Forced Mate

So, This is family

Since the beginning of this afternoon, Alex has been sitting with his father-in-law playing chess on the terrace. At one point in the game he won once, according to Dwiki, he has never been beaten in chess. Pandu who is famous for being calm and intelligent, has not been able to defeat him. The fact that Alex can make him lose is pretty good.

"Great dad!" praise Alex after losing for the second time.

"Of course, it's Dad's game since he was a kid" Dwiki said, glaring for a bit, "fifty years Dad played chess. The last ten years I've never lost, only you were checkmate."

Alex was amazed to hear Dwiki's confession, not because he considered his father-in-law was great, but praised him who turned out to be good at playing chess. In fact, Alex is not so engaged in brain sports that.

"Yes, he never lost, Tidka never played," ledek Ayu who appeared from behind the door, "once playing, playing with Mas Pandu and Mas Bima who did not know to play at all."

Dwiki was excited to hear Ayu's words. He likes to play chess, but in contrast to his children who until now have never liked to play chess. Fortunately, he has a son-in-law like Alex who apparently likes to play chess.

"Honey, here!" call Ayu yamg waving her hands at Alex.

Alex approaches Ayu after saying goodbye to Dwiki.

Ayu walks into the living room followed by Alex. Alex who had felt sore sitting for too long, was happy to have the reason to leave Dwiki who seemed tireless sitting while playing chess.

"I can't help you cook in the kitchen" Ayu said with teary eyes, "it smells bad. I'm nauseous all the time" she sways in Alex's arm.

Ayu from earlier helped her mother cook in the kitchen together with Ira, and she could not help her nausea. His mother was frying tuna with her favorite sauce, for some reason she was very disturbed by the smell of the food. Likewise with the aroma of spices in the kitchen, he was afraid if nausea let alone vomiting in front of his family. However the age of her marriage is still very new, so it is impossible for her to get pregnant immediately.

"So, what do you want?" ask Alex to brush Ayu's hair.

"You helped Mother Ira's mother inside," Ayu replied, "at least just told to cut the same vegetables wash-only."

"Good, Honey. You just take a break if you do, don't be tired!" said Alex, then kissed Ayu's forehead which was still sagging spoiled on his arm.

Alex walked into the kitchen. There Ira looks busy frying, and Arini who is cutting chicken. Samar is heard by Arini who is complaining because Ayu is suddenly gone, also Ira who retaliates that Ayu may attack there is work, and, because Ayu must be ready 24 hours for the store below.

"Mom, Ma'am, need help?"

Arini and Ira turned towards Alex who was standing near the sink. Then, they stared at each other briefly with frowns.

"Let's get a job, let me change to help Mom cook," Alex told a lie.

"Ih, no need. Ma'am the same mother can, stay a little too," Ira timpal not tasty.

Alex washes his hands before getting close to Arini. "Let me cut it, ma'am."

Arini smiled and put down her knife. "Cut it not too small, not too big. Not good looking, it should fit!"

"Ready, Mom!"

Mom further refined the spices for Chicken mix.

"You're good at chopping chickens" praised Ira, who glanced at Alex cutting chickens.

"Well, your husband can, just cut the vegetables is not as big," said Arini.

"Mas Pandu can cook kok Bu," - Ira flipped the fish she fried, "cook the water." He laughed followed by Alex and Arini.

"Take the water, never get charred!" arini's nagging, "the amazement of Mother's same children, can not cook all. Ayu is also the same, she only knows to eat. That's because Dad, too good a son."

Alex brought the cut chicken to Arini. Then continue chopping onions.

"Well, you're like a chef" Ira said, "you're the cooking experience, huh?"

"I was in college, I used to be a cook helper at a restaurant" Alex said.

"Have you ever worked part time?" tanay Ira with a shrill voice because she did not expect Alex who was a child born in a rich family to work part-time.

"Yes, from high school it's already part time work," replied Alex who moved the onion to the container.

"Ju has to learn a lot from you, the spoiled child asked for this, asked for it," Arini said as she shook her head.

"From childhood Ayu is not accustomed to work, Mom," said Ira.

"It's also your husband's fault, his sister is always spoiled," said Arini, "ah, Bima is also the same, Ayu wants this to be obeyed. Until now he has been hard working alone. Good thing she got a husband like Alex, independent and considerate."

Alex smiled slightly, then thrust the onion into Arini.

"Wood can actually cook, but that's it, lazy, not used to work." Ira.

"Where to work, his father was angry when Ayu was told. Bima used to be hit by a jewel when Ayu made a sweep," said Arini.

Alex keeps hearing Arini and Ira's complaints about Ayu. He tries to remember Ayu's habits as long as they stay together. Ayu is one of the slow-wake people, when they wake up, just take a shower and prepare to go to work, not beberes or make breakfast. Yes, Ayu is a slacker.

"But, Ayu since living alone has started to be independent, right, Mom?" ask Alex.

Arini shakes. "He had a salary, but not enough to buy one bag. His lifestyle is expensive, his salary is small."

Alex thought for a moment about Ayu who went shopping with Marissa, but did not buy expensive items. If Ayu likes to shop, the woman should use Alex's no limit credit card.

"Yes!" Ayu's voice was heard calling Alex, as the three people in the kitchen fell silent and focused on her work.

"Ah, yes," replied Ayu who understood the code given by Alex, "sudha is done."

"Yes, here's the chicken!" call Arini who is stirring her soy sauce chicken.

Alex, who was in his spare time, immediately shifted to near Arini. "Let me, Mom."

Arini's hand swayed in the air rejecting Alex's offer. "Eh, no! Cook it's the wife's job."

"It's an age of emancipation, ma'am. Husbands should cook for wives."

Arini fell silent and took off the spatula in her hand as Alex asked. In retreat and poking Ira's arm, the two stared for a moment.

"It's not wrong to choose a husband, is it, Mom!" Ayu smiled broadly at Arini.

***

Bima and his son and wife came when the cuisine was served. Bima there is work, so it does not come faster.  After dinner together, Alex sat down with his father-in-law and two brothers-in-law in the living room. He also heard about Bima's new tender in Makassar for the construction of an overpass that will begin early next year.

"What in Kalimantan has already been done means?" ask Pandu.

"A further two months of the plan, a dwelling of deprivation," replied Bima, "what are you doing?" Bima turned to Alex.

"Chemical," Alex replied.

"In what field?" Dwiki enthusiast.

"There are a few, but the biggest ones for oleochemical production" Alex replied.

"Why palm?" ask Pandu, "it's wet." Pandu chuckles.

"That's so wet, Mas,"timpal Bima, "the oleochemical sector is the highest investment in Indonesia."

"Where is the factory?"

"For processing materials from palm oil, it is in Riau, but it is indeed the headquarters in Singapore," Alex replied again.

If Alex had been a loyal listener, she would now have to answer questions. He's like being interrogated, but he likes to talk like that. He never spoke at length about his work with anyone, except in front of investors.

"Well, Dad, Ayu already has a husband whose wallet is thick, no longer need to be served if asking for money," Bima told Dwiki.

"Well, who's your money for?"

Arini who came with the pudding chimed, "make Mom dong, Dad."

Dwiki shifted slightly giving a place to Arini who was about to sit down.

"Is your spending money not enough?"

"Enough to eat, Dad. You also want to go shopping," said Arini, "yesterday he said Ayu runs out with his mother Alex. Yeah, right, Lex?"

Alex nodded in agreement.

"Well, if you make more spending money, you can buy the same as good," added Mother.

Bima laughed at her mother's words. "Mother on the road with Aunt Marissa, will be considered mother-daughter."

Dwiki added, "yes, Mom. Sure you want to go with Alex's mom."

Alex smiled at Arini who was nagging after being teased by her son and husband. Of course Bima's statement is not true, even though Arini is old, according to Alex his face is still beautiful with a body filled.

The middle room was boisterous with laughter after hearing Arini's scolding. Samar Alex also heard the sound of cheerful laughter from within, the laughter belonged to both Pandu's children and of course Ayu. She was so happy with the warm atmosphere in her in-laws house, she seemed to have the family she had dreamed of since childhood.

"The spoiled princess must have been happy to finish shopping yesterday" said Pandu with curved lips.

"You, this time call your sister by that name in front of her husband," tangkas Dwiki.

Alex immediately shook his head. "He's a little spoiled."

"Well, you're the ones who do it" Arini said, "now Alex added, he might not be able to do anything, more spoiled."

Alex smiled at Arini. He felt jealous of Ayu, since childhood he was overwhelmed with a lot of affection from his family. He now has a heavy duty burden because he must be able to compensate for the affection gained by Ayu by his family.

There is one right that disturbs Alex's mind, about Ayu's penchant for shopping. Based on Ayu's family, the woman was fond and strong shopping. Earlier, Pandu even said that his youngest brother could not save even spare money because he always wanted to buy expensive items. However, often they go out shopping, the woman never chooses a single item. Yesterday he only brought home one shoe that cost nothing.

Alex was discouraged. She wants Ayu to treat her like both her brother and father, where she can ask and indulge as she pleases. He still remembers this afternoon when he had just arrived and Ayu immediately hugged her father and mother, complaining and joking along with the two. Alex never got a chance to do that to his parents.

Today Alex's heart continues to expand, as if he was floating in the clouds because he was happy. Since this morning, she was able to make out with Ayu, now she was with people full of warmth that she could call family.

This is the reflection of the family that should be. Perhaps they did not settle in a luxurious house, but there was love and laughter. Alex is happy to be reunited with Ayu, so she can feel the warmth of the real family.

***