Botanical Cafe & Tongue-in-Law
The In-law Tongue Plant
Almost a week Seruni and Sri did not say hello. Sri always stayed away from Seruni when Seruni tried to approach him personally. Although not as often away from Seruni, Sri also silenced Rudi. He only communicated with his son sufficiently. Even more Rudi is active. Sri never started talks, all based on Rudi's initiative alone. This is also what makes the atmosphere of the house quiet during this time. Everything was awkward, like the classroom atmosphere on the first day of school.
Seruni opened her eyes reluctantly. This Saturday he felt lazy to wake up. Seruni realized he had to wake up immediately to help Diah shop for cafe and kitchen needs of his home. Seruni looked towards the wall clock that showed five o'clock in the morning. There was no more time for Seruni to delay leaving with Diah. Seruni got up from her bed slowly, not wanting to wake Rudi up and prepare for her activities.
Seruni who was ready to go to the market took her time to prepare a snack for Sri in the kitchen. Her own in-laws had already woken up and were in the front yard watering plants. One catch of bread is smeared by butter evenly by Seruni. He planned to make toast for Sri. Hoping that the situation at least became more softened after this week he had tried to be kind to Sri. Before long, Sri came closer to Seruni. Sri confidently walked ignoring Seruni towards the sink to wash her hands. Sri took a small plate and jam for herself. Soon he took a loaf of bread to smear the jam. Of course for himself. He did not intend to eat Seruni's bread. Diah who had noticed the behavior of these two people. Diah is aware, how much effort Seruni is currently doing may not be able to soften Sri's heart.
“Ni, come on,” Diah told Seruni when she finished making toast.
Seruni looked towards Diah, not too enthusiastic and walked closer to Diah.
“Bu, we go to the market first yes,” Diah told Sri.
“Yes, ati-ati.”
Diah and Seruni left Sri. Diah glanced at Seruni, understanding that the look on Seruni's empty face was not with Diah at this time. There are more important things he thinks about.
...****...
Seruni sat in the cafe chair that was still quiet because it was not open yet. Seruni and Diah put the groceries for the cafe first before they went home to be more efficient. Diah sipped her hot tea, trying to calm herself down. Some people passed through the front door of the cafe while running small. This weekend many people use to exercise to simply refresh their minds from the dizziness of the workload. Diah came out from the kitchen towards Seruni while carrying a cup of tea. He sat down and sipped his tea. He noticed the empty Seruni lamenting people passing Lalang through the front door of the cafe.
“Udah want a week ya diem-dieman all?”
Seruni nodded her head as she continued to look towards the door. Diah exhaled while shaking her head.
“Yes, just be patient. I also don't know what to do,” said Diah.
Seruni sipped his tea again.
“Salah we also even boong to Mom,” said Seruni.
Diah did not respond. He understood this was the choice chosen by Seruni and Rudi himself. They should have known it would end like this. Diah looked towards the clock that showed at half-seven in the morning. The cafe opens at 10 a.m. There is still enough time to prepare all the needs of the cafe on the weekend which is likely to be full as the weekend in general. Diah then remembered something.
“You've tried to apologize together again to Mom?”
Seruni nodded her head.
“Udah, but yes it is.”
“Hopefully just a moment and hopefully get angry. Not good housemate diem-dieman it.”
Seruni nodded her head again, hoping that everything would return to normal like it used to be. Diah got up from her seat and followed Seruni. They walked to the kitchen to put their old glasses to drink and left the cafe. Beside the cafe, the plant shop is already open and preparing to face the buyers in the present day.
...****...
Seruni looked towards Lisa who was typing on the outside chair of the cafe. He remembered something he could have done to win Sri's heart. For that, he needed to wait for Dini to finish the order from Lisa. It doesn't hurt to try this. Seruni brought Lisa's order with great anticipation. He hopes Lisa is drawing up her investigation so she can ask more questions about the plant store next door.
“Lis, this is the order.”
“Still Yes Ni.”
Seruni noticed what Lisa was working on. His records regarding the plant shop are more and more convincing. Seruni set her breath, trying to dare herself to ask Lisa.
“Lis, am I sitting here gapapa? Something I want to ask you.”
Lisa smiles at Seruni and lets Seruni sit down.
“Why Ni?”
“I can ask to you?”
“What problems?”
Seruni was silent for a moment. He doubted if Lisa would tell him about the plant store and gave him information about the power of the plants in the store.
“Where's Ni? How's diem?”
“Hm, I'm sorry I have this. I was wondering Lis. Have you heard about the taneman store next to this cafe?”
“From some of the info I tried to find, there were changes after they bought taneman there, Ni. There are negative changes like Rina as the mysterious person, there are also positive changes.”
Seruni began to be interested when he heard that someone had positive results.
“Well, I don't know exactly how. This is fifty fifty. But, these positives and negatives are significant. Some were up in office, some were the same fate as Rina. Therefore, tomorrow I want to try to buy taneman also there for myself. Bener bingga my fate will change after buying taneman.”
Seruni nodded her head. It seems like he's round to buy plants.
“You why all of a sudden it's a taneman shop problem, Ni? You have no intention of buying there, right?”
Seruni looked blankly, not answering Lisa's question.
“Ni?”
...****...
Susi is preparing to close her shop. Some of the plants he displayed outside began to be put into the store. Slowly he walked while lifting a small pot containing the Japanese Fern plant. Seruni who watched Susi from across the street approached her and raised a small pot containing the Tongue-in-Law plant, intending to help Susi. Susi scrunched her forehead, shocked by the arrival of Seruni.
“Eh, Nak Seruni. Don't bother. You can do it yourself,” said Susi.
Seruni smiled at Susi.
“How to Bu. Not nerepotin.”
Susi smiled watching Seruni who helped her clean up the plants.
“Where is Nak Seruni's cafe today? Blowing again?” ask Susi.
“Possibility Yes Mom. But this will go home first, gentian same Mba Diah.”
“Ooh, who helped in that kitchen huh?”
“Iya Bu.”
Seruni noticed the state of Susi's plant shop. Come to think of it, only this time he entered and saw firsthand the situation in this plant store.
"Something Nak Seruni likes?” ask Susi.
Seruni smiled slightly at Susi. He did not expect Susi to be able to read the meaning of his mind.
“I want to buy taneman Ma for my in-laws. About coco what ya?”
Susi muttered, thinking what plants fit. Several times he checked the plants in his shop.
“Mertua Nak Seruni likes taneman too? How about?”
“I do not understand the problem of Taneman as well anyway Mom. Do you have any suggestions?”
“Hm, the taneman that Nak Seruni helped bring here the power is suitable.”
“Tongue in-law?”
Susi nodded her head. Seruni looked at the plant she had put. Somehow he felt fit with the plant, especially with the name that describes to whom the plant will be given.
“How much does Bu cost?”
“Free. Mother also has never given taneman to Nak Seruni ‘kan as a sign of knowing each other first when Nak Seruni opened the cafe?”
Seruni gawked at Susi's reply.
“Udah, Nak Seruni take aja.”
Seruni was confused by this incident. Everything went too smoothly, without any hitch and cost a dime. Susi smiled at Seruni who was still gawking at the thought of what effect she would get from this plant. Of course he hopes to have a positive effect and not end up like Rina.
...****...
