Unwanted Marriage - English Version

Chapter VIII -The Death of a Father

Pov Peyton

"Drrrrrrtt …………………………." my phone buzzed

"Hello, Toz," I answered Santoz's call.

"Sir, there is a problem with Dirman's medicine supply, we have searched from a variety of pharmacies, even contacting his doctor, we are having trouble sir," he explained briefly.

"What about other alternative medicines?" I replied.

"Dirman has some serious allergy, Sir. The alternative choice of medicine for him is very limited" Santoz tried to explain.

"I don't care about this. Even if you need to fly abroad to get the medicine, I don’t care. Just do what you need to do. You know you never disappoint me, so don't disappoint me now," I replied while hanging up.

Damn it, how could he run out of med, what an i***t! And for God sake, why does it have to be now, when I’m on the verge of something real serious with Minah. I seriously can’t tell Mirah about this, obviously she’d think I lied and intentionally cut off her Dad's access to med.

It’s been over a month since I made the agreement with Mirah, though she still wanted me to wait until she got some courage to abort the baby. God, I tried to push her already! On the other hand, when I’m trying to get the med for her Dad. I hope nothing will happen anytime soon, it might her even more discouraged.

Mirah’s Pov

My anniversary with Pey is around the corner. In a week precisely. I'm not even sure he remembers our wedding date. I look at myself in the mirror, trying to trace the differences between me now and one year ago. Now, my cheeks are thinner, eyes turn darker, I barely ever laughed this past year. My skin got much pale. I guess, the pregnancy causes it or may because I rarely ever go out. Well, Pey really controls and limits my mobility. Sometimes, I feel like he is imprisoning me in this house so no one will know that he’s already married. He’s clearly ashamed to recognize me as his legal wife. And of course, a year ago there was no baby inside me, I thought. I rubbed my belly softly.

In the first week of my pregnancy, I felt totally disgusted at myself, carrying the seed of a baby from a man who’s been constantly tormenting me to the bone. But as time went by, knowing that Pey hated this baby so much, it made me feel like I had a company. I had something in common with the baby. We’re both hated by Pey, constant rejection and denial against the two of us. Thinking of it somehow made the bond between me and the baby stronger. I no longer hated the baby as much like before. Although, it seems like fate will separate us before we even got a chance to meet face to face, Pey keeps on pushing me to immediately do an abortion. Trading life of this baby for my Dad’s, I have no choice but to encourage myself before something bad happens to Dad.

Today is my anniversary day with Pey, I knit a scarf for him, with a tiny initial on its corner "PC", Pey’s initial. This is all that I can give, I have no money to buy him an expensive gift, I can only knit.

I also made a pair of small shoes for the baby, I knew we would soon be separated, but let this be a sign of my love for the little one.

I left the room and hurriedly preparing Pey's breakfast while carrying the gift. I started off with making a cup of coffee, Pey always likes my homemade coffee for breakfast and today, some tuna sandwich.

"Morning Mirah," he said.

"Good Morning Pey" I greeted him while handing the gift.

"What is this?" he asked casually

"Scarf, I knitted it," I replied.

"Thanks, Mirah. But what’s the occasion?" clearly he had no idea that today is our anniversary.

"Just a gift for you, no special occasion. I juat think this scarf will match the sweater I gave you before. I hope you want to wear it" I explained.

"Well, thanks ," he replied as he continued enjoying his breakfast.

"About my request, have you decided when you’re gonna do it? If the baby’s too big it will be increasingly difficult and it can be dangerous for you too," Pey continued the conversation.

"This week. I'm ready. You can arrange a schedule with the doctor," I responded.

"Right. Are you sure ??" he replied.

"Yes, I think I'm ready now, but I need Bi Asih can accompany me" I demanded.

"No need, I'll accompany you" he replied with a smile.

*In the office

I was spinning on my chair, thinking what had happened this morning. I thought I’d be happy that Mirah has decided the time, but it turned out differently. Her decision actually made me feel somewhat disappointed, I don’t exactly know why, I'm not one who really understands my own desires anymore.

Knock knock….someone’s on my door

"Hi Pey, I brought a present for you and Mirah, I hope you both like it" said Aunt Ana, bringing a large bouquet of flowers. Various colors and types of flowers.

"Sure, what’s the occasion tho, Aunty? Mirah, too, gave something earlier today" while pointing at the gift box I received this morning from Mirah.

"You really forget or do not care at all, Pey?" Aunt Ana asked

"No clue," I answered, raising both my hands

"Today is exactly one year of your marriage Pey, you are still married to Mirah, aren’t you?" the reply sounded a bit cynical.

"Oh .." I replied in surprise.

"Ok, I hope you two like it. Pey, let me tell you. If you don't love Mirah, let her go, don't hurt her this way, she's a good girl, she deserves someone who truly cares. Ever since she's with you, I barely even see her. I hope she is healthy and happy. Send my regards to her" Aunt Ana left the room before I could say a thing.

I took the gift box given by Mirah this morning. I opened it and put the scarf on in front of a mirror, I did not expect it to be this good, thick, and very soft. I laughed at myself when I wrapped it around my neck sank half of my face. The ivory color really matched my look today. On its corner, I saw there was initials of my name. I really liked it, it felt warm, like my heart right now.

Arriving at the gate of the house, I quickly put the scarf back into the box. Before I pressed the bell, Mirah opened it for me, then I quickly handed her the bouquet of flowers I received from Aunt Ana.

"From Aunt Ana, for our wedding anniversary," I said as I took off my shoes. I could see the sparks in the corner of Mirah's eyes, she looked very happy receiving the flower. Maybe, because it's the first present she got this past year. Aunt Ana is right, this year I was totally isolating her from the outside world. It's funny to see that she can still smile that cheerfully, only for a bouquet.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mirah’s Pov

Tomorrow, accompanied by Pey, I’ll do the abortion. Pey assures that this process will pass quickly. It's easy for him to say, as if he’s the who goes through it anyway. I sighed enjoying myself in the wind. I sometimes spend my time here, playing swings in the backyard right under Pey's room. This is the best spot in this house, every time I sit here, I feel really calm. If you’re like me, someone who’s not allowed to meet anyone or go anywhere, then you’ll paying attention to the smallest things around, to be enjoyed. My gaze was far away until someone in the house called my name, interrupting my thoughts.

"Neng, Neng... there is a phone call, a phone call from prison" she said in rush, I guess it’s important. I immediately ran to reach the phone.

"Yes, good afternoon ..." I answered the telephone call given by Teh Siti.

"…………………………."

"Yes with me, I'm the child, what's up?"

"…………………………."

"Oh my god, ... Dadddd .........., Why didn’t I get the info earlier? How was his condition yesterday?"

"………………………."

"Well, I’ll go there now" I replied while hanging up the call. My heart beats fast. What else now, what kind of sins have we made to deserve this.

"Mr. Iman ... " I shouted calling

"Yes, Neng"

"Please take me to the Hospital now."

"Okay, Neng"

*In the hospital.

"Doctor, how is my dad doing?" I asked anxiously.

"His blood sugar is so high that it disturbs the heart. Your Dad has not been taking his daily medication for a while now," explained the doctor who treated my Dad.

"No way, doc, Pey... my husband I mean, he ensures that Dad takes the medicine." I tried to explain clearly.

Peyton’s Pov

* Phone rings

"Hello Toz ... why?"

"……………………… .."

"Whatttt !, why do you only have info now, i***t!

"……………………… .."

"Tut ... tut ... tut ... tut" Santoz could not finish his sentence yet, I hung up. I rushed to the hospital.

*in the hospital

On a bench I saw Mirah and Mr. Iman sitting together. I could see her crying. Mr. Iman is right next to her, just sat stunned.

"How’s it, Mr. Iman?" I approached them hurriedly. Mr. Iman didn’t say a word, he shakes his head. I immediately ran towards the nurse who was on guard, asking to talk with to the doctor.

"I need to talk to the doctor who treats patient named Sudirman, can I speak to him now?" I asked.

"Soon he will be coming out of the room sir, please wait" she replied.

Seeing a doctor coming out of the room, I immediately approached

"Doctor, how is my Dad-in-law," I asked

"Let’s hope and pray for the best, certainly from our side, we’ve tried our best. It's just that what happened to him was out of our control, some time ago his heart stopped a bit. Please keep on praying, " he pleaded while patting my shoulder gently.

I approached Mirah, and sat next to her, but she moved away, took another seat away from me. I understand the disappointment. We were in the hospital all night, without no rest, no talk. We were all quiet, until a surprising moment came.

"The patient's family of Sudirman Kusuma?" the doctor whom I spoke to tonight called us.

"I ... I am his daughter," Mirah replied instantly. Meanwhile Mr. Iman and I got up of our seats. I wonder what the doctor said, it made Mirah suddenly hysterical. Another bad news, I thought.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Everyone wore black, so many people attended the funeral of Sudirman Kusuma. Some of them also know me as a business partner, they greeted me. Not to express their condolences though, because only very few know my status as the son-in-law of Sudirman Kusuma. They offered my condolences more to Zander's shareholder business partner. Some of them also greeted Mirah as the only child and sole heir.

Looking at Mirah as she cried hysterically and passed out several times somehow made my chest felt heavy. I thought at first, I could be very cruel to her, but being with her for over a year had brought me some things I didn't know before. At least that's how I feel for her now.

Suddenly it rained, all of us hurried away. Mirah didn’t care to move from where she was at all, no matter how many people tried to ask her to. From inside the car I could only see her lying on her Dad's grave. From here, her body looks blurry, soaked in the rain. Once again, my chest felt heavy seeing that.

45 minutes went by and she still hugged her Dad's tomb, the rain did not stop. I got out of the car running to her. Trying to lift her up, she refused, but I don't think she had enough energy anymore. I carried her, wrapped herself in my suit.

Then her ice-cold hand gripped me. "Let me go Pey, let me be with my Mom and Dad ...., can't you ask someone, to end my life? I'm too cowardly to do it like your Mom. " I just stood still listening to her words. I think what I've done to her has gone too far. Right now, I want nothing but to hug her tight, but I hold myself.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Two weeks after Mirah's Dad passed. My relationship with Mirah is getting even worse, and so is her condition. Her eyes are sunken black, I've never seen her ate anything. Bi Asih tried to feed her just a spoonful of rice. Circumstances brought us to this, I never ordered Santoz to stop Driman's med allocation, but now all those mistakes got pinned on me, and it was difficult for me to defend myself, explaining to Mirah after what had happened between us, and what I had done to her.

At 5 pm in the office, I didn’t feel so good, so I decided to go back home early. Arriving in front of the gate I saw mirah being held by Aunt Asih and next to them, a red suitcase owned by Mirah. I got out of the car trying to find out.

"Bi, please let me go," Mirah screamed, she insisted to go

"No, Neng. Don’t do that, where are you gonna go, you have to money with you" Said Bi Asih, holding Mirah's body

"Yes, Neng, please stop." said Teh Siti while trying to help Bi Asih holding Mirah.

"What the hell is this, Mirah?" I got off the car, standing among the crowd they were making. Everyone was shocked but she looked like she didn't care, she kept pulling herself out of the house, leaving her suitcase lying behind.

"LET ME GO !!!!!!!!" She shouted hysterically. I hugged her body, carried her back, pulled her into her room, and locked it from the outside. Mirah kept banging on the door of her room. Not sure how much longer the door could hold her temper. After more than 30 minutes the door bang began to weaken and slowly disappear. I think she's tired enough.

"Bi, this is Mirah's key, please make sure she eats, do what needs to be done to calm her down, I will be upstairs if you need me", I asked Aunt Asih.

It was almost 10pm, what happened earlier today, making me more alert than ever before and worried that Mirah will do some other desperate things. Not long after that, there was a knock from outside.

"Who?" I asked while trying to get up.

"Sir, Neng Mirah wants to meet," Bi Asih replied

"Come in, Bi" I replied, followed by Mirah entering the workspace, left by Bi Asih as she gave a small nod to me.

"You’ve eaten?" I asked Mirah

"What do you care?" She answered sarcastically.

"What do you want Mirah?" I asked, trying to calm her down.

"That's my question Pey. Why do you even want to hold me like this? Oh, you are waiting for the right time to end me, just like what you did to my Dad?"

"I didn’t plan anything for your Dad, I did have the intention before, but I did nothing," I tried to explain.

"You can say anything Pey, I will never trust all those words and promises or anything from you again. Let me go, divorce me. I won’t cause any trouble, I swear I won’t ever introduce this child to its Dad. We will go far away, just let me go " I can see that Mirah desperately begging me.

I approached her, seeing her like this, made me want to embrace her in my arms, I don’t know where all my hatred and anger went.

"Sleep Mirah, you need some rest" while holding her hand, before she brushed my hand away.

Suddenly a hard slap flew into my face, Mirah slapped me strong enough for someone who was not as powerful and as small as her.

"Mirah, calm yourself" I'm still trying to hold myself and calm her down.

"Look Pey, if you don't let me go, I'll make you live in hell. For god sake, death is better than living with you!" She screamed so hard on top of her lung.

"You know, I'm happy, that Mama Lina snatched your Dad from your f*****g crazy Mom, I wished her death were far more tragic, than just bleeding out of the bathtub. And you know what I regret the most, she should’ve brought you along, she left rubbish."

My emotions were piled up instantly, I got out of control and hit Mirah hard, her body slammed against the wall and fell to the floor.

"Never say anything about my Mom, jerk" I shouted at her.

"Did you ever think, why your Mom got left for a woman like Mama Lina? Imagine you as a child, the nature of your f*****g mom. Good god, now I understand why your Dad left you two!" Mirah continued to get me even more furious.

I pulled her arm, tried to drag her out of my workspace, she tried of let herself go by beating my body. Bites and punches were continuously aimed at me.

"You should’ve died with your Mom Pey, extremely painful death is appropriate for you" she repeated the words while screaming, I went more ballistic.

"Shut up Mirah, shut the f**k up!!!" I tried to pull her down the stairs, but she tried to push me, and I managed to avoid it, but ...

"Mirahhhh ... !!!" I shouted, her small body seemed to float past the stairs, she fell off the stairs. My chest hurt badly seeing all that in front of my eyes.