Arka didn't answer. He just smiled and hoped his father wouldn't ask any more questions. Wendi and Lisa also didn't bother too much, thinking that Arka must have asked permission from the school. Frans could not understand the change in attitude where Arka loved Farrel so much before.
"Alright, get ready. We'll walk around first before going to the hospital. Okay?"
Lisa nodded and got up from her seat. She went to her room and prepared for a follow-up check-up on her pregnancy. Only Arka and Frans remained as Wendi went to the kitchen. Frans kept his eyes on Arka who was playing with his cell phone.
The ringing of Arka's cell phone filled their silence. His son answered the call and seemed to be having a serious conversation. The look on his face turned tense and seemed to be experiencing a dilemma.
"Seriously, Doc? Can't the schedule be shifted?" said Arka.
After that, Arka just kept quiet and sighed. He didn't argue anymore and just listened. Not long after, the call ended. Arka looked upset and looked down, playing with his fingers. Like there was a burden being carried at the moment.
"Why, Ka?" asked Frans.
"A meeting of the cardiology doctors' association throughout Indonesia will be held in Bali. It was supposed to be on the 10th, but it was moved up to the 8th."
Frans was surprised because on that day there was an important celebration that Arka looked forward to every June. It was Farrel's birthday. The Wijaya family had also hired an event organizer to prepare for the event.
"But it's the eighth ...."
"I know," Arka cut in, "that's why I'm confused. On the seventh, representatives from Jakarta must gather at the Ritz Calton Hotel for a briefing and leave the next day."
"Take your pick. Farrel, or your career."
Frans did not respond again and let Arka think seriously. The duration of the thought caused a big question mark in Frans' head. There was no reason for Arka to behave like this.
'The Arka I know would easily risk anything for his son, Farrel. What's going on here? After all, it's just a meeting and can be delegated. Or even if it was a major operation that he had to face, Arka would find a way, maybe find a replacement doctor and most importantly not neglect Farrel. But right now, he looked confused as if it was a difficult choice. It was his son's big day. Why is Arka confused? What caused him to change?' Frans' mind murmured.
Both of them were silent with their minds wandering. Arka was indeed having a big dilemma.
'What's wrong with me? He's my son, right? He's still my son. Why is it like this? Why am I starting to be cold to him?' Arka thought.
Lisa's footsteps finally broke Arka's reverie. He smiled back and greeted Lisa.
"I already texted Suga and he doesn't have any other appointments at Eka Hospital," Lisa said.
"Yes! Anyway, my child must be a priority, or I will sue Eka Hospital," Arka said.
Arka didn't think about the complicated issue. For him, Lisa's pregnancy was the most important and must be taken care of. The car drove out of the courtyard to Eka Hospital, the hospital where Lisa's friend was doing his job.
Meanwhile, Frans thought about the odd problem that plagued his son. He sat on his bed and didn't care when his wife called him.
"What's wrong?" Wendi repeated her question.
Frans turned his head when his shoulder was touched. Wendi was already sitting beside him and ready to listen.
"Arka is a bit strange, Dear," Frans said.
"What's weird?"
"Don't you think it's possible for Arka to stop loving Farrel just because he's going to have a child of his own?"
Wendi smiled slightly. She turned to her left side and picked up some massage oil to ease the pain in her wrist. While massaging, Wendi kept her husband's serious conversation company.
"No way, Dear. Arka's not like that. Even if Arka has children of his own, he won't alienate Farrel."
"But you've noticed that Arka's attitude towards Farrel has changed a bit. He's a bit rude and..."
"Not harsh, but firm. Maybe you're taking it the wrong way. Arka is just starting to teach Farrel to be more mature and responsible because his little brother will be born soon."
Frans did not respond again. Maybe it was true, Arka was just a little nervous as he welcomed the baby into the world.
*
Lisa and Arka sit in the waiting room to get a report on the results of the examination Lisa underwent a few hours ago. Arka knitted his eyebrows as he looked at his wife's worried look.
"Hey, why are you so scared? Your pregnancy must be fine," Arka consoled.
Arka didn't know Lisa's current worries. She only replied with a faint smile.
"Honey, I want avocado juice," Lisa whined.
"Well, after this, I'll buy it!"
"I want it now!"
"But..."
"Alright, just go get the juice, I'll wait here."
Arka couldn't argue because he thought Lisa was having cravings again. Lisa just wanted to be the first to hear Suga's explanation.
Ten minutes later, Suga came out carrying a copy of Lisa's gynecological examination report.
"Where's your husband?" Suga asked.
"Let's talk inside!"
Lisa pulled Suga's hand so they could go inside and talk more seriously in the study. He couldn't wait to find out the results of the test.
"How is it going? Is there any progress after the medicine you gave?" Lisa asked.
Suga didn't answer yet. He looked back at the report. Not knowing whether this was good news or still caused anxiety in Lisa's chest.
"So far your uterus has survived because of the medicine. But... those aren't good for your unborn child, are they?"
"I know, but it's the only way to keep my uterus strong throughout the development of my fetus."
"Because of that, your fetus is slow to develop."
Lisa trembled. Suga showed her the ultrasound test results he had just obtained to explain.
"You're in your 16th week of pregnancy, it should be developing like this."
Suga showed a comparison of Lisa's ultrasound results with those of other normal women. He didn't want to discourage her, but Lisa had to know everything.
"These weeks are still vulnerable. If you can make it to the fifth month, I'm more optimistic that your fetus can still be preserved."