REPLACEMENT MEN Season 2
PICK UP HAPPY

The PIA (Air Force Wife Union) office looks deserted. Only Maira was sitting on the sofa in the living room of the office, next to the Commander's mother. He looked down while occasionally rubbing his hands at the eyes.

Mom Jemy put a hand on Maira's shoulder. "Just cry if it's a relief, Ms. Janu. It's okay."

Maira's shoulders are now shaken. "Izin, Mom, sorry ...."

Madam Jemy held him in her arms. "You're an amazing girl. There's nothing you need to cry about. Everything's gonna be okay."

"Mother, I .. I'm confused."

Miss Jemy broke down the hug. His hand grabbed Maira's chin and lifted her up. Now the face of his men's wife was clear he saw. The face that implies suffering.

"What makes Bu Janu confused? Tell me, don't hold it yourself. Because if all of that is the mother's own responsibility, then the one who is not strong will be the inner Bu Janu."

Maira nodded. "Izin, Mother, until now I still doubt, is my decision to take care of the baby right?"

"Of course it's right."

"But why has my heart ached lately when I see that baby? I almost did dzolim to him. I have sinned, Mom!" Once again Maira's shoulders were stung by uncontrollable sobs.

Madam Jemy rubbed Maira's back. "Patience, ma'am, maybe it was because it triggered people's speech. I'm sure Bu Janu can be as sincere as ever when mom decides to take the baby."

"Bu Janu knows, noble-hearted people like mother are rare. Do not let outside influences make the sincerity of the mother so far tarnished. Strong, patient and steadfast!"

Maira nodded, still sobbing.

"Father family cohesiveness, close relationship with husband, open to each other, nothing to hide."

Bu Jemy's last sentence left him stunned. All this time he had indeed felt somewhat at a distance with Janu. Especially after Lian. It was as if Maira was building a wall that stood in the way between her and her husband. Is that what you call a false sincerity? Maira shuddered a little. He tried to get rid of bad thoughts about himself that could have been called 'hypocritical'.

"Bu Janu, rest assured, what Bu Janu has decided is appropriate. Caring for the baby can be a form of expression of gratitude to Bu Janu for the return of the husband. Remember, the mistake made by Mr. Janu was not a deliberate thing. It could be a test for your family. If you can pass through, then you will rise to a higher level in the level of human life."

Little nod Maira gave. The woman has now subsided her cries. The soft but full of energy words spoken by Bu Jemy, a little more able to restore the determination of Maira's heart.

A knock was heard from outside, following the opening of the door. What made Maira a little surprised was not Colonel Jemy, but the man who followed the commander into the room.

"Mas Janu" he whispered.

"Sorry, interrupt the women-only conversation!" greet Jolonel Jemy, while spreading laughter.

"Papa, can you!" Ma'am Jemy got up from her seat, approached her husband. "Well, there's Janu too. Find his wife, will you?"

"Ready, Mother." Janu lowered his head, slightly blushing.

"Here, you know, Ms. Janu! There is a shadow, really, didiemin!' reprimand Bu Jemy.

A little nervous Maira got up from sitting down. Then he approached the three of them.

"Well, that's it, dong!" exclaims Miss Jemy.

"Serka Janu Satria!" Suddenly Colonel Jemy took an upright stance, turning to Janu.

"Ready, commanding, Commander!" sigap Janu also upholds the body.

"I order you to hug your wife with all your affection. Apologize to her if you make a mistake. Promise him that you will be happy until death do you part!"

Janu was dumbstruck, and so was Maira. They just looked up at Colonel Jemy who still had a serious face.

"Serka Janu Satria, carry out the command!"

"Well, carry it out!" Janu stuttered. Then the man turned to Maira. He looked at the woman.

"Dear, I'm sorry." Janu approached his wife. The man's hand grabbed Maira's shoulder and hugged her. "I'm sorry if I've been paying less attention to you. I'm sorry if I'm not good at understanding your feelings" she whispered in Maira's ear. "I promise, I'll never make you cry again. I promise I will make you happy until the end of life."

Janu tightened his embrace. While Maira, drowned her head in the chest of her husband's field. The woman's hands hugged Janu's back tightly. For a while, they enjoyed a soothing warmth, not realizing that Colonel Jemy and his wife had left them both.

"Mas, forgive my selfishness all this time."

"No, honey, you're not selfish." Janu unraveled his embrace. The face of Maira. "I'm the one who might be less sensitive. I should have understood your feelings better."

"Mas, from now on I promise, will be more sincere to take care of Lian. I'll take that baby as a child myself. I'll love her as much as I love Hanin and Oza."

"Dear, thank you." Janu kissed Maira's forehead, nose, cheeks and lips.

"Haish, there's no morality!"

One reprimand made the husband and wife gasp. Hurriedly Janu released his hold on Maira. And for the sake of seeing Profit who was grinning silly in the doorway, the man immediately swung his fist softly, right towards his best friend's shoulder.

"Ughh! Goddamnit!" Fortunately, I pretended to be in pain. "Partially, play the cosors here. Tuh, tail on nyariin!"

Serka Untung pointed outwards. On the porch of the office, Nina holds Hanin while holding Lian's pram. While Oza had already run in first, approaching Janu.

"Yeah!" The boy hugged his father tightly.

"Well, how come you're here?" exclaimed Janu while lifting Oza's body in a sling. But the boy was angry.

"No want! Oza, it's big! Hanin's sister is the one who was carried!"

They laughed at Oza's words. Maira rushes to take Hanin from Nina's sling. Then he saw Lian who fell asleep in the baby carriage.

"No fuss, Mommy?" tanyakanya.

Nina shakes. "Not really, anyway. It was just Hanin who was a bit fussy asking for a sling."

"Aren't you?" Serka Untung. "Now, my shoulder feels like it's going to take off the sling that kid's going around here and there!"

"Sukurin!" Janu smiled with satisfaction.

"Dad, hell, not a typical momong kid!" Nina turned around to curse. "It could just make a damper trus left. The child can run everywhere, just come home!"

Serka Untung scratched his head. He should have spilled the aggravation of being forced this early to help Nina look after Janu's children. Why did the situation turn around?

Women are always right. If women are wrong, go back to the initial statement, 'women are always right'.

"So it's not good, huh. Thank you, Om Untung, Ms. Nina," said Maira.

The sun is falling towards the west. They left the office where the husbands were working, went home to each other. There's a pile of hope in Maira's chest. There are layers of unspoken promises in Janu's mind. All of them made their steps feel lighter than before.

...----------------...

Readers, Season 2 Substitute Man will be over. Thanks for the support all this time. Much love and prayer for all of you.

May you always be healthy and happy.

For short stories, you can check my account.

For updates on other works, you can follow ig ku @estisurnia13.

Once again.thank you.

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