Once Aruna took a shower, the married couple visited Alia's room. They were greeted by Aliana and Aditya's smiles, who were happy seeing their closeness.
Lesmana was quick to get up from his seat, greeting Hendra and directing him to a couch inside the room.
"Where is Anantha?" Hendra asked, trying to break the awkwardness between them. Internally, he was berating himself, and didn't want to be too imposing.
"Went home to pick up his mother," Lesmana said casually. Their next conversation went more smoothly, a nice chat between two men who tried to be close again like before, "How are the elder chief doing?"
"Fine, even though he cannot walk normally yet. How about you? Still carving wood?"
"Yes, just spending my time. It's pretty fun."
.
On the other side of the room, an older sister was just scolding her younger one, "For goodness sake, Aruna! Did you even brush your hair?"
"That's the first thing you ask?" Aruna sat herself on the chair beside Aliana's raised bed, "Don't you want to know what the cute baby boy is doing now?"
Hufting, Aliana's mind fled back to her baby. Due to the baby having neonatal jaundice[1], he needed a little help at first. That was why her baby was currently in the baby care room. The nurse had informed her that her baby was doing fine and would be transferred here later.
That being said, there was a more pressing matter that needed to be addressed right this second, "Gosh, Aruna! Get my makeup kit! Can't you at least apply a little make up? Look at how immaculate your husband is! While you? You don't even change your clothes!"
As the time went by, Aruna felt like she was being scolded by her mother. Pouting her lips, she grumbled, "I didn't bring any."
"Why not? You knew that you'd be here with me during my delivery."
"I swear it didn't even cross my mind," because she was too happy and anxious at the news, actually.
"You'll regret it if someone else eyed your husband."
"Already did," she breathed out absentmindedly, which thankfully, went unheard by her older sister.
"Just get my bag with the make up kit and fix yourself. You make my eyes hurt with your unkempt face," she spewed, harsh as ever.
Aruna's face soured even more, annoyed and embarrassed.
.
.
Several minutes later, Aruna came back with her usual appearance. With a faint layer of makeup powder on her face, thin smear on her lips, and some spray of perfume. It was better than doing an impromptu experimentation in makeup. She didn't feel that confident when applying more makeup than that.
Her sister, however, was still keeping her appearance even after giving birth for the first time. There was no way she let her relatives and friends who visit see her less perfect than usual. Aliana wanted to scold her younger sister again at her lack of make up. After minutes of sending her away to the bathroom, she just looked less messy than before.
Fortunately, the baby boy was back in her arms as soon as the nurse brought him there. Moreover, Anantha was back, along with their mother, Indah. They brought homemade meals, as well as some plates and spoons from home. Anantha was too tense and clearly felt awkward with Hendra's presence there. He chose to remain silent while helping her mother with taking out their foods and preparing them on plates.
Unbeknown to him, Hendra was more self-conscious. He felt like an intruder. How could he not?
He was in a room with his wife's entire family who happened to file a divorce against him. He didn't know he'd end up like this. He just thought that he would visit Aliana quickly and then pick up his wife and go home. Now, though, he was stuck there with them while they were about to have a family breakfast.
To make matters worse, Aruna's mother kept throwing side eye glances to his way, the problematic son-in-law who wreaked havoc when her family was already in trouble. From her husband losing his job he dedicated all of his life for. Her older daughter got pregnant out of marriage. Her younger daughter was forced to be married off and be made as a healing doll, then ended in a complicated divorce. Last, her son lost the company he built from the ground.
Would Hendra's presence bring a disaster too? Perhaps, that was what Aruna's mother was thinking, the blue eyed man wondered in his head.
However, Hendra merely gave a small smile every time he caught his mother-in-law glancing at him from the corner of her eyes.
Anantha broke the awkward silence, mutering, "We didn't bring enough plates."
"I'm not that hungry," Lesmana responded, giving some excuse so his children could eat first, "I'll eat later."
"No, Dad. I can share with my husband," Aruna retorted, already taking a plate full of her mother's cooking and then sat beside Hendra, "Open up, darling."
Five pairs of eyes zoomed in on Aruna. Secretly eyeing their youngest family member – beside the baby , of course – who innocently tried to feed the happy-looking CEO of Wenceslas Group. It was the first time Aruna lovingly called him 'my husband' and 'darling' without batting an eye.
For a second, there was an unbelieved smile grazing Lesmana's face, "Alright, if it's what my youngest daughter wants."
Still, Aruna's mother was throwing another side eyed glance to Hendra. Surprisingly, it felt different now. It was full of genuine curiosity, kind even. Would the grandson of that wealthy man make her daughter happy now?
The woman named Indah was lowering her head. Her eyes teared up as she saw how happy her daughter was. Smiling brightly while sharing and feeding her own husband. Perhaps, she could finally forget and forgive the man who hurt her youngest daughter, if said daughter was already happy with him.
.
"Mom, what do you think about my baby? Even if he's the result of my bad behavior, you still love him, right?" Alia prompted.
"Oh, my!" the Jepara born woman gave her daughter a light hug, "Let me hold my handsome grandson."
.
.
That day, they took a spontaneous family portrait. Aditya, who was just getting back after some errands, was sitting by Alia's side, hugging their son. Indah was sitting on Aliana's right while her husband, Lesmana, was standing behind her. Aruna copied her mother, sitting on Aditya's left while Hendra placed his hands on her shoulders.
When everyone was pleased with that position, Anantha dashed out to look for someone who could help take their photo. He came inside with a nurse in tow. Unexpectedly, instead of positioning himself beside his father, Anantha stood beside Hendra. They spared a glance to each other before Anantha took a big leap and without warning put his hand on Hendra's shoulders.
They took a great family portrait.
In fact, it was something deeper than a mere family portrait. It was more than Aditya with an adorable newborn baby. It was more than Lesmana who had made peace with his son. It was more than Anantha who was being loved again by his younger sisters.
He, the one who searched for the true meaning of family throughout his life, finally found it. For all his life, he had craved the feel of having a true father and mother. He craved for an older sibling who always scolds and annoys him, but would love him just as much.
He was merely a lonely man. With a pair of blue eyes deep and cold as the ocean, and twin dimples that rarely grazed his cheeks. But, today … was an exception. He smiled, bright and sincere as there was nothing fake in him. He was truly happy, captured in a camera forever etched in his mind.
His smile grew even more – like it could – when he received the photo on his phone.
"Honey, look at this," he proudly showed the screen of his phone, "Ain't I the most handsome here?"
"Oh, please!" Aruna grumbled, pouting at her own husband, "Does it mean you want to say my brother and father are less handsome than you?"
Aruna dashed past Hendra, leading the way to the underground parking lot after they gave their parting goodbye and taking their leave. A sleek black car was waiting for them. Hendra caught up and opened the passenger door for his wife like a true gentleman that he was. He jogged to the other side of the car and got in himself.
She was about to fasten her seatbelt when suddenly Hendra moved her seat to lean backwards. There was that familiar expression he always displayed when he wanted something really bad.
"Hendra, what are you doing?!"
.
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[1]Jaundice is a common and usually harmless condition in newborn babies that causes yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. The medical term for jaundice in babies is neonatal jaundice. Other symptoms of newborn jaundice can include: yellowing of the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.