Award

Without any prejudice from each person invited, They did not know who was invited, and who was awarded the provincial level award.

Shasha will be accompanied by her grandmother, so unexpectedly tomorrow's event will be a family reunion day.

The invitation felt very sudden for Shasha, she immediately said goodbye to go home to meet her grandmother. Shasha had absolutely no clothes to wear for tomorrow's event.

But before she stepped out of the meeting venue, the sub-district delegation gave her 2 bags. "This is a gift from the district, this is a typical regional outfit, which can be worn by Ms. Shasha tomorrow. The sub-district head is grateful for Ms. Shasha's achievements." Shasha was dumbfounded. "Yes, thank you!" Mother Rustina representing Shasha accepted it because Shasha did not make any attempt to welcome the gift. "Hahaha ... don't be dumbfounded ... the person has left," said Mrs. Rustina, which was greeted by laughter from the others.

***

 At a restaurant, Regina saw her mother meet someone who was none other than Isaac Ibrahim, Maya Agustin's father. Regina knew that this person was very famous and was the richest and most influential person in this city.

 Regina paid a restaurant employee to overhear their conversation but to no avail.  "I only heard Maya Madame call him father," replied the employee.

 But this one statement was very important for Regina, if it was true, then her guess was not wrong. The old man was her mother's father. Regina had heard the conversation between her mother and father at home about her mother's real father who turned out to be a rich man in this city.

 Regina smiled happily hearing that one statement which meant she was the grandson of the richest, most famous, and influential person.  Great.  Extraordinary. Regina admired her existence.  Proud of her.  But her mother owes her a lot of explanation.

 ****

 While at Shasha's grandmother's house, the old woman was shocked, touched and happiness engulfed her, welcoming her granddaughter's success.

 But she was also confused about she had to wear clothes tomorrow. She didn't have any proper clothes to wear for tomorrow's occasion. Fortunately, Mother Rustina came to bring her merchandise according to the needs of the grandmother and grandchild. Indeed, this owner's merchandise instincts were very strong to fulfill the desires of his customers.

 It turned out that Maya could not attend tomorrow's event because she was leaving for Jakarta tomorrow, she agreed to be the judge of the talent contest, a search for newcomer singers, especially dangdut[1]. This was good for Shasha as she was not yet well prepared to meet her mother.

 But Maya, once again gave up the opportunity from her father to officially meet her daughter Shasha and Madame Maimunah. As a condition for launching campaign funds. This was Maya's only regret.

 It turned out that this opportunity was made use of by Mr. Rahmat, without any hard work he got luck, namely getting sympathy from his ex-father-in-law.

 Maimunah never thought that she would meet her husband on the veranda of the governor's office, after several decades without seeing him, her husband Isaac had changed very much, even though not all of his hair was black, but he was still a handsome man and impressed everyone. The old man stood proudly flanking Shasha on the left and the right of Shasha, standing Zakaria, the mayor's father, then other people who stood in a row facing the invitees on the stage.

 Both of Shasha's grandparents asked for protocol so they could stand next to Shasha. Of course, their photo was immediately snagged by the journalists covering the event and it became interesting news that the news anchor reviewed.

 [Provincial award winner: Shasha flanked by 2 famous regional figures]

 [Shasha won the youth pioneer award for non-formal school education]

 [Shasha: between the influential figures in the area who won the Governor's award]

 The award ceremony was still ongoing when the news was published.

 After giving the award, came a photo session with the award winners with the governor, the mayor, and other high-ranking regional figures.

 Isaac and Zakaria took turns asking for a special photo with Shasha and the governor, of course, could not reject the wishes of the two influential figures. Likewise, the mayor, Mr. Rahmat, also asked for a photo with Shasha along with the governor and with the two community leaders.

 Shasha was confused as to why people took turns wanting to take pictures with her, without knowing the motive and drama behind the shared photos.

 Taking photos together at this prestigious event in the area was a precious and touching moment for the three men.

 Shasha did know the mayor's purpose in taking her picture with him because he was her father.  But she displayed a casual impression in front of her father as she didn't want people to know the father and daughter relationship between them, even though the mayor taking a photo while hugging her shoulder would leave a strong impression. He took this precious moment for the first time taking a photo with his daughter who had been living without her parent's affection for so long. Of course, he could hide his emotion but he could not hide his happiness. On this stage of honor, he got to take a picture with his daughter, father-in-law, and his biological father.

 Likewise, the two old figures, were so enthusiastic and excited, smiling from ear to ear with full of happiness, especially for the photos while embracing Shasha's shoulders who smiled shyly. Shasha was flattered by her two famous grandparents, but she did not know the 2 figures were blood and flesh, yet. 

 The two figures looked at her with teary eyes when shaking hands with her. "Thank you, daughter. Thank you. Thank you!" Mr. Isaac's face and voice were sincere and moved. Shasha nodded in response to him respectfully.

 While Zakaria was unable to make a sound when shaking hands with her, his face filled with guilt. What happened to Shasha was all because of his sins. It was he who separated Maya Agustin from Rahmat, by sending Rahmat out of the country to separate from Maya Agustin, who was already pregnant. If only he had known that Maya Agustin was pregnant with Rahmat's child, of course, he would have taken the child, and Maya wouldn't have to live in secret.

_____

Note:

¹ - dangdut is the traditional music of Indonesia country.