Forced to endure

Chapter 34

I'm back active in the village. Meeting of PKK mothers, studies and other activities that require me to socialize with neighbors and citizens I attend. One event that I have not intended to attend is the Arisan event. I've decided to go out and probably won't join again.

During Mas Adji's illness I rarely attended such events. Other than having no time, I was also embarrassed. Sometimes I don't have the money to pay a fee that's not how much.

People looked at me with pity, and some with contemptuous eyes. Knowing my story doesn't make them understand how I feel.

But now I have the courage to reorganize my social life. I need to interact with my neighbors not to be ostracized.

Like tonight, I attended a PKK mother's meeting. And I don't know what I've missed, but I'm surprised to see Eva here too.

"Bu RT, why would he join our PKK? Isn't he not a citizen of this village?" I whispered to Ms. RT.

"That's your friend who brought it, Likha. He's the one who forced Eva into the PKK." Apparently Ms. RT understood who I meant without mentioning her name.

"Can't you?" Ms. RT did not answer because Likha and Eva had already walked over to us.

"Bu RT how are you?" greet Likha.

"Let's go in here ... here .. "welcome RT ma'am as host.

"Hi Win ... Tumben you're coming?" Likha continued to greet me.

I just nodded.

"Good night Ms. RT ... What is Jeng Winda ... " Eva said hello.

"I'm good Jeng Eva ... Long time no see" I replied casually.

I remember the last time I met Eva and Likha while making donations from members of Arisan.

Likha was seen observing my appearance, it just so happened that tonight we were not wearing PKK uniforms. Sometimes he seemed to smile like he was laughing at me.

"Eh ... Did you know that Winda now has a stall?" Ms. RT was like she wanted to show me off to the two of them.

"Kios? What kiosk is Miss RT?" ask Likha to underestimate me.

I just kept quiet and didn't participate in this conversation. Let Ms. RT control the conversation.

"That's ... The clothes stall near the market has Winda now. Time doesn't know?"

"What opened that up?" Eva said she couldn't believe it. "What time?!" Eva and Likha looked at each other.

"We don't trust Ms. RT. The time people who sell clothes even have stalls, the appearance is like this?" Likha laughed at my appearance. I don't know what grudge he has against me, which he always tries to bring me down.

I myself realize my appearance is sober. Like I said, I have no problem wearing my old clothes as long as it looks still worth wearing.

Actually if I want, I can choose any clothes I want, just take it from the stall or I can also buy it in another store. But I'm too calculating for myself. The important thing is that Keisha gets the best, I'm easy.

Everything has a budget now. I had financial difficulties, and now I take everything into account carefully. I thought over and over again if I would pick up one outfit for my own use. It was as hard as I was to myself so that my money could be collected.

"Well, if you don't believe me, come by tomorrow, won't you? Isn't it what time? Tell them."

This RT ma'am is like pumping Eva and Likha. He knows a little bit about the relationship between the three of us and maybe he's on my side.

"uh right? This RT ma'am could be. Masa Jeng Winda can open a clothing stall. Instead of opening a kiosk, mending money to buy a motorcycle, let anywhere not tired of riding a bike. Is that really Jeng Winda?"

I smiled in response to Eva's words. There was no need to explain it to them because it was useless.

"Ih ... Winda!!! How are you?!" Ms. RT was worried about my attitude that seemed to budge and let Eva and Likha insult me.

But I just held onto Ms. RT's hand to prevent her from talking any more. Let them think what they think now. Because no matter how good you will still look flawed in the eyes of people who do not like you.

You could say I currently look the same as when I was slumped and short of money. Nothing has changed but my body getting slimmer. I just look like a potluck. Without wearing jewelry, new clothes, shoes and a nice bag even though now I can afford it.

Not because I no longer want it, but again because of budget and calculation. You could say I've worked hard but I didn't dare to enjoy the results. I pressured myself to keep frugality.

Throughout the event, Ms. RT did not stop talking about me in front of other mothers who were her age, maybe more precisely she was promoting my stall. He kept telling them to buy clothes at my place. And ask them to come directly to the stall to look around for the unbelievers. Some of these mothers do not play social media.

...****************...

Sunny afternoon we are enjoying quality time because Mas Adji is off work. Today Keisha wants to eat hot pot because it has not eaten that food for a long time. I prepared the ingredients while Mas Adji prepared the equipment.

The three of us were eating food when Maya suddenly entered with Vino.

"Maya Luo? How can I get in?" Mas Adji was shocked.

"That front door is unlocked. I didn't listen either, so I went straight in."

"May Tumben? What's up?" many cold.

"There's nothing mbak. Just play, Vino and I haven't played here in a long time."

Maya doesn't look guilty to me or Mas Adji at all. It used to be when Mas Adji was sick Maya did not remember to visit us at all. Then why did he suddenly come here? I'm sure there's another meaning.

"Sit down May, have you eaten yet? Darling ... please get the plate for Maya."

I lazily walked over to do Mas Adji's orders.

"Mas, ask for money to buy Vino dong milk. Adji is working again."

Without shame, Maya immediately expressed the main purpose of his arrival. Maybe he thinks I can't hear it from here.

"You've already sent the monthly money to mom, meaning there's a ration for Vino too right?"

Boiling my head was hearing Maya's words. Could-can-can?! I don't know the right words for people like Maya and her mother.

I went straight back to the dinner table until I forgot to bring the plate I was supposed to take for maya.

"Yesterday when Mas Adji was sick, why not play here May?" I said without further ado.

"Eh ... Yesterday was busy."

"Oh ... Busy huh? Not thinking of visiting your sister? Mas Adji was sick for months, you came here once if not wrong. Isn't it Mas?"