"I love Sarah, Mom. I don't know, it feels really hard to chase Sarah's love when her husband is still around, and now, after everything has changed, is it time for me to give up, Mom?"
"Even though Sarah hasn't been able to accept me until now, I can't give up, Mom. I love Sarah so much!"
Ben said expressionlessly while leaning his head while hoping the mother listens to what he felt.
"You are still young, Ben. You have a long future ahead. You are the hope of our family, you are the first grandson in our extended family,"
"How do you want to destroy your future as well as our family's hopes by liking a woman who already has a child and-... Ah, come on, I don't want to mention the status of the girl because I also know that she is helpless,"
"But why her, Ben? There are many other women out there who are more than anything else than that woman! Why are you just glued to her? What has she told you to make you look like a crazy person like this, son? I don't understand, Ben!"
The mother still thinks that Ben chose the wrong path and choice. However, her tone of voice was not as loud as before. Mrs. Lauren coaxed Ben gently with tears that did not linger.
"Her name is Sarah, Mom. It's not just that woman or this woman. You haven't seen what kind of woman Sarah is which I love, haven't you?"
"You ask me about what has Sarah done with me? You ask Sarah what has Sarah said to me that made me crazy about her like this, right? Please don't tell me I'm lying if I tell you the truth, Mom,"
Ben looked at his mother's face with seriousness.
"Sarah isn't the wrong girl you might think. You asked where I was from, right? I'm from Sarah's house, Mom, and I told her that I was angry with you because maybe my mom didn't allow me to see her again,"
"And what did she say? She even told me to be a dutiful son to Mama and Papa. She told me to do what my parents said for the good of my parents, according to what you said to stay away and never see her again,"
"I'm angry, Mom. I was sad when she said that. I know she doesn't want to accept me yet, but she shouldn't have rejected me like that by telling me to stay away from her because of my parent's orders!"
Ben poured his heart out to his mother. From Ben's sad and confused face, Mrs. Lauren could see that her son was heartbroken and not a lie.
Which parent's heart is not moved and hurts when they see their child sad. But, what Ben felt was wrong and his mother couldn't accept the truth either.
Mrs. Lauren can still distinguish between affection and logic. Even though her love for Ben is so great that she wants to Ben be always happy, she can't see Ben's future ending in a complicated relationship with a woman whose life is also complicated.
"You can imagine how I feel, right, Mom? I was rejected because Sarah has a husband. But now, I'm told to stay away from her because my parents don't like her. Is everything fair to me, Mom?"
Ben asked about his mother's response after she told him everything, how he felt hurt while chasing Sarah all this time.
"If Sarah tells you to follow your parents' orders, it means she's a good woman, and you should understand and obey, Ben," Mrs. Lauren replied, who was still rejecting the relationship that Ben would have with Sarah.
Hearing his mother's words that still sounded rejected and did not support him, Ben was silent while looking at his mother's sad face.
He felt like getting angry, but he couldn't have to go against his mother's words for the second time in the same night.
"Mom, what's wrong with what I want? I just fell in love with Sarah, but from the beginning of my path until now it's always been difficult like this. Please tell me where I went wrong, Mom!" Ben said quietly, confused about his feelings.
The mother who did not approve but also could not make her child sad like that, just kept silent. She also felt the same doubts as Ben but in different proportions.
Since that night, Ben no longer sees Sarah or goes to Sarah's house. Even though the longing for Sarah's face and figure was already mounting and weighing on his heart.
But Ben is still trying to endure it all, as much as possible Ben followed the wishes of Sarah and also his mother.
Ben didn't come to see Sarah, but Ben still quietly came every day to visit the little one in the hospital, bringing longing and affection to the little one. Ben is happy to see and know the progress of the little one who is showing progress every day in the development of his body.
Coupled with the friendly attitude of the nursery nurse, who knew Ben as the little one's father, made him feel at home for a long time from morning until noon before he left for college.
Ben's new routine like this made his mother's heart happy and at the same time-sliced. Even though Ben shunned Sarah as she wished, her heart ached when she saw the happy and cheerful hue of her son evaporate and fade.
Although Ben always goes to college and looks diligent, Ben never smiles again. His face was always filled with sadness with an even expression. Even Mrs. Lauren felt Ben was getting further away and changing.
This morning, Mrs. Lauren wanted to know what Ben had been doing all day with his sadness. So, Mrs. Lauren secretly followed where and what Ben's activities were from afar.
Whatever Ben does all day, from morning to evening, and find out if there is anything that can make her son happy and smile again.
Mrs. Lauren's curiosity started today when Ben as usual finished his breakfast and left for campus.
Ben's car pulled out of the yard, and not long after his mother followed Ben's car from behind.
Mrs. Lauren furrowed her brow when she realized that Ben's car was going in a different direction that wasn't going to his campus. Ben's car instead headed to the hospital.
"Ben is going to the hospital, huh? Is he sick?" Mrs. Lauren mumbled quietly as she thought.
However, her mutter was heard by the driver who was driving the car Ben's mother was riding in.
"At least Young master wants to see the little one, Madam!" said the driver casually.
Mrs. Lauren's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You know what Ben is here to do? Could it be that you also know that Ben is close to a woman whose name is Sarah?" Mrs. Lauren immediately threw a question.
"I've taken young master here several times, Madam, and sometimes I also pick up young master here when he doesn't want to drive his car, and young master said that at this hospital, he visits the little one, Miss Sarah's son. That's what I know, Madam!"
"I'm sorry if I talk a lot, Madam. If you want to know more, you can just ask the young master directly! But the truth is, Miss Sarah is a good person, Madam. It's good to be a young master's girlfriend. But unfortunately, I already have a child, even though she's still very young," said the driver who looked relaxed and looked familiar with his employer.
However, Mrs. Lauren was silent and did not respond to anything the driver said to her, and the owner's silence made the driver immediately shut up and didn't continue his chatter anymore.
As ordered by Ben's mother, their car went into the hospital area.
Arriving at the reception desk, Mrs. Lauren was a little confused about where to go, because the figure of Ben who was she follow was nowhere to be seen.
But, after a few moments of silence, Mrs. Lauren replayed her memories when Ben told her about Sarah's baby who had to be cared for in the intensive care unit, and after that, she asked for information and directions to get to the room she was going to.
Mrs. Lauren arrived in front of the post in the infant intensive care unit. The nurse on duty asked about the needs of Ben's mother there.
"Miss, I want to see the baby but I don't know the name because it's my first time here. Can you help me, Miss?" Mrs. Lauren said politely and friendly.
"Yes, Ma'am. Just say the name of the baby's mother!" replied the nurse no less friendly.
"Hmm, his mother's name is Sarah!"
"Oh, Mrs. Sarah's baby. I'll check in a minute, Ma'am!" replied the nurse as she fiddled with her computer keyboard.
"Mrs. Sarah's baby is receiving a visit, Ma'am. You can wait until the visiting guests come out, and you can take turns to come in. If I may know, what's your name? Let me put it on the visit list!" continued the nurse after providing the requested information.