My Hired Husband

"Oh my!"

Dinda was stunned as she covered her mouth with one hand, seeing a small flat object that showed two red lines on her hand. The woman was so shocked that she could not utter a single word from her mouth.

Slowly, her eyes glazed over as if she could no longer contain it.

"I-I'm... pregnant???"

Yes! At first she really did not expect that the symptoms she had been experiencing lately were not ordinary symptoms. The dizziness and fatigue that had been attacking her was a sign that something was sitting inside her stomach.

Dinda was silent for a moment, then looked at herself in the bathroom mirror.

"Am I pregnant with your child, Kevin?"

The woman was silent for a long time, remembering all the sweet things she did with her boyfriend. Yes! So sweet that she forgot herself and got carried away in the river of romance that made her what she is today.

Dinda couldn't do this on her own, she couldn't keep quiet until it was too late. Then with one motion she stood up straight and faced the mirror again.

"I have to tell Kevin! He has to know that I'm pregnant with his child."

Knock...knock...knock!

The sound of the door knocking was heard all the way into the bathroom, startling her and even breaking her reverie. Dinda quickly blinked her eyes and tried to control herself, not forgetting to wipe away the puddle of tears that was about to fall.

"Dinda? Are you awake? It's already noon, Honey. You're not going to work?"

There was a baritone voice from behind the door, a voice that could make Dinda feel sad and guilt suddenly appear.

"I-yeah, Papa! I'll be downstairs in a minute... I just finished taking a shower," she shouted from inside the bathroom.

"Okay, Papa wait downstairs! Let's have breakfast together."

Dinda fell silent again and took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she rested her hands on the sink in front of her.

"Relax, Dinda! You just have to tell Kevin to take responsibility and everything will be fine," she muttered confidently.

***

"Ah! It's been half an hour but Dinda hasn't come down yet, is she alright?" muttered Anggoro who had not stopped looking at the clock and alternately looked at the stairs of his house which still did not reveal the figure of his only daughter.

How could I not? This morning had been uncharacteristic, with Dinda always arriving at the dining room before him. Anggoro's anxiety continued to grow as he checked upstairs where his daughter's room was located.

"Her voice did sound a little hoarse earlier," he muttered again, wondering, "Should I check again?"

Before the middle-aged man could get up from his seat, his movements were abruptly halted as someone came down the stairs and greeted him.

"Morning, Papa! Sorry I overslept, so-"

"Are you okay?"

"Hmm?" Dinda furrowed her brow in surprise.

But Anggoro, with a slight stammer, asked again, "Papa is a little worried, are you not feeling well?"

"Ah! I'm fine, Pa. I just woke up late."

Anggoro remained silent as he continued to scrutinise his son's face, which looked slightly different.

"Are you sure? With your pale face?"