Gifts from My In-laws

Part 2. Face It with Elegance

After tidying up the remnants of lunch, I entered the room. There lay my little angel, the child of my love with Harry, whom they didn't ask about at all earlier. Even Harry, who is so close to him, seemed to forget.

That woman was so important to my in-laws that there wasn't even a hint of longing for their only grandchild, even though it had been almost a month since they last met.

The tears I had been holding back finally spilled from the corner of my eye, imagining that innocent child would receive uneven affection. But let it be. It's better than living mired in wounds. Better to be limping than paralyzed from being eaten away from within.

I stroked the head of my two-year-old child. I must be able to raise him on my own. There's no such thing as sharing the sweat in my life dictionary. I'm not against polygamy, as long as it's not my husband doing it. I know his quality, which won't be able to act justly. If he insists, then I will let go.

I lay down beside my little boy. With my eyes closed, I wiped away the traces of tears that had formed earlier. Even though my heart is aching, there's no need to cry excessively. Just enough to feel relieved, to release something that weighs on the chest. Recharging my energy is more important now to prepare for the next plan, strengthening the heart to face their actions that will surely hurt.

Emil Shawn—my son—still looked so sound asleep. I calmed my mind so I could sleep soundly beside him.

***

I woke up when the bed shifted. Then a small hand felt around my cheek. Emil's habit when he wakes up is always to touch the face of the person next to him.

“Has mama's boy woken up?” I asked affectionately. I lifted his body onto my chest, then kissed his face repeatedly with affection. I hugged his small body tightly with affection. His cheerful laughter soothed my heart.

“Milk,” he said while trying to open my top.

“Oops, that's not your milk anymore,” I gently refused. The child whined. I had just weaned him, so he still often asked for breast milk.

“Let's make milk in the kitchen,” I comforted him. I carried the adorable child towards the door.

When the door opened, in the TV room located right in front of my room, I was faced with two figures who were startled by my sudden appearance. They pulled apart their faces, which had previously seemed joined.

“Ahem, it's still daytime, Harry. Why don't you let Nika rest first,” I sarcastically remarked. The man smiled awkwardly.

“Emil, look, Papa is being taken by Auntie,” I said. My eyes stared sharply at the woman sitting closely next to my husband. Emil doesn't like it when someone says that I or Harry is being taken by someone else. I quickly put the child down to see what he would do.

Emil hurriedly ran towards Harry, then roughly pushed Nika's body. The woman smiled awkwardly. Especially when the child's eyes glared with anger. Although not as much as the anger within me, I felt quite satisfied and represented.

“Hi, what's your name,” the woman asked, acting overly familiar. She approached and extended her hand to pinch Emil's cheek.

“No! Go away! Don't take Papa!” Emil shouted in his childish voice. Quickly, he brushed off Nika's hand. I smiled with satisfaction. Not teaching the child to be rude, but showing that we need to defend what is ours. Even though I don't want to keep Harry. He's like a worn-out possession.

"Emil, you shouldn't do that, Sweetheart. Go greet Mommy," said Harry. My blood boiled when I heard him call that woman Mommy. I wanted to speak harshly, but I held back as much as I could. I must not be provoked. Otherwise, they might use my harshness as a reason to bring me down.

Emil remained silent. He didn't obey Harry's words.

"Emil, greet Auntie first, dear," I asked gently. I refused to call her Mommy. I couldn't stand it. Take Harry if you want. My child, I won't allow even a tiny bit. Even if it's just about a title. Since that woman is older than me, I called her Auntie. The child complied.

"Let's go to the kitchen. Make some milk," I said, extending my hand. Once again, the child complied.

"Emil is going to the kitchen now, Auntie," I said.

Then I leaned my head closer to the two of them.

"Hold yourselves back a bit, Nika and Harry. I know you both are holding back. But if it's not yet lawful, it's a sin. The Prophet said there are six dangers that will follow if you can't control yourselves. In this world, the light will disappear from your faces, your lives will be shortened, you will remain in poverty, and in the hereafter, Allah's wrath awaits. Scary, right?" I said sarcastically, with a shiver. Then I left them with their faces flushed. Whether from embarrassment or anger, I didn't care.

I exhaled after reaching the kitchen, calming my escalating emotions. No wonder there's a wife who poured chili on her husband's mistress's private parts, it really does hurt this much.

However, I don't want to dirty my hands and name with anarchic acts. Because what I do now will leave a historical mark. I will create a beautiful historical mark for my name. So that my descendants will remember it with pride. Thus, setting a good example for them in solving problems.

After making milk for Emil, I returned to the room, passing by them sitting awkwardly while watching a TV drama on a private channel. I found their behavior a bit amusing. Disgusting, yes, but there was something funny about it.

I let Emil enjoy his milk while lying back on the bed. Meanwhile, I prepared myself. The return of my in-laws with their gifts made my head heat up. If I didn't calm down for a bit, I feared I would explode. It's better if I go to BTN, cool off there.

"Finished?" I asked Emil, just making small talk when he handed me the empty bottle. I put the bottle in the bag to wash it there later. Once everything was ready, I immediately went out. I met the two lovebirds still sitting awkwardly in front of the TV.

"Harry," I called. The man turned. Slightly surprised to see my appearance.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm going to BTN. I might come home a little late. Oh, and later just eat, don't wait for me. Emil and I will eat out," I said. I glanced briefly at the uneasy expression of the woman beside him.

"If there's still food, have Nika heat it up. If it's not enough, just cook whatever's in the fridge. Also, check the rice, if it's not enough, cook more," I said. Actually, I was reluctant to take care of their meals. Whether they eat or not, even if they starve, I don't care. I just wanted to show my power in this house to that woman.

"Nika just arrived, Sapphire. Have some pity, she's still tired. Besides, she's new. How can she be told to do this and that immediately," the man defended.

"That's why I told her to rest earlier. Why would she want to be all over you," I said sarcastically.

"Hey, Sapphire!" he exclaimed. It seemed he wasn't pleased with my sarcasm.

"No need to get all worked up. Take it easy. That's right, isn't it?" I asked calmly.

"If Nika doesn't know her way around the house yet, please explain it to her later. Or she can ask Mother. After all, she'll be the beloved daughter-in-law and wife here soon," I said calmly.

"What do you mean?" the man asked, still sounding agitated.

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Figure it out yourself. How can a college graduate not get something so simple," I mocked.

"Hey, Sapphire!" he exclaimed again.

"Shhh. Mom's sleeping, she'll wake up. Okay, Nika and Harry, I'm heading out now," I said, holding Emil's tiny hand. A few steps away, the man called out again. I stopped.

"What now?" I asked. Annoyed, really, but I kept my tone gentle.

"We need to talk," he replied.

"Oh, of course. We'll have a family meeting tonight," I replied casually.

He must want to talk about their marriage. I can't wait to get into it. The sooner, the better. I'll have a surprise in store for them if they insist on getting married. They won't just be surprised; they might even be shocked.

"Alright then. I'm off. Peace be upon you," I said.