8 To 4: The Mayor's Contract Wife

Secret Letter

Monday returned and Ajeng had to return to the office at eight in the morning as usual. That morning he set out alone because incidentally the Hero had gone first to settle matters elsewhere. When he was about to enter the office, Ajeng passed by Pak Parto, head of public relations and protocol for the city government of Carang Sewu, who was seen walking while staggering.

“Pagi Pak Parto.”

“Eh, Ma Ajeng.. Good morning, Ma!”

“Pak Parto why? How is the road staggering?”

“Capek Bu, cycling all day with Mr. Kapolres.”

“Loh instead of Pak Parto himself who wants to meet and nemenin Pak Kapolres cycling?” ask again.

“Who said, Mom? I am no longer young, where strong cycling with Mr Kapolres? If it wasn't for Mr. Wira who meant me, I wouldn't be riding a bike anymore. Riding a car can be ambeyen let alone ride a bike.” Grunts Pak Parto.

Ajeng tried to hold back an amused laugh at Pak Parto's explanation.

‘Basic Mas Wira! Foolish lovemaking parents.’ Batin Ajeng's.

But deep in his heart, he felt happy because that day Wira was more concerned with it than work. In the end, the hero sacrifices the wrong person.

“You want me to get pain relief ointment at the clinic?” bargain Ajeng to make up for the guilt for the idle actions of Wira.

“Ah, no need, Mom. I was treated with my wife. It's also getting better.”

“Thank God then.”

“Morning Bu!” Sapa Dito who just arrived. “Morning Sir!”

“Again! Here-here!” Mr. Parto who is Dito's superior immediately asked Dito for help to break it into their office which happened to be in the same room.

Dito smiled and said goodbye to Ajeng.

Seeing Dito, Ajeng recalled his promise to show the truth about Wira. But he had not had time to think about his first steps, Manda had already approached him and invited him to a meeting to discuss the agenda of women's dharma anniversary.

*******************

“I have dropped my pride in the eyes of the Governor to meet the request of Mr. Wali so that Bu Wali becomes the main speaker replacing the Governor.” Dramatic Manda's words started the meeting that day. “So, we kindly ask that Bu Ajeng will cooperate well in order to maintain good harmony of vertical and horizontal relationships between all parties.”

A public relations officer raised his hand. “Please, Mom. But what Bu Manda said was true. We must immediately agree on the matter so that we, can immediately prepare and compile materials for the seminar material mom.”

A member of the committee also raised his hand to express his opinion. “Bu Manda is right, Mom. Not only the material, we also have to arrange the arrangement and course of the event so that it is smooth and does not embarrass the name of our city at the provincial level.”

Another meeting participant does not want to miss. “Absolutely. Because it is still new, Bu Ajeng may not understand that there will be representatives from many cities present in Carang Sewu later. Of course we cannot underestimate this event. Because it will greatly determine the good and bad image of our city out there.”

Ajeng began to get annoyed with their sarcastic babble. “Good. Please do your duty! I will be a keynote speaker with one condition.”

“What?”

“No photo session.”

“But Bu –“

Ajeng raised his hand to stop. “Let's move on to the next issue!”

“Because the implementation time of the event is getting closer, then we will start implementing the plan of mixing.” Manda opened another question.

“Installing?”

“Maybe Bu Ajeng doesn't know about this yet. So let me explain the details. Because this event is very big, then we feel the need for careful preparation. In order to prepare well, we need good teamwork. Teamwork will be awakened if you often meet and synergize with other city hall employees. So from tomorrow, the mothers of the women dharma committee will come to the office and work with their husbands to establish strong bonds and mutual benefits.” Obviously Manda is long.

Ajeng gasped, “Sorry, but I found no correlation between the arrival of mothers here with the inner bond and the success of the event.”

“Bu Ajeng underestimated my idea?” todong Manda was upset.

“Not. I just think because the time is near and the preparation has not been completed, we just need to focus on our work and tasks. There is no need to interrupt and mix this event with work at the city hall. In addition to maintaining the conduciveness of our husband-husband work environment, also to show the impression of our professionalism as the organizing committee.”

Manda was more upset to hear the explanation from Ajeng. “We've planned this from a long time.”

“But that is not the reason that the plan should be executed when it is useless.”

“You are really outrageous.” Hardik Manda's. “Whose do you think you are? New come already acting smart and pretentious to know.”

“Sorry, then let's be clear again. What is my position in this committee team?” ask the moderator.

“Chairman committee.” The moderator hesitated.

“It's clear right?” tukas Ajeng full of victory. “Now let's be clearer. Does anyone agree with me? If not, then I want to hear excuses from all of you, one by one.”

Then one by one the participants raised their hands until they left only Manda.

Manda was furious at feeling humiliated in front of all the meeting participants. He hurried away from the meeting but Ajeng prevented it.

“Sorry Mom Manda. But you can't leave the forum yet because we have to talk about thinking and realisation. Unless, you intend to bestow your duties as treasurer to others.” Admonish Ajeng firmly.

With a face full of anger and roaring breath, Manda had to return to her seat again. He clenched both hands and determined inwardly to repay Ajeng's treatment to him that day, he did not accept being underestimated and humbled by the snot girl he had just come and met.

The next discussion revolves around the division of duties and other technical matters that do not sound at all attractive to Ajeng. Instead of discussing such detailed issues, Ajeng actually asked to be given a list of invited guests who would attend the seminar later.

Ajeng read the list carefully then glanced at the calendar and smiled because he felt he had enough time to get to know all of his prospective guests. But then his eyes returned to the calendar. That day was seventeen. The smile of the wannabe became wider. I can't wait for the meeting to end.

************

After the meeting ended, Ajeng rushed to the room of Wira and started writing letters for his second brother. He wrote so passionately that he did not realize that his tears were dripping and soaking his paper. He then read the letter carefully. He did not want any wrong words and offended his second brother.

After feeling enough, Ajeng folded it and put it in an envelope. He then went alone to the post office located not far from the city government office complex on foot. After affixing the stamps, Ajeng sent them and hoped that the letter would arrive safely in the right hands.

*********************