"Don't forget Lisa's medical history. Selfishly preserving the pregnancy also means risking your wife's life. I don't want to speculate, but Lisa's doctor must have thought about this. If he doesn't recommend abortion, then Lisa is strong enough to survive. Keep praying, we'll wait a few more months. How many weeks old is she?"
Arka was silent again. He wanted to respond, but his lips were sealed.
"Ka..."
Dr. Grace held Arka's hand to get her friend to speak.
"It's okay if we don't have a child, I don't want to lose Lisa."
Arka was so afraid that Lisa would be harmed if they still wanted a child.
"Friska said Dr. Suga is the best obgyn there. If he's decided this far, it means Lisa is strong enough to carry your baby. I'll help you ask and discuss with him!"
Dr. Grace didn't want to disturb Arka for now. She left the room.
Arka looked back at the photo of the three of them smiling happily at Farrel's birthday party last year.
"God says if we do good, we'll get something in return, right, honey? We've raised Farrel with love. God has to keep his promises, right? He must give us children. He must make our family complete. I want my love for Farrel not to be in vain. God must give us a little brother for Farrel. God is very good, isn't He? I believe God won't break his promises. I'm afraid I might take my anger out on Farrel. I love him."
Arka got up from his seat. He walked to the bed in the corner of the room, about to lie down for a moment. His eyes were closed, with his arm resting on his forehead.
Dr. Grace's advice about Lisa's pregnancy became a scourge for Arka. Returning from the hospital, his heart was still in turmoil. Opening the door to the room, he saw his wife sitting casually leaning on the back of the bed while reading a parenting magazine.

"How soon did you come back?" asked Lisa, looking at the clock on the wall. It was still four in the afternoon.

Arka smiled slightly. He bent his knees to the floor so he could be right at the side of his wife's legs. He didn't speak again and just rested his head on Lisa's lap.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

Arka didn't answer. His mind was racked with doubts. Lisa was anxious and gently rubbed her husband's head.

"You ...."

"God will give us a baby, right?" Arka whispered.

Lisa pressed her lips together. Her husband lifted his face to look into her eyes more seriously.

"But compared to having a baby, I'm more afraid of losing you."

Lisa cried with emotion. She was the one who knew best how much Arka wanted a baby.

She tried to smile, thinking that there was still a chance to be happy. She held Arka's cheeks, gazing into her husband's eyes with her lips pressed together.

"Don't be afraid!"

This time, Arka couldn't contain his sadness.

"I promise, we'll give your papa a grandchild. As for my health, just pray that I'm destined to be a mother. Pray for me to be alive when our baby is born. I will protect our baby with my life. Our baby and I will be fine."

The warm tears streamed down Arka's cheeks. "No, I don't want the baby if you're not around. I don't want it."

Both of their hearts were cut to the bone. The pain in Arka's eyes seemed to cut Lisa to the core. Blame herself for being so imperfect as Arka's wife.

When she was sure she could make Arka happy, her husband was haunted by something even more painful.

"Me, you, and our baby. We'll all be happy."

Lisa lowered her head slightly to reach Arka's lips.

Arka, who had been so strong, finally showed his fragile side. Lisa felt guilty. She was the thorn that always pierced Arka's heart. An intimate kiss was given for Arka's great love for her.

*

Lunch was enjoyed by the Wijaya family. Arka quickly finished each bite because soon, he had to leave for Bali for a meeting of the doctors' association and he represented Raztan Hospital.

"Are you finished, darling?" asked Lisa.

Arka nodded, getting up from his seat immediately. He looked at his father who had been watching him. Papa Frans was still thinking about Arka's attitude, which had not interacted much with Farrel lately.

"Help take care of Lisa, Pa. I'm at the airport in two hours."

"Can't it really be canceled, Ka?"

Mama Wendi interrupted to ask for understanding. It couldn't be just one day there. It would certainly be a multi-day stay and Arka would miss his son's birthday party.

"The day after tomorrow is Farrel's birthday party. His school friends will come, and you won't be there. Poor Farrel," she continued.

"It's only two days. I'll try to get home before the event, Mom."

"Is that possible, Ka?" asked Lisa.

"I hope so, Lisa. I've already taken care of the E.O. They'll handle everything."

Arka went to the room, still followed slowly by Lisa. In the room, her husband is busy preparing files to be organized into folders. His clothes had been packed in a suitcase, last night.

"Don't go, darling. Just stay here today."

"I can't, Baby. This is very important."

Arka hugged his wife. He knew Lisa was doing it to complete her son's birthday party.

"Farrel must be sad not to have you, Baby."

"Lisa, he's a big boy. Last year, I was there, he's ten years old. No need to celebrate next year."

Arka gave Lisa a quick peck on the lips. He grabbed his suitcase and prepared to leave.

"I'm leaving."

"Take care."

Arka's car sped toward Adiyaksa School. The driver would take him to the airport at the same time he picked up Farrel at school. It was only a few minutes before class ended.

The bell rang and the students began to leave the classroom. Arka looked at each student who emerged from the classroom in the corner.

"Papa?" exclaimed Farrel, enthusiastically.