The Contract Husband I Love
11. The Fretfulness of Parents

That night's meeting was over. Now the wedding preparations begin. At first Bambang Adi Atmaja had refused the marriage. However, for the sake of his promise to the beloved princess and did not want Niken to delay her marriage, she finally resigned and freed Niken to choose her husband, Ardi.

Next day. Niken was so excited to take Ardi to a boutique that provided wedding supplies, especially wedding dresses.

Niken chose the boutique because, his mother used to buy wedding dresses there, not only his mother, but grandmother and other Atmaja family often buy wedding dresses there. So, it can be said that the boutique is very historic for the Atmaja family and Niken wants to make that history remain.

Niken and Ardi began to take measurements, ranging from height, waist circumference, chest and others. Everything has to be perfect. Ah, it cannot be 99% because perfection belongs only to Allah, the Creator.

After almost an hour, finally the measurement was completed as well as determine the theme of the wedding dress that will be worn later and of course the wedding suit that will be worn Ardi on a historic day for them later.

Ardi, who does not know about the wedding dress, chose to stay still and sit on the sofa, while reading the magazine that is available there.

***

Finally the wedding dress preparation process is completed as well. Niken invites Ardi to find the building that will later be used as their reception.

"You think it's good to get married in a building in Jakarta or Bandung?" tanyanya asked for an opinion.

Ardi did not know about the building that is usually used for wedding receptions. However, there are things that Ardi wants to make happen.

"How about we rent a building located near Gedung Sate? To be honest, I wanted to make a wedding reception there. However, darling. I don't have a lot of money to rent it," said Ardi, breathing heavily.

His dream is quite simple: to hold a wedding reception with the woman he loves. However, that hope seemed to disappear from his life when Melati left home and only left a letter.

Niken looked at him in silence. Even though she never experienced being left by a lover on the wedding day, but she could feel how embarrassed Ardi was at that time. It is certain that people in his village excommunicated Ardi for failing to marry his lover, plus Melati left without telling and only left a letter.

Niken shook her head, feeling compassion for her future husband. "Don't be sad, rich. You look ugly if you cry again" said Niken.

It was not just his attitude that changed, but his way of speaking also seemed to have changed a little. He no longer spoke the formal language he used to speak.

Ardi was a little surprised when Niken touched his shoulder, giving a warm touch that made the load slightly lifted.

Somehow, seeing Niken caused a strange feeling that was difficult to interpret by him. What else while looking at Niken, as if the shadow of Melati disappeared from his memory. Did Niken really erase Melati's name from her heart?

"Ah, can't she erase Melati's name from my heart? It won't be possible. Melati will still be the Angel who fills my heart," her inner self, dismissing the assumption she made herself.

Niken is focusing on the streets. Ardi couldn't drive, so Niken drove it. It's usually Jake who will drive, but today he just wants to be alone with Ardi.

Surely this is Mita's request, but why Niken would do it sincerely?

***

From that day on, Ati was so lonely because of the passing of her son. He kept saying Ardi's name, even though he didn't eat two days because he missed his only son.

How's Ardi's life? What is he doing now? What did he eat? Sleep where is it? Ati kept thinking about it because Ardi had never been far from family.

Although Ardi often works in other villages, but every night he will return home, spending time with his small family.

Erman Hermanto, who was commonly called Kang Asep, could not do anything. He wants to entertain his wife, but what Ati needs right now is Ardi and not entertainment.

"Eat first. It's been two days and two nights you haven't eaten. What if you get sick? Ardi will definitely be angry to see you like this. Eat, Yes!"

Kang Asep directed a spoonful of rice filled with side dishes, trying to put the rice into his wife's mouth. Ati glanced at her husband and immediately she brushed off Kang Asep's hand, so the food fell scattered.

"I said no. I won't eat until Ardi gets home. I eat well here, while Ardi ... I don't know what he ate? Maybe he hasn't eaten until now either!" he snapped, accompanied by glaring eyes.

Asep almost ignited emotions because Ati just kept his hands away, so food was wasted. However, Kang Asep immediately understood the reason for the hunger strike, just to feel how Ardi is now.

It's true, since that day Ardi never returned home. Neither he nor Ati knew of his whereabouts. Is he still alive or is he dead because he was injured at that time, as a result of being beaten by the citizens?

Asep saw the plate containing rice and side dishes. As soon as he felt guilty because for the past two days, he could still eat well, even though it was a little difficult to digest because of the constant memory of his beloved son, who knows where the balance is now?

"Then I won't eat either. What kind of father am I, who eats well while his son is out there, whether he has eaten or not?"

Kang Asep put the dish down. Seeing his palace so chaotic, made him fall into a frenzy as well. Especially imagine how fate Ardi out there?

Ati also glanced at her husband who was sitting on the floor, while she was on the sofa. Hurry her down from the sofa, then sit next to her husband.

"I miss Ardi so much. How's the fate now?" Ati leaned her head on her husband's shoulder.

Kang Asep gently rubbed his wife's shoulder, then kissed her forehead, "We leave everything to God. Only to Him do we ask for help. Keep praying for Ardi's safety. May our child be protected from all dangers."

"Amen." Ati also guaranteed her husband's prayer. The same prayer continued to be offered to the Almighty, so that his only son would continue to be protected.

Kang Asep and Ati, both strengthen each other. When it happened a few days ago, not that they did not want to help Ardi, but they did not have the power to release Ardi.

The colors were furious because of his immoral actions, so they were ignited emotions and beat Ardi blindly.

The residents there just don't want their girls to be victims of Ardi's depravity. Sukiya had enough of her victims, and felt they did not want a similar incident to befall their family members. In the end, Ardi was banished from the village. He was not allowed to enter the village again until at any time.