Botanical Cafe & Tongue-in-Law

Happy Day

Sri sat looking at Rudi and Seruni who were in front of him facing Pastor Simon. His eyes glazed over, seeing this one and only boy finally getting married. I don't know how many times Sri asked Rudi when he married and how many times he also heard his son said “Later, Mom. We each still want to focus on work.”. Tired of hearing that word. Sri has promised her late husband to continue with both of them until they are married and see how their grandchildren will grow. Rita, the first child, had a family and joined her husband in Kalimantan five years ago. Vina, the second child married three years ago and lives near Rudi's house. Since Rudi built his own house with four available rooms, Sri decided to sell the house she had built with her husband. Such a spacious house was already not suitable for him to occupy himself. Sri is actually still able to do daily homework but the children forbid it. Especially Rudy. After repeatedly convincing his mother to live in his house, Sri finally collapsed and obeyed Rudi's request. On one condition. Terms that have been successfully evicted by Rudi many times. Rudi must immediately marry Seruni and must not delay the baby. It does sound selfish, but Sri feels it is worth Rudi's compulsion to stay in her house. Sri does not want to continue to linger in Rudi's house and eventually remain alone, without any daughter-in-law or grandchildren accompanying.

Sri is quite familiar with Seruni. He appreciates his hard work to take care of the cafe he built from scratch. Moreover, the situation of Seruni who was an orphan from a baby. Seruni got a scholarship to college, his cafe presentation was successfully financed by coffee and tea companies and finally very independent. Several times Sri heard stories from Seruni who sent some of his income to the Nursing Home of Cahaya Maria. This also caused Diah to go to the city and help Seruni in the cafe. In his heart, Sri is grateful to have a daughter-in-law like Seruni. Sri considers Seruni no longer a matching partner for Rudi. Seruni is more than that. Tears soaked Sri's cheeks. Rudi kissed Seruni's forehead after they made a sacred promise in the House of God. Some guests even applauded. Somewhat surprised Sri heard the applause but she ignored it. In the end, Rudi has a friend and Sri is no longer alone at home.

...****...

Sri sat in a special family chair next to the bride. Today he feels so happy. One by one the guests began to visit the wedding hall of Rudi and Seruni. Some he knew (because Sri invited himself), some did not. The bride's family sat on the left, near the stairs down from where the bride and groom were standing. Rita and Vina were with their families sitting there. Since there was no immediate family from Seruni, the seat for his family was filled by Dini and Lusi. Diah sits next to Seruni, acting as the guardian of the Seruni family. If Sri is still a bit awkward with Seruni, it is different with Diah. Sri and Diah are familiar and often exchange stories. Diah who previously worked to help at the Nursing Home Light Maria is accustomed to communicating with the elderly. They sometimes cook together on weekends, play halma, or Diah takes Sri to follow the gymnastics tera with the elderly in the Church. Seruni who lived in a boarding house with Diah was initially hesitant to ask Sri for permission so that Diah could stay at home later, but who would have thought it was Sri who asked Diah to come live together at Rudi's house later. Rudi did not mind it, especially after witnessing his mother's closeness to Diah. At least someone helps to at home and cafe Seruni later.

Guests begin to eat dishes provided by happy couples. Some stores began to busy refilling the food needed to meet the requests of invited guests. Seruni and Rudi looked not worried, they had calculated in such a way as to minimize the possibility of food stocks will run out prematurely. They just hope that the food is prepared in excess so that they can share it later on to anyone who needs and wants. Seruni glanced at Sri who was still smiling then touched Sri's hand.

“Bu, want to eat first?” ask Sri Seruni. Rudi looked at his mother. The clock that shows noon resuscitated Rudi to remind his mother to eat.

“Iya Ma'am. Eat first,” added Rudi.

“Bareng with Mba Diah all Bu,” Seruni tried to convince.

Sri was silent for a moment. His stomach was already hungry, but he still wanted to be in this chair. Diah who had noticed three people in his right began to understand and then rose from his seat to approach Sri.

“Bu, I want to eat first. Want to join us?” ask Diah.

“Yes already, I come all meals,” replied Sri.

Seruni and Rudi smiled at Sri's reply and initiative from Diah. Slowly Sri rose up and Diah guarded Sri during their journey to the family place for lunch.

“Aman wes, not late to eat,” said Seruni.

Rudi smiled at his wife's words.

“Udah start yes this be his daughter-in-law?” asked Rudi in a joking tone.

“Make me yes already. If for you, you will never start,” replied Seruni.

Rudi held back his laughter. He did not want to look strange in front of the many guests in front of them with a loud laugh at his wife's reply. Seruni smiled seeing her husband trying to hold back the laughter. He knew that the answer would make Rudi laugh out loud in normal situations. For some people, such an answer will not be accepted easily. Seruni who had long since made peace with her condition felt that the sentence was ordinary because even without immediate family, she already had her successor in the Orphanage. Even some of his brothers used to come to this wedding. Therefore, Seruni only answered like that to people who already understood each other. Rudi and Seruni stood up from their seats as soon as they saw some of the invited guests begin to climb the stairs. Rudi and Seruni smiled as they shook hands with the guests. Thank you for your presence and congratulations from your guests. Visible invited guests also smiled satisfied, maybe happy with the dish they had eaten. After completing their intended purpose of meeting the bride and groom, the invited guests leave the wedding one by one. Rudi glanced towards Seruni.

“You laper gak?” ask Rudi.

“Originally yes, Mas. But afraid fitting we eat even someone wants a photo,” replied Seruni.

“Sodara-sodamu from home first arrived?” ask Rudi.

“Should have just snapped again. If Mr Rahmat?” seruni Balas.

“He said he would be a bit sad he came,” replied Rudi.

Rudi noticed the surrounding, seen invited guests still focus on eating dishes and hospitality.

“Now, the power is safe,” said Rudi.

“Ya already, justin aja empty gapapa,” reply Seruni while laughing.

Seruni and Rudi moved towards the family's eating place. MCs were astonished to notice this couple. Feeling noticed, Rudi looked towards the MC and hinted that they wanted to eat for a while. MC nodded his head.

Rita shook her head with a small smile while holding Alvin, her only child. Seruni and Rudi smiled as they stroked each other's bellies.

“Cepet eat there,” said Rita who then continued to feed Alvin.

Seruni and Rudi sat near Sri and Diah who ate their own meals. Sri looked at the newlyweds and took a glass filled with water. Slowly Sri sipped water and then put the glass back on the table.

“Don't be long, Nang. Ga good later if there are guests who wait to dyalelametin,” Sri reminded.

Seruni got up and took food for Rudi and himself.

“Iya, have told the MCnya,” replied Rudi while paying attention to the food prepared by Seruni.

“Still my Wife. Understand really the portion as much as.”

“Mikjif yi Istriki,” cibir Seruni then sat in his chair.

Diah smiled at the behavior of her sister.

“All of you will be there later we sit again. Gapapa ‘kan Bu?” ask Diah.

“Iya gapapa.”

“Good day to happy families and invited guests all. Allow me to sing a song to entertain who is here.”

The keyboardist starts playing the intro of the song and is followed by a saxophone player. Some guests stopped to notice the song that would be sung in a moment. Maybe they have their own memories with the song to be sung. Diah humming along accompanied the Singer. Sri looked towards Diah, pleased with Diah's humming.

“You don't want to sing later?” ask Sri.

He laughed at Sri's question.

“Neither ma'am, escape later his guests.”

“Ngawur. That's good for your voice,” said Sri.

Seruni and Rudi finished eating. They lean on the chair, calming down first after eating.

“Udah?” ask Diah.

“Mba Events. Not yet down this loh,” replied Rudi.

Seruni looked towards the entrance. He scrunched his forehead, trying to focus his gaze.

“Mba, the same Bu Ratna Mba Susi ‘right?”

Diah looked towards the entrance.

“Iya. There's Gina same Lulu too it's.”

“Ya. I'm back again,” said Seruni.

Seruni, Rudi, Sri, and Diah moved from their seats to their seats. Seruni did not expect that Ms Ratna also came to her wedding reception. In the past, Ms. Ratna forced Seruni to continue her education until college. Seruni who had wanted to help the Orphanage was rejected by Bu Ratna. Ms. Ratna who always tried to come to the report division of Orphanage children insisted that Seruni to continue her education. It is a pity if the good values of Seruni are not used to find scholarships or study at a cheaper cost. Seruni finally followed Bu Ratna's will and ended up in this building. Seruni, Rudi, Sri and Diah were already in their respective positions. Seruni prepared to greet Ms. Ratna and her sisters who were getting closer. Sri welcomed the hand of Bu Ratna. Bu Ratna hugged Sri, smiling happily.

“I Ratna. The Head Mother of the Orphanage Seruni first, Mom. Congratulations Mom, I wish you all the best for Family Mother too,”, said Ms. Ratna.

“Iya thanks also yes Ma'am. I've seen Seruni until now it's been a success.”

Ms. Ratna nodded her head then continued shaking Rudi's hand and hugging him. Seruni did not hear what Bu Ratna said. His eyes glazed over, he focused on holding back the tears coming down his cheeks. Ms. Ratna this time was in front of Seruni. They looked at each other, looking at each other. Instantly recalling the past events they experienced together. Seruni could not help holding back her tears. Soon she hugged Ratna and cried. Bu Ratna smiled as she stroked Seruni's shoulder. Slowly her tears flowed.

“Bu, thanks to Bu,” said Seruni.

“Iya Ni's. You welcome. So good family yes. Mutually support and understand.”

Seruni and Bu Ratna let go of their embrace. Seruni nodded her head while trying to smile. Gina and Lulu immediately approached Seruni and instead embraced Seruni. Ms. Ratna shifted to Diah and also hugged each other.

“Congratulations yes. Lasting continues,” said Gina.

The three of them then let go of their embrace.

“Still Yes Gin.”

“Cepet has momongan also yes,” said Lulu with a smile.

Seruni laughed at Lulu's words.

“Most is that. We are still focused on working first,” said Seruni.

Sri scrunched her forehead hearing Seruni's reply. Is it true what he just heard? Sri was speechless, trying to be positive if Seruni's answer was just a small talk. Rudi smiled at the person who was about to approach him. Mr. Grace came and prepared to greet Rudi's family. Sri forced a smile on Mr. Grace. He still could not accept the words of Seruni earlier. Pak Rahmat continued to greet Rudi and Seruni while smiling happily. It was nice to see this trusted officer get married too.

“Congratulations Yes Rudi, Seruni. Lasting always, strengthened in the family, all the plans that are arranged can be achieved and synchronized if you want to have children,” said Mr. Grace with a smile.

Rudi and Seruni laughed at the words of Mr. Grace. They seem to have forgotten the request of Sri.

“Thank you sir for your prayers. If you make a baby still later sir,” said Rudi.

“Iya Sir. We still want to focus on working first,” Seruni added.

Mr. Grace laughed at the answer from the new couple.

“Ya free. The important thing if it has been given the same belief of God is grateful,” said Mr. Grace.

Sri is becoming less focused. The sentence he heard earlier from Seruni before Pak Rahmat came turned out to be true. Rudi and Seruni had already intended to delay having children. The joy that was felt from the morning Sri slowly disappeared. Disappeared because of the answer that Sri heard twice.