Chapter 3. Warmth of the House

The dial was heard dozens of times until finally a woman's voice answered.

[Adam] she called.

"Yes, Mom. Hassan said you were looking for me," Adam said.

[Son, I never complained when you only gave me this number. But make sure your number is always on. Should I call Hassan first to find you? Looks like your assistant is worth more than your mother] Mrs. Wursita complained.

"Of course you don't have to, Mom. The number Hassan had was for the job. It's a private number. So last night it was low-bat to death. Once charged, I forget to activate. But I just activated it now. I'm sorry, Mom. Truly sorry," Adam said compassionately.

[Just forget it, but do not repeat it! I was always worried that I wouldn't be able to reach you. Mom's worried. You know that, right?] Mrs. Wursita fretted.

"Yes, Mom. I won't do that again. Yesterday, I had an all day meeting, so I forgot to charge my phone," Adam asked for forgiveness again.

[You'll get my apologies if you come to Menteng tonight. If you don't come, I'll be angry! ] Adam's mother threatened.

"What's the occasion, Mom? That's unusual. Our dinner's due next week," Adam asked in amazement.

[Is it necessary for a mother to bring her child home? I only meet you once a month, Son. I miss you]

"Okay, Mom. We'll hang out tonight. 'kay? Are you happy now?" Adam noted a smile on hearing his mother's sulk.

[I'll be waiting. Don't be late. Jakarta was jammed, which meant leaving the office early. Understand?]

"Sure, Mom."

[I will make your favorite dish. Don't let me down. Understand?]

"Alright, Mom. I won't," Adam affirmed. Adam ended the connection. The man was tired from waking up all night. Stretched out both hands and stretched his body muscles. Whatever happened today, Adam hoped it would go well.

*****

Currently a couple were in a courtyard next to the Menteng residence of Saguna. They were having breakfast as well as enjoying the morning air that had not yet been covered with Jakarta's pollution.

"What's he saying?" Mr. Adyaksa asked.

"He will come home tonight. I threatened him, if he won't, I will be angry," Mrs. Wursita said.

The middle-aged man set back a porcelain mug that had just been drunk into the round table. Mr. Adyaksa had the same handsome face as the son with the firm face typical of Java. Aristocratic blood complements that man's aura as a prestigious person. "Are you sure Adam will do as you say?" Mr. Adhyaksa asked doubtful.

"I am sure he will do what I want him to do. He never disobeyed my orders. I'm his mother. He loves me more than you, Master," Mrs. Wursita said, who has a thin face, a pointy nose, and fine brown hair, and a long neck that shows the distinctive reddish-white skin of the Dutch-Java descendants.

"Yes, I know. He wasn't like my own son," Mr. Adyaksa said. Then Mrs. Wursita returned a triumphant smile.

Actually, Mrs. Wursita was Mr. Adyaksa's second wife. She was not Adam's biological mother. Mr. Adyaksa's first wife died after giving birth to Adam. However, no one could found the reproach of Mrs. Wursita's affection for the son. He loved Adam like his own flesh and blood because Mrs. Wursita was Adam's mother's best friend.

Night has come. A variety of dishes have been served at the dinner tables of the big house in Menteng. However, those eight chairs were still unused. Mr. And Mrs. Saguna were still in the lounge waiting for their son to come join them for dinner.

"Sita, how long must we wait?" Mr. Adyaksa asked impatiently because Adam has yet to show his face.

Mrs. Wursita even got nervous before her husband asked. Nearly every half hour she did not call her son to make sure that he could come to the house.

Since Adam had worked for the father's company, Adam had not been living in Menteng's residence. Beyond the reasons for independent living, there was a time when an office's closer effectiveness became the main reason. Furthermore, being engaged to Clarissa made in favor of living in an apartment in South Jakarta.

As an only child, it certainly was not easy for Mrs. Wursita to agree with Adam's decision. Therefore, Mr. Adyaksa's wife intentionally kept a routine schedule that was compulsory once a month for them to eat together. No wonder Adam asked why he had to come while not following their proper schedule, but no one could argued with Mrs. Wursita's orders. 

Seeing his wife increasingly restless, Mr. Adyaksa planned to take her to eat first. Just about to speak up, someone entered the room with the typical European style.

"Good evening, Mom, Dad," Adam called back in his full suit. "Sorry, I'm late. Just finished attending an invitation from the Austrian embassy for our cooperation project," the man said as an excuse. He walked over to his mother and hugged her warmly.

"That's what I want to tell your mother. But it's no use, the only thing she knows is you have to answer her phone," Mr. Adyaksa said.

"Sorry, Mom. I left my phone at the office. It was a little bumpy." He put his arm around her. Adam's excuse made Mrs. Wursita's lips curl.

"When you would think about yourself, Son? You only do your work. You've lost so much weight. You too, Old man, it's your fault!" The protest of Mrs. Wursita egged on the husband.

"Hey, now I'm here to blame?" Mr. Adyaksa protested.

"Yes, you put my son to work for twenty-four hours. And it was hard even to keep a schedule to visit me. You should hire more as a deputy. Don't charge all the duties to my son." Mrs. Wursita got the laughter of the two men in front of her.

"Well, it's okay, Mom. It really doesn't matter," Adam said.

"You're not, but I do!" that woman barked.

Mr. Adyaksa laughed," Adam's assistants were five. How many more do you want? You don't know anything about business. You just need to meet your friends, shop, and spend all my money. Don't worry about how we men make money," Mr. Adyaksa explained.

"Look, Adam! Your mother is not safe if you leave me alone with your father. Your mother was bullied," Mrs. Wursita cried.

Again Mr. Adyaksa laughed at his wife's pampering. Adam was also inevitably amused. 

"There's no use going to your son. He's my son too, he'll agree with me. Don't you, Son?" Mr. Adyaksa asked as he raised his eyebrows in support of his son.

Adam let out a giggle.

"Why are you laughing?" Mrs. Wursita pushed her son's body away. "Is it fun? You're making fun of me?" the woman scolded.

"Oh no, Dad. We must apologize to this lady. Cause if we don't and let her get angry, our business wouldn't go well," Adam reminded the father. Then two men chuckled together.

"Very well. Enough! You'll see when I have a daughter-in-law. She must have supported me," Mrs. Wursita said, who was able to fade the curved smile on Adam's lips.

The original warmth now felt a bit different. "So, when did you bring the future bride for me, Son?" the gracious woman asked.