Chapter 18
also felt devastated. Sometimes, the man she really loves dumps her like this. She is already two months pregnant.
 "Should I abort this pregnancy?" Melati walked along the path, with messy hair and red cheeks from her father's slap.
 "Why do you have to be there? Why do I have to be pregnant? You have brought disaster to me!" he was annoyed, hitting his stomach. Trying to harm her fetus, which she never expected to come.
 The people there continued to pay attention to Melati who looked confused. His clothes were disheveled, not reflecting the attitude of a village chief's son.
 They whispered to each other. Melati could guess that they were talking about her. "Are you guys looking around?!" He snapped at the people who kept staring at him.
 They responded with cynical looks. However, no one responded to Melati's words. It was better for them to let that crazy woman go, rather than having an argument that might end in disaster.
 One village also knows that Melati is not a good woman. After what happened to Ardi, their perspective on Melati changed. What's more, with Melati's current appearance, they are convinced that the daughter of the village head is not a good woman.
 Melati left those who didn't care about her at all. I don't know where he's going now? His family just didn't want to take him back. It was impossible for him to go to Samudra's house and ask him to take responsibility, what would happen would be that he would be even more insulted there.
 "Then, now where should I go?" the ritual loses its way. Confused and full of regret.
 Meanwhile, Ardi and Niken immediately said goodbye to return to Jakarta.
 "Why don't you just stay here? I still miss you," he said to his beloved son, "And of course he also wants to spend time with your beautiful daughter-in-law," he praised while stroking Niken's cheek.
 "Mother, don't worry. We will visit here often and next time we will definitely stay here. Right?" he said, glancing at Ardi.
 Ardi hurriedly answered, "That's right, Mom. Niken and I will visit here more often. There is a project that Niken is working on in the city, so we will play here more often. Mom, don't worry," he persuaded, immediately hugging her. beloved mother.
 "That's what you promised. Next time, you have to stay here," he asked rather forcefully.
 Kang Asep wanted to reprimand his wife, but Niken immediately stopped him. "Of course we will stay here. When that time comes, I want mom to cook tamarind vegetables again. OK."
 Niken rounded her fingers, then Ati responded with a nod of her head. "Of course, mother will cook more tamarind vegetables for mother's favorite son-in-law."
 Ati also pinched Niken anxiously. Meanwhile, the beautiful girl with long hair accepted it with a sweet smile. "Promise me, ma'am. Make me more tamarind vegetables?" he repeated to be sure.
 Ati nodded seriously, "God willing, darling. That's why you and Ardi have to come here often to play, then mother will cook tamarind vegetables every day," Ati replied seductively.
 Niken pranced with joy because her request would be fulfilled. In this way, she wanted to continue visiting her in-laws here.
 After they were satisfied with talking, Niken and Ardi immediately said goodbye. The two of them couldn't stay there for long for fear of getting stuck in traffic jams on the toll road.
 "Yes, ma'am," said Niken, while chatting with her mother-in-law. Then, shake hands with his father-in-law. Only after that left them.
 Niken and Ardi walked together towards the car parked right in front of the house. Local residents who accidentally passed by there were immediately surprised when they saw Ardi had returned.
 They wanted to greet Ardi. However, it seemed like he was very busy, so they thought better of reprimanding him.
 Ardi himself smiled at them as a form of respectful greeting from him. "Come on, gentlemen!" said Ardi, who was not old then got into the car.
"Bye, Mom! Dad! Assalamualaikum."
 Ardi closed the car door, put on the sibel and so did Niken. Both of them waved at Ati and Kang Asep. Only then did the car leave. Don't forget, Niken swallowed her horn to greet the residents who were still watching her and Ardi.
 Ati and Kang Asep were still waving even though the car had moved away. Smiles spread across their faces when Ardi moved on with his life.
 After the car disappeared from sight, local residents suddenly came closer. They were mothers who accidentally saw Ardi earlier and were curious about what had happened to Ardi?
 "That's not Ardi, right? Who is the woman with Ardi? Is she his girlfriend?" asked one of them, who was curious.
 Ati also showed her best smile, which could be said to be her best smile. "That woman is Ardi's wife and the daughter-in-law of this family," he admitted proudly.
 "Ardi's wife?" Instantly everyone opened their mouths wide. They both swallowed hard when Ati said that the woman who was with Ardi was his wife and daughter-in-law in his family.
 "Isn't she Niken Angelista Atmaja, the daughter of Bambang Adi Atmaja, a conglomerate family who used to live in this village?" Another guess, when he managed to remember who Ardi's real wife was.
 Ati nodded confirming this guess, "That's right. She is indeed Niken, the daughter of the Atmaja conglomerate. Fifteen years ago, the family lived in this village and as you have heard, she is now the legal wife of my son, Ardi."
 Ati shrugged her shoulders. This was the first time he looked so confident, all thanks to Niken's presence among his family. It was once the subject of gossip among residents, and now Ati can raise his head again.
 Kang Asep hugged his wife. Like Ati, he also feels proud of his son. Moreover, Niken always amazed him with her mature thinking.
 The residents finally dispersed after receiving the information they wanted to know.
 Kang Asep and Ati can already guess that after this the news of Ardi and Niken's wedding will spread throughout the village. They are mothers who like to gossip, it is certain that this news will spread quickly.
 Ati and Kang Asep themselves don't worry about this. On the contrary, they felt grateful that this big news would quickly become known to everyone. That way Ardi will no longer be labeled as a bad guy.
 ***
 Ardi continued to look at his beautiful wife. Niken glanced at him for a moment, "Why are you looking? Fascinated, huh?" he said teasingly.
 Ardi smiled faintly, "Thank you for accepting my family which is full of shortcomings."
 Niken stopped the car at that moment. Ardi's eyes immediately widened and he wondered. Before Ardi said anything further, Niken spoke first.
 "Your mother is my mother too. Your father is my father too. I actually feel happy because you still remember them after what happened to you. I thought you would never remember them again, but after you said you wanted to meet them right then and there I felt very, very, very happy because I will meet my mother and father-in-law. Understand?" he admitted without shame. Because there is nothing to regret.
 Ardi nodded. He was fixated on the figure of the woman in front of him now. Not only is she beautiful, smart and rich, but Niken has a sincere heart.
 His wife is like an angel who doubles as a human. Ardi feels very lucky to have Niken as his wife.
 The car went back on its way. Ardi no longer spoke, Niken's words were able to melt his heart. There was nothing more to say and Niken also had to focus on driving.
 When the car was almost out of the village. Suddenly Ardi shouted, "Stop here!"
 Niken braked suddenly and both of them stumbled forward. "What is it?" Niken asked curiously.
 However, Ardi did not answer. He immediately let go of the sibel and immediately got out of there. Niken wondered what her husband was doing?
 Ardi was already outside the car, at that moment he froze there. His eyes immediately watered when he saw a woman with a disheveled appearance, like someone who was insane.
 "Jasmine!" he said so confident and steady.