Chapter 3 Adopted Child

Nine years ago...

The sound of a car engine could be heard from outside. The diners' attention was drawn to the sound. Frans, Wendi, and Lisa stopped their lunch just like that.

"That's the sound of Arka's car. Did Ujang come out with Arka's car earlier?" exclaimed Wendi.

"Yes, Ma. Earlier Ujang asked permission to take Arka's car. Something needs to be serviced, he said. Besides, Arka will be back from Taipei in the evening," continued Frans.

"I've missed him for two months. Later in the afternoon, I want to pick up Arka at the airport. Mom and Dad are coming, right?" Lisa exclaimed.

"If you want to pick her up, just go. You're his wife, right? Arka would rather have you pick him up than his dad," said Frans, nonchalantly.

The dining room was suddenly so cold that the sound of tapping shoes was audible. Arka was standing there with a black briefcase by her side. Wendi, Frans, and Lisa got up at the same time.

They couldn't immediately run to greet the arrival of their son who had been away for two months. They left the dining table and stood a few meters away from Arka who came not alone. By his side was a woman holding a baby and carrying a bag of baby gear and clothes.

"Arka?"

Wendi was the first to approach. She was watching the baby.

"This is... my friend's son. He had an accident and died. So, I decided to take care of his son," said Arka.

Frans had not yet spoken. He stepped closer and left Lisa standing still.

"It's even been a year and you haven't given me a grandchild. Why would you bring another baby into this house?"

Lisa couldn't bear Frans' cynical accusations. Arka walked over and tugged on his wife's arm. He returned to Papa Frans while grasping Lisa's fingers, forcing Lisa to raise her gaze to be tough.

"Lisa and I are making an effort, Dad. We don't know fate, maybe in a year or two, God will arrange everything. And also, the myth is, if we take care of another baby, think of it as a lure. We will take care of this baby until it grows up. Don't lose hope, Dad," Arka pleaded.

"But you promised to give me grandchildren, right? I want a little Arka running around the house. Me and your mom are getting old," said Papa Frans.

The old man's smile began to rise when he heard the sound of the tiny baby crying in the nurse's arms. Arka smiled to see his father begin to melt. He looked up at Lisa and gave her a nod to calm down.

"We promised, Dad. I'm sorry if I let you down. But Lisa and I will give Dad a grandchild. We're healthy, really, just waiting for God's answer," Arka exclaimed.

Lisa's eyes were unflinching and crystalline, saying that she believed fate would be kind to them.

The old man approached the nurse, accompanied by his wife. His hand touched the baby's cheek and rubbed it.

"Don't cry, beautiful," said Frans.

"That's a boy, Dad," Arka interrupted with a smile.

Frans took the baby from the nurse's hands to hold it himself. Wendi also felt anxious about the little angel's chubby cheeks.

"Ah, so cute, I thought it was a girl. That's just right, you're going to be your brother's keeper later. You have to be like me!" said Papa Frans.

"No! He'll be fierce like you, I don't want him," added Wendi.

A small laugh accompanied them. Miraculously, the little angel's cry was replaced by a small smile on his lips. A silent laugh that made Frans melt.

"What's the name?" exclaimed Wendi.

"His name is Farrel, Mom!" said Arka.

Arka invited Lisa to get closer to his parents. He wanted to assure Lisa that the woman would be a mother to Farrel.

"It's a good name, isn't it?" Arka exclaims.

After the family had had their fill of jokes and expressions of affection for little Farrel, Arka picked him up with Lisa by his side. She was still standing at the door when Arka laid Farrel down on the bed. She smiled beautifully as she pinched Farrel's cheek.

"This is papa, darling. That's your mom," Arka said, pointing at Lisa.

Starting like that, Lisa began to approach and sit on the bed. She couldn't ignore her husband's happiness. How much Arka loved children, even spending empty hours in the hospital's pediatric ward. A baby was coming into their home now. Lisa didn't resist, only feeling sad if one day only Farrel would be between them.

"Take care of Farrel and raise him like our own son, Lisa. One day we'll have children too. Maybe God will answer our prayers if we take care of this child."

Lisa nodded without speaking. The tiny baby did not whimper as Arka continued to rub his head. He was beginning to adapt to his father's hands.

"His eyes are round, beautiful. He ... looks like his mother, very similar," Arka said.

Lisa looked at Arka without asking any questions. She just needed an explanation and Arka could answer without having to ask.

"Promise me, take care and love Farrel. He will be an angel in this house before our little angel comes!"

Farrel's little laugh brought a smile to Lisa's lips. Arka left Lisa alone with Farrel. Her hands began to gently touch the baby's delicate skin. She lay on Farrel's side with her index finger in the little one's grasp.

"Farrel is mama's boy, right? Farrel is just here from now on," Lisa said.

Lisa's tears fell as she closed her eyes. Maybe not now, God would give her another baby and it would be born from her womb.

*

Lisa opened her eyes as a peck woke her up from the memories of nine years ago. Arka was already sitting on the bed, right beside her.

"I'm sorry for being so rude to you earlier. We have to stay together. Don't be afraid, I won't leave you," Arka said.

Lisa immediately hugged Arka's waist. Her head sank into the expanse of her husband's chest, savoring the rhythmic beat of his beating heart. Very warm.

"I'll try. But promise me that if something bad does happen, don't let Farrel go for me. Take care of Farrel and leave me alone. Let Farrel stay here and find someone who can fulfill your father's wish."

Arka released his embrace and looked into his wife's sad eyes. She was sobbing, breaking his heart.

"If that happens, I won't leave you!"

Arka smiled. A look of indifference crossed her face and he got up from his seat. He grabbed a bottle of cold water from the refrigerator and downed it.

Afterward, he approached the file table and grabbed some important sheets there. Examining the files and still seriously talking to his wife.

"You have to keep your spirits up and we'll go to the doctor tomorrow. I'm going to Farrel's school first."

Arka adjusted his tie to make it look neater. Lisa got out of bed and helped her husband get ready.

"Farrel will still be home in two hours," Lisa said.

"It's okay. I'll just go to his school and watch him study."

Arka said no more and left the room. There were still two more hours waiting for Farrel to return from his routine activities at school.

*

It was almost noon when Arka looked at her watch. He was sitting in the school cafeteria and had already finished his glass of warm sweet tea. How he always smiled at the little kids running around during break time. Before long, his cell phone rang because of a call from his colleague.

"Yes, Dr. Grace?" said Arka.

"Doc, why haven't you come here yet? Mrs. Lisa has already had therapy, I think her uterus is in better condition."

"I've persuaded her. We'll be there tomorrow."

"I'll wait!"

Arka put his phone back down. He was lost in reverie before being startled by a pat on the head.

"Mr. Doctor!" the man exclaimed.

Arka made an annoyed face as he looked at the man sitting in front of him. A very sweet smile with a thin mustache. A whistle hanging from his neck and training uniform. Reza, his best friend. He rubbed Arka's head.

"Don't do that! It's not polite! We're old," Arka scolded.

Reza laughed. He took Arka's potato sticks off his plate.

"We? You're the one who's old, already a husband, already a father. I'm still the single handsome and successful one in my mature age," Reza swaggered.

Arka laughed heartily. "Hm, ya. Just say 'weathered old bachelor,' Za!"

"What are you doing here? Don't work?"

"I'm picking up Farrel."

Reza's expression turned serious when he realized his friend's gloomy face. Arka looked at Farrel's class.

"Yeah, this week I've also seen Farrel's lack of enthusiasm during my gym class. Is there something wrong with him, bro?"

Arka nodded. A sigh was released along with a sad smile.

"My dad keeps telling Farrel that I'm not his father. Farrel must be confused."

"Farrel has to know that he's not your son someday."

"But, Za, I don't want to lose him."

The bell after class rang loudly. The class and the cafeteria were not far away. The cheerful laughter of the innocent children began to sound and they scattered outside.

"Papa!"

His face was so happy when his dear papa picked him up.

He ran to get into Arka's arms. The broad shoulders of his father drowned out his longing.

"You pick me up? Not working?" asked Farrell.

"I came home early today. Don't you miss papa?"

"Miss you so much!"

Afterward, Arka called out to Farrel after arriving at the side of his car. The journey became longer when the sound of laughter could be heard.

*

Frans and Wendi had finished lunch, but Lisa was anxiously waiting for Arka and Farrel who had not arrived.

"Are they still coming home yet?" worried Frans.

"Maybe there's traffic, Dad. Mom and Dad eat first. Arka and Farrel will eat with me later."

Lisa moved and sat down on the veranda. There is an incoming message from Arka.

[I'm taking him out for ice cream. Don't be jealous! Just eat first. If I come home and you haven't eaten, I'll eat you!]

Lisa smiled.