CHAPTER 15
All wedding processions and receptions have finished. Niken and Ardi were finally able to leave the house too. In fact, Mita and Bambang still haven't given them permission to leave the house because there are still many things that need to be taken care of. However, Niken's persuasion was able to melt Mita by saying that she and Ardi wanted to enjoy their time together as husband and wife.
 Mita couldn't refuse Niken's request when it came to making her husband happy. What's more, they are a newlywed couple, it's natural that they want to spend time together.
 The two of them left after breakfast so as not to get stuck in traffic on the toll road. Today's agenda is to visit Ardi's parents' house in Bandung, as they agreed a few days ago. In fact, Ardi wanted to go see his mother and father while they were still in Bandung. However, Niken could not fulfill this request and only today, this wish was fulfilled.
 Atmaja's family has returned to Jakarta, so like it or not they have to go back and forth from Jakarta to Bandung.
 Niken focused on driving, while Ardi was busy with his own thoughts. There were many sentences that filled his mind. Ardi prepared it from now on so that when he met his mother and father he wouldn't be too nervous.
 ***
 After traveling for almost three hours, they finally arrived at the village where Ardi lived. The car drove at a slow speed, passing residents who accidentally passed it.
 Ardi closed the car window tightly, he didn't want anyone to recognize him there, or the villagers would go berserk, maybe even throw him out a second time.
 They didn't even know that Ardi was in the car. They just stared strangely because a luxury car was about to enter the village.
 "Where should we go after this?" Niken asked confused. Because the road was narrow because it was intended for one direction, and the entrance was quite difficult to pass, Niken couldn't help but slow down her car, so as not to disturb local residents.
 "There's a three-way intersection ahead, we turn left," replied Ardi, directing.
 Niken nodded, she immediately accelerated the speed of her car so she could quickly arrive at Ardi's parents' house.
 The car turned left as Ardi said. "Where next? Is it still far from your parents' house?" Niken asked again.
 This was his first time passing through this alley. Even though he was born and raised there, Niken had never passed through that area or perhaps he had simply forgotten the location.
 "My house is at the end of this road. We'll be there in a moment," answered Ardi hoarsely.
 His feelings became increasingly chaotic. His mind wandered, thinking about questions he might have to answer later. He controlled his breathing to reduce his nervousness. However, what he did did not reduce his nervousness at all.
 Niken glanced at her husband, "Calm down. We will face this together. I will take responsibility if they ask this or that. You are not alone, I am by your side."
 Niken comforted Ardi as much as possible. She stroked her husband's shoulder, while focusing on the road.
 Instead of feeling awkward or angry, Ardi felt calm, peaceful and comfortable when Niken touched his shoulder accompanied by words of encouragement.
 "Thank you for lifting my burden, at least I feel calmer than before," he said, smiling faintly at the woman who was now his wife.
 Niken breathed a sigh of relief. He responded with a smile. "By the way, where do my mother and father-in-law live?" he said teasingly.
 Ardi almost forgot their purpose in coming here. Because he was too focused on admiring Niken's sincerity, he forgot about his own house.
 "Here!" he said suddenly, which finally made Niken brake suddenly. "Here?" said Niken to make sure.
 Ardi nodded, "Yes. This is my house!" he admitted while pointing out the window.
 Niken looked, it turned out that Ardi's house was on the left side, no wonder she didn't see it. He nodded and immediately pulled the car over so as not to disturb the others.
 "Come on!" Niken asked enthusiastically, while taking off her sibel and pulling out her car keys.
 Ardi caught his breath first. He looked very nervous and sweaty too. Niken hurriedly took several pieces of tissue, then she deftly wiped her husband's sweat.
 Ardi respectfully grabbed Niken's wrist. "What are you doing?" he asked with his body tensed. Really, Niken's touch was able to make his heart and another side of him.
Niken frowned, "I just wanted to wipe your sweat. Is there something wrong?" he replied curtly. "If you don't like it, that's fine. I just want to carry out my duties as a wife, that's all. Nothing more," she sneered, not long after getting out of the car.
 "Ardi, what you said has offended him. Your intentions were good, but instead you suspected him of being a thief. You're stupid! Stupid. Stupid," he shouted to himself.
 In this way, Ardi felt guilty. He was too stupid to accept all the kindness from his wife. He let go of Sibel, then got out of the car following Niken who had already left.
 Niken took out a parcel from the trunk, which she deliberately bought as a souvenir for her mother and father-in-law. Even though it wasn't much, he hoped that his in-laws would accept his gift.
 Ardi also helped Niken to carry several parcels. "Let me help." His hands immediately grabbed two parcels out of the total of four parcels they bought.
 Niken didn't answer, she turned her head as a sign of her annoyance. Then he walked away from Ardi without saying anything. Meanwhile, the twenty-seven year old man exhaled heavily. Niken's attitude was like that because of her insensitive behavior. Therefore, he accepted all forms of protest from his wife.
 Niken didn't immediately enter the house. He stood in the courtyard, waiting for the arrival of Ardi who was still behind him.
 "What's wrong, why aren't you coming in?" he asked insensitively.
 Niken gave him a sharp look, "You're the host. So you came in first and not me. Did you forget that, ah?" he snorted irritably.
 "Yes. Yes, sorry. I forgot. OK, let's go in!" he asked, smiling faintly, with his hands carrying two parcels.
 Niken interfered while putting on her best smile to face her mother and father-in-law. Ardi took a deep breath before walking towards the door.
 Meanwhile, inside the house. Ati was in a hurry, her clothes were neat and her makeup was neither too thick nor too light.
 "Dad! Come on, he said he wanted to go!" he shouted calling Kang Asep who was still getting ready in his room.
 In that simple house, the two of them live with a son who is now somewhere in the jungle. A few days ago, there was news that Ardi was in Jakarta and had gotten married. This made Ati happy and at the same time grateful because her son was fine.
 "Yes, ma'am. Abah is also ready," replied Kang Asep, walking out of the room. The appearance is not too luxurious or rustic, at least it is neat and clean.
 "Come on, Mom!" asked Kang Asep, while straightening his clothes.
 The smiles spread perfectly from the two people who had been married for thirty years. Their relationship is always harmonious, there are rarely any disputes. Although occasionally there are debates because that is a normal thing in building a household.
 The two of them started walking towards the door. However, before they had time to get there, they heard a knock.
 Ati and Kang Asep looked at each other, "Who's coming?" Ati was curious about who the person who wanted to visit their house was.
 Kang Asep shook his head with shrugged shoulders, "Just let Abah open the door," he said and immediately left Ati there.
 "Yes wait!" shouted Kang Asep, when the door continued to be knocked.
 No greetings were heard, so Kang Asep wondered who had visited at this hour.
 CRACK...
 The door opened. Kang Asep's eyes bulged as if he wanted to jump out of his seat.
 "Ar... You..."