Dreams of Devi

Chicken Soto

For a moment I closed my watery eyes and took turns to blink. The aroma coming out of onions also makes the nose no less painful. Fortunately, the onion peeling activity has been completed by Bu Ina.

"Sir, while drinking the tea! It's cold, you know." Mbah Ginah sipped his coffee and pointed to my tea which was still intact.

"Snake, Mbah."

"Don't just nggah-nggeh, nggah-nggeh. Let's drink!" I just smiled awkwardly because this time Ms. Ina also told me to.

"If rewang gini does not need to hesitate. Whatever the host provides can be eaten. Don't worry, Miss Devi."

I finally drank the cold tea. Maybe it could be reprimanded again from Bu Ina or Mbah Ginah if I do not immediately obey.

"You're Alwi's friend, aren't you?" ask Ms. Ina to me.

"Ngegeh, Mom. One class is the same as her."

"Soalya Salma once told me that Alwi is the same class as you. Mother is still brother to Mr. Herman, her husband is Ms. Salma."

"Oh, yes, ma'am?"

"Yes, Mbah Ginah is Ms. Yu from her mother Mr. Herman," explained Bu Ina about her family genealogy.

"Oh, like that. Just found out, Mom."

The conversation continues and I don't talk much here. Just as a listener to mothers who are conveying an outpouring of heart or just talking about someone. I actually don't like things like this, but how else.

Not long after a few small children ran to the mother in the kitchen. It is precisely I who feel anxious, afraid of falling or just getting hit by people who are passing by. I realized when I was a kid I was like that too, it turned out to be annoying for adults.

"Lho, why are you here, Re?" I saw Rehan standing behind his friend.

"I was playing with Irfan, Ma'am. He wanted to ask for his mother's money, I brought it here" Rehan explained by pointing to a boy his age who was with a woman who might be his mother.

"Other times if you send a friend wait outside. Don't come in, in a crowded place, bother!" I'm strict with Rehan. Actually, I was afraid that if there was a neighbor who saw Rehan, afraid to be considered intentionally wanting food.

"Oah, Nduk, don't scold your sister. Get him some crackers or some other snack if he wants." Bu Ina pointed to several jars containing the typical food of the people of Hajatan. I glanced at Rehan, he shook his head quickly. Good then.

"You want to snack on Irfan?" Well, that looks really apprehensive to my sister.

"Yes, Mommy."

"Have you brought money?"

"It has. It was given by Father." The question just slid, even though I did not bring any money at all. What would happen if Rehan answered 'no'.

"Yes, play with your friends there!"

"Still waiting for Irfan, Ma'am!"

Rehan chose to sit crouching beside me. His friend Rehan is still loyal to his mother. Nor do I know what kind of banter the middle-aged woman gave her son.

"Let's eat everything, rest! rest up!"

I looked up as soon as the voice sounded. A woman who had originally appeared to be carrying a load in a tray stopped beside me. He sat down and handed out the prepared food on the plate.

"Channel, yes, Ma'am." I nodded as soon as he handed me a plate of soto.

"Re, help me channel!" I whispered to Rehan but swiftly Bu Ina grabbed him.

For a long time I did not enjoy the clear soto of the people of Hajatan. Although you several times buy it after the market, but it still feels different. Slices of meat that are only a few fruits on the chicken soto in the place of worship actually give appeal to me. I can't wait to enjoy it.

"You eat first, Le!" Bu Ina put a plate of soto in front of Rehan. My sister glanced at me as if asking for permission. He understands the situation like this, maybe afraid if it will be the subject of conversation.

"Eat first, Re. That's your friend eating, too, right?" I pointed at Irfan who was being fed by his mother.

Rehan smiled broadly upon hearing my answer. Sometimes it's okay to let Rehan be happy at a neighbor's event. Maybe I am too excessive, often forbid it when I want to join me.

"Why not eat?" I asked to see Rehan who still left his soto untouched.

Finally came the second soto kloter. All have held their own rations. Rehan began to eat his food. Very tasty, the sauce is the one I like the most.

"Sir, where'd you put it?" Rehan shows his spoon containing sambal from soto.

"Put it on my plate!" Rehan did my orders.

Fortunately Rehan was not stubborn and could take care of himself. Her sensitive stomach can easily get diarrhea if you eat at any time. Rehan used to love stealing the opportunity to eat spicy food. However, for now Rehan seems really deterred.

"You want meat?" I asked Rehan. I knew he had glanced at my plate.

"Mak Devi's has run out" he said.

"There's still a piece, it's for you." I'll move a piece of meat that I still want. Just seeing Rehan so voraciously made me want to give it to him.

"Sir, this is Mbah Ginah's not eaten. You want?" Ms. Ina handed me the plate that was still intact.

"Already, Mom. Thank ye. It's full already," I subtly refused.

"Oh, get the meat!" Ms. Ina put the piece of meat onto my plate.

"Thank you, Mom."

"Yes, let's eat it!"

Rehan's plates are clean so fast. He's wailing, maybe his throat needs a drink for now. That's so bad, whispering to me just doesn't dare. It was fortunate that Rehan had a very sensitive brother like me, I finally offered my tea which I just drank a little.

"Hehehe, Miss Devi knows." Rehan looked chuckled.

"Know dong, you can read your mind" I chanted a little snobbishly.

"Ah, lie!" Uh, Rehan couldn't have left a little tea for me.

"Sir, I want to play first, yeah. That Irfan is done, too." Irfan approached Rehan.

"Where are you going?"

"Buy the snack."

"Astaghfirullah, not full. How, keep buying snacks?" I complained to two boys who seemed to have that principle in common.

"Snack is an obligation, ma'am. Whatever the conditions must be worked on." Smart as well as my brother. I have to thank his teacher who taught me about rights and duties.

"Yes, Re. It's up to you to play or snack is up to you!"

Finally Rehan and Irfan went to the yard. After eating, move on to other activities. Ms. Ina invited me to the front. There is busy preparing snack boxes for guests at the reception later.

"Come, Ma'am. We're sitting there!" Bu Ina pointed at the empty spot on the mat.

In this place there are some activities to do. Some people appear to make cardboard snack containers, while others wrap foods such as tempe chips and egg nuts.

I just followed Ms. Ina who asked me to wrap the eggs. Using a spoon I put a few grains into a special plastic egg wrapper. I noticed that Ms. Ina had put some sweet food in her mouth several times.

"Sir, if you want the chips can be, you know!" said Ms. Ina. I just nodded.

"Eh, you fold the cardboard. Not in the food." Suddenly someone patted me on the shoulder, it turned out that Miss Riris.

"Why?" ask Ms. Ina.

"Fear that most eat nuts," said Bu Riris.

Ah, again this woman is ruining my life. I feel like if Miss Riris thinks that I'm a cheap kid would take this. Oh, it's definitely not me.

"He doesn't eat nuts, you know. It is precisely I who from earlier ate," chirped Bu Ina who was not touched at all by Bu Riris and was left alone.