Botanical Cafe & Tongue-in-Law

Attitude Change

Seruni daydreamed looking at the visitors of his cafe. The situation of the cafe filled with visitors did not make Seruni turn to think about his visitors. It's not usually like this. Seruni often looks like daydreaming, but in fact he pays attention to his visitors. Either from their busy lives in front of their respective laptops, conversations with colleagues in front of them or even their expressions. Not infrequently when Seruni helped deliver the order, he found his observations accurate. I have problems with my job or life. Observing others became something that Seruni increasingly liked since he had a cafe. Some visitors who found Seruni observing it actually asked Seruni's opinion about the problems they faced. Especially if the atmosphere of the cafe is quiet. Having someone who can listen to the problems they face becomes one of the reasons Seruni did not realize why many visitors who eventually returned to the Botanical Cafe. But not this time. Seruni's gaze was blank as he tried to recall what had earned him the strange treatment of Sri these three days. When Seruni asked for time, Sri answered accordingly. Flat, doesn't sound enthusiastic at all. Seruni offered to escort Sri to weekly gymnastics but was refused for no apparent reason. Seruni tried to figure it out but the answer was far-fetched with the rather high tone that Seruni had obtained. Seruni did not understand. In the past few days, he has been getting up late than usual. As a result, Seruni did not help prepare breakfast for Rudi. Seruni did not feel this was the main reason. He must find out and fix it immediately.

Diah patted Seruni's shoulder. Diah scrunched his forehead, feeling strange because Seruni daydreamed in the midst of the crowd of visitors.

“Why you?”

Seruni exhaled heavily, trying to ease the burden of his mind. He paused for a moment, trying to decide whether or not to tell Diah his problem.

“Capacity to Mba. A little dizzy earlier,” replied Seruni.

Diah shook her head. Diah often sees Seruni quietly watching her visitors, but this time is different. His view is completely empty. Diah was with Seruni from childhood. He understands very well how Seruni views when really paying attention or empty. Also with the answer Seruni earlier. He did not believe what he heard. Something must have gone wrong and Seruni was not ready to tell Diah anything about it.

“You want to take medicine first? Or rest first deh,” said Diah.

Seruni shook her head.

“I asked for coffee aja mba, from the morning have not been coffee.”

“Yes, I'll make it. Don't daydream, it's not good to see the same visitors.”

Seruni nodded her head. Diah went back to the kitchen, there was a dish she needed to make. Seruni was distracted at the clinking sound of the entrance. Lisa walks into the cafe with a backpack on her shoulder. Lisa looks rather shabby, eye bags begin to thicken and unlike usual she looks. Seruni tried to smile at Lisa, intending to make one of her loyal customers get a positive aura that was actually also forced by Seruni to radiate.

“Ni, I'm the usual pesen yes. But the sugar is a little. The snack I pesen sugar toast.”

Seruni typed Lisa's order to get her into the kitchen.

“Ni, I'm outside yes. Want to smoke,” Lisa said.

“Iya, later I anter.”

Lisa smiled at Seruni and went to the chair in front of the Botanical Cafe. Seruni was still watching Lisa. He pulled out his laptop from his backpack and listened to something from his laptop. Seruni looked towards the kitchen, hoping for Lisa's order to come soon. He is curious about the development of the case of Rina. Until now, Seruni had not heard any more stories about Rina from Lisa. The situation may be more complicated than Lisa or even Seruni thought. They hope that Rina will be found soon.

Seruni came to deliver Lisa's order. Lisa was serious about listening to something from her laptop while occasionally smoking the cigarette that was in her left hand. It's not often Seruni sees Lisa smoking. And if Lisa smokes, Seruni understands that the situation facing Lisa is quite severe. Seruni served coffee and sugar toast to Lisa. Seruni's actions awaken Lisa. Lisa took off the headset from her ear and looked at Seruni.

“Still yes, Ni.”

“Sama-sama.”

Lisa sipped her coffee then fell silent for a moment. Seruni was still paying attention to the notes made by Lisa. The sound of a headset that was loud enough to make Seruni realize that Lisa was making observations about the plant shop next to her cafe. The notes from Lisa concluded that Rina's departure was also triggered by Rina's arrival to the plant's shop.

“Lis, can I sit here?”

“However, sorry if I smoked.”

“Gapa, relax aja.”

Seruni adjusted her breathing for a moment, trying to vent to convey her point sitting in front of Lisa.

“Lis, have you heard from Rina?”

“Not yet. I tried asking his parents again but still no news.”

Seruni looks gloomy. After the last time he asked about Rina in the last month but there was still no bright spot.

“So how long has Rina been without news?”

“Udah wants four months. Her ex-husband is also married again the same affair now. Don't know how it goes. Bodo. May his life get harder.”

Seruni recalled that a few months ago, Rina had a great cry in front of the cafe with Lisa. Seruni did not think that the cause was her own husband. Instantly a feeling of disdain appeared in Seruni's heart. She hoped that Lina's husband would get her karma someday.

“Keep, how can you connect to the next plant store?”

Lisa was silent for a moment. Remembering his gift to Rina at the engagement of Rina.

Lisa paused for a moment and smoked her cigarette. Seruni was increasingly curious about the continuation of his story. Mystical things always attract the attention of Seruni even though he himself is quite timid. He felt that there was something strange that seemed to have happened because of that.

“I was joking that time. Tell me if this plant can make cover up and protect your family from problems that can be seen by outsiders. But it turns out, quite the opposite. The moment the plant began to bloom, the original nature of Rina's husband came out. His work is getting worse, passive nyari proyekan, until finally cheating on Rina. At first I also do not believe, cheating is equally males mah if it is already from there so it will certainly be so. But Rina said that she had also been seen by a strange person who also bought the plant. The man said that his family was getting damaged after the bride's tears in her house. The person also said that if the chameleon will appear in the plant, it means that we have to be more careful.”

Seruni was really looking at Lisa. It was hard to believe anything he had just heard. All this time he had never heard of a plant being able to exert such influence.

“I tried to go to Nek Susi who is Julia in the store, but she also did not know where Rina went. He said that Rina only briefly kept Rina away from the store. Several times I waited who knew there was a strange person who appeared on the decket plant store but until now have never seen with his own eyes.”

Seruni was silent sadly. He did not expect this customer to have to face such an incident. She often communicates with Rina first but never tells her about the problem with her husband.

“Kalo can, you do not buy anything first yes there. Fear of nothing. Hope you are, but just in case.”

Seruni nodded her head slowly while praying for the best for Rina in her heart.

...****...

Seruni walked out of her room while drying her hair. The clock shows at five in the afternoon and as usual, Sri is already busy in the kitchen. Seruni immediately headed to the backyard to put down her towel and help Sri. Seruni tried positively, this time Sri will behave as usual and will not be cold to him. Steadily, Seruni walked up to Sri who was busy cutting chives for the chicken soup she cooked.

“Bu, who hasn't let alone?”

Sri glanced at Seruni. Sri's expression was still cold on Seruni.

“Siapin plate.”

Only two words came out of Sri, but Seruni saw there was still tempeh and tofu that had not been fried by Sri. Seruni exhaled, trying to calm down and embolden herself before saying another word.

“Tempe same year would like Seruni gorengin not Bu?”

Sri shook her head slowly.

“No need, Mom aja.”

Seruni swallowed his saliva. It seemed like Sri still had something that disappointed her. Seruni tries to be patient and will try to ask Rudi later tonight. Seruni took the plate and went to the dining room to prepare dinner. Not long after, Rudi came. Rudi watched his wife as she entered the house. He scrunched his forehead looking at Seruni who prepared the plate with a sad expression. I want Rudi to ask immediately the state of Seruni but it seems Seruni is too focused on his activities now to ignore Rudi. Rudi moved towards the room, trying not to disturb Seruni. Yes, he needs to talk to Seruni after dinner.

...****...

Seruni and Rudi lay on their beds staring at the ceiling of the room. Sleeping lights illuminate them, making the atmosphere comfortable to rest. Rudi looked towards Seruni, trying to open the conversation.

“Why did you? Some days there is a difference deh.”

Seruni looked at Rudi.

“In addition to the different me, there is a different feeling again not?” Seruni asked back.

Rudi scrunched his forehead. He was trying to think about what was different in his family today. For a moment Rudi was silent, not finding the answer to Seruni's question.

“Who met the answer yet?”

Rudi shook his head slowly. Seruni regulated her breathing.

“Mother these few days is a bit weird as me. If I like it a bit sniffy answer.”

Rudi gawked in disbelief hearing Seruni's words. He did not expect the story of his co-workers regarding the dispute between the in-laws and the daughter-in-law would happen so soon to his family.

“Mas, do you know if we have a child?”

Rudi did not answer. He did not want his family to seize this quickly, let alone his condition which was the cause. Rudi thought of something. He must immediately tell Mom his condition before Seruni gets dragged into this problem.

...****...