Chapter 80 - Yield

"Why do you have to be confused, Re? Just go to KL. As the wife of lo must follow Dino. He's the head of the family." Tia advised Rere. They agreed to have lunch at a Japanese restaurant.

"Until now, I have not been able to accept him as a husband. You know that I married him out of necessity."

"Remember, Re. You have obligations to your husband. First, be obedient and just follow what your husband wants. A good wife must obey her husband. Second, serve your husband. The wife is obliged to serve her husband in bed. Have you done that duty of yours?"

"Not, yet," Rere replied innocently. 

"Oh my goodness, Dino is very patient. It is a sin, you know."

"I know but I can't Tia. I can't accept him, yet."

"Are you still in love with Angga?"

Rere was silent, unable to answer Tia's question. When she was asked whether there are still some attachments or not, Rere also cannot answer. When she was asked if he liked Dino or not, Rere couldn't answer either. The woman is still confused about the owner of her heart.     

"Why are you quiet? Can't answer my question?" Tia crossed her arms in front of Rere.

"I don't know what to say." Rere stared at the restaurant window. They happened to be sitting on the rooftop.

"You just need to answer Re. Are you still in love with Angga? If a woman is married, she should learn to love her husband." 

Rere stared at Tia silently. Watching her friend without daring to refute her words.

"A mate is something that fits and matches. God gives a mate according to our needs. You who are spoiled and sensitive have a mature, understanding, and patient husband like Mr. Dino. He can make you comfortable. Your marriage is not a mistake but the right thing to do. You guys are married for Leon's future. Do you realize that you are already destined by God to be together

?"

"Why did you say something like that?"

"You are one of the key witnesses of Ananya's death. Mr. Dino's husband is Ananya. You and Mr. Dino had a one-night-stand that made you give birth to Leon. Isn't this a destiny? Nothing is a coincidence."

"I can't say it's fate. I think it's just my bad luck."

"You can't say that. Did you feel unlucky for giving birth to Leon?"

"It is not like that."

"You need to be careful when you speak."

"Dino asked me to move to KL with him. I'm not ready to be his wife yet. I feel overwhelmed. We shouldn't have married."

"Re. Why are you so selfish? There's no need to regret everything. Your husband is a good person. You are lucky to have a husband like him. He knows how to treat his wife carefully."

"How come you understand my husband better?" Rere actually laughed at Tia.

"You can laugh now. One day you will regret it when you realize your husband is special. If you are too late, you will realize it when another woman snatched your husband away."

"Are you scaring me?"

"I'm not scaring you but a woman is really waiting for your husband. She is heartbroken by your marriage."

"What do you mean?"

"You know that woman."

"Don't tell me that woman is Gesa," Rere's lips trembled when she said that name. There is a fear in Rere's heart if Dino is really taken by Gesa. Rere remembers that Gesa once said that Ananya's last will is for Gesa to take care of her husband and child. Isn't it common for someone to backstab their own friends by snatching away their friend's husband nowadays? 

"Well, you're aware of that now. Did you still want to be ignorant and not give some attention to your husband? Your husband is a handsome, rich, kind, and perfect father. It's hard to find such a perfect man these days."

"Why do you understand my husband better?"

"Because you are blind. I, an outsider in your marriage, know how your husband is. Try to accept it before it's too late, re. Regret always comes in the end."

*****

Dino is relaxing with his two children, watching cartoons. Since returning from his honeymoon, the man didn't talk much to Rere. The man is still angry with his wife. Rere's accusations hurt his heart. 

Dino pated Leon lovingly since the little boy has been sleepy and tired of playing. Hanin lay down next to Dino. Hanin's eyes did not leave the television. They always spend their free time watching television together.

The man picked him up and laid Leon on the bed after realizing Leon was asleep. He stroked the child's head affectionately.

"Son, you have to be a responsible man when you grow up. Dad loves you very much. Just pray that dad can be patient with mommy. Sorry for the past three years. If only dad could know sooner and your Mommy wasn't selfish, maybe dad would be there when you were born into this world. Mommy and dad's marriage was only for you, son. Dad will try to survive even though your Mommy never considered dad's existence." Dino's eyes filled with tears when he saw Leon's sleeping face. 

Unbeknownst to Dino, Hanin was listening to his words. The little girl also cried seeing Dino.

Dino returned to where Hanin was. The girl is not watching television anymore since she stood on the balcony looking at the surrounding scenery. For a while, Dino lived at Rere's parents' house. His house is next door to Bara and Dila's house.

"What are you looking at, baby?" Dino approached Hanin.

"I am looking outside, dad," Hanin said quietly. The girl's face was full of sadness.

"What happened, baby?" Dino took his daughter's arm. Bend down to match Hanin's height.

"When are we going back to KL, dad?"

"Don't you want to live here? go to school here?"

"I want to live with mom Dila instead of Aunt Rere."

"Why do you call mom, aunty? She is your mom now, dear. You don't like mommy?" 

"No. I don't like her. She's a mean stepmother."

"Don't talk like that, baby. Mommy is kind and she loves you."

"Don't lie to me, dad. Aunt Rere is not a good mother. She only cares about Leon, not me. When dad and Aunt Rere just got home. She just hugged Leon and ignored me. Only Mom Dila really loves me. Mom loves me like she loves Shaka, Shakel, and Salsa. I want to go back to KL with you."

"If you go back to KL with me, then how about Leon?"

Hanin was silent. She was busy thinking. Dino smiled sweetly at his daughter. Sometimes Hanin acts like a grown woman but more often she acts like a normal six-year-old girl.

"Hanin, do you love Leon?" Dino asked his daughter.

"I love him."

"Both of you are dad's children. You cannot live apart. Hanin and Leon must always stay together so your bond will be stronger." Dino touched Hanin's chest.

"Aunt Rere doesn't love me. She only loves Leon." Hanin lowered her head, not daring to look at Dino.

"You can't have bad thoughts, dear. Mommy loves you."

"Why can't Mom Dila be my stepmother, dad?"

Dino pensive. His throat tightened since he did not expect Hanin to ask something like that. The man was curious about Rere's attitude towards Hanin, making the girl think that way.

"Unfortunately, you can't say that. Mom Dila is uncle Bara's wife."

"Why did mom and the triplets live with us in KL before?" 

"Hanin is still too young to understand it. Later, when Hanin grows up you will understand why mom has lived with us these past few years."

"Do you still love mom, dad?" Hanin asks about Ananya.

"Of course, dad loves your mom. Mom Ananya is always in dad's heart."

"I want to be here with Leon, but I don't want to be with Aunt Rere. I want to be with mom."

"Why is that, dear?"

"If dad doesn't agree, I'd better go back to KL and live with grandma," Hanin spoke with a slight snap. Hanin was very disappointed in Rere. The woman's promise to love her was just a bluff. The woman still kept her distance. Too much attention for Leon made her feel neglected.

"Okay, if you want it like that. Dad will talk to Mom Dila."

Hanin smiled and hugged Dino tightly.

"I love you, dad."

"Dad loves you too, baby." Dino pinched Hanin's cheek.

"Dad, it hurts," Hanin sulked.

"Leon, mommy is home," Rere called while carrying a shopping bag. As usual, Rere spent her time shopping. 

"Leon is sleeping. Don't be too loud," Dino replied coldly.

Rere's face soured as she looked at his husband with disapproval.

"Dad, I'm going to Mom Dila's place," Hanin said, leaving without looking at Rere.

"Look at your daughter." Rere was annoyed, she felt that Hanin didn't respect her.

"What about Hanin?"

"She doesn't regard me as her mother," Rere spoke while placing the shopping bag on the table.

"Oh, you feel unappreciated? Are you treating her like her mother? You just called Leon and ignored her."