Chapter 3

Naomi Aksara. Born five years ago, she has transformed into a cute little girl with a tooth in the middle. Just like the entrance gate. Her hair was long and jet black, with round eyes as clear as river water. Pulung really liked this boy. His lips were thin, so he was cheerful and asked a lot of questions. Luckily, Pulung had a million answers that were no less surprising.

"If Pulung's aunt becomes my mom, will you?"

This time, Pulang could not give any model answers. Because a little wrong, Omi cried. A powerful way to get his request granted. So, only a smile that Pulung can show.

"Let's eat."

"Feed me." She whined spoiled.

Ardika said his daughter was independent. Eating and bathing alone became Omi's rituals that no one wanted to disturb. But - presumably - that didn't apply when the boy was dealing with Pulung. As proof, early in the morning, when Pulung was reciting the Koran, Omi visited his room. Asking for hot water to be cooked for bathing plus a bath.

Ardika glared. His mouth mumbled and stopped when Pulung said: "It's okay, Mr. Ar. It's part of my job."

Ardika was about to refuse before Omi's scream became a roar. The single parent chose to give in to his daughter.

"But promise me." Pulung proposed his seduction first. So that his foster child wants to study after this. "After this study."

"Ah mama..." Pulung's breath caught. Omi didn't realize his sentence. "Okay. Finish learning to play the game, auntie."

It was a relief. Pulung's breath was released. Omi just blurted out and was spontaneous.

"Not sleeping, huh?"

"But with mom."

Ouch again. How come it's so deliberate.

"Let's see how far Omi chooses the colors for his drawing later."

A cheer of joy accompanied by a hand stretching upwards was proof of Omi's pleasure. And it seems, for children of Omi's age, learning is not an option he likes. They need to play, to hang out with their friends which at the moment cannot be done.

*** In the afternoon, what puzzled Pulung was Ardika's return. The man said that his working hours always lasted until the afternoon. Counting if there was no overtime. And now this?

Sitting at the dining table and pouring various vegetables and side dishes that Pulung had cooked.

"I usually come home for lunch." Oh like that. Pulung's feet were about to step into Omi's room. Before Ardika's vocals stopped him. "Teteh's cooking is delicious. I haven't had home-cooked food in a long time. Oh yes tea..." he paused. "Tonight, I'll take you to the dance studio."

"Dance studio?" repeated Pulung.

Ardika's head nodded. "I also happen to need a dance teacher. You can take Omi to learn too. It's a shame if Omi doesn't have any other skills."

"Isn't that too much to ask?"

"No, tea. In the past..." Suddenly stopped. Pulung's forehead wrinkled. He didn't mean to be nosy. "Because we are in the land of Sundanese, of Sundanese blood too, studying the culture, there is nothing wrong with tea."

It wasn't that Pulung was being 'too pushy' or anything. But, young children are better off being given freedom of choice. Not everything must be fulfilled for the sake of the future. Although there is nothing wrong with that either. Providing knowledge to children, there is no harm at all.

The conversation ended. Pulung continued on his way and Ardika with her lunch. Once again, Ardika's focus was divided on Pulung's figure. Making a quick decision is not the best way.

The information Ardika got was also valid. Pulung had just gotten divorced. It hasn't been a matter of months.

Leaving behind all the thoughts that Ardika Aksara had planned. Not everything she wants is achieved at one time. There is a step by step that he must go through. Waiting for one of them. Being patient with the right time to move forward and start the action.

Seeming to be in a hurry will be judged as rash. That's not Ardika Aksara's style.

Ardika exhaled. His hands stiffened and stirred the rice and the array of side dishes inside. Suddenly, she was full, even though she was extremely hungry. His mind fought. Ardika desperately thought of a bright future for her daughter. The decisions he will make are also part of Naomi's approval, not just his own.

Although small, Naomi has a unique way of thinking. Either because of the lack of guidance from a woman called 'mom' or Ardika who seems to open access for his daughter to understand early on. But Ardika would agree with the first option. Since that day, Ardika's efforts have not been fruitful.

The first year she thought, 'ah maybe it's not fortune' or 'it's not right for her daughter's character'. Ardika's selfish side often prevailed. Seeing himself as an excellent young businessman, owning a small company but able to employ people and open job vacancies really made him proud.

Arrogance suddenly ruled his heart. Hence, Ardika once met a woman - an intern in his office - who was beautiful and smart. Only her economic condition was less fortunate, Ardika decided.

The second year, the same thing happened. Ah, even worse. Ardika made a mistake. Falling into sin. Marrying someone's child, and then asking for a roommate. At the time Ardika thought: "It will be halal soon. It's okay to look at the terrace of hell.' And it happened. Stupidly, his sperm immediately fell in love with her egg.

And when the blue and white object showed two red lines, the woman was hysterical. She said, "I'm not ready to be a mother." Ardika was in shock. He almost had high blood pressure. "I need money to cancel this."

Well, since that was the case, what could Ardika do but say yes and transfer a fantastic amount of money? He might as well break off the relationship.

That was it, that was the end of Ardika's adventure. From then on, his focus was only on Naomi. He worked early in the morning and late at night, traveled to various cities when handling projects, and brought Naomi with him. The business turned out to be a big success. His wings spread even wider.

In this year, the pandemic is rampant, killing all aspects of life, not to mention the Job Creation Bill that the government passed yesterday, his old friend Dante - not really - waits for Ardika to explain. Contacting him and asking for help regarding work. At first Ardika thought about it. But seeing Naomi getting more active, he couldn't help but act. It could be bad if he kept inviting his daughter to the project. No work, disaster will come-amit-amit! "Omi want to have an aunt?" That night while carrying Naomi to her big bed, he poured out stories - a substitute for fairy tales. "This is papa's look." "Mama made Omi?" Her clear eyes widened. "Want ... Omi wants." Immediately step on the gas. Usually Omi would think a thousand times and be reluctant. But this is without reason from Sabang to Merauke immediately agreed to stop at Lhokseumawe. It feels anjim bet rich odading mang Oleh who is like an ironman. "I'll accompany Omi to school too." "Okay." Already. Is that it? Why is Ardika snorting so loudly?