"Mom, you need to rest. Your health is also important," Hidayat held Azizah's shoulder while they stand by Hidayah's bed. Azizah grabbed and clenched Hidayat's hand on her left shoulder wordlessly. "If jiejie knows that you have been neglecting your own health while taking care of her, she would be sad too…"
Tears welled from deep inside and coursed down her cheeks. "What if she never wakes up, Yayat? What are we gonna do?" She looks into her son's eyes seeking assurance.
"She will wake up. I know it."
**********
"Yayat… Are you angry that they named me heiress?" Hidayah asked her twin while they sat on the garden bench under the night sky.
Hidayat lifted up his head to stare into the night sky full of stars. "Jie, wǒ hěn gāoxìng nín bèi mìngmíng wèi nǚ jìchéngrén. Really happy. To be honest, I don't want it either. They should have asked Qing Shan gē to be the heir," Hidayat paused before saying "I'm actually amazed that none of our tángxiōng are contesting you for the position."
A/N: tángxiōng = older male cousins from the father's side.
"Bùguò, wǒ zhēn de bù xīwàng chéngwéi xià yīrèn nǚ zúzhǎng. Being the Matriarch will have too many limitations imposed on me. I have my own dreams too. However, if I do not accept the appellation, I'm afraid I will disappoint our dad," Hidayah pulled her legs up the bench and pulled them close to her chest. She then rested her head on her knees.
Hidayat, not knowing what to say, leaned himself towards his twin and hug her tight. The two of them remained there for a while before going back in the mansion.
A/N: The twins usually uses a mix of Chinese and English while conversing with each other and their father. Jie, wǒ hěn gāoxìng nín bèi mìngmíng wèi nǚ jìchéngrén = Sis, I am really happy for you being named the heir. Bùguò, wǒ zhēn de bù xīwàng chéngwéi xià yīrèn nǚ zúzhǎng = But, I really don't want to be the next matriarch
**********
Hidayat was staying the night accompanying Hidayah in the ICU's room. Thinking back to the night after their grandfather called for a family meeting to name the 50th heir to ARK Empire. Hidayah was the 4th female to be named heiress throughout their family history. If she successfully becomes the Matriarch, he knows that there will never be true freedom for her. In fact, marrying the love of her life might be more difficult if the guy has to marry into the family instead.
For their dad to marry his love and become the current patriarch, took him lots of hard work and pressure. Surprisingly, the male descendants from the previous and current generations have no ambition to become the next patriarch. It is as if, each and every one of them would rather let fate rolls the dice.
Hidayat holds onto Hidayah's hand and looked at her face. Her features were much softer in sleep, the lines that usually creased her brow replaced by the youthful appearance that matched those of others their age.
Suddenly, the cardiac machine beeped at an alarming rate before a flatline sounded. Hidayat looked at the monitor startled. A moment later, 2 women in purple scrub came running into the ward and checked on her vitals. Another nurse came in and hustled Hidayat out of the room and pulled the draperies enclosing Hidayah's bed.
Another man in blue scrub and white coat came rushing towards the ward. Minutes felt like days. Hidayat's heart was beating fast and his mind went blank. What's happening? Why did Hidayah's heart suddenly stopped? Allah… Please save her… I cannot lose her now…