"Today is really happening, hmm? I don't even know if I'm ready to face Mom and Dad's separation."
Tap… tap!
Topan stepped closer to the vanity table and gently patted his wife's back. Dewi didn't need to look up. She just lifted her face and met her husband's blank expression in the mirror behind her.
"Relax. I'm here. Don't feel alone. We'll face this together. Mom and Dad must've thought this through carefully," Topan said calmly.
Seeing that, Dewi nodded slightly. She was, in some way, grateful Topan was by her side. He wasn't much of a talker, but just his presence made her feel supported.
"Come on, get ready. I think Merry's waiting outside."
Topan turned and grabbed his black jacket. He wouldn't go to the office today. Being with his wife while she faced her family's issue was far more important. He had to make sure Dewi wasn't alone in this.
Cklek!
The bedroom door closed softly behind Topan.
Once her husband stepped out, Dewi finally tried to finish her makeup. Topan was right—though it was hard, her parents had decided to separate, and all she could do as their child was support them and pray for the best.
●●●●
Monday, December 16, 9:45 AM
After a few days of delays due to Luna's funeral and the mourning period, Mira and Andri's divorce hearing was finally set. The courtroom was now filled with a number of people, including journalists allowed to cover the case.
Mira and Andri weren't just any couple in this city. Both were successful businesspeople who had built their careers and their small family over decades. Naturally, the public was shocked at the news of their impending separation.
The hearing scheduled for 9:15 ran a little behind. The plaintiff—Mira Kasih—had yet to show up, and her lawyer had been calling her non-stop. Anxiety spread through the courtroom, making it restless. Rumors flew, some of which made Andri's ears burn. The media went overboard, digging into decades-old pasts.
"Sis, where's Mom? Should we just go to her house?" Merry asked anxiously.
Dewi shook her head, though she found it odd. Her mother was the punctual type; being late was unusual.
"Let's wait. Maybe she has some urgent matter," Dewi replied calmly.
Merry nodded in understanding. They sat together in a row—herself, Dewi, Topan, and to her right, Mrs. Ratna. The middle-aged woman was lost in thought, remembering her conversation with Mira at her friend's boutique the day before yesterday.
Flashback...
Saturday, 11 AM local time
Tok! Tok!
Mira's office door was knocked repeatedly, but she just sat there, holding a yellow folder.
Cklek!
"Mira? Can I come in? You're inside—"
Ratna's words stopped when she saw her friend staring blankly at the folder. After making sure the door was closed again, Ratna walked over calmly. She froze as she saw the folder's contents. It was the divorce papers, already signed by Andri.
"You can cancel this if you're not sure, Mira."
Mira jumped in shock, quickly closing the folder and putting it in her desk drawer. She glanced at Ratna, who looked at her with a sad smile.
"Ah, sis… wh-when did you arrive? Haha… come on, sit first."
Trying to act normal, Mira got up and moved to the sofa near her desk. Ratna knew Mira was trying to hide her panic, but this time she wouldn't just stand by.
"Are we having lunch today? Should we invite Dewi and Merry too? Oh my, I almost forgot, but Dewi's look has changed so much. Her hair—oh my, I felt sad seeing it cut short, but she looks even more beautiful and fresh, hehe…" Mira babbled.
Ratna smiled knowingly. At least Mira's reaction wasn't as dramatic as she feared.
"Hey, Dewi's current look suits her so much better," Ratna praised her daughter-in-law. The two friends laughed together.
Ratna remembered the real reason she came—to have lunch. But before that—
"Are you really going through with the divorce, Mir? I think—"
"Sis? What are you even saying? Of course! Andri and I just don't fit. We've been arguing for years, so what's left to hold onto, hmm?" Mira cut in.
"What about your daughter feelings? Especially Dewi?" Ratna pressed. She knew Mira had stayed this long for her only child. Her friend didn't want Dewi to grow up without complete parental love.
Mira was silent, then sighed deeply.
"Dewi is grown up, Sis. She'll understand. Besides, I trust Topan by her side." Mira gave a weak smile.
That had always been her worry. Her eldest daughter, Dewi, had been forced to understand life from a young age. She never questioned anything, even when all the past between her and Andri was revealed yesterday. Dewi quietly accepted and understood everything alone.
"I often fear Dewi will hate me, Sis. I'm not a good mother, am I?"
A bitter smile appeared on Mira's face. Ratna sat closer and wrapped her arm around her shoulder.
"Dewi is strong. She's been strong all this time," Ratna nodded in agreement.
"I feel like I've forced my will on Dewi too much all these years. She must be hurt, right? And now this divorce… isn't it like I'm burning my own daughter's hopes—the one who begged us not to separate?"
Ratna's eyes started to tear up. She remembered well how ten-year-old Dewi prayed constantly, wishing her parents wouldn't split. Such a small child, yet her request was full of hope that her parents wouldn't leave her.
"Ssst… don't worry. The decision is yours. I'm sure Dewi will accept it gracefully."
Mira nodded slightly. Soon, her status would change. What she could be sure of was her presence for her children, no matter what happened next.
Flashback End
---
The courtroom buzzed with noise. It was already 10:00 AM, yet Mira still hadn't arrived. Just as one of the judges was about to speak to postpone the hearing, the person everyone had been waiting for finally walked in calmly.
"Sorry I'm late, Your Honor," Mira said politely.
Not far from the entrance, she stood in a knee-length brown coat covering her dress. Her pixie-cut hair looked slightly messy, and her makeup was minimal. Her simple appearance made people quietly curious. Mira was known as a perfectionist who always presented herself professionally in public.
But to Andri, his wife reminded him of old memories. That coat was even a gift from him—a long time ago.
Deg!
Andri's heart skipped a beat. He stood up as Mira entered. Could he dare hope, even just a little… if his wife—
Drap!
"Oh my God, Mrs. Mira! Goodness, you're so late. I tried calling you and couldn't reach you. Are you—"
Hendrik, Mira's lawyer, stopped mid-sentence when his client handed him a yellow folder. Slowly, Hendrik opened it. His eyes widened slightly before looking back at Mira.
"Y-you're sure, ma'am?!" he asked, double-checking before submitting the papers to the judge.
Mira didn't say much. Her middle-aged gaze was certain, and she nodded firmly. Hendrik nodded in return, then walked to the judge with the folder and explained its contents. The judge reviewed the papers carefully, then nodded in understanding.
Shortly after, Hendrik returned to his seat. Mira was invited to sit in the chair provided—right next to Andri—as the proceedings were about to begin.
"Today marks the first hearing between Mrs. Mira Kasih as the plaintiff and Mr. Andri Jeffrey as the defendant."
The presiding judge opened. His words silenced the room, yet tension lingered. Everyone waited for what would come next.
"Without further delay, based on the documents presented, I hereby declare the cancellation of their divorce, as Mrs. Mira, the plaintiff, has withdrawn her petition."
Tok! Tok! Tok!
The judge's gavel struck three times, and the words shocked everyone. The divorce was officially canceled.
Andri froze. He stood still, unable to believe what he had just heard.
"Daddy!!!"
Andri felt a shoulder bump into him, wet with tears. Looking down, he found his youngest daughter pressing close, hugging him tightly.
"Hikss… Da-ddy… finally Mom and Dad aren't divorcing, hiks… I—"
Andri smiled widely. He bent down, embracing his daughter, kissing the top of her head affectionately, then glanced to the side—where his eldest daughter was hugging her mother.
"Daddy… Mommy… you guys…"
Dewi couldn't speak much. Relief was overwhelming, and she could only continue holding her mom tightly.
Andri stepped forward, bringing Merry into his arms. The middle-aged man felt immense relief, his heart pounding wildly as he stood before the woman he had loved his entire life.
"Wh-why?" His voice caught in his throat.
The woman before him—who seemed not a day older—smiled softly. This wasn't the stiff, forced smile she sometimes showed, but the same gentle smile from when Andri had first proposed to her.
"What? We're both getting older. There's no harm in continuing forward together, right? Besides, I've forgiven you long ago. You've already proven yourself so much over the years—"
Hug!
As their two children released their hugs, making space for their parents, Andri didn't waste a second. He pulled Mira into his arms. Relief washed over him—gratitude filling his chest.
"Thank you… thank you, my love," he murmured.
Seeing their parents reconciled, Dewi's tears fell freely.
"Dad… Mom… I love you both…"
Those words made their parents smile, and they embraced Dewi—and of course, Merry—into the warm circle of their family hug.
"We love you too, sweetheart…."
●●●
Dewi POV
Finally, Mom and Dad weren't getting divorced.
Oh God, thank you… my family is still whole, not torn apart.
I hugged Mom and Dad again, feeling so grateful.
"Sweetie, thank you for supporting us. Sorry for all the times we've made you sad," Dad said.
I shook my head. My eyes welled up, almost crying again hearing Dad's words.
"Yeah, sweetie. Sorry from Mom too…"
Mom stroked my face with a gentle smile. I knew they felt guilty, but I never hated or held a grudge about their past.
"Mom, Dad, listen… just let the past stay behind us. Now that nothing's being hidden anymore, I'm relieved you chose to stay together. Thank you, Mom," I said, hugging both of my parents again.
For a while, I just held them.
Then I realized—Merry wasn't in the room.
"Where's Merry? I thought she was here a moment ago," I asked, looking around.
"Oh, your little sister wanted to talk to Satya just now. It's okay, sweetie. Give them some time," Dad replied.
I nodded in understanding.
I saw that it was already past noon. I excused myself and went looking for Topan, who had taken an important phone call outside.
Tap… tap… tap…
I walked down the hallway. Just as I was about to turn a corner, I faintly heard a sharp voice. Turning, I saw Topan standing with his back to me.
"What's going on with you?! A whole week already! I gave you time to handle things there, and it's still not done?! I told you, report to me immediately if anything happens!Tch!"
I flinched at his tone. Not that I was completely surprised—everyone at his office feared and respected him.
"Anyway, you're coming back today! I'll go there myself and handle it! Make a detailed report and send it to me. Immediately! Got it?!"
Tut klik!
And yes—one of Topan's bad habits: hanging up without waiting for a reply.
I crossed my arms and smirked a little.
"Have you been standing there long Eavesdropping, huh?!"
I turned to look at him awkwardly. Topan looked at me coldly.
"No way! I just went out to find you. I accidentally heard your voice here—it was too loud, you know!"
Topan didn't answer. He walked toward me slowly.
Oh God… is he mad?
"Come with me to Mawa now."
He draped his arm over my shoulder. I had no choice but to walk with him.
"Mawa?! Hey, wait! Why do I have to come too?! Topan—"
We reached the parking lot. Topan opened the car door for me.
"For what, you ask? You're my wife. Wherever I go, you go. Besides, you'll be alone at home," he said sharply.
I didn't argue anymore when I saw the furrow in his brow. He must have a lot of work problems to deal with.
As he closed the door and sat in the driver's seat, I finally spoke.
"Let's go home first. I've already cooked. Besides, if we stay overnight in Mawa, there'll be so much to prepare, right?"
A four-hour drive to Mawa without preparation was definitely not a good idea.
"Leave it for later—"
Kruyuk!
Topan's stomach growled, startling me. I couldn't help laughing.
"Hahaa… see? You're hungry. Let's go home first. We'll have lunch, tidy up, and then leave, okay?"
I leaned forward and smiled at him.
Topan's face reddened slightly. He just cleared his throat and started the car.
No words needed—I knew he agreed.
I leaned back, gazing at the road through the window, a small smile playing on my lips.
'I hope from now on, we'll be okay…'
Dewi POV END
TO BE CONTINUED…