"Sorry, I'm late." Richard said. "Why did you only call me now?"
"It's okay. We weren't going to leave until you arrived," Zakky replied.
"I called you yesterday. But it went straight to voicemail," Denny said. "I don't know, our friend seems to be very busy."
"Haha. Sorry, I've been swamped with work."
"You're looking even more handsome, Richard. You haven't aged a day."
"Rini, how can you compliment another man when your husband is right here?" Brian teased.
"It's okay. My husband isn't the jealous type, right, honey?"
The man called Andri smiled.
"I tried to get Tias to come, but she refused. I told her to bring her husband. I also brought my husband. I wanted to introduce my husband to all of you, my friends."
"The one who just got married 6 months ago," Zakky laughed.
"Out of all of you, I'm the only one who hasn't met Richard at all. It's been over 11 or 12 years, right Richard?" Rini asked.
"I think so..."
"He was, well, the most popular guy with the girls back then. But there was only one name in his heart at the time. His late wife. Hey, I saw you come in with a woman. Where is she?" Rini asked.
"Oh, she's over there," Richard replied.
Zakky looked in the direction Richard pointed. He saw Trisya sitting not far from them, looking at her phone.
"Who's that?" Zakky asked.
"My daughter. She's feeling down," Richard answered.
"Really?" Deni asked. "I don't believe it. Why didn't you bring your daughter to sit with us?"
"You guys just can't see the beauty in a young face. There's no way his daughter would want to sit with old guys like you," Rini said.
Zakky laughed.
"Ah, I can't be fooled," Zakky turned his gaze to Richard. "You must be in your prime right now?"
Denny and Brian joined in the laughter.
"It's okay, buddy. We understand. At our age... Especially when you still look so charming and have a good job," Denny said. "Where did you meet a girl as beautiful as that? She's so young. I want one too."
"You're such a..." Rini patted Denny's shoulder.
"You've already been married twice, Rini."
Rini turned to Andri, who seemed to be looking at Trisya.
"What are you looking at, honey?" Rini asked. "Don't tell me you're also interested in young women?"
Andri laughed.
"No."
"Just bring your woman over here, Richard. She'll get hit on over there," Brian said.
"Just a second," Richard stood up to approach Trisya.
"He's so good at finding beautiful women. His late wife was very beautiful. His current wife is also very beautiful. His mistress, besides being beautiful, has a great body," Denny said.
"Ariana, his wife, is older than Richard, right?" Zakky asked.
"Yeah. I think she's 5 or 6 years older. Maybe he's getting tired of the older ones, so he's looking for fresh meat." Brian chuckled.
Richard returned, accompanied by Trisya.
"Say hello to Uncle Zakky, Uncle Denny, Uncle Brian, and Aunt Rini. And that's Uncle Andri, Aunt Rini's husband. This is Trisya, my wife's daughter."
"Your wife's daughter? Oh, I thought she was your mistress," Zakky said. "Sorry. I thought you were cheating."
"You're an idiot," Rini said.
She then looked at Trisya.
"She's beautiful," Rini complimented.
"Does she look like her mother?" Andri asked suddenly. "I feel like I knew her mother from looking at Trisya's face. What was her name again? Ariana? Ariana Dewi?"
"Yes," Richard replied. "Do you know her?"
"Maybe. I think we were neighbors once. Wow, Trisya is all grown up now. She was only 4 months old when Riana took her away."
"So you know who my father is?" Trisya asked.
"Of course, I even met him 3 years ago."
***
The clock on the wall showed 3 am, but Trisya's eyes were still wide open.
She remembered her conversation with Andri when they were standing next to each other at the sink.
"Uncle, do you have my father's phone number?" Trisya asked.
"Why?"
"Nothing."
"I have it, but I don't know if it's still active. Do you want to meet Maulana?" Andri asked.
"His name is Maulana?"
"Yes. Here's his number."
Trisya copied the number Andri showed her.
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Do you want to meet your father?"
"No, I just want to send him a message. I'm glad he left me. If he hadn't, I wouldn't have a stepfather as good as Papa."
Trisya looked at the WhatsApp message she sent to Maulana.
"How are you, Maulana? Are you doing well?"
The message only showed one check mark.
Maybe he had deactivated his number, or maybe it was just inactive.
A chat came in.
"Who is this?" Maulana replied.
Trisya smiled.
"The Angel of Death!" Trisya replied.
A few moments later, Trisya's phone rang. It was Maulana calling.
Trisya didn't answer.
It rang 2-3 times.
"Who is this? Why aren't you answering my call?" Maulana asked.
The bedroom door opened.
Richard's forehead furrowed.
"Still awake?" Richard asked.
Trisya turned.
"Papa," Trisya put her phone on the nightstand.
Richard stepped inside.
"I can't sleep," Trisya replied.
"Why?" Richard sat on the edge of the bed.
"Papa won't keep me company, he's just busy working," Trisya grumbled, resting her head on Richard's lap.
"I have work to finish."
"It's just for a little while, you can't keep me company until I fall asleep?"
"Okay. Go to sleep," Richard stroked Trisya's forehead.
"I want to sleep, I'm so sleepy. Today was tiring."
Richard looked at Trisya.
"What are you thinking about that you haven't gone to sleep yet?"
"I told you, I can't sleep."
"Yes. Why?"
"I miss you so bad," Trisya answered, wrapping her arms around Richard's stomach. "I miss hugging you like this until I fall asleep."
"What else do you want?" Richard asked.
"Ah, this old man. You have no feelings. I told you I miss you, but you still don't understand," Trisya grumbled, getting up.
Richard laughed.
"Don't you miss me, Dad?" Trisya looked at Richard, playing with her fingers on his chest.
Richard smiled.
"Should I say I miss you?"
"Ah, you're so annoying," Trisya grumbled.
Richard pushed Trisya's body until she lay on the bed. He gently stroked Trisya's cheek and kissed her lips.
"I miss you." Richard kissed the woman's neck passionately.
"Ah, you only miss me when you want me." Trisya stopped Richard's hand that was about to lower the fabric covering her chest.
"Can't I?" Richard asked, removing Trisya's hand.
"You're so unfair," Trisya sighed, trying to give Richard space to explore every inch of her body.
Trisya's phone rang, once, twice, three times.
"Your phone has been ringing since earlier," Richard said, lying down next to Trisya. "It's ruining the mood."
Trisya straightened her clothes, looking at who was calling. Maulana!
"Who is it?" Richard asked.
"Someone irrelevant," Trisya answered, immediately turning off her phone.
She turned to Richard.
"Why did you stop?"
"Go to sleep."
Trisya smiled.
"Dad, thank you for today. You made me so happy," Trisya said.
"Go to sleep. You still have time to rest. It's not good to let your body go without rest."
"Let me sleep in your arms."
Richard looked at Trisya.
"What's wrong?" Richard asked. "Are you thinking about what Uncle Andri said at the cafe earlier?"
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
"It's written on your forehead," Richard replied.
"His name is Maulana," Trisya finally said. "Uncle Andri told me when we were washing our hands at the sink. He also gave me his number."
"You contacted him and he called you, but you didn't answer his call?"
Trisya released her embrace.
"Why can you always guess my thoughts? Can you read people's minds?"
"Turn on your phone."
"Why?"
"Let him call you."
"Then if he calls, what should I say?" Trisya asked, turning her phone back on.
"Ask him what you want to ask."
"Why? It's no use. I already have a Dad."
"It's not like that, Trisya. Regardless of what happened in the past, whether it was his fault or Mom's fault. You have the right to ask. Why did they separate? Why did he leave you and Mom?"
"He was taken by another woman, he made Mom crazy and kept hurting me!"
Trisya's phone rang again. A call from Maulana.
"Answer it."
"I want to yell at him because he messed up my life!"
"Go ahead, just let everything out. So your revenge is complete."
Trisya looked at Richard. She thought for a long time, her phone kept ringing, and on the 4th ring, Trisya answered.
"Hello.." Trisya greeted.
"Who is this? At this hour you call yourself the Angel of Death to me. Do you have a problem with me?"
"Yes."
"Who are you?"
Trisya was silent.
"Hello??"
Richard held Trisya's right hand.
"It's okay. Even if you want to be angry, say it. It's better. The time bomb will explode eventually."
"My name is Trisya Monica. 25 years ago, you left home, leaving your wife, Ariana Dewi, with your baby, to chase another woman's love." Trisya finally said.