Learning to Be a Mother

10. Just Slapped.

The stars sprung up again, melting the tense atmosphere that had occurred in the afternoon. My husband, me, and my children are busy with their own affairs. I saw last time, Cahyo was watching television. I was busy cooking the food tonight, while Fathan and Kalista were in their room who had no idea what we were up to since we had an argument.

Finished serving dinner that was about to start, I reminded my husband of his favorite property that was served warmly at the dinner table. Then, I switched to knocking on the door of my children's room that had no sign of his presence inside.

"Fathan, Cristina. Come on, eat malem!"

Afterwards, I went to the dinner table, sat down next to my husband while waiting for Fathan and Kalista to follow me here. However, waiting for a few minutes, no answer could be heard from where I and Cahyo were sitting.

"Hey, called Mama ngedengerin no, anyway? Told to eat, taro first HPnya!"

To be honest, I was surprised to hear my husband half-screaming. My wrist spontaneity touched the back of his hand, calming Cahyo whose emotions had risen again.

Before long, the door of the room opened with a display of my children coming out of his room. Fathan with a face partly not energetic, also Kalista who still looks shabby with a feeling that still seems to be raging. The two approached the dining table with a step speed that equalized exactly how they felt now.

Even though I was still seen poking, my eyes secretly glanced at the Kalista arm he had injured yesterday. I'm still worried, but I'm proud to say it. He was wearing a long sleeve shirt, I couldn't see him.

All I can describe, I've never seen a Kalista this pale. As if not fed all day, locked up in the room to hurt himself, I was afraid that people around would think me so. I just want my kids to obey.

His body was lethargic, more limp than I had seen earlier this morning with an objectless blank stare as the center of his attention. Her hair looked limp as if it had not been combed for a long time, her lips also looked cuddly as if she had to attend dinner this time.

"Calista, why? Pouting from earlier, not good to see," said my husband glanced at him for a moment. "Not good pouting in front of the food."

"His hand still hurts?"

As if hearing something strange as yet unknown, Cahyo turned to me with furrowed brows. Though his mood is good at the moment, if Cahyo hears news of his son hurting himself, I'm sure we won't be having dinner together.

"Why is his hand?"

Both me and my son, we stared at each other. No one dared to answer, Fathan who used to easily balance the atmosphere also seemed confused to answer. He had never been in trouble so far when dealing with his father, Fathan had not dared to.

Meanwhile, Kalista lowered her head as if everything was up to me. My youngest son seemed resigned to the situation, as if his death picked up from his father's hands, it was not an important thing to maintain anymore.

"No one answered?"

Although my hands were busy sharing the family dinner portion, I was still thinking and looking for answers, I did not want to lie but wanted to make Cahyo hear it later at the right time. It's dinner time.

"Oh, mostly. Lacking." Luckily, my husband was distracted. "You said you told me to diet, why is it being given this way?"

As a diluent form of atmosphere, I chuckled. "It's okay once in a while, anyways Daddy came home from the mall today. Must be tired."

Then, his head mangut assented my statement earlier. It seemed that Cahyo was aware that I was distracting him, but he chose not to care and considered that perhaps what happened to his son was just a normal little wound from a carelessness.

Finally, we ate what was on the dining table. The aroma of a bowl of warm spinach vegetables is still smelled until in the middle of our dinner, the hot steam gradually reduced with the sound of spoons slashing their plates, a sign that the chewed food will run out.

Pieces of dried fried tempe also accompany our meal time, each taking one and adding if it is felt to be less than complete the side dish on the plate. We enjoyed it with a calmer atmosphere, no innuendo or negative sentences that made each family member stunned.

After the activity was over, I cleaned up the dirty dishes alone, letting my husband and children who were waiting for their food to come down in the same place. To be honest, I still think of Kalista until now. Does he really hate me, huh?

Ten minutes of rinsing that needed to be cleaned, I glanced at the table that was no longer in its midst, accepting the fact that the children had returned to their comfort zone. This is not the time for nagging anymore, it's time for me to discuss with Cahyo about what's going on.

"Dad, there's something I want to say."

Cahyo nodded her head, giving her space and time so I could talk to her. To be honest, I have some doubts about saying this. I can't possibly directly say the important point, I'll ask him first.

"Dad, according to Father ... A firm attitude to the child is not important?"

"It's important" he answered with firm conviction. "If we are not strict with children, later the child becomes difficult to obey."

I muttered, confirming the words of my husband who seemed serious about the topic of our conversation this time. Actually Cahyo is the type who wants to win by himself, looking for many external factors if his words are not true or his arguments are underestimated, so I have to make sure my feelings are okay before discussing with him.

"In your opinion, the way I taught Fathan is the same Kalista wrong, Dad?" I stared at him directly, hoping he found the right answer. "I want to hear your opinion."

Within minutes, no sound returned us to the conversation. My husband seemed to be thinking, weighing what he had seen all along with what he was going to say as well.

"You always give to them. Though they are not polite to you, on the unruly. If you keep them, then there will be more dependent on the child," he explained while plucking an apple. "Strictly does not mean angry, Laras. I firmly do their good, the proof is that Fathan is now following me, right?"

What Cahyo said was true, maybe I gave my children too much freedom, I was too obedient even though what they did would hurt my feelings. So what I did this morning wasn't wrong, I should have.

It's just slapped, then the pain goes away. As if Kalista understood what I meant, I didn't want it to happen again. He must understand without needing to be clarified again.