He's The Unaffordable
Chapter 25 - Identity

I waited for Hadi to give an answer with anxious expectation. He looked at me intently for a while without saying anything. Maybe he was just as nervous as me that he was careful to answer my questions.

“Hadi, are you listening to me?” I tried to get her attention after she just kept quiet. “Is my question too personal for me to ask you? Should I ask Om Edu and Aunt Lindsey directly?”

“No. I just don't know how to say all this to you.” He lowered his head and looked at his two interlocked hands on the table. The occasion was used by the waiter to deliver our ordered food and drinks.

“Tell me as is,” I said half urgently. My heart is no longer strong enough to wait so long. Her leafan is getting stifling my chest.

“About eighteen years ago, Om Edu and Aunt Lindsey lost their first child, daughter-in-law, and grandchild. The accident killed their son and daughter-in-law, but their grandchildren were not on the scene. A massive search was carried out for many years until they finally gave up. The daughter is gone without a trace.” Hadi started his story.

“Although not looking for her specifically, their family did not stop hoping that someday the little girl would appear. So, you can imagine their reaction every time you see a blonde and blue-eyed child in this country.” Hadi smiled sadly. “You are the only woman whose age is exactly as she is at this point. Your physical characteristics are the same as her, but what makes us hope again is that your face is similar to Aunt Abby.”

“Aunt Abby?”

“It was the name of Aunt Lindsey's daughter-in-law.” Hadi pulled out his cell phone, and then he looked for something. He gave his phone to me after finding what he was looking for.

I received the object, then looked at the screen. There is a photo of a pale-skinned, brunettes, and gray-eyed woman. That face is very familiar to me because I see it every day in the mirror. We are like twin brothers. I saw my fingers trembling as I walked down his face. Tears were pushing out from my eyes.

“Dia ... has died?” ask me with a hoarse voice. His age in the photo is still very young. Impossible this is his face now.

Hadi lowered his head and replied sadly. “Iya. It was Aunt Abby, Aunt Lindsey's son-in-law who died in an accident.”

Is going out of my mouth. I quickly closed my mouth with my hand. It never occurred to me that the old man I was looking for was dead. Especially in a tragic way. I always thought that we would meet someday and they accepted me with open arms. We will live happily ever after. Not like this.

I would love to feel their hugs, their kisses, their affection poured out for me. I want us to pay for those times of loss by sharing affection and doing many things together as one family. I imagined vacationing with them, cooking, eating, playing, even sleeping together. Not like this.

“Mila.” I felt Hadi touch my hand. “Are you okay?”

“I'm sad. This woman is still very young, but has to leave for good. If it's true she's my mother, then I've lost the chance to be with her.” I wiped my cheeks as I felt tears fall down my face.

“Regarding that, earlier I apologized. We've done a DNA test without your permission. The results show that you are not the biological child of Om Matias and Aunt Abby,” Hadi said to my surprise.

How could? I looked at the photo of the woman on her phone screen again. Physically we are very similar, how could we not have any blood relation at all? Oh. Is it because our hair and eyes are different? If Aunt Lindsey's son is Om Matias, then he must be a native Indonesian. This woman is a stranger's son.

“Who is blonde and blue eyed?” aska I want to know. Most likely this feature I got from my grandfather or grandmother.

“You can slide the screen to the left.” He pointed towards his phone that was in my hand.

I followed and the next photo that appeared was of a man and woman hugging while smiling at the camera. My eyes immediately attracted to the beautiful woman. Her hair was a straight and long blonde, then her eyes were bright blue. Although the color of their hair and eyeballs is different, the first and second women are very similar.

“They are Mason and Claudia White. Aunt Abby's parents. They live in America so you don't meet them on Dira.”'s birthday

“How can the test result be negative? And which part of my body was used as a sample?” many confused. “You didn't take my blood that night.”

“We use hair. You must have been unconscious when Aunt Qiana took your hair that was falling out on your clothes. We were lucky because there were several strands of hair complete with roots. Actually using any part of the hair is the same, but the root part makes it easier to test results.” Hadi stretched out his hand, so I returned the phone.

“So, they are not my parents and grandparents? If you want to retest, I'm willing to give you whatever samples you need.” I can't believe they're not my family. There must be something wrong with the previous test.”

Hadi smile. “Eat your bread and finish your drink. When my sister comes later, we have to go home. He could not stay in a public place. You won't want to see him deal with his fans. Regarding the test, I will talk to my parents first.”

“Why should we talk about it first? You guys take samples and do tests without my permission, then why when I want to help on the second test must get permission first?” many offended.

“Are you worried the result will be negative and they will be disappointed again?” askaku. He's nodding. “Good. I-i understand. Please, let me know if you guys need me.”

“Tell me your number.” He set both his thumbs up on the screen of his phone. If the situation was different, I would reject the request. But this is a special case.

I called my phone number, not long after that I felt a tremor in my backpack. That must be an incoming call from Hadi. I pulled out my phone and immediately saved the number before I forgot. Because I never answer incoming calls from unknown numbers.

Hadi drank the coffee, then I did the same. My ordered tea is no longer warm so it tastes less good to drink in cold conditions. Seeing Hadi eat the bread on his plate, I received it as a signal that he had no more talk. But I still have a lot of questions in my head.

“Can I ask?” I broke the silence between us. He raised his head and nodded slowly. “Why didn't Colin and Dira react the same when they saw me for the first time? Why are you the only one who seems to realize that I look like someone?”

“Colin is not always present in our family events with my parents' friends, while Dira does not pay much attention to the photos of Aunt Abby and Aunt Claudia rarely come to Indonesia,”, he replied, which raises new questions.

“Then how can you recognize me? What—”

“Wah, wow, wow, look who is here,” said someone from my left, cutting my sentence. I took a deep breath before looking over. Because I'm going to need a lot of patience to deal with this obnoxious girl.

*******

Meanwhile in an apartment~

Gista made a few slices of sandwiches, then brought two full plates to the living room where his family was gathering. Colin is busy with his phone and tablet, Lily is busy watching accompanied by Will.

“Papa and Mama invited us to lunch at their home on Sunday. So, cancel all your promises on that day.” Gista placed the two dishes on the table which was immediately invaded by her husband and her two children.

“OK, Ma,” Colin and Lily answered simultaneously.

“Colin, have you spoken to Mr Mahendra?” tanya Gista mentioned the name of her superior. His son looked at him confused. “Don't say you don't understand what I mean.”

“I don't understand what Mama means,” said Colin confirming. He looked at his mother and father in turn.

“You asked Mr. Mahendra for permission when you asked Dira to be your wife, so it is appropriate that you also tell her when you cancel your intention,” Gista explained.

“Mama kidding, ‘kan?” asked Colin with a wry smile. Cold sweat started to appear on his forehead.

“Do I look like a joke?” Gista asked back. “We will attend Adi's birthday on Tuesday. I hope you speak well with him that day if you dare not invite him to meet both.”

“But, Ma—” said Colin objected.

“I meet him every day at work. I don't stop feeling guilty every time I think about the bad things my son has done to his daughter. Please, help me. Talk to him immediately and end my suffering,” pinta Gista.

“You can't treat a fiance who's been with you for sixteen years like this, Colin,” Will said. “Your relationship is not just about you and Dira. It's also about your mother and I'm friendly with Hendra and Zahara. Your mother even worked at Hendra.” company

“Come, Colin. Stop putting on a face so. Dira can melt the hearts of others with that expression, but not with you.” Lily rolled her eyeballs. “You made this decision, then you must be prepared for the consequences.”

“The problem, I—” said Colin is still trying to bargain.

“No more excuses. We have tolerated enough of you who until this second have not spoken to Hendra.” Will looked at his son seriously. “If you do not want to do it, then we will invite them to eat here so that you can talk.”