Chapter 271 - Proposing To Your Daughter
At Kumala Setiani's Residence.
Lisa knocked firmly on the gate of the house which she had not visited in a long time. The sound of the padlock clinking against the surface of the iron fence was so loud that it echoed into the house. She hoped the neighbors who lived around her mother's house wouldn't be bothered by it.
Lisa looked at the house with a worried face and a heavy heart. The last time she set foot in the house, she fought with her sister Bella over love, so the two were still in a cold war. Both Lisa and Bella had never exchanged news via SMS or telephone. Actually, Lisa did not hold a grudge against Bella, she was just worried that her sister would fall into the deepest troughs of her life and that she couldn't finish college because of a love affair.
But it seemed that wasn't the case for Bella. She was still offended and held a grudge against Lisa for preventing her from dating Rangga. According to her, the reason Lisa forbade her from dating Rangga didn't make sense. Bella still suspected that Lisa actually had a heart for Rangga.
Lisa took a deep breath as her thoughts became clouded by the memories from the past. She hoped her mother was not angry anymore like the last time she set foot in that house. Her palms were getting sweaty and as she was feeling nervous, her lips trembling. She hoped that she wouldn't do the wrong thing in front of her mother.
Oscar was looking at his future wife anxiously from beside her. He knew that Lisa needed a mental boost now. The man stroked her back slowly then lowered her head so that Lisa could hear her voice. "Take it easy, everything will be fine."
The man didn't know what Lisa was thinking at that time, he just guessed that she was afraid her mother would not approve of her marriage to Oscar.
A few moments later, the door's lock clinked. The figure of a middle aged woman was seen stepping out while casting her gaze towards Lisa and Oscar. Kumala went straight to the two of them with accelerated steps. Her face looked very happy to see Lisa and Oscar visiting.
"Oh, my God! Lisa, I thought you wouldn't want to come back and see Mom again!" Kumala exclaimed as she rubbed her teary eyes.
"Mother! I'm sorry I haven't been visiting for a long time. I'm so busy working, Mom. Today Oscar and I are visiting to see you," Lisa said as she hugged her mother.
Seeing the two women emblazoned with cries of joy touched Oscar's heart. He hoped his mother, Greta, would do the same to him. Even though Lisa and Kumala were always fighting, they were so close like a postage stamp. Oscar unknowingly felt jealous at the sweet and sentimental sight.historical
The tall, slender man then stepped towards Kumala and greeted her. He handed Kumala the grocery bag and said, "Auntie Kumala, I brought a little gift for you. Here's from Lisa and me. I hope you like it,"
The man then smiled sweetly. Seeing the sweet smile on his charming, handsome face certainly made Kumala smile happily too. The middle-aged woman then grabbed the grocery bag and invited them to go inside.
"Oscar, do you want tea or water?" Kumala asked, smiling happily.
"Just water, auntie, thank you."
Kumala rushed into the kitchen to get a glass and fill it with mineral water before returning to the living room and handing it to Oscar. She sat across from Oscar and Lisa then stared at the grocery bag she had placed on the table.
"Wow, this is a lot. What did you buy?" Kumala asked curiously, her eyes were sparkling like a child who got a birthday present from her parents.
"Just open it, Mom," Lisa said excitedly.
Without saying much, Kumala immediately opened the grocery bags one by one. How surprised and happy Kumala was when she saw the contents of the grocery bag. "Geez, these are all expensive branded goods! Oh how should I receive it?"
"Auntie, please don't hesitate, I specially bought it all for you," Oscar said pleasantly while smiling again. He now seemed to understand how to win the hearts of prospective Indonesian in-laws.
"Ouch, you must want something in return. Try telling me, what are you two doing here?" Kumala asked.
"So... Oscar and I are here to say... We want to reconcile," Lisa explained briefly.
Oscar nodded, adding to the certainty and sincerity of Lisa's words just now. "That's right, I want to marry your daughter again."
Hearing Lisa and Oscar's words just now made Kumala's heart very happy. The face of the middle-aged woman suddenly glowed and flowered. Kumala held back her happy tears again then said, "Praise God, I'm so grateful you finally got married again! So have you chosen the wedding date?"
Lisa glanced at Oscar while making a slightly hesitant voice. They had yet to set an exact date for their wedding.
To break the sudden awkwardness, Oscar immediately replied, "We're still looking for the right date because we are both busy working. But take it easy, I've promised Lisa I will marry her soon,"
Kumala nodded, her face still beaming. "It doesn't matter, as long as you two have plans to get married, I won't interfere."
"By the way, are you guys going anywhere after this? I've prepared food for dinner tonight. Oscar you haven't eaten my cooking for a long time, right?" Kumala said while patting Oscar's shoulder gently.
The man nodded in return.
When morning turned to night, the three of them were already sitting in the dining room chairs, busy with their respective plates and meals. The atmosphere became very warm and familiar when they started talking about life, joking, and gossiping. Oscar was not the type to gossip but seeing Lisa and Kumala did it was enough to cheer him up.
After dinner, they would help Kumala clear the dining table as usual. Kumala washed the dishes while Lisa dried them. Meanwhile, Oscar was wiping the table and then put the freshly washed fork and spoon into the cupboard.
When Kumala and Lisa were busy with their works, the middle-aged woman suddenly said, "Lisa, are you still in contact with your sister?"
Hearing the question just now felt like a bullet that pierced Lisa's left ear through to her right ear. She did not think that her mother would ask that question. Her heart was suddenly pounding. Her face couldn't hide an uncomfortable expression.
"Mom, I've been busy with work lately so I didn't have time. Not to mention that Bella is busy with her thesis, so I don't want to bother her," Lisa said, lying a little.
"Lisa, you are her sister. I know that you had a big fight but don't let yourselves be enemies and hold grudges towards each other," Kumala advised.
"Mom, I know it and don't be afraid. I will not hold a grudge against Bella," Lisa replied to convince Kumala that the middle-aged woman would not ask about Bella further.
"Now that's my daughter! You two are siblings so you must forgive each other," Kumala added.
In her heart, Lisa was a little annoyed by what Kumala had just said. She was not the type to be vindictive, but since her sister was spoiled by Kumala, she could never go wrong. Lisa dared to bet, Bella would still have a grudge against her but Kumala wouldn't even try to advise her at all.
After finishing tidying up, the three people returned to chat while accompanied by a cup of hot tea in the living room. Last night's dinner was really satisfying. She had not tasted Kumala's cooking for almost a year.
Oscar's cell phone suddenly vibrated, the man grabbed it and picked up the call.
"Lisa, sorry I don't think I can take you back with me now, I have a sudden business," the blonde man said to her.
"No problem, I'll stay here. I'll just take a taxi tomorrow," Lisa answered.
"No, I'll take you in the morning," Oscar insisted. "Auntie, sorry I have to say goodbye. Thank you for the dinner, your cooking is really delicious!" He added before he got up from the sofa and put on his shoes.
"Be careful on the road, son!" Kumala said while smiling at Oscar.
Lisa led Oscar to the front gate. The man then got into the car and sped away leaving Kumala's house. Lisa closed the gate but when she was about to go back inside, she heard someone's footsteps from outside the fence.
The figure approached the gate and opened the lock. She looked at Lisa with anger and hatred.
Lisa was surprised to see the unexpected figure come and enter Kumala's house.
"Lisa! What are you doing here!?"