Forced to endure

Chapter 37

Sinda

I can finally buy the car as I want. Mas Adji looked shocked when I suddenly came home with a car.

I parked my car in the yard. The turnstile also deliberately I did not close so that my neighbors saw it. I was fishing for their comment. Yesterday when I was deficient and my husband was sick, they insulted me. Now that I have money, what else will they say about me?

"Win ... Can you drive? Whose car is this?"

"Mobilku Mas's. I bought it." I answered as was without any conceit to Mas Adji.

I saw the look on Mas Adji's face change. He did smile looking at my car, but there was something he was hiding behind his smile. And after that Mas Adji was more silent.

Did I offend him?

"Mas, are you mad at me?"

"Hm ... What did you say, honey?" mas Adji tries to look ordinary. I know he is daydreaming.

Then I sat closer to him.

"You don't like me buying cars? Are you mad at me, Mom?"

"Why angry? I should be happy because my wife is already a successful person. I'm proud to have a wife like you."

I know Mas Adji was disappointed even though he was trying to be normal to me.

"I'm sorry Mas ..." I realized my mistake.

"Easy ... It's okay." Mas Adji then went to the room without saying anything more.

Am I being selfish? I thought as I stared at Mas Adji's departure.

I can't linger over this guilt because I have to go back to the stall. I have a lot to do.

I'm starting to take care of everything myself. So I followed Mas Adji's advice to hire someone to help me. But until now I haven't found anyone who fits me.

I spend more time at the stall than at home. Sometimes I ask my mom to pick up Keisha at school and drive her to the stall if I don't have time.

"Mbak Winda ... " She's someone's voice surprised me.

I looked to see who was coming.

"Shanti??! Here ... here come in." I welcome Shanti with great joy. I stopped my work to welcome this one and only friend.

"Sit .. here ... " I turned to the left right looking for a place for Shanti to sit because my little stall was already filled with stock of clothes.

"Mbak Winda how are you? Are you busy again?" shanti asked as she spread her eyes.

"As you can see Shan, I'm good."

"Look at Madam Winda has been successful." Shanti smiled sincerely.

"Thank you Shan, thanks to you."

"Cock Thanks to me? What the heck Madam Winda, I did not say anything. Yes, thanks to the hard effort, Madam Winda herself is not thanks to others."

"That's why you gave me that idea. Have you eaten? I ordered some food, huh?"

"No need to Ma'am. I just stopped by."

"Really?" Shanti nodded. Then I accidentally saw Shanti's bag containing a large envelope typical of job applications.

"What did you bring that envelope for, Shan?" I pointed at the envelope in Shanti's bag.

"Don't work at the store?" Shanti just shook her head.

"Why?" many wonder. The shop owner was very good. There's no way Shanti's out for no reason.

"It's okay mbak." Shanti didn't want to tell me so I didn't force her. But I'm sure Shanti didn't stop working for criminal reasons.

"Where do you want to work now?"

"I don't know it's mbak, running around."

"Have you?" Shanti shook her head again.

I pondered for a moment. I looked at Shanti again. He looked very tired, even though he had been trying to cheer up in front of me.

"Help me here want to? Until you get a job?"

Immediately he nodded. "Of course Mommy."

We've been co-workers, so a little bit I know the performance. I like Shanti. He is diligent and does not talk much, does not know and also does not like to interfere in people's affairs.

And finally I found someone suitable to work with me.

"Tomorrow morning you start work, yes" I said after I explained what his duty was.

"Okay Ma'am, ready! I'll go home first, mbak."

I'm nodding. "Eh ... But first, accompany me to eat."

I immediately pulled Shanti's hand without waiting for her approval. I knew for sure he would refuse if I offered to eat even though he was holding back hunger.

I took Shanti out of my stall and saw street vendors lined up at the kiosk's headquarters. My kiosk is located in the middle among the other stalls.

"What did you eat, Shan? Meatballs, chicken noodles, batagor, hodgepodge? Everything is here. It's like a culinary festival this place." I laughed at the sheer number of merchants in this place.

"As for Madam Winda, I'm okay."

Finally we ate chicken noodles while sitting on the side of the road. Shanti didn't say much, I felt like she was in a lot of trouble at the time. But I dare not ask.

Accidentally my eyes caught the figure of a woman I knew very well, Likha. He was sitting on the side of the road just like me. Likha looked glum and just stirred up the fruit ice in front of her. I'm sure he's in trouble. For years I knew him, until I memorized his habits. I watched him from where I was sitting without any intention of greeting him.

Tumben is not with Eva, lately they are like twins. Sticky continues inseparable, my inner.

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

Adji POVs

I can't believe Winda can buy a car. I know if he's got money but I don't think that much, until I can buy a car.

Winda rarely told me. Even he bought this car without asking my approval. She bought it with her own money, but I'm her husband. He should have talked to me first. I feel unappreciated as a husband. But I can't do anything.

I realize now I'm not a reliable husband. My income and Winda's income are very far in comparison. Just look, in no time he could rent a stall and buy a car. While me? Want to take my motorcycle in Mas Arya place alone is not able because not enough money.

Until now I everywhere still use the bike Winda. I got embarrassed myself when I transferred my salary to the Winda account. Is this money I give any use if the money of the Winda itself is already a lot?

I feel indebted to her every time I think about my illness. Sure, Vinda never talked about it, but I know myself. How much she suffered when she had to work while taking care of me and still have to take care of the house and Keisha.

The more days Winda spent at the kiosk. It's my fault too. For so long I could not give a living, so Winda was used to working hard and like he could not stop working. He's like a workaholic. I feel so busy that I rarely have time for him. I honestly feel lonely sometimes.

Come to think of it, what did Winda feel like when I used to spend more time with my friends than accompanying her at home? Is this also part of the karma I get?