"Brother, are you certain you promised dad the 25 million for tomorrow? Brother, that's not a small sum of money. Even I have never seen that much cash," Dinda said when they arrived at her home.
It was true; Satria had promised the 25 million for the next day—a trifling amount for him. But Dinda was unaware of her husband's wealth; all she knew was that he was a humble street vendor selling cendol, with only spare change in his pocket.
"God willing, brother has that money; rest assured. Tomorrow, brother will give it to dad. I don't want to see him sad because his house is going to be seized to pay off debts," Satria reassured with confidence.
"But brother, where will you borrow the money from?" Dinda asked, puzzled by her husband's composure.
Satria appeared entirely at ease, without a hint of worry or confusion.
There was much about her husband that Dinda did not yet understand. It wasn't time for her to know who her husband really was. Yet, Satria could no longer afford to keep secrets for long; he feared his wife's anger and inability to accept his lies.
"Keep calm; God willing, brother will not let you or dad down," Satria affirmed, still calm.
"I don't want you to fall into more debt, brother. Especially just to pay off dad's debts—you're borrowing money to pay debts?" Dinda exclaimed.
"Brother isn't in debt; this money is brother's own. Trust me, I wouldn't want to trouble anyone," Satria said gently, taking Dinda's hand.
"Are you sure you have the 25 million, brother?" Dinda asked again.
With a confident smile and nod, Satria began to reveal his true self, though Dinda was none the wiser yet. She thought it might be his savings from before their marriage.
Ding.
[Tell your husband he better have the 25 million ready by tomorrow. If he doesn't have the money, he shouldn't be bragging about tomorrow. The 25 million might be peanuts for big brother Din, but if your husband has no cash, I won't cough up either. We all four are responsible for the debt, remember it must be there tomorrow] Texted Rudy, Dinda's eldest brother.
"Brother, this is a message from Rudy; he insists that the money be ready by tomorrow," Dinda said, showing her husband the text from Rudy.
Satria read the message with an inscrutable thin smile. He then took Dinda's phone and replied to Rudy's message.
[Worry not. If you refuse to pay off dad's debt, let me take care of the entire 100 million. Keep your money to yourselves. Even as a cendol vendor, God willing, I have that 100 million] Satria began to show his mettle.
He could no longer tolerate the insults from his wife's family. Gradually, bit by bit, Satria started to reveal who he was.
[Haha... Arrogant!!! You, Satria, a mere vendor, dare to boast?]
[I'm not lying, brother. Tomorrow at 5 PM, I will pay off the entire debt. Keep your money.]
[Oh, really... You're arrogant now... Don't just talk the talk; you must prove it. If it's just empty words by tomorrow, I will have you ousted as a brother-in-law; you must leave Dinda.]
[If I produce the 100 million, what will you give me in return?]
[We will submit to your orders, hahaha]
[Very well.]
Satria smirked cynically as he read the texts from his brother-in-law. Slowly, they would find out who Satria was, and when they did, they would crumble with regret.
"Brother, why do you have that smirk on your face?" Dinda asked with curiosity.
"It's nothing, Din; brother has deleted the message from Rudy. Hmm... Brother is hungry; have you cooked anything yet?" Satria deftly changed the topic.
"Hmm... I haven't cooked yet, brother. Let's just have instant noodles, okay? Besides, it's late, and I'm too lazy to cook," Dinda chuckled.
"Alright, let's settle for what we have. Come, let's cook together," Satria said tenderly.
"Okay," Dinda responded briefly.
*******
The awaited day finally arrived. Dinda arrived at her parents' house first, followed by her three older brothers and their spouses. Only Satria had yet to arrive.
"Where is your rich and arrogant husband? We won't help dad because that presumptuous vendor insists on covering all the debts. So we're just here to witness it," Rudy declared arrogantly, giving Dinda a scornful look.
"Please, a mere vendor being proud and conceited," Rahayu, Dinda's mother, dismissed Satria.
"Assalamualaikum," greeted someone from outside.
At last, the anticipated person arrived, and all eyes turned to Satria.
"Finally decided to show up? The proud and haughty vendor? Now let's see you make good on your boast of settling the entire 100 million debt to father. Remember, Satria, it's 100 million, not 100 thousand," Reno taunted Satria with disdain.
* Will you be able to be arrogant after this! * Satria mused.
Without further ado, Satria revealed the 100 million in cash from a plastic bag he was holding. Everyone's gaze shifted to the cash being taken out of the plastic bag.
"Is this real money?" Rena questioned, eyes locked on the pile of cash on the table.
"This is your money?" Rahayu inquired, her eyes brightening.
"Yes, this is my money—100 million—to settle father's debt. No matter what, this house must not be taken to replace father's debts," Satria answered.
In truth, Karim, Dinda's father, had no debts; he had just wanted to test his children and sons-in-law. Karim's hunch was correct; only Satria showed genuine care without squabbling with the others. In fact, Satria had prepared the 100 million himself, without seeking aid.
"Brother..." Dinda's words faltered as Satria interjected first.
"Yes, dad, this is genuine money, and the amount is 100 million to pay off your debt. I am willing to help you out of gratitude for blessing me with my angel from heaven," Rendra beamed at Dinda.
"Thank you, Satria. Father appreciates your kind intentions, but please, take this money back and use it as capital for your business. Additionally, father never had any debts; I just wanted to test my children," Karim explained.
Rahayu and the rest could only exchange looks, fixated on the 100 million. If the money wasn't going to Karim, then who was it for?
"But Satria earnestly wants to give it for father's sake," Satria insisted.
"If father doesn't accept, we might as well divide it between the four children, Satria," Rena shamelessly suggested.
* Such greedy\, self-centered people. * Satria thought.
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