Bara remained silent. He didn't give any answer-not because he didn't want to, but because he had no idea how to explain his situation. Yes, he was married, but the marriage was only ceremonial. Legally, it meant nothing. He hadn't signed a single document before or after the wedding. No marriage registration, no report to the Civil Registry Office, and no record at the Implementing Agency.
In other words, his marriage did not exist in the eyes of the law. And because of that, he wouldn't need a divorce certificate if he chose to separate from his so-called wife.
"Master Bara?" Doctor Lissa called when she noticed he was lost in thought.
"It's fine. I'm married," Bara finally replied flatly.
"Oh-my apologies. I didn't know. I've never seen your wife come here. In that case, you probably won't need a babysitter to help take care of your daughter," Doctor Lissa said gently. She sounded more concerned about the baby's future care than about Bara's personal life.
"Yes. Thank you again, Doctor, for taking such good care of my daughter. I'm sorry-I have to go," Bara said before quickly excusing himself.
He had already ordered an online taxi earlier. Now, with some difficulty, he got into the car while holding tiny Bellyca. Even though Bara had watched countless tutorials on Google-how to carry a newborn, how to care for one, what to prepare-everything still felt awkward and foreign to him.
After arriving at the small rented house, Bara paid the driver, stepped inside, and placed Bellyca gently into the crib he had bought the day before.
Only after making sure she was settled did he return to his laptop to resume his work.
But the moment he placed his hands on the keyboard, a small cry pierced the room.
Bara shot up and went to the crib. "What's wrong, Bellyca? Is Daddy's little girl hungry?" he asked softly, touching her tiny hand with gentle worry.
But the baby only cried louder.
Bara quickly prepared formula milk, glancing back and forth at her as she cried. Thankfully, he had placed all the supplies in his room to make feeding easier.
After shaking the bottle and checking the temperature-just like the nurse taught him-he lifted the baby again.
"The milk is ready. Come here, sweetheart," he whispered, placing the bottle at her lips.
Immediately, Bellyca latched on hungrily. Bara held the bottle patiently until she finished her fill and slowly drifted back to sleep.
"Are you full now? Daddy's going to get back to work, alright?" he whispered to the peacefully sleeping baby.
Bara washed the bottle in the kitchen before returning to the desk. He focused on his design work again.
But two hours later-
"Waaah...!"
The baby cried again.
Bara sighed softly, feeling both tired and amused. He rose, prepared another bottle, and fed her again. Once full, she slept once more.
However, the moment Bara sat down again-
"Waaah...!"
"What is it now, honey? Didn't you just drink milk?" he muttered, feeling his panic rise.
He immediately searched Google: Why does a baby cry even after feeding?
The answer was clear.
Bara quickly lifted her and placed her on the bed. When he opened her swaddle, he saw that the cloth underneath was already drenched.
"Oh gosh... your diaper is full. Daddy is so sorry, sweetheart. Daddy forgot to check," he said with an embarrassed smile as he changed her diaper.
Wrapping her back in a swaddle was another challenge. Bara tried several times, but no matter how he folded it, the wrap still looked messy and loose-even though the nurse had taught him yesterday.
"Bellyca, why is this so hard? Never mind... a little messy is okay. Daddy tried," Bara chuckled helplessly.
He cleaned the small carpet underneath her bed, then placed her back in the crib. Thankfully, Bellyca fell asleep again, breathing softly.
---
And that became Bara's life for the next two exhausting yet meaningful weeks-working while caring for his infant daughter day and night. Feed, clean, soothe, work, repeat.
Until one day...
His phone rang.
"Yes, hello?" Bara answered, seeing an unknown number.
"Are you the architect who goes by the name Bara Bellyca?" the caller asked.
The mention of his pseudonym immediately made Bara realize-this must be his first potential client from the website he had created yesterday.
"Yes, that's me."
"I am the Manager of The King Hotel. We've reviewed your portfolio and design capabilities. Our company has decided to use your services to design the new hotel we will be building. Are you available?" the man asked directly.
"The King Hotel..." Bara whispered. The name sparked a memory.
"Yes. We are partnering with Barcio Asian Corporate for construction. They do have their own in-house architect team, but after seeing your designs, our Young Lady was impressed and insisted on working with you personally. This hotel project will be her private property. So, are you ready, sir?" the manager asked.
"Oh-yes, I'm ready, sir!" Bara said, unable to hide his excitement.
"Then tomorrow, Mr. Bara-"
"Barbell," Bara corrected politely. "That's my nickname, sir."
"Very well. Mr. Barbell, could you spare some time to meet us in person as soon as possible?" the manager asked.
"Yes, of course, sir. I'll come tomorrow. Thank you," Bara said, smiling widely for the first time in a long while.
"Excellent. I'll send the address shortly. We look forward to meeting you, Mr. Barbell," said the manager warmly.
"Yes, sir. Thank you." Bara ended the call, his heart pounding.
He quickly opened his laptop and searched for The King Hotel.
"There it is... It's real!" Bara muttered, his eyes sparkling with disbelief and excitement.
The King Hotel was one of the establishments he had been investigating. Just yesterday, while out buying baby supplies, Bara had accidentally seen Uncle Burhan enter that very hotel-together with several associates, each with a woman in their arms.
...
