New Daddy To My Son

"I just want daddy," her son muttered.

Lily only smiled bitterly after hearing that sentence. A simple request that turned out to be very difficult for her to realize. The long-haired woman was silent for a long time while looking at her son who was busy eating lunch.

"Want more, hmm? Fried tempeh or fish?" she asked with a face that looked cheerful again.

"No, I don't. I'm already full," Farel refused quietly. "Did you hear what I said earlier? I want you to come to my birthday party."

"I-yeah. I'll try, sweetheart," Lily replied, not sure.

"Or should I call daddy instead? I miss him already." Lily's frown made the almost four-year-old pout instantly. "What's wrong? Daddy doesn't love me anymore?"

"No! Who said that? Daddy is busy working. You have to be patient. I will call your daddy later. Now quickly finish eating, then take a nap. Okay?"

Farel's nod made Lily breathe a sigh of relief. In her heart, she cursed her ex-husband who had not given any news for a long time. There was a raging feeling at that moment, remembering the promises that the man had made. Unfortunately, they were just words. For almost a year, the fruit of their love did not receive news or proper livelihood as agreed upon.

After making sure that her son had entered the room, Lily dared to grab her cell phone. Then look at the history of messages that about two months ago did not get a reply until this moment. The wound that she had covered up for a long time was now open again.

The replying voice from the telephone network service made her chuckle softly. As expected, her ex-husband's number would be difficult to reach. There was no choice but to try the last resort. So Lily made a desperate move.

"Hello!" she greeted someone when she heard the call connect.

["Hi. Is this, Mrs. Lily?"]

Lily smiled slightly even though her heart was filled with a bit of anxiety. "Yes, ma'am. Yes, I'm Lily. Hmm... Is Adrian here?"

Unfortunately, her hopes were immediately dashed when she heard a loud voice from the other side. Who else if not the ex-mother-in-law who forcefully snatched the phone from the housemaid?

["Hey, you!! Still dare to call here, huh?"]

"Mom?" Lily's breath caught in her throat after hearing the scolding voice just now. For the sake of Farel's request, she dropped her pride again.

["Why? Are you hoping that Adrian will receive this call? Don't ever dream! What do you want? Are you short of money? Yes? Can't take care of your child? So don't be so capable! He confidently said that he could raise Farel. How much money do you need? I'll transfer it now!"]

Lily's tears fell at that moment. She sobbed because she again had to receive harsh words from the woman who was the cause of the breakup of her household just now. "Mom, I didn't call to ask for money."

[Laughs] "So what? You only work to trouble my child. It's different from my future daughter-in-law Bella now. She's beautiful, kind, independent, and certainly comes from the same lineage as us."]

"That's enough, Mom. I called your home number because Adrian's cell phone hasn't been active for a long time," Lily said as she roughly wiped away the traces of her tears. "Farel wants to meet his father. It's his birthday in two days. He just wants Adrian's presence."

Instead of listening to Lily's complaints, her mother-in-law just chuckled.

["You just take him to the front of our house. Then you go. Go somewhere else. To a hotel or something. What is clear is that I don't want to see your face again. Oh yes. I'll send you a ticket for Medan-Jakarta. Easy, right? Hmm, but it looks like Adrian won't be at your son's birthday party. He's busy preparing for his wedding. What do we do?"]

"Adrian will get married?" asked Lily stammeringly.

Her heart felt the pain of hearing those words. No wonder since she returned to her hometown in Medan he had become increasingly difficult to contact. It turned out to be true the rumor she had heard that her ex-husband was getting remarried.

["Yes. He finally realized that Bella was better than you. Many times over even."]

"Okay. Then I know that there's no need to hope for the wrong person."

["It's good that you're self-aware. Send me your account number. I'm still being generous."]

"No need, Mom. I can still support my children. Just send my regards to Adrian. Please tell him if his son wants to meet. That's all."

After that, Lily cut off the conversation over the air with a trembling hand. Honestly, she still loved her ex-husband. However, those feelings clearly wouldn't be able to fix their relationship that had run aground since last year.

It was already early in the morning. Lily wiped away the sweat that had soaked the area of her face that was exhausted from work. She smacked her lips as she looked at her body which looked thinner day by day. Everything was done to support herself and Farel. She has no problem with working shifts that often deplete sleep. The important thing was that her baby did not feel deprived.

"Mom!"

"Honey? What's wrong, hmm?" murmured Lily when she saw her son's awake face.

"What did Daddy say earlier? When is he coming?" asked Farel with a bright face. He couldn't wait to show his daddy off to his friends later.

"Oh, yes." Lily sighed softly and placed her hands on each of Farel's shoulders. "That daddy of yours, he's... not coming. From now on we'll just live together."

"What do you mean?" asked Farel with a confused look on his face. "I already told you that I want Daddy. Only Daddy!"

Lily chuckled softly. "Look at me, baby! I've been the one fighting for you all this time. Why do you still want your daddy? He's irresponsible. He's-"

"You're bad!" Farel snapped in a raised voice. "You're the one who took me away from home."

"That's not it. You just don't understand. Me and your daddy's relationship is...," Lily trailed off. She felt guilty for getting carried away. Due to fatigue and pressure from work, her mind was in turmoil. Sadly, Farel had already digested what she had just said. The boy turned around and left her with a puffy face. "...., I'm sorry. I was wrong." Lily's tears broke out instantly. She needed some time to herself before engaging her son in conversation again.

After cleaning herself up, she intended to see how her son was doing. Hoping that tonight she could hug the tiny body of her lifeline. Just as she opened the door to her room, she was shocked by the sight that hit her chest.

"Farel, what's wrong with you?"

Her breathing became labored when she saw Farel's shivering body under the blanket.

"Daddy!"

"Honey, wake up. It's me," Lily said in her hoarse voice. She panicked when she felt the heat around her son's body.

Farel was still with his eyes closed from his earlier rant. Lily quickly pulled back the blanket and picked up her son's body within seconds. At that moment, she felt a violent shock.

"Auntie! Uncle! Help!" screamed Lily who was already at the doorway.

It didn't take long for a middle-aged woman to emerge from the other room. "What's wrong with Farel?"

"Farel has a fever again, Aunt. He just had a seizure! We have to go to the hospital now."

"Yes, yes. I will wake up your uncle first."

Now the three-wheeled vehicle that her uncle usually used to earn his daily living was speeding away, carrying Lily, Farel, and her aunt to the nearest hospital. Luckily, the health facility was only five minutes away from their house.

"Please," Lily sobbed as they arrived in front of the emergency room. Her eyes stared wide-eyed at the two medical personnel who seemed to be handling Farel on the gurney.

"Temperature 39 degrees, Doc!" reported one of them.

The man in the white coat with the stethoscope already in his ear nodded quickly. "Get the IV set up right away."

Lily was at a loss for words as the doctor attending to her son briefly explained what had just happened. She just nodded while looking at Farel's eyes, which were still closed.

"Thank you, Doc," said her aunt as the doctor finished his sentence.

"You're welcome, ma'am. We will observe the patient for the next hour. After that, we will move him to the inpatient ward."

Again Lily nodded silently in response. Meanwhile, her aunt immediately invited her to sit beside the gurney where Farel lay.

"Farel has already been treated. Don't worry," said her aunt, trying to calm her down. "Uncle went straight home because he had to take his pedicab driver to the market."

"Yes, Aunt. Thank you for helping me," Lily finally mumbled.

"Hey. We're family. So we have to help each other."

Lily nodded faintly with a bitter smile. She was getting scared that her son would open his eyes. What should she say then? The wish that Farel thought was so easy turned out to be very difficult for her to fulfill.

"If Farel wants to come with Adrian, what should I do?" she asked no one in particular. However, the words were heard by the woman beside her as well.

"What do you mean? Do you want to release your son into a tiger cage? Don't be careless, Lily! If you ask me, I regret approving your marriage to that Adrian. Your uncle is the same. But he can only keep quiet. It happened anyway."

"Auntie," Lily sobbed later.

"I'm sorry, but that's how my heart feels. Your uncle also feels guilty that you, the child of his brother, are suffering now. He doesn't realize that Adrian still hasn't changed. Always living under his parents' armpits. You and Farel are the victims because he can't be independent."

"This is already the course of my life, Aunt. There's nothing to regret. I'm grateful to have Farel. Aren't you?"

Her aunt nodded with a smile. "That's all right. Don't think about it anymore. Farel is still a child. He doesn't understand adult problems. You have to have more patience. He'll figure it out on his own."

Luckily today and tomorrow are Lily's days off from work. So she didn't have to worry about her salary being cut. She quickly got up when she saw her son waking up.

"We're at the hospital, darling. You had a fever again. Now you've been moved to a normal room," Lily explained at length upon seeing her son's surprised response. "I'm sorry if your treatment is uncomfortable. That means you have to get better so you can go back home."

Lily's heart ached when she said that sentence. The lowest-class insurance health facility that she was armed with would certainly not provide the full comfort that her ex-husband's family provided. Even so, she had to be grateful for being able to give what she could to Farel.

"I want to go home. It's scary here," her son whined. "It smells of medicine, Mom. I don't like it."

Lily wasn't losing her mind. She stared at the hands of the clock that was still pointing to six. "Your breakfast will be here soon. Then I'll take you to the park. Do the math while waiting for the doctor to come here. How about it, hmm? If you're allowed to go home then we'll get ready."

"You're not lying anymore, are you?" asked Farel, a little hesitantly.

"Honey," said Lily, feeling even more guilty. "I'm sorry about last night." Farel just looked down without intending to say anything.

Here they were now. The hospital garden was located in the middle, close to the parking lot. Many patients in wheelchairs were breathing the morning air there. Lily held the IV pole with her other hand and stroked her son's hair.

"Let's sit on the long bench over there," she pointed in that direction. Farel did not answer immediately. However, his steps moved as well.

Farel's gaze, which had been blank, now turned to the man who had just stepped out of a black car. One eyebrow raised with narrowed eyes for a moment. "It's Daddy! Daddy!"

Regardless of the IV tube still stuck in the back of his hand, the little man sprinted in that direction. Making Lily immediately flinch at the sight of her son's blood dripping on the hospital tiles.

"Farel! Honey, wait!" Lily ran as hard as she could to keep up with her son's rapid movements. Her mouth dropped open when she found Farel clinging to someone's body.

Just as surprised as she was at the moment. The adult man who knew nothing was silent without saying anything. Nor did he respond by hugging back Farel who was crying out loud. Only then did he gasp when he saw the bloodstained sleeve of his suit.

"Hey, what's wrong with your arm?" he asked later. "You took the IV out by force, didn't you?"

Farel ignored the words. "Where's you been? I miss you."

"Honey, he's not your daddy," Lily murmured cautiously. Her hands tried to release her son's tight embrace. Unfortunately, it was in vain. Farel rebelled.

"I just want daddy," Farel sobbed, still in the same position.

Lily felt defeated by the situation. She looked at the man her son considered his papa with a sad look in her eyes. "My son is sick. I'm sorry."

The man chuckled with a mocking smile. "Are you guys putting on an act? This isn't funny at all."

"Daddy, stay here. Don't go anywhere else," Farel pleaded with his face still looking pale.

"Honey, it's okay. The nurse wants to put your IV in first. Soon the medicine will be inserted. Listen to mama, son," said Lily who was almost frustrated.

Farel was about to rebel, but the body of the adult man who he thought was his father was getting closer. So he nodded and finally obeyed not to move anymore.

"Pain is bad. So you have to get better quickly," he said in a flat voice. However, it succeeded in making Farel happy because he felt cared for.

"You promise not to stay away from us anymore," Farel murmured with a sad look in his eyes. "Tomorrow is my birthday. My friends will ask me where I am again. So don't go."

"I have-"

These words were interrupted when the doctor who was treating Farel came into the room. "Good morning. Wow! Did you lose the IV?"

"Sorry, Doctor," Farel grinned, showing his horse grin. "I was too happy to see my daddy."

The doctor turned to the man in question. "Mr. Keenan?"

"Don't ask too many questions. This child is sick. You hurry up and finish your work," said the man named Keenan.

"Yes, sir." The doctor quickly reached for a folder containing a collection of patient examination results complete with reports from the laboratory as well. "Thankfully there's nothing alarming. Tomorrow this smart little guy can go home."

"Can't it be now? It's my birthday tomorrow," Farel pleaded, showing his disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Boy. There's medicine that has to be administered through the IV until tomorrow morning. So I have to go home as I said."

The clock struck nine o'clock. The pair of adults who had been silent earlier now turned to each other.

"I have a meeting. So I have to go," Keenan said matter-of-factly.

Lily nodded in understanding. "Thank you. What you did earlier was very helpful."

Keenan did not say anything after that. He got up from where he was sitting and walked quickly out of the room. Before actually leaving, he took a moment to glance at Farel who was sleeping on the gurney. There was a feeling of guilt because he had previously accused the two mothers and children of nothing. So he remained silent and did not protest when the boy invited him to the infirmary.

Meanwhile, Lily was now looking at her son with pity. She did not think that Farel's current illness could be because he missed his father so much. Until a soft knock from outside broke her reverie.

"Auntie?"

"Sorry, Lily. I just finished cleaning up at home. My vegetable customers left a lot for tomorrow so I just came here. Oh yes. Did you have breakfast?" asked her aunt as she took out a package of rice from a plastic bag. "Go to the cafeteria. Eat some hot tea so you don't catch a cold. You haven't slept since last night."

"Yes, aunt. Take care of Farel for a while. If he wakes up, just call me."

Because she was late in filling her stomach, she felt nauseous when she put the rice in her mouth. Lily gulped down the contents of her sweet tea until only half was left. She lost her appetite because she was busy thinking of solutions to her son's unfulfilled wishes.

Her stomach only accepted up to the fourth mouthful. The poor woman's attention quickly shifted to the white-furred cat, which immediately made her wince. Poor thing. That's what Lily thought. So she came up with an idea to give the fish in the rice packet to the animal.

"Hey, come here!" she screeched in a half-whisper.

For some reason, her feet followed the direction of the cat, which was walking to the south wind. After following for a minute, Lily quickly took out the rest of the food.

["Come on, Dad. What era is this? There's no such thing nowadays."]

The faint voice made Lily stop her activities. She wanted to leave, but her feet refused to move at all. It was as if there was a glue that kept the mother of one glued there.

["I don't want to get married yet. I don't plan to have children anyway. Can't you respect my opinion, huh?"]

["..."]

The man, who was in the middle of an emotional outburst, roughly pushed his hair back. He kicked the wind because he was so annoyed with the person on the other side.

["I swear. You guys are really annoying."]

["..."]

["Hello! Daddy! I'm not done talking yet."]

It seemed that the call was cut off just like that. Making the man chuckle in annoyance. Unfortunately, when he turned his head to the right, Lily's face appeared within seconds.

"You?!" he pointed with a flash of anger. "What are you following me for, huh?"

Lily stammered. Fear arose when she saw the man who was none other than Keenan. He turned like a lion about to pounce on its prey. "Sorry. I-I came here by accident. I... ummmm fed the cat. Yes. She was here earlier." Inevitably her finger pointed downwards where there were fish bones that had been scattered.

Before she could hear a response from the man in front of her, Lily's cell phone started vibrating. She quickly pulled out the flat object from her pants pocket.

"Hello, aunt. What's wrong?" she asked in a voice that was still muffled by the horror of staring into Keenan's emotional eyes.

Unfortunately, she didn't hear clearly because at that moment, the sound of the ambulance disguised her aunt's words. So Lily activated another mode on her cell phone.

["Farel is awake. He said he wanted to meet his father. Did Adrian come here earlier?"]

"Ah that." Lily glanced at Keenan who was still in an intimidating position. "I'm going there now."

"Where are you going?" snapped Keenan still with a raised voice. "I don't like people knowing about my life."

I swear. Lily had no intention of eavesdropping or anything. Who did she want to share the information she heard with? After all, she met Keenan only this morning. They obviously didn't know each other.

She sighed softly before finally opening her mouth, "I'm sorry for what I just said. I had no other intention at all. Besides, I still have a lot of problems. Excuse me."

"Wait!" Keenan stretched one stumpy hand in front of Lily who was about to leave. "I hate to say this, but I'm under pressure."

"Sorry. What do you mean?" asked Lily not understanding where this was going.

"From what I saw earlier, it looks like your son is suffering from mild depression."

"Thanks for the heads up," said Lily briefly.

"I need a new status to take over the company. Your son also needs a father. So... let's get married."

Marry? What kind of idea is that? Lily chuckled at the offer. "Are you crazy?"