Episode 12

Before long, the trio was startled by the sound of a motorbike halting right in front of Adi Sanjaya's residence.

Diva and Lina immediately peeped out the window, curious to see who dared to enter their opulent abode.

Moments later, Diva and Lina exchanged glances and smirked,

They never imagined that the very person they were discussing would be present, flaunting his presence,

Alongside a poverty-stricken ride-hail driver who had brought Arimbi back home.

Diva and Mama Lina moved towards Papa Adi, sparking his curiosity about the person who had just parked their motorbike out front...

"Who's that out there, Ma? Can you see who stopped their motorbike in front of our house?"

Papa Adi asked, his eyes filled with questions..

"Pa... it's best if we go outside now, you'll see for yourself who's brazenly entered our gates,"

Diva urged, tugging Papa Adi's hand, and the middle-aged man quickly got up and stepped out to open the front door.

Upon reaching the terrace, Papa Adi was shocked to see a woman he knew well, playfully chatting with a ride-hail driver.

Seeing this sight, Papa Adi's face contorted with rage, realizing that all of Diva and Lina's comments were indeed true.

Arimbi, his own flesh and blood, was entangled in love with a ride-hail driver.

With a thunderous voice, Papa Adi called out for his daughter...

"Arimbi..."

Papa Adi's shout made Arimbi and also Bara quite startled, they looked towards the middle-aged man who was gesticulating with both hands on his hips...

"Papa...!"

Arimbi's eyes went wide.

Meanwhile, Bara managed a faint smile; it seemed the two serpentine women had quickly snitched about their arrival to Mr. Sanjaya.

Arimbi had disagreed with Bara entering the gate while dropping her off...

Yet Bara insisted because he wanted to show he wasn't a coward hiding in the shadows.

Especially since, after today, Bara had plans to get closer to Arimbi, and so he needed to be ready to face her parents, even if all he received were insults...

"Who's this man beside you, Arimbi?"

Papa Adi yelled loudly...

Arimbi began to feel afraid, gripping her hands tightly, looking at Bara and then back at her father.

Diva and Mama Lina smirked derisively towards Arimbi, fueling Bara's anger at witnessing the two venomous women...

"Damn... I truly want to strangle them both. Poor Arimbi, to have to live with those kinds of serpents,"

Bara thought bitterly to himself.

Suddenly, the sound of a slap delivered by Papa Adi landed on Arimbi's left cheek...

Smack!

"Ouch... forgive me, Papa!"

Arimbi cried out in distress...

Bara was shocked to witness such cruelty, how could a father hurt his daughter like this...

"You ingrate, is this what I've taught you, Arimbi? Do you want to tarnish my name, hmm! By associating with someone poor like him, you are just like your deceased mother Arimbi, never obedient and always defiant,"

Papa Adi yelled, furious, and Arimbi wept louder, hurt every time her father insulted her late mother...

Seeing the turn of events, Bara dismounted his motorbike, determined to enlighten Mr. Adi Sanjaya about the error of his ways...

"Forgive my intrusion, sir, but I must clarify that Arimbi has done no wrong. It is completely inappropriate for you, her father, to commit violence against her,"

Bara stood, defending Arimbi, prompting Papa Adi to spit towards the ground in disgust...

"Pah... audacious of you to lecture me, you pauper! Do you think you're so great, huh! Just so you know, I refuse to let my daughter have any relationship with a lowlife like you. Now leave my home, or I'll have you ejected by force."

"Alright... I will leave your residence, Mr. Adi Sanjaya, but... I'll return again tomorrow, for I've promised Arimbi that I'll protect her from the vile serpents lurking to strike,"

"What do you mean by that, you pauper? Do you think my grand house harbors serpents, huh! You've insulted me indirectly, you lowlife,"

Papa Adi retorted, angry, as did Diva and Mama Lina, who understood exactly what the 'pauper' meant...

Who else could the serpents be but those two...

"Yes... you would never realize it, Mr. Adi Sanjaya, for you are blinded by false love and deception. Now, I shall leave, and I hope you never again torment Arimbi, for if a single scratch besets her, I'll take her away from this haunted house forever,"

Bara threatened fearlessly, silencing everyone present...

Actually, Papa Adi felt the face of this man was familiar, as if he'd seen it somewhere, but he couldn't recall where...

Arimbi was truly impressed by Bara's courage, for it was the first time a man dared defy her father, even threatening him until he was at a loss for words...

After that, Bara got back on his motorbike and started the engine, his gaze firmly on Arimbi's face.

"Arimbi, go into your room now, and remember to lock the door immediately, so the serpents dare not enter uninvited. Tomorrow I'll take you to the office, as from tonight onwards, you're my responsibility,"

Bara declared firmly, causing Arimbi to nod her head, her heart blooming with joy...

Minutes passed, and Bara's motorcycle was out of sight.

Arimbi then rushed into the house, ignoring her father's shouting...

"Arimbi... stop, don't make me angrier, Arimbi, we're not finished talking,"

Her father's cries went unheeded by Arimbi. Feeling immense pain and disappointment towards her father, she chose to distance herself so he might find happiness without her.

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