Irwan noticed the luxurious house in front of him. The building with European-style architecture still looks sturdy even though it has been standing since his late father was small. The four pillars of the hexa-shaped house that support the front of the house make the luxurious house look more magnificent.
A bitter smile appeared, as his eyes fell on the large semicircular windows that surrounded almost the entire front of the house. He still clearly remembers the incident 22 years ago when he first set foot in this house. At that time, his late parents intended to introduce him to his grandmother who had just returned to Indonesia.
That night, Irwan enthusiastically brought Erlina's painting that he painted himself to present to his grandmother. However, after waiting for a long time, their grandmother still did not appear to them.
Because the night was getting late, Ridwan decided to take his wife and children home. However, Irwan insisted on waiting for the figure of his grandmother, whom he had only heard about from his father's stories.
Irwan also cried uncontrollably hoping that the sound of his crying would make his grandmother come out. And his efforts were not in vain, Erlina came out to meet him.
With his enthusiasm, little Irwan ran to hug his grandmother's legs. However, what Erlina did was beyond expectations. Instead of welcoming his grandson's hug, he pushed Irwan and asked the bodyguards to drive Irwan and his parents away. While crying, Irwan left his painting to his grandmother's assistant. He hoped his grandmother would be happy with the gifts given. When Irwan sat in the car and was about to leave. Irwan's small eyes, which were still watery, saw the window in his grandmother's room that suddenly opened.
Irwan smiled because through the window, he could see his grandmother's face. However, her smile faded immediately when she saw her grandmother's hand reach out the window to throw away the gift she gave.
The feeling of pain and disappointment that Irwan felt at that time, is still felt today, as if the incident had just happened a few minutes ago.
Irwan took a deep breath, trying to get rid of the sadness that was stifling his chest. Because of that incident and the events that followed, Irwan was reluctant to stay at his grandmother's house. He preferred to stay in his aunt's little bungalow which was at the back of the stately house in front of him.
"Good morning, young master. Mrs. Erlina is waiting for you in the garden," Alvin said, interrupting Irwan's reverie. Irwan walked towards the garden which was located on the right side of the house. As soon as Irwan arrived, Erlina was seen sitting reading a newspaper with a cup of tea still steaming in front of her.
"Good morning, Grandma." Irwan approached his grandmother and hugged her shoulders.
Even though he knew his grandmother would not respond, Irwan always did that every time they met, as if he wanted to tell his grandmother that he loved her very much.
"Sit down! It's hard for me to read the newspaper when you hug me like this," Erlina said in a cold voice.
Irwan smiled bitterly, then let go of his hug. Then, he sank his hips into the chair next to his grandmother's.
"What are you doing all the way here?" Erlina asked without taking her eyes off the newspaper she was reading. "What about that slut?" he guessed, without further ado.
"Joya is not a cheap woman Oma, please don't call Ridwan's wife that way."
Erlina raised her head, looked at her granddaughter's face. The words that Irwan had just said reminded Erlina of Ridwan's words 27 years ago. Their words are similar, they say the same thing.
Ridwan used to insist on defending his wife. No matter how strong Erlina gave evidence about Tiara's bad character, Ridwan defended her as well. But in the end, Ridwan himself was disappointed because he was betrayed by the woman he loved.
Erlina clenched her teeth. His heart always filled with emotion whenever he remembered the bad incident that happened to his son.
"Share it, Grandma. She's a slut. She doesn't hesitate to accept the money Grandma offers." Erlina still insists on her bad thoughts towards Joya. He was sure, Joya was no different from Tiara. They are both money-making women who will do anything to get what they want.
Irwan sighed. Then he took his grandmother's hand. "Joya really saw the money as severance pay. She was a good woman, Grandma. Joya never even demanded anything from me."
Erlina smiled sarcastically. "Really? Then why did he ask you to buy him expensive clothes and bags?"
"Those things aren't expensive Grandma. They're just ordinary clothes and bags," Irwan evaded.
"Regular clothes and bags? since when did Buce sell ordinary quality clothes and bags in his shop?" Erlina smiled scornfully.
Irwan frowned, moving his eyebrows slightly. It turned out that his grandmother was always watching over him. He even knows the quality of the goods that Irwan bought for Joya. In fact, Joya herself never knew about it.
"All right. Those things are indeed expensive. But, Joya never asked to buy them. It was Ridwan who took the initiative to buy all of it. Joya really needed it, she didn't bring a lot of clothes when she left her parents' house," explained Irwan, hoping Erlina would believe him. with his words.
Erlina refocused her gaze, staring at the newspaper she was still holding. " Whatever you say. For Grandma, she is still a cheap woman who is hungry for money."
"Grandma..." Irwan said floating. Confused about how else to give understanding to his grandmother so that he doesn't think badly of his wife.
"Tell me! What is your purpose in coming here! I don't have much time, my guests will come soon," said Erlina, still focused on the newspaper in her hand.
Irwan looked at his grandmother with a sad look. It hasn't even been half an hour since Erlina talked to him. But his grandmother had already asked him to leave. After all, they had not seen each other for four months.
"Please don't disturb Joya. Let her focus on her work. Gio will soon be leaving, so Ridwan really needs Joya to replace him.
Erlina was silent, neither rejecting nor agreeing to her granddaughter's request. Actually, Erlina didn't like seeing Joya hanging around her company. Moreover, he was around his granddaughter. This made it even more difficult for Erlina to keep them away.
"Our company in LA really needs Gio's presence. If Grandma keeps bothering Joya, his work will be neglected. And that will make Gio stay here longer. So, please let Joya work in peace and comfort." Irwan reassured his grandmother.
Erlina turned her gaze to Irwan. "Grandma's silence doesn't mean Grandma agrees with your marriage."
Irwan's smile widened. He was sure that for the time being Erlina would not disturb his wife.
"Thank you," said Ivan.
Erlina stretched out her hand to grab the teapot. He took a cup and filled it. "Drink your tea! This licorice tea is very good for the stomach."
Without being asked twice, Irwan immediately drank the tea his grandmother gave him. He loved receiving attention from his grandmother. During tea drinking, Irwan didn't have much conversation. His grandmother was more silent while sipping her tea.
But, moments like this are moments that Irwan really misses. Can linger sitting next to his grandmother. Even though his time was wasted just being silent, Irwan did not regret it.
"Grandma's guests will be coming soon," Erlina said as she put down her empty teacup. Even the tea in the teapot was run over by him and his grandson.
Irwan glanced at his watch. It didn't feel like he had been sitting with his grandmother for more than an hour. Irwan got up and hugged his grandmother. "Ridwan left for the office."
Erlina patted her granddaughter's back without saying a word. Irwan let go of his embrace, then left in front of his grandmother.
"Be careful on the road. Don't get too tired from work," said Erlina, looking at the back of her granddaughter who had walked away.
Not long after Irwan's departure, Buce arrived at Erlina Lung's residence. As before, Alvin welcomed his master's guest and took him to the garden where Erlina was.
"Sit down!" Erlina said while pointing at the empty chair in front of her.
Buce sat across from Erlina. "How are you, mama?"
Erlina snorted hearing Buce still calling her mama. In fact, it's been a long time since Buce divorced his daughter. "I don't want to mince words. What is Irwan's total debt that I have to pay off?" Buce frowned. "Irwan ti-,"
"Just tell me! I'll replace everything."