Chapter 001: The Commotion After the Fourth-Night TahlilanFour days had passed since Arga and Aisyah's passing.Since the first night after they were laid to rest, Ardan had only been coming home late at night. He had missed every tahlilan gathering. The place where he was supposed to sit remained empty night after night, becoming a topic of conversation among the neighbors who came to pay their respects.Aruna was hardly ever home either. She only returned occasionally to change clothes before heading back to the hospital to stay with her twin younger siblings, who were still receiving treatment.Throughout the mourning period, nearly every household responsibility fell onto Gavin's shoulders alone.From welcoming guests, preparing food and drinks, cleaning up the mats after each tahlilan, to attending to relatives who kept arriving from morning until night.His body was exhausted.But even more exhausting were the mouths of people who simply never stopped talking."Cing... this isn't right. Ardan won't be able to handle it."Tono's voice shattered the silence in the living room.He spoke loudly enough that several people sipping their coffee turned to look."What do you mean?" Halimah asked, lifting her head.The wrinkles on her forehead deepened. Her gaze pierced Tono. As someone much older, she clearly disliked the way her nephew was raising his voice in front of her."He hasn't shown up for tahlilan for four nights," Tono replied without lowering his voice in the slightest."This is tahlilan for his own brother. They're the only two siblings. All he had to do was show up, and he still couldn't be bothered."The room fell silent again.Several people exchanged glances."Om Ardan has something to take care of, Cang..."Gavin spoke quietly.Despite his frustration, he tried to keep his voice respectful. Sitting before him were his uncles, aunts, and relatives who were all much older than he was."What could he possibly be busy with, Vin?!"Rustam shot back immediately."He's unemployed, but he acts like he's so damn busy."The words hit like a slap.Gavin's chest tightened."How do you know Om Ardan is unemployed, Encang?"For the first time, his voice rose.Not because he wanted to argue.But because the accusation had gone too far."Oh, come on, Vin." Rustam raised his voice as well. "Plenty of people have seen him. Your uncle just wanders around all day without a clue."Gavin's unwavering stare only fueled Rustam's temper."That's right, Vin," Tono chimed in again. "I've even seen him hanging around with thugs in Tanjung Priok.""Maybe he works there," Gavin replied without hesitation."Works as what?"Minan let out a scornful snort."He's one of the thugs there.""Bang... there's no proof. Don't just throw accusations around!"Gavin was beginning to lose his patience."Vin..." Marta finally spoke up."I know he's your uncle. Your dad's younger brother. But don't defend him if he's really in the wrong."She slowly shook her head."Lots of people have seen how he behaves. Sometimes he's in Tanjung Priok, sometimes Senen, sometimes Bantar Gebang.""Exactly."Tono nodded again."We're saying this for your own good—and for your younger siblings in the hospital. Don't put too much trust in Ardan.""It's not just one or two people who've seen him," Rustam emphasized once more."He's always hanging around with no-good people. What more proof do you need?""That still doesn't prove anything..."Gavin's voice grew heavier.He continued standing by his uncle.Alone.In that room, he was the only one who still believed in Ardan."...Vin."Marwan finally spoke.His voice wasn't loud.But it was enough to make several people turn toward him."You're still just a kid."He looked Gavin straight in the eyes."Listen to your elders. We're not saying all this for anyone else's sake."He paused briefly."We're saying it for you.""And for your younger siblings.""So stop running your mouth for a minute. Listen first. Then think it over carefully."No one interrupted him.As the eldest person in the family, Marwan's words carried enough weight that everyone chose to remain silent."He's right, Vin," Sundari said, nodding."Taking care of twin babies isn't easy.""One baby alone is enough to drive people crazy.""Now imagine two."Several people nodded in agreement."That's right, Vin."Sarna joined in."A kid like you won't be able to handle it.""I don't have any young children anymore.""I'll take one of the babies."She paused for a moment before letting out a slow breath, as though weighing her words."But you know... my husband's income isn't much.""Just give me one or two of your father's rental units so I can buy milk and diapers."The words hung in the air.Gavin fell silent.His eyes slowly shifted toward the elderly woman.Only four days had passed since his father was buried.Yet they were already talking about the rental properties."If Uwak ends up having a hard time raising both babies..."Demi jumped in as though nothing about the conversation was unusual."I'll take one.""As long as I get the same money for milk and diapers as Uwak.""Vin."Carnih wasn't about to be left behind."If not, then let me raise one.""I'm still young.""I've got plenty of energy.""Hah."Demi shot her a sharp look."You're still just a kid.""You've got no experience.""And you're saying you do?" Carnih fired back immediately."I bet your arms would already be sore after holding a baby for a few minutes.""I may have just gotten married.""But I've still got my mom.""She can teach me.""That's right."Elis smiled faintly in support of her daughter."I can help teach Carnih.""Don't worry, Vin.""Your younger siblings will be well taken care of."One voice after another piled on.No one was really talking about Gavin anymore.Nor did anyone ask what he wanted.Instead, they were busy volunteering themselves.Or more accurately...Dividing up their respective roles.The room that had been filled with words of condolence slowly turned into a marketplace of negotiations.Gavin clenched both fists.From the very beginning, he'd been sick of hearing them badmouth Ardan.But now...They had even started discussing how to divide up the rental properties and who would get custody of the twins.His father hadn't even been buried for a full week.Yet they were already calculating the inheritance.Gavin's chest rose and fell as he struggled to contain his anger.Yes, he was only nineteen.He had just finished his final high school exams.But that didn't mean he couldn't understand where this conversation was headed."Enough."Gavin's voice finally cut through the commotion."What exactly are you all arguing about?"The room fell deathly silent."As for the twins...""...Aruna's already taking care of them."It was as though someone had thrown a stone into the middle of a still pond.Every head turned toward him at once."Aruna?"Their voices overlapped.Some sounded surprised.Others immediately showed their disapproval.They exchanged glances.No one spoke.But their body language said more than enough.They clearly didn't like Gavin's answer."What's wrong with that?"Gavin looked at each of them in turn."From the very beginning...""Dad entrusted the twins to Aruna."Those words only made several faces harden even further.Gavin could feel their eyes on him.Dismissive eyes.Eyes directed squarely at Aruna.Not because of her ability.But because of her status.Just a stepdaughter.Not one of them spoke.Yet their expressions made it perfectly clear what they were thinking.Aruna's name was obviously not the answer they had wanted."Vin..."Rustam finally let out a slow sigh."Your father was in no condition to—"He stopped mid-sentence.The words caught in his throat.Even though he'd been the loudest one in the room all along, he still couldn't bring himself to say dying about a man who had been buried only four days earlier."Cang."Gavin finished the sentence for him."Dad was dying."The atmosphere froze."But that's exactly why...""...I'm certain Dad knew perfectly well what decision he was making."There wasn't the slightest hint of hesitation in his voice."That was Dad's final decision.""And I believe...""...it was the right one."Several people immediately exchanged glances.They hadn't expected Gavin to answer so firmly."Vin, what's gotten into you?"Demi clicked her tongue in annoyance."Aruna's just like you.""She's still just a kid.""Not only is she just a kid."Kartiah cut in immediately, her eyes narrowing."She's only your stepsister."Her eyes widened as her voice grew even louder."She has no blood ties to our family.""But—"Gavin cut her off."She's still the twins' older sister.""They share the same mother.""That's different."Kartiah shook her head firmly."Blood from the father's side is far stronger."The words left her mouth without the slightest hesitation.Cultural's Notes
Tahlilan
An Indonesian Islamic prayer gathering held after someone's death. Family, relatives, friends, and neighbors gather to pray for the deceased while offering support to the bereaved family. Multiple gatherings are commonly held over several days following the funeral.
Om
Om is the Indonesian word for "uncle." Gavin calls Ardan Om because Ardan is his late father's younger brother.
Abang/Bang
Bang (short for Abang) is an Indonesian honorific used to address an older brother or an older male with whom one shares a close, respectful relationship. In this chapter, Ardan calls his older brother, Arga, Bang, so the term is retained to preserve their familial bond and Indonesian cultural identity.
Encing (Cing)
A traditional honorific used in Betawi and Banten culture to address an older-generation male relative who is younger than one's parent, such as a younger uncle or another male relative of the same generation. Indonesians often extend this form of address to close family friends or respected older men, reflecting closeness rather than strict blood relationships.
Uwak (Wak)/Encang (Cang)
A traditional honorific used in Betawi and Banten culture to address an older-generation male relative who is older than one's parent, such as an elder uncle or another male relative of the same generation. Like many Indonesian kinship terms, it may also be used for non-relatives as a respectful and familiar form of address.
Engkong (Kong)/Kakek (Kek)
A traditional Indonesian honorific meaning "grandfather." Besides one's biological grandfather, it may also be used respectfully for elderly men who are of a grandfather's generation.
Nenek (Nek)
An Indonesian honorific meaning "grandmother." Besides one's biological grandmother, it may also be used respectfully for elderly women who are of a grandmother's generation.
In Indonesian culture, kinship terms are often used beyond immediate family. Relatives from the extended family—even distant ones—may still be addressed with family titles. These titles are also commonly used for close family friends or respected elders, expressing familiarity and respect rather than indicating a direct blood relationship.
Translation Notice
This novel was originally written in Indonesian.
I am not a native or professional writer in English (or any other translated language). To make this story accessible to international readers, I use AI-assisted translation throughout the translation process.
However, every translation is carefully reviewed and refined by me. I strive to preserve the original meaning, emotions, characters, cultural identity, and narrative style while ensuring the language reads as naturally as possible.
If you come across any awkward wording or translation issues, I sincerely appreciate your understanding and welcome constructive feedback. My goal is to continually improve the reading experience without compromising the soul of the original story.
Thank you for reading and supporting my work.
— BIUL