Noda Nirmala
Chapter 33

Shaka waved his hand as the grandfather came home. Before dark, Tirta called Nirmala to ask her where she was.

"Where did Shaka go?" nirmala asked her son.

"You too. Could be missing all day.Sucks!" Nirmala is upset with Dania.

"I left for work this morning. But, at noon, Tirta asked me to accompany Shaka in the mall."

"Yes already. Come inside!"

They then entered the apartment. How shocked Nirmala and Dania were when they saw Gaga sleeping on the living room couch.

"Fuck,.....!"

Shaka runs towards Gaga. Gaga woke up, she immediately changed her position to sit down.

"When are you here?" ask Nirmala.

"Where's shaka from, baby?" gaga asked with a distinctive hoarse voice of waking up.

"Somewhat answer me!"

Gaga turned to look towards Nirmala.

"Since noon," answered Gaga.

"Go there" expel Nirmala.

"Mommy, don't throw papah out" said Shaka.

Shaka immediately climbed onto Gaga's lap.

"What time is it?" ask Gaga.

"Seven nights" replied Dania.

"Father want to go home first, baby," said Gaga say goodbye.

"Why come home?" shaka asked looking disappointed, "said grandpa mamah and papah can already live together." Shaka with baby language.

Gaga glanced at Nirmala.

"Your fierce mama was angry with Papah" said Gaga slowly.

"What are you talking about?" ask Nirmala ketus.

"You can't be the same papah!" Shaka stared at his mother.

"Nir,....!" Gaga shook her head, giving the code so she wouldn't serve Shaka.

"Papah home yes dear," said Gaga while rubbing her son's face.

"Can't go home. Shaka wants bobo with papah and mamah!" sulk the boy.

"Udahlah Nir, give the same to the child. You are legitimate, anyway" said Dania defending Shaka.

"You are the same. It sucks!"

Suddenly Shaka cried, this boy hugged Gaga not to be separated. Nirmala momentarily fell silent to see Shaka who had never been this pampered before.

Gaga tries to calm Shaka down, persuading the boy to stop crying.

"Sometimes we as parents have to be willing to give up for the sake of the child's happiness. Nir, I know if you've ever been disappointed, angry and resentful of Gaga. But, all of this is happening beyond Gaga's control. You also have to understand all that."

Dania tried to advise Nirmala.

"Come on Shaka, come with auntie, yeah,....!"

Dania carried Shaka, taking the boy into her room.

"Sit Nir. I want to talk!"

According to Nirmala, he sat beside Gaga.

"Now it's up to you. If you don't accept this marriage, I'll get you mentally upset. If you want to see Shaka happy, let's move on. I can't force you either. I realize I was wrong."

"Are men like you trustworthy again after what you did to me?"

"You can kill me if I'm being mean to you" replied Gaga.

"You're calm in heaven and I'm rotting in jail. That's what you mean?"

"I don't mean Nir. It's just a proverb."

"Don't blame me. Blame the circumstances that educated me to be what I am today" Nirmala said.

"If you still hate me, at least we can play a show in front of Shaka. You can't break your own child's expectations, can you?"

Huft, though,.....

Nirmala breathed out slowly and looked at Gaga.

"We just go through. I don't know what else to do" said Nirmala, "you can stay here tonight."