Albi came home looking worn out. Nayra, who had been waiting in the living room, was surprised to see her husband like that. She went over to Albi and took his work bag as usual. Albi suddenly pulled Nayra into his arms and kissed his wife's forehead for a long time.
"What's wrong? Why do you look so exhausted?" Nayra asked.
"Mom was hospitalized. I just got back from there."
Nayra was shocked by the news and stared intently at her husband. "Why am I only hearing about this now?"
"You probably weren't told because everyone was so panicked. I only found out while I was at work. I didn't know Mom was sick either. I thought she was fine. But it turns out she was sick and didn't tell anyone how much pain she was in."
"Maybe she didn't want to make us worry. Mothers really do tend to hide what they're feeling. Mama was the same way." Nayra suddenly remembered her own mother, who had passed away long ago.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad." Albi gently rubbed the crown of his wife's head.
"No, I was already thinking about Mama. I don't know why, but I've had a bad feeling all day. Maybe I just miss her too much."
"Just pray that Mom is at peace there. You can't keep grieving forever. I understand how you feel," Albi replied with a smile.
"You really are such an understanding husband."
"Because if I'm not, who else will be?"
Nayra nodded. "I hope we'll always be like this, Mas."
"I'm going to take a shower first. I'm sweating like crazy."
"All right. I'll get you a change of clothes and prepare some food for you, Mas."
"You really are an understanding wife." Nayra giggled when she heard her husband's words—the same words she had just said to him.
Albi gave his wife's lips a quick kiss, then the twenty-nine-year-old man left her still standing in the living room. Nayra followed him right away and, as usual, prepared a change of clothes for Albi. She felt that Albi became more understanding with each passing day.
"How is Mom doing now? Oh, my goodness, I forgot to ask Albi about that. No matter what, she's my mother-in-law. Whatever her attitude toward me, I still have to respect her," Nayra murmured as she picked out clothes for her husband.
The next day, Albi took Nayra to the hospital. Nayra had asked him to let her visit her mother-in-law. She wanted to show that she could be a good daughter-in-law.
"Mas, it looks like there's a visitor inside." Nayra peered through the small window in the door of Laila's room.
"It must be one of Mom's friends. Let's wait here for now. Having too many people in the room wouldn't be good." Albi sat down, and Nayra followed. As usual, Nayra leaned against Albi's arm. Whenever she did that, Albi would hold her hand tightly.
"Mas, Aunt Fitri is coming from abroad the day after tomorrow. Can I invite her to hang out at our house?" Nayra asked.
"Aunt Fitri, Uncle Tian's wife?"
"Yes, Aunt Fitri is Mama's younger sister. They said they're coming to Grandma's house in City S, and I want to see them."
"If you want to see them, I'll take you there," Albi replied.
"Thank you." Nayra hugged her husband's arm tightly.
"I heard Uncle Tian's company is growing rapidly, and it's all thanks to his child. But I'm confused because I know Uncle Tian doesn't have any children."
Nayra smiled. "Uncle Tian and Aunt Fitri do have a son. He can't be much younger than you, Mas."
"Really? But your grandmother said—"
Albi's words were cut off when they heard the door to Laila's room open. Albi and Nayra both looked up. Albi was shocked by who he saw, while the person in question smiled sweetly.
"Sorry for making you wait outside. You could have come straight in instead of waiting," said Kharisma, who had been inside Laila's room all along.
"Oh, Albi, you're already here? Goodness, Mom has been asking about you this whole time. Anin thought you hadn't arrived yet, but here you are." Aninda glanced at Nayra, who was still leaning against Albi's arm.
"Yes, we didn't want to disturb Mom while she was visiting with someone, so we decided to wait here for a while," Nayra replied.
"But she isn't a visitor, sis. This is Ms. Kharisma, who will eventually become—"
"Anin, have you taken your medicine yet?" Albi asked, deliberately cutting off his sister-in-law.
"Yes, Mas. Mom ate and took her medicine with Ms. Kharisma's help," Anin replied with a satisfied smile.
Nayra stood up, and Albi did the same. "We're going to check on Mom now."
"Yes, excuse us," Albi said. He took Nayra's hand and urged her inside.
"Wait! Albi, Ms. Kharisma said earlier that there was something she wanted to discuss," Anin said, stopping Albi from leaving.
"If it's about work, I don't think now is the right time. Besides, I'm on leave and don't want to discuss work," Albi refused.
"All right. I suppose you're right. But I'm sure we'll work well together later to create something you want."
Nayra furrowed her brow, confused by the woman's response. Albi quickly pulled Nayra into the room, while Anin smiled with satisfaction at Nayra's bewildered expression.