Chapter 4. Mother's Coercion

"Darling, don't think about what mom said, okay? Maybe mom is dizzy because of the news."

Aurel smiled wryly at that, even so he still nodded slowly. Just to calm the feelings of her husband who might feel bad about her. Abi goes somewhere. But Aurel knew very well that her husband going out of the room was heard from the closed door. Because, there is no other door in this room except the entrance and exit of the room.

Aurel sighed. He gripped the balcony guardrail tightly. Closing his eyes, trying to enjoy the evening breeze. Hopefully, all the tangled threads that now fill his head will disappear even for a moment. However, instead of disappearing, images of what happened a few minutes ago flashed vividly inside his head.

"Who is the woman in the photo, Abi?"

The question from his father made Abi take a deep breath. He slightly turned towards his wife who was tightly gripping his right hand, giving a soft stroke on the back of her hand. Managed to keep him calm in the restraint of his father's gaze.

"Abi didn't know, Dad. The woman suddenly hugged Abi, she was drunk at the time. She didn't realize what she was doing," explained Abi.

Abi's father raised his eyebrows. The black netra sharpened, blazing towards his youngest son. Abi himself chose silence. He tried hard not to hang his head, because his father wouldn't like that. Abi's father would find him cowardly and weak. And, Abi wasn't going to let his father take it that way!

"But our family name is tarnished because of that, Abi! You say it like it's nothing big!" Abi's father's voice boomed in the minimalist house.

Abi took a deep breath trying to calm down. Firmly he said, "Father, Abi will provide clarification to-"

"You think it's going to be that easy?! They won't believe that easily!"

Abi's hands clenched tightly. Even began to tremble holding back the anger that was ready to vent. Aurel, who had been silent since earlier, gently rubbed his husband's arm. Hoping her husband doesn't get emotional and ends up letting go in snapping at his own father. Fortunately Aurel's little treatment managed to make Abi's body relax a little.

"Hurry up and have children. That's enough to divert your news from that woman." This time Ibu Abi's voice was heard.

Hearing the word descent from the lips of his father-in-law, made Aurel stiffen. His hands even accidentally gripped Abi's arm tightly. Abi, who knew what his wife was feeling, glanced briefly at Aurel, confirming the situation.

Abi sighed roughly, his face which was originally calm now turned into a frustrated expression. Making Abi's father and mother look at each other, they knew something was being covered by their youngest son.

"Actually mom–"

"Man."

Aurel almost screamed if he couldn't hold it in. Her body began to shake when she knew that her husband would tell her in-laws about her infertility. Her plump lips began to tremble as her eyes moved wildly. It was obvious that the woman was stricken with fear.

However, Abi flashed a victorious smile. Notifying that everything will be fine. Seeing that Aurel looked down, nodded slightly even though his little heart wanted to scream to stop his husband.

"Actually what?" asked Ibu Abi could not stand her curiosity.

Abi took a deep breath of air. His eyes stared straight ahead intently. Steadily without any trepidation he spoke.

"Aurel is barren."

Very smooth. However, the shocked expressions of both of his parents made his chest ripple, feeling the same turbulence as the first time he felt when that fact hit his ears.

"Don't joke around, Abi-"

"Abi is serious, Mother."

Fail. In the end, Abi's tone trembled. His shoulders drooped, he looked down and covered his face with his palms.

Abi's mother sobbed. Abi sounded sad. The man didn't even dare to look at his mother who was now sobbing, crying over the fate that had befallen them. Meanwhile, Abi's father was silent. Still shocked by what his son said.

Ariel bit her lower lip. Holding back the sobs that are ready to slide free. His chest felt squeezed by something. So tight and painful. Slowly, he sat in front of his mother-in-law.

"Forgive Aurel, Miss. Au–"

Plaque!The hard slap made Abi immediately raise her head. His eyes widened to find his wife who was sitting, with her face turned to the side. A drop or two of tears started to roll down her cheeks.

Abi quickly got up from his seat, approached his wife and immediately took her in his arms. Aurel's cry broke instantly, crying over the pain in his chest cavity as well as the pain on his left cheek.

"Mother, what are you doing!"

Abi's mother turned her head, the cynical look that she had originally given Aurel suddenly disappeared. He looked at his son sadly.

"Marry that woman."

"Whose woman is Mother? Abi only loves Aurel!" Abi looked at her mother sharply.

"Marry that woman! Procreate with her."

"Abi doesn't want to! We still have a chance. We can still treat Aurel's infertility–"

"Bare women look at barren, Abi!" Abi's voice rose. "Mother doesn't care if you marry that woman or not, but make children with her." The mother's absolute order, made Abi's upper jaw harden.

"Mom!"

Without wanting to listen to what her children wanted to say, Abi's mother left the living room. Abi turned his head, begging his father to coax or at least talk to his mother.

But apparently, fate was not on his side. In fact, his father calmly agreed to what his mother said. Let alone giving crazy advice to him.

"You can contract the woman's uterus. After she gives birth to your child, the contract period ends. One baby from your flesh and blood is enough, Abi."

"Well, we can adopt a child at the orphanage," offered Abi.

"Father doesn't want your father's company to be passed on by a child who doesn't have our family's flesh and blood." After that, Abi's father also left the room. Making Abi curse softly. He looked down at the state of his wife who was now crying silently.

He gently stroked his wife's long mane. Whisper softly, "I won't do it honey. Because I love you. I don't care if you're infertile, we can still adopt children."

***

"Darling?" Ariel blinked out of her thoughts. The woman then turned to meet Abi who was tempted. Seeing that, Aurel pulled the corner up, smiling faintly.

"Don't daydream." Aurel just nodded.

"Come in."

Once again Ariel nodded. He looked down, smiled a little to see Abi holding his right hand. He couldn't imagine that one day those hands would stop holding him, guiding him and comforting him.Mr. Abi led him to sit on the side of the bed. After that the man seemed to take a black cloth in which there were ice cubes. With great care, he compressed the wound on her left cheek.

Aurel occasionally winced, making Abi say sorry repeatedly and occasionally blowing the wound slowly to cover it up. Seeing his woman in pain made Abi's chest rumble again. Inhale as much air as possible, trying to stay calm. He smiled faintly as he finished compressing his wife's wound.

"Now sleep okay."

Aurel shook his head. With a hoarse voice he said, "Go home. I want to go home."

Abi nodded. He understood what his wife needed now. Because of that, he chose to say goodbye to his parents alone. He knew Aurel was scared enough to meet his mother now.