With unsteady steps, Axel sat his body on one side of the bed where his mother was lying. Occasionally he rubbed his face in exasperation. His sad eyes showed how sad he was right now.

In all his life, this is the first time Axel has seen his mother lying helpless in the hospital. Evil thoughts were even swirling in his brain. He wasn't ready if the thing he feared the most happened to his mother.

It had been more than twelve hours since Mommy Veronica had not regained consciousness. Even though the doctor said it was expected, Axel was still worried and afraid. Occasionally he took a deep breath, holding his mother's hand gently.

His mouth did not stop reciting a prayer, hoping the woman would soon wake up.

Wake up, Mommy.

Axel please,

Don't leave Axel

Axel gently kissed the back of his mother's hand.

Axel promised that after Mommy woke up, whatever Mommy asked, Axel would do it.

Axel laid his head on the side of the bed. His hand didn't let go one bit. Feeling tired of not sleeping all night, he unconsciously fell asleep beside his mother.

Haven't been asleep for an hour yet, Axel vaguely felt a movement in his wrist. Not long after, he felt someone was stroking the top of his head. Axel quickly raised his head and found his mother smiling.

"Mom..."

Axel got up and hugged his mother's body.

"Mommy is fine, Axel," Giselle answered quietly.

"Forgive Axel, Mommy. Axel apologizes."

"Why should I apologize?" asked Giselle, confused.

Axel loosened his grip and then returned to his sitting position.

"Sorry when Mommy was sick, Axel wasn't there beside Mommy. Axel had sinned, neglected to take care of Mommy."

Giselle smiled. Grateful to have sons like Axel and Damian, who love their parents so much. Never once did they argue with what was asked and ordered.

"Axel, Mommy wants to sit down. Please help," begged Giselle.

Axel looked at his mother's face.

"Why don't you just sleep, Mommy?"

Giselle shook her head. "Mommy is tired, I want to sit down, Axel."

Axel took a breath and slowly helped lean his mother's body which was still limp on the back of the mattress. The woman smiled again. Without hesitation, Axel guided his hand to massage Giselle's feet gently.

"Axel massage it, so Mommy won't get tired."

"Mommy it's okay, Axel."

"Sssttt, turn. Usually Axel is the one who always massages Mommy when he's sick."

Giselle chuckled softly at the sweet words of her youngest child.

"Where are your Damian and Daddy?"

"Daddy went home to change clothes, Damian has an important meeting with foreign investors," Axel replied, still massaging his mother's feet.

"Shouldn't your brother have to take care of the wedding preparations?" asked Giselle, confused.

"Only today is Mommy. Axel should be the one meeting with the investor. But because Axel wants to accompany Mommy until he wakes up, Damian is the one who gave in."

Giselle pinched Axel's cheek fondly.

"You are, poor sister. Besides, there are many nurses here to look after Mommy."

"But no one can guard lovingly like Axel, Mom." Giselle laughed at her son's words.

Compared to Damian, Axel openly shows affection for his parents. Even at the age of twenty-eight years, he was never the least bit ashamed to hold, kiss, and even hug his mother in front of many people. If people say a man is responsible, seen by how he loves his mother and sisters, then Axel deserves that title.

"Axel..." Giselle whispered.

Axel averted his gaze.

"Yes, Mommy want something? Eat? Drink? or what?"

Giselle shook her head.

"Mommy doesn't want anything. Mommy wants to have a serious talk with you."

Axel looked closely at his mother. It was clear from the look on her face that something was bothering her, and she wanted to convey it.

"Yeah, Mommy what are you talking about? Axel listen."

Giselle grabbed Axel's fingers and held them tightly. The woman took a deep breath before finally speaking. "Marry Axel. Marry the woman of your choice. Mommy is afraid that Mommy won't be old if she waits any longer."

Axel shook his head.

"Mommy, why do you say that? Mommy herself said that Mommy was fine, right? Mommy must have seen Axel get married."

Giselle smiled bitterly. He knew what kind of pain he was currently suffering from. She also realized that the disease could take his life without prior warning. That is why she wanted to see his youngest child get married soon. That way, her duties as a mother are complete, and she can leave anytime in peace.

"Axel, we don't know how long Mommy can last. Mommy is afraid that when the time comes, Mommy hasn't had the chance to witness your wedding."

"Mommy..." Axel whispered.

"Marry, son." said Giselle, a little pleading.

"But Mommy knows that Rachel is still completing her education in America," Axel interrupted

"She can get permission to go home for a while, right? After you get married, it doesn't matter if he wants to continue his S3, S4 or S5 even though."

Axel was silent for a moment. All his mother asked for him ordered that were obligatory to carry out. Axel was always taught not to argue with any of his parents' orders. He is too affectionate and submissive.

Then what about Rachel? That woman must have refused to marry so soon. He had even asked Axel to wait first. But this time, his mother's request he could not just ignore. He wanted to please the woman he most hoped for in heaven.

Axel took a deep breath.

"Axel try to call and talk to Rachel first. Mommy just pray that Rachel melts her heart."

Giselle again held Axel's hand tightly.

"Mommy always prays for all of Mommy's children. Tell Rachel to come home to meet Mommy."

Axel nodded.

"God willing, Axel will try, Mommy."

***

Laura had just removed the white coat she usually wore, then replaced it with a black blazer hanging neatly on a hanger in her office. His shift is over for today. That's why he was getting ready to go home now.

Stepping out of the room, someone was heard calling his name.

"Laura...."

Laura turned to the source of the sound.

"Hmmm..." Laura said while continuing to walk.

"Who are you going home with?"

"Yes, as usual, Naina."

"Just come with me, my shift will be over soon." Naina said.

"Yes, you---"

"Doctor Laura..."

Now another figure seemed to be calling Laura's name. The figure of a man he had just met recently.

"Doctor Asher..." Laura and Naina said together.

Asher smiled. "You want to go home already?"

Alisa nodded slowly.

"Yes, Doc. But I want to wait, Naina---"

"Yes, just come with me," cut Asher for the second time.

Naina, who noticed the two people before her, just smiled. "Okay. You go home with Doctor Asher."

Alisa shook her head. "Then what about you? Didn't you tell me to wait."

"I'll just relax, I'll bring my own car. Besides, if you wait for me, it's a bit long. My working hours haven't finished yet."

Laura looked at her, confused. "How are you, earlier told me to come with you," protested Laura.

"Yes, it's okay for you to go home with Doctor Asher. Hurry up, Doctor Asher is waiting for you."

Realizing that a man was waiting among them, Laura quickly turned her gaze to Asharaf.

"Sorry Doctor, I think I'll just wait for Naina. I'm not feeling well anyway."

Asher looked confused.

"Not good why? So going home with me is not good?" said Asher.

Laura shook her head several times.

"No, you mean it's not good for people to see me when I go home with the hospital leadership."

Laura is right. His return with Asher may become the subject of gossip among other colleagues. Moreover, everyone knows that Asher is the new head of the hospital. It was rumoured that Laura had deliberately approached the leadership to get special treatment. No, Laura didn't want her friends to think that way.

"Don't worry, we're just going home together anyway, right?" said Asher convincingly.

"That's it. Hurry up, I'm sorry Doctor Asher is waiting for you."

Laura thought for a moment, considering Doctor Asher's offer.

"Okay then. I'll join Doctor Asher."

Asher smiled and momentarily stepped towards the parking lot, and then Laura followed him from behind. Along the way home, they several times engaged in small talk. Asher, usually silent, always smiles and laughs at Laura's chatter.

"So Doctor Asher was originally afraid of needles?" asked Laura in disbelief.

"Yes, in the past I even pretended to faint so that the doctor wouldn't inject me. But how stupid I am, a doctor's name can definitely tell the difference between a real faint and a fake one."

Laura laughed at Asher's story. His infectious laugh made Asher laugh too. So far, he had never felt this much fun telling stories to the opposite sex. The predicate of a cold and closed man attached to him, he must leave now.

"That's my house, Doc." they pointed at Laura when they entered the housing complex where Laura lived.

"So you live here? Apparently not far from the hospital," muttered Asher.

Laura nodded. "Yes, my house is close to the hospital. But still, I'm often late for work," said Laura, blushing.

"Oh yeah, Doctor Asher doesn't want to stop by first?" Laura offered later.

Asher smiled faintly. "Thanks for the offer. But it's already late, next time I'll just stop by."

Laura nodded.

There was silence for a moment; the two of them looked at each other for a few seconds until, finally, Laura turned her gaze out the window.

"Then thank you, Doc." Laura said, then got ready to open the car door.

"Doctor Laura..."

Laura turned to Asher.

"Yes..."

"Tomorrow, if you're outside working hours, just call me Asher, not Doctor Asher. So that it doesn't sound stiff," asked Asher.

She smiled. "Okay, good night again, Ash. Thanks for the ride."

Laura finally got out of the car and went straight into the house. At the same time, Asher is still silent in his place. For some reason, he felt a strange flutter in his heart.

***

Axel was frozen in his sitting position. His eyes kept looking at the phone he was holding. Seeing his brother, who had been pensive, Damian sat down beside Axel.

"Why? Brother, I saw that you were nervous," asked the Damian.

Axel took a deep breath before exhaling furiously.

"Mommy forced Axel to get married a month after Kak Damian's wedding."

The Damian furrowed his brows.

"Then what's troubling you?"

"Rachel definitely doesn't want to, sis. She has emphasized long ago that she wants to get married after her doctorate is finished. Axel is confused about what to do. Meanwhile, Mommy is currently sick."

Damian smiled and gently patted his sister's shoulder. "Call Rachel, explain to her. If Rachel really loves you, she should be able to choose you. After all, she can still finish her doctoral degree even though she's married, right? Remember Axel, marriage is worship. Delaying marriage even though you can afford it and fulfill all the conditions tantamount to sin."

Axel was stunned to hear Damian's words. Her brother was right. Axel and Rachel are very old enough to step into marriage. Then what else are they looking for, considering that Axel also has abundant material now? Even though Rachel doesn't work and has many children, Axel, God willing, can pay for it and provide the number one facilities for his small family.

"It's better to call Rachel now. Explain to her slowly. Also tell her about Mommy's current condition. If she really loves you, she will reconsider your request, Axel." Then Damian entered his mother's inpatient room, leaving Axel alone in the waiting chair.

Axel was still unmoved; he still mustered up the courage to contact Rachel. Honestly, Axel was afraid that Rachel would reject his request outright. If that happened, how would he explain it to his Mommy? Then who else would he ask to marry?

Dissolved in frantic feelings, God seemed to hear the prayer Axel recited in his heart—the woman he had wanted to talk to suddenly called him.

Axel whispered to himself before actually picking up the phone from Rachel.

"Hello..."

"Axel, where have you been? I haven't heard from you for two days. I won't make any more mistakes, right? If something happens, don't let me be like this!" Rachel asked insistently.

"Hello, Chel."

"Yes, honey."

"I'm not going anywhere. Mommy is in the hospital, so my mind is focused on her. Sorry if I didn't have time to contact you."

"Mommy is in the hospital? What's wrong, Axel?" There was a tone of surprise on the other side.

Axel took a breath before answering.

"Mommy had a heart attack, this is the third day she was hospitalized." replied Axel.

"But now you've realized or better, right?" Rachel asked worriedly.

"Thanks God, I'm getting better. I can go home in two days at least."

"Thank goodness, I hope Mommy gets well soon and doesn't relapse again," Rachel replied.

"Chel, I want to say something," Axel whispered.

"What do you want to say, Axel? Just say it."

There was a moment of silence; Axel seemed trying to compose the right words to say to Rachel. Remember, he was also preparing himself in case Rachel refused his request.

"Will you be able to go home any time soon?"

"Home? In the near future?" Rachel asked reassuringly.

"Yes, go home, just for a moment. Mommy wants to have an important talk with you directly."

Rachel was silent momentarily, while Axel felt apprehensive, waiting for what Rachel would answer.

"Mommy definitely want to talk about marriage, right?" Rachel inquired.

Killed, it seems Rachel can read the current situation. But anyone would have thought the same as Rachel. What's more, Mommy asked to go home if she didn't discuss marriage. Now there are only two possibilities: Rachel goes home or stays there.

"Okay, next weekend I will return to Indonesia. But sorry, I may not be able to stay long, Axel. Next week I have to take the exam for the first time." she replied.

A smile appeared on Axel's lips. There's a feeling of relief in the middle of it now. Even though he had vowed in his heart that if Rachel refused to meet Mommy this time, he would get ready to find another woman. But, once again, God is on his side. If the intention is to make our mother happy, God will always make it easier for our efforts. Axel is sure about it.

"Okay, no problem. I will prepare your return and to-go tickets. Thank you, Chel. Mommy will be happy to hear this," Axel said sincerely.

"Then see you next weekend, greetings to Mommy. You too, take care of your health. Love you."

"Love you more," Rachel replied, then hung up the phone.