THREE

Akbar and Iyan ate their meals outside. They enjoyed the evening breeze while eating the spicy geprek.

"It's really good!" said Iyan with his eyes reddened from the spiciness.

Akbar laughed amusedly at Iyan's funny expression. Akbar didn't like spicy, so he got rid of the chili and just ate the chicken.

"Have a drink first, you're so hot," Akbar said, seeing Iyan's pity.

Iyan's hand immediately reached for a plastic cup filled with mineral water.

"Duh! Why is it so spicy, Huh!" he grumbled after drinking the water.

After eating, they sat for a while and looked around outside. Papa was seen walking towards where they were sitting.

"Pah!" Akbar yelled at his father. Iyan smiled politely at Akbar's papa.

"You're home early. It's usually until 10pm," Akbar quipped subtly.

"Yes, papa wants to hand over these papers to Riri immediately," papa sat beside Akbar. He looked at the pile of papers he was holding.

"What the hell, papa?" Akbar asked as he picked up the paper his father was holding.

Iyan followed suit.

"Oh, is this going to be distributed, pah?" Akbar said after finishing reading the personal data of Mrs. Kartika, Riri's mother.

"Yes, you guys help Riri too, how sad for her, she hasn't met her mother so far. Even though papa has helped through social media. But the results are nil. So I help in this way. Hopefully Riri's mother will be found soon." he said as he handed out several stacks of paper to Akbar and Iyan.

Akbar didn't know why his father was so kind, but on the other hand, why did his father have an affair? Akbar kept asking that question to himself. Akbar would get up the courage. Tonight he would have a one-on-one talk with his father.

"Om, sorry in advance, can I work at your place? It's okay to be a construction worker, as long as I can earn some money." Iyan said in a pleading tone.

Papa Akbar furrowed his brow. He had not expected Iyan's words. He could see that Iyan's body was not promising for him to be a construction worker.

"I want to help you, but I can't bear to see you become a construction worker." Akbar's father said honestly.

"Om, since I was in the first grade of high school, I've worked as a waiter in a restaurant. So I can really work at your place, can you?" Iyan pleaded with a pleading look on his face.

"No, no one else is the same age as you. They've all become gentlemen. You won't be strong enough to be a construction worker." said my uncle seriously.

"Duh! If I don't work, I'm confused, living in this refugee camp, I don't get any income at all. Now my father has died as a victim of this natural disaster. And I don't have anyone anymore. My mother died when I was little."

Papa scratched his head, he still felt confused about how to act.

"Actually, I also need more employees, so I'll try you first to become a construction worker at my place. If you can't do it, just talk to me, okay?" Akbar's father said in a wise voice.

"Alhamdulillah...thank you very much, uncle. I will try my best. So when can I start working?" Iyan asked enthusiastically.

"You can start tomorrow," replied Papa Akbar with a smile.

Finally, Iyan was very grateful to Akbar's father and Akbar. He was very grateful to be able to get a job. Later, he would save the money from his work as much as possible so that it could be useful.

Papa Akbar suggested that tomorrow he come to papa Akbar's car so they could go together, but Iyan refused. Because he did not want to trouble Papa Akbar, he also felt bad for the other employees.

Iyan had a little money to take the angkot. The money he earned was from helping orphans affected by natural disasters.

"But if you take an angkot you have to walk about 200 meters to the big road. Aren't you tired yan? Never mind, just go with me. It's okay." Akbar's father said sincerely helping Iyan.

"No need om, I'm used to walking long distances anyway, just calm down om," Iyan said confidently.

"Hem, it's okay if you stick to your guns."

"I'll go in first. I'm about to call to prayer." Iyan said and immediately left and headed for the prayer room.

"Pah..." Akbar called as softly as he could to his father.

"Yes, why, Bar?"

"I want to have a serious talk with papa." Akbar said bravely. He had to be strong no matter what would happen. because he was a man. He was also the only brother for Bintang.

"Let's talk, Bar." papa said casually as he stuffed papers into his backpack.

"I saw papa with a woman," Akbar said calmly.

"You saw your papa with a woman? Where?" he asked. He felt tense about what his son had said.

"Already pah, don't ask me anything else. Akbar has seen it with his own eyes. Papa is cheating, right?" Akbar couldn't wait to get to the point.

"When did you know that?" papa asked, looking at Akbar sharply. He also looked around. He was afraid of his conversation with his son being heard by other ears.

"Since the first time I set foot in this refugee camp. Why is papa like that? papa is really mean to mom. Papa is insolent." said Akbar who was already angry. As if a red horn had appeared on his head.

Papa swallowed hard. He was overwhelmed by what to say to Akbar. He looked down at his forehead in frustration. The lies that he had kept all this time had been discovered long ago by his own son.

"You don't know about papa's problems. Papa did have an affair. Because I was fed up with your nagging mom. I have no more affection for your mother. I'm bored with you." I said honestly. Indeed, that's what he has felt for a long time.

"What, you say that so easily? How long has your marriage been going on? You have the heart to ruin everything." Akbar was downcast. This time he was very angry with his father.

"You don't know how papa feels." papa said as if he wanted Akbar to defend him.

"Now you choose. That girl or mom. I will also tell mom that papa is cheating on me." Akbar said boldly looking into his father's eyes.

"Papa can only surrender. You're already in a long relationship with that woman. Papa will also marry her." papa said, making Akbar's eyes widen in disbelief.

Akbar shook his head as he stared into his father's eyes. His jaw hardened with anger.

"Akbar is hurt." Akbar said with his eyes beginning to sting.