu took a deep breath, then let it out quietly. His hands were stuffed into his pants pockets. "Didn't you forget yourself?"

"You think I can forget?"

"I think you can. You didn't forget, but you also proved that you forgot." Then Vishnu stepped aside, standing sideways, pointing at a small child sitting at one of the tables. He moved his chin to point at the child. "That child. It's a proof that you also forgot about our engagement. Right?"

Silvia's eyes also turned to look in the direction Vishnu was pointing. Seeing a small child playing on one of the chairs near the bar, occasionally being talked to by other employees, made Silvia pause.

"That little boy is the result of you and another man, isn't he?"

Vishnu's question jolted Silvia's heart. It was like something stabbed Silvia in the chest, especially seeing the faint cynical smile on Vishnu's face. Silvia's heart sank as she realized Vishnu's dismissive expression.

"You can't answer. That means the answer to my question is yes," Vishnu continued with a confident calmness. "While I was away, you tried your luck with another man. And produced that child."

Silvia let out a sardonic laugh, not expecting Vishnu to say that. "Fortune? 'That child'?" Then she scowled in disgust. "I'm not so low that you can call me a fortune. And, that boy, can you call him something less demeaning?"

Silvia's voice was full of emphasis - a voice that was still vividly remembered in Vishnu's recorded memory. How the hatred, anger, and sadness in Silvia's eyes seemed to stab Vishnu in the heart. Even if she didn't say anything, Vishnu was still filled with guilt.

This was the kind of Silvia that Vishnu had always imagined. Even before coming to Silvia, Wisnu had honestly suspected that his arrival would not be so easily accepted.

The regret that had crept into the crevices of Vishnu's heart was still defeated by ego. It was not only Silvia who had the right to be angry. But himself too. Isn't it painful that after coming back, you witness your favorite person already having a child with another man?

The situation between them should have been reversed. Vishnu must have felt disappointed and betrayed by Silvia.

"I don't want to talk about it," Silvia said then, feeling her chest tighten. "You said you knew you were surprising me, but not just surprising me..."

Vishnu's eyebrows rose. His body remained still where he stood, watching Silvia who was advancing towards him.

Vishnu's eyebrows shot up. His body remained where it stood, watching Silvia who was advancing toward him.

"You're bothering me too. Step aside, don't you see people working?" Silvia continued her words with a stern tone. Implying sarcasm.

After saying that, Silvia threw a glare at Vishnu and walked away from his presence. Ignoring whatever her ex would do. When she nudged the little boy on the chair near the bar table, Silvia really couldn't hold back the outburst of emotion.

Silvia's steps moved towards the little boy near the bar. The look on her face that originally showed a tinge of anxiety gradually faded.

"Hey, mom's little champ!" greeted Silvia cheerfully to the three-and-a-half-year-old boy. "High five first! Show mommy how to high-five."

The three-and-a-half-year-old boy smiled broadly at Silvia. Putting down his toys, he raised both palms. They both clapped their palms together. High-fiving, then clenching their hands into fists and touching their clenched palms.

"Clever! Are you hungry yet, Son? Do you want to eat?" asked Silvia with a gentle look at her son.

Putra held his stomach and nodded his head. Immediately Putra's face turned gloomy.

"I'm hungry, Mommy," Putra replied pleadingly.

Silvia also felt sorry for him. "Ah, it turns out your son is hungry. How about we order..."

"Hey, hey, want to order some more food or debt?"

A voice from not too far away turned the attention of Silvia and another female employee. The clerk's laughter at being infatuated with Putra slackened slowly. Meanwhile, Silvia felt the tension inside her.

"I've warned you three times-and now the fourth, don't bring this child here!"

Silvia turned her face towards a man who was approaching her. The middle-aged man's steps were full of stomping. Anger was in his eyes.

After arriving in front of Silvia, the man looked at Putra who then hid behind his mother's legs.

"You think this is a children's shelter?"

Silvia's heart sank at the mention of the man who was none other than her manager to her son. But as much as possible, Silvia brushed off her offense and hurt.

"Please, don't call him that," said Silvia who occasionally raised her face, glancing at her manager. "I'm sorry, Mr. Boss. I didn't mean to offend, but there's no place for her-"

"I don't care! Do you think this place is yours?! Take your child to the abandoned children's shelter there!"

Only then did Silvia raise her face. Her eyes were already filled with a sharp glint at the manager.

"Already in debt, your son can't pay either! If your son doesn't have a father, he shouldn't bother people!"

Silvia was about to raise her hand, to grab the manager's hair, but suddenly something touched and grasped her hand. When she turned her head, Silvia saw Vishnu standing next to her.

"What a rude thing to say to a child who isn't even bothering the other patrons," Wisnu said with a cold look in his eyes to the manager.

The manager looked at Vishnu strangely. "Who are you? If you feel sorry for this abandoned woman and child-"

"I told you what you said was outrageous, are you deaf?" Vishnu's tone rose. Loud enough to silence the manager.

Then Vishnu's gaze turned to Putra. So serious.

"If you think the boy will be a nuisance, you are actually disturbing the peace of your bar patrons," Wisnu continued to emphasize his words.

The manager was about to open his mouth to voice his protest. But Vishnu suddenly placed a business card on the table beside the manager.

"You should choose. This child is allowed here or you are fired," Wisnu threatened the manager.

Wisnu then took Silvia away with Putra. Meanwhile, the manager, who was getting annoyed, grabbed a business card. He was about to curse at Vishnu, but he immediately fell silent.

"Vishnu Adhiyatma Jabra Wijaya, CEO of Wijaya Corporation. Hey, is he the biggest shareholder of this bar company?!"

Vishnu fell silent at Silvia's question. It's ridiculous when Vishnu can't tell whether he hates the fact that Silvia has a son from another man or hates the fact that he's the one who left Silvia.

Indeed. Regret always comes at the end. Even if Vishnu held a reason to feel hurt by Silvia's actions, it was not worth it. Seeing how Silvia challenged him as if she wanted him to hate her, Vishnu knew very well.

He had lost Silvia several years ago.

Oh my. How long had it been that Vishnu didn't seem to recognize the current Silvia?

"Vishnu," Silvia called in a serious and pressing tone. "You should hate me already, right? Just find another woman. I'm pretty sure they're queuing up just to get hitched to you."

The look on Vishnu's face did not fade into seriousness. But there was a glimpse of surprise, only brief and faint. Before Vishnu looked away to the side while rubbing the area, stopping at the area around the lips.

Without any guilt at all Vishnu said, "Why should I hate you, your son..." There was a brief pause and then Vishnu finally lowered the hand covering his mouth. "Will be my son soon."

"Are you so sure? You shouldn't have said that to your son," Silvia insisted, shining a sharp glare through her eyes. "Don't say silly things to Putra."

Vishnu's eyes, which had been watching Putra's movements, were distracted. Staring at Silvia very calmly as if not bothered by her sharp and harsh words.

"Why, the reality is like that," Wisnu replied. "In Putra's eyes, I am a stranger. But soon I will not be a stranger if you agree to my offer of marriage."

The corners of Silvia's lips curved into a frivolous smile. "Yes, 'if' I agree, what if it's the other way around?"

"You refuse?"

Silvia's head nodded clearly. "Isn't it obvious to you that I already have a child? Why would you marry someone who already has a family? You didn't think about marrying another man's wife?"

Vishnu was silent at that moment. Vishnu's gaze was fixed on Silvia's eyes. Reading what radiated there, and Vishnu found implied hatred for her.

Of course. Silvia must hate him. Shouldn't Vishnu also have the right to feel hurt because he saw Silvia already had a child from another man?

"You're already divorced from your husband, Silvia. Three years ago, just when Putra was three months old. Don't act like you're still one family." Vishnu emphasized his words as he explained.

The look on Silvia's face that had been tense with anger slowly faded. Instantly Silvia was stunned, silent where she stood.

Then Vishnu tilted his head slightly. "After all, I'm just keeping my promise about our engagement. Let's just say, I intend to help you escape from your poor life. Don't you have to give Putra the best future?"

Vishnu's words stabbed Silvia straight in the heart. For some reason Silvia felt inferior in Vishnu's eyes after that sentence. For a split second all Silvia could do was freeze, feeling her throat choke.

Silvia slowly stepped forward without moving the sharp eyes from Vishnu's eyes. Letting Vishnu catch all the pain, anger, and hatred mixed together in her eyes. Silvia's chest tightened as she looked at Vishnu's face up close.

Until their faces were only two feet apart, Silvia emphasized, "I can still try to provide the best future for my son. Don't look down on me like that."

Vishnu said nothing. But unbeknownst to Silvia, his heart was throbbing with pain. It was as if something was squeezing his chest and Vishnu didn't know what to do. Other than just thinking of ways to make Silvia hate him even more.

"Do you think you're so great? Acting," Silvia finished her sentence with a snappy remark.

After that Silvia turned around and left Vishnu. Entering the house with every beat of her steps. Her movements were hurried as if she was fed up in front of Vishnu.

And it was true. Silvia was fed up with fate always playing tricks on her.

Vishnu watched from afar as Silvia's back gradually disappeared behind the wall. His breath immediately came out with his head bowed.

Vishnu took something out of his blazer pocket. He takes out a clear box that looks shiny. There was an object inside this box. It was something that Vishnu had kept for years.

The engagement ring between Vishnu and Silvia a few years ago.

***

When Vishnu arrived at his house, everyone was already gathered at the dining table. The dining room area was only a few meters away from the living room and was not restricted by any firearms. Everyone immediately focused on Vishnu at once.

Vishnu's feet stopped moving. He stood rigidly in his place with a frown of wonder.

"Oh, you're all here," Vishnu greeted briefly while raising one of his hands. Giving a greeting. "Any... problems?"

Vishnu counted nine members of his family at the dinner table. Two were his biological parents. Three were his cousins, two were a younger brother as well as an older brother, and two were his aunts and uncles.

"You are looking for Grandpa, hurry to his office," the voice of Vishnu's uncle - his mother's biological brother was heard.

Vishnu frowned. He had intended to think first, prepare himself to think of how to evade. Meetings with Grandpa - his grandfather - always contained urgent questions. Whether it was a matter of him being quickly attracted to a woman or about the development of the company.

Most of Grandpa's questions always forced Vishnu to be nimble. It was really annoying.

What was even more ridiculous was that Grandpa didn't know Vishnu was actually attracted to a woman. Since the first time they met, for years, until Vishnu found out-that woman, Silvia, no longer left room for him.

Silvia hated him. It was clear from the way Silvia welcomed him. Moreover, Vishnu knew the fact that Silvia had a child from a marriage with another man.

"Hey! What are you waiting for? Hurry up and go, Vishnu!" Lidya, the aunt, snapped Vishnu out of his reverie.

Vishnu snapped out of his daze. He blinked for a moment before he nodded his head. Without further ado, his two steps immediately moved from the living room. Hearing the way Lidya spoke made Vishnu feel that something was wrong.

Vishnu's steps traveled along the first floor, which stretched very wide. He turned to reach the wide staircase that was coiled like the shape of a snake. Halfway up, he ran to his grandfather's study.

Luckily, Vishnu's movement was so fast. It didn't feel far even though his grandfather's study was on the third floor. Being the second room after Vishnu's study, it stretched wide sideways to the wall.

As soon as he arrived, Vishnu immediately opened the door to the room. He walked along the wall of bookshelves that formed a short hallway before seeing the spacious room. There was the figure of his grandfather sitting on a wheelchair looking out the window.

Vishnu breathlessly approached the grandfather.

"Grandpa, what's calling me?" Vishnu asked the question.

There was no answer from Grandpa. He was still staring straight out the window. I don't know what he was staring at. But Vishnu was already worried that Grandpa was thinking about 'that' thing.

Just as the tapping of Vishnu's footsteps stopped, Grandpa's face was glimpsed.

"How was it?" he asked Vishnu. "Did you do what Grandpa asked?"

Vishnu frowned. "Which request?"

The problem was that Grandpa's requests were really many. Even Vishnu couldn't count how many requests he had left.

"Oh my." The sound of Grandpa's sigh was heard. Then he turned the wheelchair around, looking at Vishnu sharply. "About the division of inheritance. You know Grandpa can't give Reno the responsibility of managing the company.

Have you looked into who will marry you?"

"Oh, that..." It turned out to be about a request to marry a woman, just as Vishnu had expected. "Already, Grandpa. Take it easy. I just need to wait for the answer."

"Answer?" Grandpa's face contorted in displeasure. The sharp curve of the ends of both eyebrows near the bridge of the nose formed a firmness. "You're still waiting for an answer when the inheritance distribution day is only a week away?"

Vishnu looked down for a moment, then raised his face again. "Sorry, Grandpa. Just give me a little time, until tomorrow. I'll make sure he accepts me tomorrow."

Grandpa laughed and looked away. "Oh my God, Vishnu. Grandpa would hate for the company to fall into Reno's hands. You know how Reno is and his mischievous stories."

Reno is Wisnu's older brother, the first child and a boy too. In contrast to Wisnu, who is painstaking in his work, tends to be ambitious, and knows his targets and steps. Reno, on the other hand, prefers to relax, enjoying his youth - even though he is already twenty-eight years old.

No ambition. He doesn't like being driven by others. He doesn't want anything except his collection of antique cars.

"Grandpa was afraid that if he was given more power, he would become more reckless."

True. Vishnu thought so too. But unfortunately, if it wasn't Vishnu who was among the candidates for the company's successor, then he would have voted for Reno not to be elected. Now the reality was that he was the one who became Reno's fortress and could not run anywhere.

"Yes, Grandpa," Wisnu replied as he bowed. Giving greetings and a sense of honor.

Grandpa made a hand gesture for Vishnu to leave.

Finally Vishnu turned around and took a small step towards the door. He only stopped when he opened the door, letting out a rough breath.

Vishnu stopped walking, scrunching his waist. Thinking about Silvia's words that sounded so enthusiastic made him upset himself.

How could Vishnu persuade her? Of course Silvia didn't want to meet her family because of their intimidating attitude. Let alone having to live together and twenty-four hours non-stop doing work-

"Argh, Silvia!" Vishnu ruffled her hair at a glance. Then his hands stopped covering his face, clenching into tight fists. Feeling frustrated himself. "Why do you have to have a child from another man? I came to fulfill my promise to marry you, but it should be without seeing the child from your relationship with another man!"

The smell of meat stew wafts through the kitchen.

Silvia closed her eyes as she inhaled the delicious aroma while waving one hand like a chef. This was a special meat soup she had made for Putra. The eldest son had wanted to eat Silvia's meat soup since a few days ago.

But Silvia doesn't have enough money to buy meat. Her salary is still at the minimum wage - in fact, it's very tight. Plus Silvia had to pay the rent on a small rented house for one million. She also owes money to a greengrocer, a stall, and a loan shark.

"Son! Come here, son, I made the meat soup you wanted yesterday!" Silvia exclaimed without turning around.

The small size of their rent meant that Silvia's exclamations could definitely be heard. Moreover, both of their rooms were only a few steps away from the kitchen. Usually Putra would leave the room immediately after finishing his game.

"Look at this delicious meat soup! Wow, the meat can't wait to meet you!" Silvia exclaimed again.

But it was strange. Putra did not come out of the room. Silvia knew by heart that Putra would not be able to hold back for long if she called out.

Silvia frowned and turned her head back. For a few seconds Silvia watched the door to her and Putra's room. She wondered why Putra, her son, had not come out of the room.

"Why didn't he come out of the room?" Silvia wondered, frowning.

Her attention turned towards the pot and saw that the soup was already cooked. Hurriedly turning off the stove, Silvia wiped her hands and walked quickly to the room.

"Son? Son? Are you sleeping-" Silvia's voice stopped as soon as she saw Putra lying on the bed. On his back. Silvia's sigh came out followed by a quiet smile. "You did fall asleep, didn't you?"

Then Silvia slowly walked over to the bed. Her gaze was so calm looking at her sleeping son. Only from one of her shoulders could she see regular breathing.

As she got closer and closer until she finally arrived behind her son, Silvia reached out to her son's shoulder. Giving it a gentle stroke.

"Son, let's have dinner first. Mama has made the meat soup you want."

There was no answer or movement from Putra. He was still fast asleep with his back to Silvia. As if he was very tired after accompanying her to work earlier.

Silvia felt regretful. She should have left Putra at her parents' house. But because their house was far away and Silvia was in a hurry because of a VIP guest, she was forced to take Putra.

"Oh my. You must be really tired," Silvia said as she exhaled roughly. Her hand slowly moved to stroke Putra's hand.

But when Silvia's palm landed on Putra's neck, her movement stopped. Silvia's shady smile gradually faded from her face.

Putra's neck felt hot.

With a panicked face, Silvia moved to check Putra's cheeks. It was hotter than the skin on his neck. Silvia's heart skipped a beat as worry spread through her heart.

"Putra? Son?" Silvia immediately cupped the right cheek that was underneath, then moved Putra's body position. He was on his back facing Silvia. "Son? Oh my God, your body is so hot..."

Putra could not answer. His eyes slowly opened, looking at Silvia listlessly. Making Silvia instantly more panic-stricken.

Silvia hurriedly walked towards the medicine box that was kept inside the desk drawer. As soon as the box containing various medicines was taken out, Silvia reached for it with hasty movements. But her hands were trembling from the hasty movement.

"Okay, calm down, Silvia. Calm down..." Silvia paused for a moment, took a deep breath and let it out. "Where's the medicine for the heat? I remember keeping it here."

Silvia tried repeatedly to reach into the medicine box, but she couldn't find the medicine for fever that Putra used to take. She remembered keeping it here, and Silvia couldn't remember if it was still there last time or if it had run out.

Silvia sighed heavily, then turned her head towards Putra. His face was pale and limp. Just from his mouth opening slightly to breathe, Silvia knew that Putra must be having trouble breathing.

Putting down the medicine box, Silvia then walked over to Putra. She stroked Putra's hair very gently. The curves of her smile were forced into a calm expression.

"Wait a minute, dear. I'll get a small towel for the compress first," Silvia said, almost sounding like a whisper.

Without delay, Silvia walked to the cupboard. Picking up a small towel before walking out of the room. Silvia was busy folding the towel into a size to compress Putra's forehead as she walked towards the kitchen.

Luckily Silvia had time to boil hot water some time ago. So the towel was soaked in a pot of hot water that had subsided warm. Silvia squeezed the towel in the bathroom, which happened to be only three steps away.

While Silvia was struggling with the towel, there was a knock on the door. Silvia's attention was distracted instantly. Silvia looked questioningly at the door.

"Who's coming at this time of night?" she asked muttering.

The knock sounded again. This time it was more hurried. Like she couldn't wait for the door to open. Silvia really didn't know who came to her house at this time of night.

With a confused and cautious look on her face, Silvia stepped towards the door. The small towel was still clutched in her hand.

"Wait a minute!" Silvia exclaimed when the knock sounded again. She was impatient. "Who exactly came in the night-"

Silvia's words were cut short as soon as she saw who had come. It was a man with a smirk curving his sultry face. Silvia's whole body stiffened at once.

"How are you, Silvia?"

Silvia hardened her jaw. In just a matter of seconds, emotions erupted. Her heart heated up at the arrival of this man.

With no intention of making small talk with this man, Silvia backed away and hurriedly closed the door. But this man's one hand immediately held the door.

"Don't act like that. Don't you know how to welcome a good husband?"

A sharp glint appeared on Silvia's face. There was no hint of hospitality from Silvia. Why did this man come back after a year of leaving her without any news?

"What are you here for, Mas?" Silvia snapped, not wanting to be long-winded.

The man in front of Silvia looked down at Silvia. He laughed sarcastically. "You don't know how to be a wife!"

"I don't have time to deal with you!"

When Silvia was about to close the door again, this man released a strong force to slam the door. Until the sound of hitting the wall echoed in this room. Silvia was shocked when her body was suddenly pushed without a signal.

Silvia took a few steps back. While the man in front of her suddenly barged in and grabbed her by the collar.

"You're so pretentious! What kind of woman would you be if it wasn't me who saved you that time, huh?!"

Gradually, Silvia's back was slammed against the wall. Silvia winced at the intense pain in her back. The man's grip on her collar grew stronger.

The man in front of Silvia moved his face forward, looking at her from two feet away. "Look, I'm trying to make money to support you! Now this is how you greet me, huh?"

Silvia opened her eyes that had been closed. In between grimaces, Silvia held tightly onto both of the man's hands that were gripping her collar.

"Let go! My son is sick, Mas! You've already divorced me! Now you're wasting my time!" Silvia's voice was almost a whisper but full of emphasis. She didn't want her son to hear the commotion.

"ARGH! I don't care, you lowly woman! You're insolent!" One of the man's hands went to grab Silvia's hair, pulling her up.

Silvia was truly hurt by this man's treatment. Her life, although not very peaceful, had been quite good when the man left. But his arrival would only destroy Silvia and Putra.

Silvia's eyes closed tightly again because she couldn't bear to look at this man's face. Silvia also endured the pain from the roots of her hair being pulled tight.

"Asshole! I'm going to-"

The man's voice trailed off as Silvia felt her grip loosen. Shortly afterwards there was a thumping sound, like a body hitting the floor. Silvia's head felt light again, but the dizziness immediately spread pressing hard on her head.

"You won't be able to mess with her."

That voice. Silvia recognized it.

Amidst the dizziness and body weakness, Silvia opened her eyes slowly. Vaguely visible was the figure of another man who was taller than her ex-husband. He stood with his back to her and seemed to be bowing to her ex-husband.

One punch was delivered. Her ex-husband groaned. Then a second, third punch.

When Silvia was able to fully open her eyes, the man who came in forcibly erected her ex-husband's body. Then he grabbed her by the collar.

"Silvia, do you want me to kill this man?"

Yes, the owner of that voice. Vishnu.