"What time will they be back?" Axell asked Zahra. "They said they were on their way," Zahra replied. "Okay," Axell answered briefly and sat on the sofa, playing with his phone. Zahra, who was putting on her hijab and niqab, glanced at Axell who was smiling at his phone. Curiosity stirred in her heart, but she chose to remain silent and never pried into Axell's phone. Zahra was too afraid of the truth, scared of finding something hurtful. It's not that she was suspicious, but she knew who her husband was. There must be many women offering themselves to him, even if Axell didn't respond, it would still hurt to see him being flirted with by others. "Honey, let's go downstairs," Zahra said, now fully dressed in her hijab and niqab. "Are you ready?" Axell asked. "Yes, let's go down and wait for Tama while watching TV," Zahra invited, pulling Axell's hand. "Let's go," Axell responded. They descended the stairs and found Mrs. Ania and Mrs. Celline watching television while en
"Can you play chess, Mr. Axell?" Yuda asked. "No, I can't play chess. When I was a kid, there was no time for that. I could only play when the basket of fried snacks was empty," Axell chuckled, reminiscing about his childhood full of struggles. "Mr. Axell likes to be humble," Yuda replied again. "I'm not lying. I grew up in an orphanage, and our orphanage didn't have regular donors. Only occasionally did someone donate, and we were grateful for it. For daily needs, the caretaker sold things in front of the orphanage, and we older kids would sell around the village," Axell explained. "Hard work never betrays the results, Sir. Now, you've become a successful person," Yuda added. "The wheel always turns, Yud," Axell said, taking a drag of his cigarette. Jojo and Yuda nodded. Meanwhile, the fierce chess battle between Rido and Rigo was still ongoing without a clear winner. "Earlier, young master Tama cried, wanting to take Ms. Emily to the mall," Jojo said. "Didn't Emily t
Ding.Notification of a message popped up on Axell's phone that he was holding."I've arrived home," the message from Emily read."Is Jojo acting weird or rude?" Axell replied."No, he's unusually quiet. All the way home without a sound, not even music," Emily replied with three laughing emojis."Good," Axell responded."Why?" Emily replied again."I'm jealous," Axell answered, ending the conversation and closing the previous message tab after deleting Emily's messages from his phone, then he sighed in relief.Zahra only observed her husband's strange behavior silently."Do not let me have bad thoughts, Allah," Zahra thought to herself.Zahra sat beside Axell, glancing at the phone in Axell's hand, but Axell promptly put the phone in his pocket and tightly hugged Zahra's shoulders."Darling, haven't you taken a shower?" Zahra asked as she moved away from Axell."I have," Axell replied shortly."The shirt smells. Change your clothes, dear," Zahra said.Axell was surprised but complied,
Mrs. Ania ran to call one of the guards to prepare the car, Axell carried Zahra out. Meanwhile, Mrs. Celline, who was initially indifferent and annoyed with Zahra, became panicked seeing Zahra completely powerless."Mom, what's wrong?" Tama and Rikel asked as they came out of their playroom hearing the commotion outside."Mom is sick, Tama and Ikel, stay here with the maid, okay?" Mrs. Sri persuaded."I want to go with dad," they shouted when they saw Axell, Mrs. Ania, and Mrs. Celline getting into the car heading to the nearest hospital. Jojo hadn't had a chance to turn off his car from dropping Emily off and immediately hit the gas to the nearest hospital."Zahra," Axell called, holding Zahra's pale cheek.Mrs. Ania appeared to apply eucalyptus oil on Zahra's neck and nose, but Zahra still showed no signs of waking up."Hurry up, Jo, turn on the hazard lights," Mrs. Celline, who sat next to Jojo in the front passenger seat, said."Yes, ma'am," Jojo replied and turned on the hazard l
"Darling, does that mean I'm pregnant?" Zahra asked with sparkling eyes.Axell only nodded and smiled softly at his wife."Ya Allah, Alhamdulillah," Zahra said as she hugged Axell tightly."Congratulations, my love," said Axell, kissing his wife's forehead.The couple embraced tightly, while Mrs. Celline just watched without intending to interrupt and chose to lie down on the sofa instead. Tonight she would stay overnight at the hospital."Take care of the pregnancy, don't get too tired, and one more thing, don't overthink," said Axell, framing his wife's face with both hands."Uh-huh," Zahra only nodded and rubbed her still-flat stomach."Zahra has to inform father and mother," said Zahra happily."Tomorrow, if you tell them tonight, they will insist on coming here. Tomorrow, Rido will pick them up," said Axell, and Zahra agreed with a nod.Axell hugged his wife again, and Zahra rested her head on Axell's broad chest."Thank you, my love," said Axell."For what?" Zahra asked, looking
"Do you want to eat something else?" Axell offered to Zahra, who looked weak after throwing up everything in her stomach.Zahra just shook her head."How about some fruit Zahranad?" Axell asked again."No, Axell," Zahra answered weakly.Axell was confused about how to help his wife and felt sorry seeing her so weak. He gently Axellsaged Zahra's shoulders."Ya Allah, hang in there, my love," Axell said, hugging Zahra tightly.Zahra just nodded weakly.A nurse brought breakfast for the patient."Let me feed you," Axell said softly.Zahra nodded obediently.Axell fed Zahra patiently while Mrs. Celline and Mrs. Ania were at the hospital canteen looking for breakfast.Axell hadn't finished feeding Zahra when she felt nauseous again and vomited."Please eat, our baby. Poor mommy is getting so weak," Axell said, stroking his wife's stomach."Drink some tea," Axell urged, and Zahra nodded in agreement."Do you want to eat more?" Axell asked, as Zahra's plate was still mostly full."No, Axell,
"Mommy?" Zahra called out as she opened her eyes, unable to believe her mother was already beside her.Zahra rubbed her eyes to make sure it was her mother, then immediately hugged her tightly."Congratulations, dear, finally I'm going to have another grandchild," said Mommy Melati while kissing Zahra's cheeks."I keep throwing up, Mommy," whined Zahra."Be patient, dear, that's the joy of becoming a mother," her mother said."Do you want me to feed you?" her mother coaxed."Yes," Zahra nodded."Axell, is this food for Zahra?" Mommy asked Axell."Yes, or should I get something new?" Axell asked."No, this is fine, I think," Mommy replied, and Axell nodded.Axell was busy with his phone."Hello Hardi, how are you?" Axell finally answered Hardi's call."I'm good, Mr. Axell," Hardi replied with a chuckle."What brings you to call me, Mr. Hardi?" Axell asked, glancing at the time as he had a meeting soon."Hmmmm... It's about your report for Hernadi," Hardi's voice was interrupted."What
"Why are you all silent?" Axell asked, puzzled."Hooray!" Rikel and Tama answered together. It turned out they were both teasing their papa."Where's the baby?" Rikel asked."Still in Mommy's belly, dear," Axell replied."Mommy, get well soon, Tama wants to see the baby," said Tama, holding Zahra's hand.Zahra furrowed her brow at Tama's words."We can see the baby using a doctor's equipment, dear, only after the baby is born can Tama play with them," explained Mrs. Ania."Oh, so we can't play with the baby yet?" Tama asked curiously."Not yet, dear," Axell said, stroking the heads of his two children.They both scrambled to sit close to their mother."Is Mama not coming here?" Axell asked Mrs. Ania."She said she might go to the office," Mrs. Ania replied."Why go to ABC Company?" Axell muttered in confusion."Maybe because she hasn't been to the office in a while," Mrs. Ania answered."Could be."Mrs. Ania brought lunch for Axell, Mommy, and Abah. She also brought various foods, inc
Slowly, the ground began to rise; Zahra was truly gone forever and never returned.From a distance, a man accompanied by two other people seemed to be watching Zahra's funeral procession and saw how fragile Axell was left by his wife. He was Axell's biological father, namely Fredd Waned.Slowly, the mourners left the cemetery area, leaving only Axell, Mrs. Ania, Mrs. Celline, her father and mother, Zahra's older siblings, and Jojo and friends.Axell hugged Zahra's gravestone while kissing it."Come on, son, be sincere, be sincere," said the father, reminding Axell and patting Axell's shoulder.Ari and Frans also waited in the distance.Meanwhile, a man dressed all in black had entered a car and was watching Axell, who was still stunned beside the mound of red earth on Zahra's grave, which was full of flowers from inside his car."Come on, son, let's go home," said Mrs. Ania to Axell.Axell only shook his head slowly and was still stunned by his position."Son, let's go home. It looks
The recitation of the holy verses of the Qur'an echoed throughout the room, sounding so compact. Those who had just arrived took their respective positions and immediately became absorbed in reading the holy verses of the Qur'an."Mom," Tama called softly when Emily and Aunt Sri invited the two children to dinner."Let's eat first, son, or you'll get sick," Emily coaxed Tama and Rikel."Do you want Mama's omelet?" Tama said a moment later.Making Emily and Aunt Sri look at each other."Mama will make it, son?" Emily said and went straight to the kitchen. Aunt Inah, who saw that, approached."What do you want, son?" asked Aunt Inah."Auntie, help Emily, Auntie. The children want Mama's omelet," Emily said hoarsely.Aunt Inah, who had seen Zahra make vegetable omelettes several times, tried to make them."Hopefully the children like them," said Aunt Inah, handing over two of the children's favorite vegetable omelets."Thank you, Auntie," replied Emily, who walked towards the dining tabl
"Alma Putri Waned" was the name they gave to their beautiful newborn daughter.Everyone rejoiced over the birth of the biological daughter of Axell Waned, who was once an abandoned child and is now a respected young person.Axell was stunned when he looked at his wife, who was being treated by a doctor and several nurses. Doctor Bella's face looked anxious."Zahra," Axell called to the body, which was already pale and limp.Zahra opened her eyes and smiled at her husband. Axell saw Zahra, who was so beautiful when she smiled, even though her face looked pale."Hang on, dear," said Axell, holding Zahra's hand with tears in his eyes."Hang on, dear, for the sake of our child Alma," said Axell hoarsely.Zahra just nodded weakly. Axell held on and continued to kiss his wife's hand. Meanwhile, his father and mother were also at the tip of Zahra's head.Father continued to recite verses from the Qur'an, Mother continued to whisper the name of Allah in Zahra's ear, and the doctor, assisted b
Rigo drove the car at high speed towards the nearest hospital, where Zahra usually had her check-ups, and also where Doctor Bella practiced.The road conditions on the weekend were more congested than usual, even though Rigo had turned on the hazard lights but still seemed to have difficulty breaking through the traffic jam."Be careful, go," Axell warned Rigo, who honked several times at two-wheeled drivers who seemed to be breaking through the traffic jam."Yes, sir," Rigo replied."Also, look at the pedestrians," said Mrs. Celline."Yes, ma'am," Rigo replied without taking his eyes off the road.Zahra had not felt any severe pain, only occasional pain, and it went away."Honey, forgive Zahra if I did something wrong. Be pleased with Zahra, honey," Zahra said softly."Yes, honey, honey apologizes too. Honey is always pleased with you," said Axell, hugging Zahra tightly while crying."Mom, Zahra apologizes," Zahra said, looking at Mrs. Ania.“Yes, dear, I have forgiven you, and forgi
"Ehm," said Emily, making the couple who were watching the fish in the pond turn their heads."Emily! Come sit here," invited Zahra enthusiastically."Sorry to bother you; I brought breakfast and want to have breakfast together here," said Emily with a smile."Sure," replied Zahra.While Axell just stayed silent and still held Zahra's hand tightly,."Let's have breakfast; Aunt Inah has prepared it," invited Emily."Aunt Celline told me to call you both," continued Emily again."What did you bring?" asked Axell."Uduk rice, fried food, plus siomay," answered Emily happily.“There are so many menus; Aunt Rasi and Aunt Inah also cooked?” asked Axell.“No, because last night I called Aunt Inah and said that I wanted to bring breakfast here and eat with you,” laughed Emily while scratching her head that wasn’t itchy.“Okay, honey, let’s have breakfast,” invited Zahra while pulling Axell’s hand.Axell just nodded, walking, holding Zahra’s hand, and following Emily, who walked first.“What d
“What’s wrong with you?” asked Axell while framing Zahra’s face with both of his hands.“It’s okay, honey; I just want to leave Alma with you,” answered Zahra softly.“Don’t tell me you want to leave, honey.” said Axell.“It never crossed my mind, honey; Zahra never thought about leaving,” said Zahra, holding back her sobs.“So what?” Axell.“None of us know how long we’ll live, honey; we don’t know how long,” answered Zahra.“Honey, I understand; maybe you’re scared of giving birth, huh?” asked Axell.Zahra just nodded.“Think positively and be enthusiastic; we’ll raise our child together. "Darling, I'm always there for you," said Axell, hugging his wife."Don't be afraid; we pray together to Allah. Ask for help and protection," said Axell, gently stroking Zahra's hair while holding back his tears.Axell also thought about what Zahra was afraid of. And he was very afraid of it happening, imagining his child being raised without a mother.Axell lifted his face up, holding back his tea
Zahra lowered her head. However, who would have thought that the woman would walk closer to Zahra?"Zahra, right?" asked the woman.Zahra held Axell's left hand. Axell realized something, turned his head, and put the cellphone in his right hand's pants pocket."Yes, ma'am, what's wrong?" asked Axell."Ma'am? Do you think I'm your mother?" asked the woman rudely to Axell."But the women here are the ones who want to check their pregnancies, so where did I go wrong?" asked Axell in surprise.And now they were the center of attention for the waiting patients."Ma'am Zahra," called the nurse on duty.Coincidentally, Zahra's name had been called, and Axell embraced Zahra casually, leaving the woman.The doctor checked Zahra's pregnancy; everything looked fine. The child inside was also growing very well and moving actively."The gender is already clearly visible," said Doctor Bella.“Doctor, you’re just curious, so what’s the gender, doc?” asked Axell.“It looks like a girl,” answered the
“We’re going to the doctor today, right?” Axell asked Zahra while she was getting ready to go to work.“Let Zahra be alone, honey,” Zahra said while preparing socks for her husband.Axell stopped the activity of his hands that were buttoning his shirt.“What’s wrong?” Axell asked then.“Nothing, honey; who knows, honey is busy. It’s a weekday,” Zahra replied, looking away as she made eye contact with Axell.“It’s normal, right? We check on weekdays. And what’s wrong with that?” Axell asked.“Yes, Zahra is afraid of disturbing honey’s work; who knows, honey is busy,” Zahra replied, pretending to be busy with the socks in her hands.“I work for my own company, Zahra,” Axell replied.“Even though it’s my own, you can’t just set a bad example for your employees, right, honey?” Zahra asked.“What’s wrong with you?” Axell asked, approaching because Zahra always avoided him when their gazes met.“What’s wrong, honey? Zahra is fine, honey,” Zahra replied.Axell held Zahra’s hand as she was ab
"According to my biological mother, he is my biological father. But I don't know if it's true or not, because I can't find his whereabouts," said Axell, looking down."Are you looking for him?" asked Alin."Yes."“Why shouldn’t he be the one to come? You’re already famous, and your mother has appeared in the media admitting that you are his child,” Alin teased.“I was hoping for that, but years after his mother appeared, she still didn’t come. Maybe she’s happy with her family because I’m not the child she expected,” Axell said quietly.“Maybe she’s embarrassed, because he’s a businessman who disappeared without a trace,” Alin argued.“Why embarrassed? I already know the story,” Axell said.“Will you continue looking for him?” Alin asked.“Yes, because I’m afraid of my future descendants. I’m afraid of meeting a blood relative, and we don’t realize it,” Axell said.“Hmmm… Sorry, sir, our story has deviated far from business,” Alin said, smiling.“Ah yes, I was just confiding in you; f