Offer to Return

Like the previous nights, tonight Joya should have finished work and gone home. But, tonight Joya is still attending the meeting with her boss. The problematic work on the project made the company chaotic and caused Ridwan to be busy completing it. As a secretary, like it or not, Joya has to be quick to accompany her boss to work.

Five days have passed since Joya worked at Atma Corp. During that time, Irwan was always waiting for him to come home at the intersection. Even though they didn't talk much on the way home, Joya enjoyed being with Irwan.

Joya glanced at his watch which showed 7:45 p.m. Joya's focus began to diminish because she remembered that Irwan might be waiting for her. Unfortunately, Joya couldn't tell Irwan that she would be home late, because Joya's cell phone was left in her bag. Joya can only hope that the meeting will be over quickly.

"In any way, you must solve this problem regarding raw materials immediately. And for checking the project, I leave it to Mr. Leo. Tomorrow, he will start working actively," said Ridwan who was chairing the meeting.

Joya's heart shook when she heard Leo's name. Joya immediately thought of her ex-husband. But, Joya immediately dismissed the thought. It was impossible for Leo to work at the same company as him, because as Joya recalled, the name of the company Leo worked for was not Lung Corp but LW company.

"If you already understand, let's just end the meeting this time. Tomorrow morning, I want the reports from each department to be on my desk," he said.

Joya smiled broadly, she couldn't wait to go home and meet her husband who was either still waiting for her or not. When Joya was about to leave her boss's room, Ridwan called her.

"Joya …for tomorrow's meeting with Pak Handoko, please rearrange it. Tomorrow we will go to monitor the project," he ordered.

Joya nodded. "Okay sir. Then, how about a meeting with the personnel team? Was it canceled too?"

"Just cancel it. I will speak directly with the person in charge," said Ridwan.

After Joya's conversation with her boss was over, Joya immediately left Ridwan's room and got ready to go home. Just as Joya was entering the elevator, Ridwan followed her so they were alone in the elevator. Even though Joya had often taken the same elevator with Ridwan, remembering that the night was getting late, Joya felt uncomfortable.

"I'll take you home," Ridwan offered, when Joya was about to get out of the elevator.

"Thank you, but I can go home by myself," Joya refused. "Excuse me!" bye Joya.

At first glance, Joya saw Ridwan's jaw tighten and his eyes look sharp. However, Joya did not heed it. Joya is afraid that Irwan will misunderstand if Ridwan takes her home.

As soon as Joya arrived at the main road in front of her office building, a taxi passed and stopped right in front of her. Joya didn't waste the opportunity, she immediately got into the taxi. Along the way, Joya kept looking at the time on her cell phone. Joya was restless, she had sent messages and called her husband several times, but Irwan did not reply or answer her calls.

"Could it be that he's asleep already?" muttered Joya.

When the taxi that took her arrived at the intersection, Joya was disappointed when she did not find Irwan's figure where they usually met.

'Maybe he's already home,' Joya thought. He decided to go home by taxi.

After paying the taxi fare, Joya immediately got out of the car and ran towards the house. Joya is stunned to see her parents standing in front of her house. He also approached them.

"Mom and Dad have been here long?" asked Joya with a happy smile. Seeing the faces of her parents, Joya realized that she missed them.

Lina and Agus were surprised to see Joya's appearance in her work suit. Joya wears a black shirt with a white pattern and a white knee-length skirt.

"Finally, you're home too," said Lina.

Agus narrowed his eyes, seeing his daughter's appearance. "Where did you come from at this time? Where's your husband?" he asked without heeding Joya's previous question.

"Joya just got home from work, Papa," answered Joya. "Irwan may be inside," he continued.

Agus and Lina are surprised to learn that Joya is already working. However, they hid their surprise. "There's no one inside. We have knocked on the door many times, but no one answered," said Agus.

Joya frowned in disbelief. He immediately opened the door and invited his parents in. Joya invited them to sit down and offered them a drink. But they refused.

"We just stood. I'm afraid the sofa will get dusty and our clothes will get dirty," Lina refused.

Joya was offended hearing her mother's words. But he restrained himself, Joya didn't want to fuss with them. Joya went to call her husband.

"Irwan?" called Joya while opening the bedroom door.

Joya is shocked to see her room empty. He checked the bathroom, but the bathroom was also empty. Irwan really wasn't at home.

"There is your husband?" asked Lina when Joya came out of the room.

Joya shook her head. "Nothing, Mama. Maybe on the way."

"On the road?" snorted Lina. "See, right Papa? What did mom say? Irwan must have made our child a cash cow. This is the proof, at this hour Joya just started working, while her husband is wandering around somewhere."

"Irwan is not overwhelmed, Mah. He just wasn't home yet. Usually Irwan is already at home at this hour," defended Joya. He did not accept that his mother was prejudiced against her husband.

"Ha! Why are you defending your husband," said Lina. "CK! Since then, his behavior has not changed, he always wants to live under his wife's arm," Lina teased.

"Enough, Mom! Irwan is not like that," defended Joya, not accepting that her husband was being looked down upon.

Joya took a deep breath trying to control her emotions. Irwan has yet to find a job. However, Lina's accusation about Irwan living under his wife's armpit was wrong. Because so far, Irwan has met Joya's needs well.

Joya looked at the two of them. "Where did Mama and Papa know that Joya was here? And what are you doing here?" Joya expressed her curiosity.

Lina and Agus exchanged glances. Agus cleared his throat before answering his daughter's question.

"We know you live here from Alex," said Agus. "We're here to take you home," he continued.

Joya gasped at her father's answer. A smile appeared on his lips. Joya is happy, it turns out that her parents still care about her. The proof, they came all the way to pick him up home.

"Mom's catering business is having a lot of orders. Mom needs you to help. I'll give you some pocket money later," explained Lina.

Like falling from a height, Joya's heart was broken hearing her mother's words. Joy smiled bitterly. "So you are here because you want Joya to help around the house," he muttered. "Why not just recruit additional employees?" asked Joya while looking at her parents.

Joya's parents do have a catering business. They also have a pretty big cafe. All this time, if her mother's catering orders were large, Joya always helped her.

"Why do you recruit employees when you are there? Employees have to be paid, if you don't. Enough mamah just feed it, "Lina replied.

Joya took a deep breath, trying to relieve the tightness in her chest. "Sorry, Mama! Joy can't. Joya is already working," said Joya firmly.

Lina glared. "You just stay out. Instead of working elsewhere, it's better for you to help mom. Dutiful to parents."

Joy shook her head firmly. "Joya is comfortable with this job. Besides, Joya feels comfortable living here."

Lina's face turned red when she heard her daughter's rejection. "You ungrateful child! We took care of you from childhood but this is your reward. Just ask for help, you don't want it."

"It's not like that, Mom. Joya-,"

"Ha! Never mind, don't make excuses," cut Agus. "Windy is right, you are a useless child. It was useless for us to come all the way here."

Joya's heart ached, hearing her father's words. It's not that she doesn't want to be devoted to them, but Joya is tired of being mistreated. Joya's heart has been hurt many times because of their words. "Sorry, Mom, Dad!" said Joya softly holding back tears.

"Come on, Papa! We better go home. Let this child live wretchedly here." Without heeding Joya's feelings, they left, leaving Joya's house.

After they left, Joya slumped, sitting on the floor. He cries. In fact, Joya really missed her parents. He thought they were coming to see him. But it turns out, they are looking for Joya because they have a wish.

Check!

Irwan opened the door.

Joya looked up at her husband. "Irwan..." Joya called while sobbing.