Mom's Not a Prostitute
A New Day that Hasn't Recovered
I don't know why this test is getting so hard. I'm tired!
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A few meters before arriving at Dahlan's place, the rain hit again. We're barging. Too bad to stop again. As a result, we arrived in half-wet condition. Tiara woke up because of the splash of water that fell on her face, even though I had covered it with a palm. Dahlan place in the form of a small house provided specifically by Pak Bahar for employees who come from outside the city. Dahlan occupies the house with his two friends who are from Soppeng and Sinjai respectively. A skinny tall man was present opening the door after Dahlan knocked many times. Pillow lines were clearly visible on her shabby face. The eyes that were originally half open, suddenly faded when they saw me. Dahlan only smiled flatly at the expression of his friend, as if to say: I will explain.
Dahlan invited me in. There were no chairs in the living room of this house, we were sitting on the floor. Tiara wrapped her hands around my neck, then whispered for water. Dahlan quickly went inside after hearing the whining of my little daughter. He returned with a glass of water. It was he himself who directly thrust it at Tiara while smiling. The boy looked at me as if asking for approval before receiving the proffered glass. After I gave a signal, her tiny hand was moved to reach for the plastic glass and then gulped the contents down to the toilet. My son is really thirsty.
Dahlan allowed me to sleep in his place, tomorrow morning he will take me to Rompe. But he was also willing to take me after the rain had subsided. Up mine. Since it's three o'clock in the morning, I'd better rest here. My condition is not so good after walking far enough. I'm also worried about Tiara catching a cold. After all, I don't want to create a stir in the village by appearing suddenly in the morning blind.
"True, is it okay for me to sleep here?" kikuk.
"Of course" he answered and then went into the room. He woke up his two friends and told them to come out. After tidying up the contents of the room that was left forced by the previous occupants, he let me sleep there. While he and his two friends—who must be disturbed—tasleep in the living room. Seeing that they were just mats, I felt bad. I offered to sleep outside, but Dahlan insisted on me sleeping inside.
The tense moments I just went through. I don't know what kind of life I have to live after this. I can't sleep a little bit. My vision was so deeply embedded in the ceiling of the room that was decorated with rainwater seepage. My head is getting more complicated. The time I passed was very restless. I remember Ambo and Mak. Do they see this suffering?
In the midst of a busy self-soothing, I heard someone reading Surah Al-Fatihah. Fluent, beautiful, and soothing. In order to resolve the curiosity, I looked outside. I found Dahlan performing the Fajr prayer, next to his two sleeping friends. My heart's shaking. After limping through the mess with Daeng Hasan, I never prostrated myself. More precisely always feel inappropriate to establish prayer. Lord ... I miss you!
***
At six in the morning we had breakfast together. I don't know who came out to buy this yellow rice. Both of Dahlan's friends are real. Tiara suddenly liked them. My head was slightly clanging, the effect was struck by the night wind and the rain and without sleeping all night.
After breakfast, Dahlan escorted me to Rompe, to Mak's house, which was two kilometers away. Use the same motorbike with a brighter atmosphere, a warm morning. Tiara stood up and held on Dahlan's shoulder. I held her waist. It made her see everything we met along the way. That makes him happy.
The journey was colored with lighter chatter, his voice was clear. After asking for my name and Tiara, he told me a little more about himself. He likes to read. He has a large collection of books. He also loves writing poetry and stories. He said some print media had already published his work. He worked hard to raise money for college entrance fees. He hopes to have a book publishing business someday. Hearing all of that, in my heart I muttered, Great this guy too!
Now Mak's house looks more neat and well maintained. Naturally, after Mak died, the stage house was occupied by Puang Sudi. He could take better care of her. But this morning, with a woman I didn't know, she greeted me with a strange expression. He did greet me as usual, then carried Tiara. But ... I don't know! As someone close to him, the difference was obvious. Is it because I came with Dahlan? Especially after he introduced the woman as his wife, I was surprised. When did they get married? And strangely enough, Puang Sudi did not inform me at all. What the hell is it?
After Dahlan came home, I began to tell all Daeng Hasan's deeds so far, until the escape last night. Tears accompanied every word that came from my lips. Puang Sudi jerked. He looks furious. If only Daeng Hasan was in front of him, he would have been beaten mercilessly. His eyes turned red to hear all my stories. Seeing my chaotic condition, Puang Sudi asked me to rest. While Tiara chose to play with wife Puang Sudi. Because it is often taken to new places by Daeng Hasan, the child becomes accustomed to meeting new people and making him have a fast familiar nature.
After bathing and getting lent clothes by Puang Sudi's wife, I fell on the same bed, in my former room. A triplex walled room that holds a million of my dreams. Before Daeng Hasan suddenly appeared and took me away. Drowning me in prolonged anguish, making everything change. The longing for Mak and Ambo is back. I want Mak beside me, accompanying me through these gravels.
After sleeping for about two hours, I woke up to help Puang Sudi's wife prepare lunch. That's when we really met each other. Name's Kasma. He comes from the village next door and has long been in love with Puang Sudi. He also briefly told the process of meeting them until finally decided to get married. He also expressed his gratitude for the problems that were happening to me. He was quite friendly as it turned out. Only one thing still stuck in my mind, why didn't Puang Sudi tell me about her wedding day?
"Your mother left this land and this house to me. Firman and Ida have lived their lives there with their families, it is no longer possible to come back here to take care of this house. As for you, we think it's okay with Hasan. And I was the one who took care of your mother during her illness" she explained, occasionally observing the sheets of paper.
The deg!
I gawk. My face suddenly stiffened. What the fuck? How could it be like that? It turns out this is what makes Puang Sudi's attitude feel different, even though he has tried to stay the same as usual. This is the real thing he is hiding. I didn't expect Puang Sudi to do this to me. Is there no one in this world who can be trusted? Or is my destiny dark? Forever then? If Puang Sudi has taken possession of this land and house, where should I go?
Not a single word can I say to reply to Puang Sudi's words. My throat was so dry. This house is the only hope. Now it belongs to Puang Sudi armed with the sheets of paper earlier. I thought about what was behind all this. There is a sly scent veiled in the mask of kindness, and many things that make me inexhaustible.
Puang Sudi accepted me if he wanted to stay with them, as long as I wanted. But I don't feel right in this house anymore. Sincerity that used to always amaze me, now I no longer find in the face of Puang Sudi. I asked him to take me to Puang Nani's house, Mak's sister who lives in the village next door. Mak had four brothers, but they all moved in. Except for Puang Nani who now occupies the ancestral house with her husband and two children.
***
Puang Nani was astonished by my sudden appearance. Reasonable. Especially after I told you everything. Including the Mak house. He shed tears and hugged me very tightly. I can only be as excited in his arms.
This house can be made a temporary refuge if only Puang Nani's husband can accept me. But it doesn't seem to. After pulling the ojek before the magrib, he immediately put on a look of dislike with my presence in the middle of his family. And tonight, I've been hearing their conversation about me, tinge of contention.
"When will he ride here?"
"Until the situation improves."
"You crazy? This is how we have been in trouble. Especially plus two people who have to be covered by eating."
"He's my nephew. Daeng shouldn't have said that. Besides, if it's not here, where else would it be?"
"Who told you to run away from your husband? Kualat, tuh!"
My heart broke to hear all that. I forced him to sleep immediately, so that the night quickly changed in the morning. Tomorrow, I'm leaving this house.I might as well ask Dahlan for help. Help me find a rented house, a job. I don't know why this test is getting so hard. I'm tired!
***
[Connected]
