Forced to endure

Chapter 13

One month later...

I'm cooking breakfast. But the cooking activity this time felt very heavy, because since this eye fertilizer filled with stagnant water. It's sad that I can't serve anything. I only had one liter of rice and tempeh my mother gave me yesterday. While the severance pay of Mas Adji is up for therapy costs and buy drugs.

Although my parents were not rich, they always tried to give their best for me. My factory guard father could have given us a decent life. And my mom working side jobs being a tailor makes me never short of.

After marrying Mas Adji my life got better. Mas Adji always gave my best. I've never felt such a difficult situation before. It's not that I can't live hard, but I can't bear it if Keisha has to bear the consequences. I'm not willing if he has to live a life of deprivation.

I'm done cooking. There was only white rice and fried tempeh on the table. I yelled out to Keisha for breakfast, while breakfast for Mas Adji I prepared separately on the tray. I just drove him to his room.

Before long Keisha approached wearing her school uniform.

"You eat first, baby... Mama's taking papa's breakfast to the room."

"Keisha is just between Ma," he said enthusiastically.

"Can?" I doubt a little. But Keisha nodded confidently.

"All right." I hand over the tray containing the breakfast for Mas Adji to Keisha's hand.

"Pelan-gelan ya .. " said I. Our eyes both focused on the tray that was now in Keisha's hands.

"No need to Kei ... Papa just eat with you guys" Mas Adji's voice unfolds our focus. Me and Keisha were both shocked to see Mas Adji already standing behind us.

"Can you walk?" keisha asked not to believe it. Soon he handed the tray back to my hands.

"Yes Kei ... Papa can walk. But still have to use this." Mas Adji showed a buffer device on his left right.

"Win ... I've been able to walk Win .. " said Mas Adji happily mixed haru.

It was in his eyes that he was very happy. I smiled at Mas Adji, but these eyes were back in tears. My struggle and sacrifice of taking care of her alone now seems to be the result.

It was so bad that I ran to hug her, sharing my happiness and sadness with her. But my ego's holding me back. My Egoku again reminded me, if this man has betrayed me. I just looked at Mas Adji and he looked me back in the eye.

"Yeah ... Papa can walk again." Keisha jumped while shouting in joy. Ever since Mas Adji got sick, Keisha and her papa became closer. Maybe it's because Mas Adji is home every day and they spend time together.

"Papa's feet don't hurt to step on the floor?" Mas Adji shook his head.

"Tomorrow if you can't walk with that stick, we go for a walk?" Keisha pointed at her papa brace.

"Of course Kei, tomorrow we go for a walk if papa is healed. Let's eat first .." take Mas Adji. The three of us sat around the dining table.

Keisha's face looked disappointed as soon as he saw the dish on the table.

"Ma ... We eat fried chicken sometime. Keisha hasn't eaten chicken for a long time."

My heart was so sad to hear it. Even to buy fried chicken I can't afford it. I was too frugal for Mas Adji to get his treatment to forget about Keisha.

"But Kei, I forgot I haven't made you milk." I left Keisha and Mas Adji at the dinner table.

I stared at Keisha's milk can. What milk would I make for her if the can had been empty two days ago. My tears are flowing more and more. Many times I did but kept flowing.

"Ma ... The milk hasn't?" ask Keisha from the dining table.

I was in a hurry to wipe my tears. I took a deep breath, I cleared my throat to neutralize my voice so as not to hoarse like crying. After I felt fine, I went back to them both.

"Jin ... Drink some sweet tea. Mama forgot not to buy milk," I said as I placed a cup of tea in front of Keisha.

"Kok from yesterday forgot the hell Ma?"

"Mama promised later must be mama buyin," I said as I pinched her nose that was sharp like my nose. A smile continues to linger on my lips even though my heart is crying.

Mas Adji kept watching me from the tail of his eyes. Even though I've been trying to be ordinary, I can't hide everything from her.

I went straight to the kitchen after dropping off Keisha at school. I was about to wash the dishes from breakfast but somehow these hands and feet felt weak. I don't think I'm strong enough to stand. My tears are flowing again. I sat on the kitchen floor crying over my condition. This burden is too heavy for me.

The administrator at Keisha's school charged a monthly fee. Keisha who has been in arrears for two months. Keisha has also not paid graduation and closing fees. This is Keisha's last year at Kindergarten. That means I have to enroll Keisha in elementary school. Usually not a little.

"What's Win?" Mas Adji was already standing in front of me with his brace. I looked up to see his face. I wiped my tears even though I was not trying to hide my tears from her.

I stood up then sat on the chair, while Mas Adji followed behind me quietly. After we both sat down, I told Mas Adji everything. Our financial condition is morat-marit.

"We'll sell my bike Win. I never used it. There's still your bike for you to go everywhere."

"But that was just enough for Keisha's school fees and daily necessities. What about your therapy?"

"The therapy we stop first is okay. The important thing is that Keisha has to go to school. We have to give our children the best."

I stared at Mas Adji gamang. If Mas Adji therapy is stopped, then Mas Adji will not be cured in the near future. Mas Adji's condition is showing progress. But I also can't let Keisha not continue elementary school due to the limited cost.

"I'll be back to work."

Mas Adji was a little surprised to hear my words.

"You didn't let me work because you could do it all. But now the conditions are different. You can walk already. So I assume you can take care of yourself. As for Keisha, I'll leave her to mom.

No words came out of Mas Adji's lips.

"Why are you silent? Do you mind?"

"As much as you win, if you think it's best then just do it."

I'm nodding.

"I'm going to see Likha, who knows if she can find a vacancy at the agency."

"I'll call Mas Arya to sell my motorcycle" Mas Adji said without looking at me. He immediately stood up and left me alone like he was avoiding me. I don't know if Mas Adji is angry about wanting to work again. But I do have to work. We need money to keep our lives going.