I Am Not A Poor Daddy

23

Dinda, who was still lying weakly on the bed, suddenly hugged Sebastian tightly. Her small but soulful hands gripped Sebastian's shirt, as if afraid that her father would leave again.

  "Daddy... I miss you so much," her voice was hoarse but full of emotion. 

 Sebastian was silent for a moment, his heart seemed to explode with mixed feelings—happy, sad, and relieved. He returned Dinda's hug gently, embracing his daughter in the warmth he had longed for. 

 "Daddy misses you so much too, honey," he whispered, Sebastian's voice trembling slightly. 

 Dinda continued to hug Sebastian tightly, not wanting to let go. Her tears began to flow, dripping down her cheeks which were hot from the fever. 

 "I was scared, Daddy... I thought Daddy wouldn't come again." 

 Sebastian rubbed Dinda's back gently, trying to calm his daughter. "Daddy is always there for you, Dinda. Whatever happens, Daddy will never leave you. You are everything to Daddy." 

 Hearing Sebastian's words, Dinda calmed down a little, but she still hugged Sebastian as if afraid of losing him again. Meanwhile, Sara stood on the side of the room, watching with mixed feelings. She never thought Dinda would miss her father this much. Guilt began to envelop Sara's heart. She knew that, although her decision to keep Sebastian away from Dinda might have been based on disappointment, she could not ignore her daughter's feelings that clearly missed her father. 

 After a while, Dinda began to feel sleepy again. Her body was still weak, but Sebastian's embrace made her feel safe. "Dad, don't go, okay?" she said softly before her eyes slowly closed. 

 Sebastian stroked Dinda's hair gently and kissed her still-warm forehead. "Dad is here, Dinda. Dad will not go anywhere," Sebastian promised in a voice full of warmth. Dinda fell asleep again peacefully in her father's embrace, feeling comfortable for the first time since she was sick. 

 Sara watched all of this with a heavy heart. She knew that there was a big decision to be made, not only for herself but especially for Dinda's happiness. 

 As Dinda fell asleep peacefully in Sebastian's arms, a nurse entered the room with a gentle smile. "Excuse me, sir, ma'am. We have to clean Dinda and give her medicine now. Can you come out for a moment?" she said politely while preparing medical equipment on the trolley. 

  Sebastian was reluctant to let go of his daughter's embrace, but he knew it was for Dinda's own good. Gently, he lowered Dinda's tiny body onto the bed and fixed her blanket. Sara watched silently, her expression hard to guess. The two of them left the hospital room with the atmosphere feeling increasingly tense. 

 In the corridor, silence enveloped them for a moment before Sebastian finally broke the silence. His voice was cold, reflecting deep concern. 

 "What really happened to Dinda? Why did she have such a fever?" 

 Sara turned to him with a sharp gaze, her voice full of resentment. "That's none of your business, Sebastian," she said matter-of-factly. "I've been taking care of Dinda all this time. So, you don't need to worry all of a sudden." 

 Hearing his answer, Sebastian's anger began to rise. “None of my business? Dinda is my daughter too, Sara. Even though I’m not her biological father, I still have the right to know what’s happening to her.”

 Sara took a deep breath, trying to hold back her patience. “Look, I’ve been nice enough not to kick you out in front of Dinda. So, if you still want to respect this situation, you better leave before I really lose my patience.”

 Sebastian didn’t budge. “I’m not leaving, Sara. I have the right to be here for Dinda. You’re not the only one who has the right over her.”

 Sara stared at him with tension, feeling cornered. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll call security,” she threatened in a low, but firm voice.

 Sebastian wasn’t intimidated. “Call security if you want, but I’m not leaving here. I’m going to stay here for Dinda, and you can’t stop me.” The words came out of Sebastian’s mouth with strong determination.

 Sara was silent, her mouth slightly open, surprised by Sebastian's unusual courage. Her anger and confusion mixed together, creating a storm of emotions inside her. She didn't expect Sebastian to dare to challenge her so openly, especially in front of Dinda. The shock was so great that for a moment, she was at a loss for words. Her mind was spinning, trying to process the situation that had suddenly changed drastically. The plan she had carefully prepared seemed fragile and easily collapsed in the face of Sebastian's unexpected courage. 

 However, one thing was clear: this time, Sebastian would not back down. He stood firm, his shoulders straight, his gaze straight and determined. He was no longer the obedient and passive figure that Sara had known all this time. There was a fire burning inside him, a fire fueled by the desire to protect Dinda and fight for his rights as a father, even if it was only a legal father. This change, so sudden and surprising, made Sara realize that she had underestimated her opponent. This battle was much harder than she had imagined.

 Sara stood frozen, trying to hold back the anger that was burning inside her. However, this time, Sebastian’s gaze did not show the slightest hesitation. In his heart, Sebastian felt that he had held himself back enough all this time, but this time he would not give up.

 Sara finally opened her mouth, still in a cold tone, “You may have forgotten, but we are no longer in a relationship. There is only one more trial, and we will officially divorce.”

 Sebastian laughed sarcastically, clearly showing that he would not lose again. "Don't think you'll win yet, Sara. I will still keep custody of Dinda for me!" he said firmly, emphasizing each word.