Maya Adisti
Home-in-law

I opened the car window as the driver took me and Akash walked into the courtyard of a very large house.

"Is this really your home?" I asked Akash.

"Mother's house" Akash replied firmly.

"Why? It's the same, right? Your parents' house is your house too."

Akash did not reply, his countenance turning more serious than before. This house is intimidating to anyone who sees it. I felt too dwarfed and didn't deserve to go in.

"Why him?" I said in my heart. Akash is not like most children who are happy when visiting their parents. His facial expression is hard to explain.

Car door opened. Akash invited me in. The house looked so quiet like no one. As we were about to go to the second floor a middle-aged woman approached us.

"Where are mom and dad?" ask Akash to the girl.

"Outside sir. He said he'd be home before dinner."

"Wake us up when they come home huh bi?"

"Good Sir." The woman went nowhere.

"Who is that?" I glanced at Akash while climbing the stairs.

"Bi Nung, the housekeeper."

I nod my head. We went upstairs and went into one of the rooms. I gasped at the room, much larger than Akash's room in the apartment. It really looks like the CEO rooms in the movies.

"This is my room. We rest here, tomorrow we just go back to the apartment" said Akash.

"We?" I opened my eyes.

"Yes, do you mind if we have a room?"

"Yes. You don't have to pay to sleep in another room."

"Seriously Maya?" Akash raised next to his eyebrows.

I nodded for sure

"Alright, I'll rest in the living room." Akash went outside.

I took a long breath. Good thing Akash didn't protest much!

I walked towards the walk in closet, seeing how many suits and shirts there were in the room. The collection of clocks, ties and shoes was very neat.

"Is this all Akash's?" my inner.

I rushed to clean myself, comfortable as the warm water flushed my sticky body. During the trip I did not have time to shower, rather lazy to shower.

When I returned to my room, I found my suitcases and Akash was already lined up in the corner of the room. I opened the suitcase and immediately put on my shirt.

Ah, it's very comfortable. Lying on Akash's big, soft bed. Fragrance bed linen that seems to have just been replaced is very indulgent sense of smell. The sleepiness comes suddenly. Eyes heavy.

***

"May.... Mayan...."

I heard someone call me. When I opened my eyes the first thing I saw was Akash sitting on the bedside.

"Still going to sleep" I said, turning my body back.

"May's dinner. Mom and Dad are waiting downstairs." Akash pulled my body until I fell back on my back.

"Father and mother? You mean that woman named Mega?" my inner.

I sat down and went to the bathroom. I staggered a little, almost knocking my feet on the table.

"Don't hurry up, May!" yell Akash to me.

Of course I have to be quick. This is a good time to ask for clarity on Aunt Mega. I combed my hair, from the mirror I could clearly see my tired face.

"Come on." Invite me to Akash who had not moved.

"Eating up you can sleep again, we don't have to go home tonight if you're still tired." Akash opened the door.

I chose silence, who told you to come back here, right?

Akash and I walked to the kitchen. There Aunt Mega and a middle-aged man sat at the dining table.

Akash pulled out a chair for me and took out a plate and filled it with food. I thought it was for himself, but the plate was stored right in front of me. The action made Aunt Mega squinted at me.

"So, have you accepted May as a wife?" Aunt Mega said as she fed the food.

"Eat it" Akash told me. He chose to ignore his mother.

"How's May's honeymoon? Pleasant?" Aunt Mega looked at me intensely.

"Yes, Aunt."

"I have to finish my aunt's script soon. Soon the trial registration will open" I replied.

I'm not lying, my college chat group is talking about this. If I don't register for a trial this month. I have to wait another six months.

"Sorry Dad can't be at your wedding Akash." The middle-aged man who had been silent earlier finally raised a voice.

"When is Dad at his son's important event?"

I turned to Akash, he could have been indifferent to the old man.

I saw Aunt Mega take a deep breath. "You've just met his father Akash and I'll introduce you to Aditya, your father-in-law."

"Aditya Praharsa. Just call Adi, no. Just father." The man smiled and nodded at me.

I was speechless, just smiling and trying to finish my food quickly. Not because I was tense but I was really hungry. Looks like Adi's father is a good man. I wanted to ask you a thousand questions, but I saw Adi Nyaliku's father chirping.

"Did Akash treat you well, son?" Adi's father turned back to me.

"I can't be bad to my wife Dad, even if this marriage took place without my consent." Akash chimed in quickly.

What kind of family dinner is this?

The dining table is filled with a variety of menus. The dining room is luxurious, the family is complete, but it is even tense. There's no heat.

After eating Akash followed his father somewhere, while my mother and I sat in the back garden. Bi Nung served tea and snacks and left us both.

"Tante, why did Auntie do this to me?" I ventured to speak.

"What do you mean, May? Oh, ja. Just call me mom, I'm your in-law, right?"

"It's against the deal. Mom says I just need to say hello to a guest, not even be a real wife. Didn't Aunt think about mom's feelings? Aren't you guys friends?" my protest.

"It's precisely because we're friends that I'm desperate to do all this. Initially yes. I was just trying to get you a bride, but when I saw you I changed my mind. You better get married."

"Why? That's not how Auntie...,"

"Mom, call me mother."

"Yes.i mean..," because I said it on my side I was confused to continue it.

"Mom understands Maya, marrying a man you don't know is hard. Trust me, I didn't mean anything bad to you. Anyway, if I ask you to Akash well, your mother would agree. No Maya, your mother must have thought the social gap between us was far away, how to convince your mother in the crucial moments? Hmm?"

I was listening to his explanation. It makes sense but it's still awkward.

"But ma'am, Akash said...,"

"May, do you want to stay or go home tonight?"

I looked back and could not continue my words. I saw Akash standing with his arms folded and looking at me sharply.

"It's up to you" I replied.

"We go home, tomorrow you come with me to the office."

"I? I'm going to get a thesis, I'm not going anywhere."

"Just do it at the office. We go home first, ma'am" said Akash.

After saying goodbye to his mother Akash pulled my hand quickly. I turned to Aunt Mega and she just smiled as she waved her hand.

"Akash, don't you see me talking?" my protest when I reached the terrace of the house. I saw some people stuffing my suitcase into the trunk. Really troublesome.

"What did you say? Our contract?" Aksh pulled me back until we sat in the car.

"Why did you bring me here if you want to hurry home? Go straight to the apartment. Troublesome." I leaned back while folding my hands on my chest.

"My father won't be here long. This is your chance to meet him. There's no way you won't know who your in-laws are, right? Moreover, you will begin to be officially introduced in the company."

"Is that necessary?" many ensure.

"Of course."

I can't argue anymore, arguing with Akash will be endless.

Long enough we traveled, finally arrived at the apartment. I let Akash lock the front door and walk towards the room.

Suddenly my attention was on a gift box with a blue ribbon lying on the bed.

"That's for you" said Akash.

When I looked, he smiled and walked towards me.

"Sit's quiet on the spot, didn't you tell your mother that our marriage was just Akash's contract?"

***