Since meeting with Rachel and Mayang, Airin couldn't help but feel uncomfortable around Fachri. There was a mix of fear and shame that overwhelmed her—fear of her pregnancy being exposed and shame for what she had done, dragging Fachri into this situation.For Fachri's sake, Airin was now dragging him into her troubles. It wasn't a trivial matter—pregnant out of wedlock. That's what was now attributed to the otherwise good man. Airin couldn't imagine what Fachri would go through if his parents and the university authorities found out about their forbidden relationship and her current pregnancy."Don't think too much about it. Mayang won't dare to open her mouth because I also hold her secret. As for Rachel, she's my best friend, and I'm sure she doesn't want my career to be ruined."Fachri, seemingly able to read Airin’s mind, provided reassurance. Everything had been anticipated as much as possible so that it was impossible for them to be found out, except for Mayang. Fachri needed t
After facing a busy day with his students' thesis defenses, Fachri hoped to return to the apartment soon. Considering it was already late afternoon, and his phone was left somewhere unknown. Thus, he couldn't contact Airin in case he came home late. It was better to go home immediately than risk getting stuck in traffic. However, as Fachri was about to leave the campus grounds, he was surprised by the sudden appearance of a middle-aged woman in front of him. The woman placed her hands on her hips and shook her head, observing her son who hadn't come home for weeks."Do you want to be disobedient? How could you not come home for weeks like this?" The middle-aged woman scolded, expressing her frustration as Fachri had not been returning home. She had searched the apartment, but her youngest son was nowhere to be found."I've come home, Mom. If you don't believe me, ask the maid at home. Mom is the one rarely at home anyway." Fachri denied, not starting his car because he didn't want to
Airin glanced at Fachri, who was tinkering with his phone. After she told him her father's contact name in the village, Fachri suddenly asked for the number this morning. Despite just returning from the hospital last night, Fachri had just finished tidying up the apartment to welcome their homecoming and the arrival of their little one.Seemingly tireless, Fachri started discussing their wedding day. According to Airin, their wedding didn't need to be too extravagant, considering tens of millions had already been spent on hospital bills for the VIP ward, which undoubtedly required a significant amount. It would be inappropriate if she wanted an extravagant wedding celebration. However, unfortunately, Fachri insisted that she should stay quiet and see what he would arrange for both of them."One father or two?" Fachri asked suddenly, already sitting next to Airin, who was organizing Via's clothes in a small basket."Two fathers. The first father is no longer active." She turned to Fach
"Widow with one child, or the woman you impregnated?"Rosita narrowed her eyes. One corner of her lips lifted in mockery of Fachri's statement about the woman he chose to marry soon.This evening, he suddenly contacted her, expressing his desire to have dinner together. There was something important he wanted to discuss with her and his father. She didn't know how, but he wanted to meet and had to attend tonight.As a result, Rosita had to postpone her arisan gathering. Haris, her husband, was also affected because of the youngest son's wishes. He had to leave an important meeting in Maluku to attend the supposedly crucial dinner for his son's future."Uhuk-uhuk."Fachri choked. Suddenly, the steak that was on its way to his stomach changed direction towards his lungs. He choked after Rosita spoke."What do you mean, Mom?" Fachri asked, putting on an innocent face as if he didn't understand what his mother was saying. In reality, he was startled by his mother saying the same sentence
Airin tried to calm herself, not to collapse due to a mix of nervousness and fear as she headed to her parents' house. After getting approval from both of her parents to marry Fachri, her own lecturer, with the status of a single father. The engagement required Airin to return home, leaving Via with Fachri at the hotel. Of course, she left a significant stock of breast milk for Via during their separation. Here, Via's status was considered Fachri's daughter, not Airin’s. In front of Fachri's parents, Airin could be together with her daughter anytime she wanted. However, in front of her own parents, she had to restrain herself from meeting Via. It was uncertain for how long, but the engagement had to happen first before they could reunite with Via. Fortunately, Fachri's parents didn't mind staying at a three-star hotel, as long as it was close to Airin’s parents' residence.Getting married during university posed a bit of a challenge for Airin’s parents, who found it hard to let their
"Before heading back to Bandung, it seems nice to stop by a culinary or tourist spot," Rosita remarked as the car started to traverse the highway. After lunch, they all began moving toward Bandung, leaving all preparations to Airin’s family.Of course, they left some money and a debit card to make it easier for them to prepare everything."Perhaps not, Mom. Via is still too young to be taken here and there. Moreover, Airin has to go to the campus to attend to her studies tomorrow. I don't want both of them to tire themselves and end up getting sick. Besides, our wedding is just a few days away."Fachri immediately rejected his mother's desire. He didn't want anyone to see them walking around carrying Via. It would be very dangerous for the secrecy of their closeness.Moreover, this morning Mayang had contacted Rosita, expressing her frustration because Zidan was still out of town to finish his work. She really needed Zidan's presence to help her deal with their very fussy baby.Afraid
"Everything is already here. You just need to meet the dean and department faculty. After that, fill in the data and come to me once everything is done," Fachri explained, handing a folder to Airin before getting out of the car.It's unclear since when he had prepared everything, so he didn't need to bother meeting many people and taking care of various things. Everything was done, just waiting for signatures.Airin nodded, took Fachri's hand, and kissed the back of her future husband's hand before getting out of the car, walking quickly toward the main gate, carrying Via in her arms.Their relationship, which had to be kept a secret, meant that Airin and Fachri had to maintain some distance. If they hadn't overslept, Airin should have gone to campus using an online taxi, not alongside Fachri as they were doing now.However, because both of them slept late, and Via had also fallen deeply asleep, they woke up late, leaving no time to wait for a taxi.As Airin stepped through the main g
Airin gazes into the large mirror before her. The reflection vividly displays the beauty of the makeup that now adorns her face. However, it all feels futile as it doesn't align with what she truly feels.Doubts keep enveloping her. Despite Fachri repeatedly assuring that everything will be fine, that everything will go smoothly according to their plans. Fachri promises to always protect and cherish her. He pledges to be a good father to Via, even though he's not her biological father."Every couple about to get married always faces obstacles. There's always doubt in the heart, especially shadows of the past, making everything feel so heavy. But trust me, everything will be okay as long as it's done with a sincere heart. I see Fachri genuinely loves you. Yes, even though his status is a widower with a child, at least his love for you is whole," says Airin's younger sister, who has just graduated from high school.The girl was instructed to fetch her sister to the room but found an unu