Mother To Ananda

CHAPTER 9

"Who?" Retno was a little surprised because she did not see her father standing behind the door of her boarding house. Retno slapped her father's hand. His eyes moved around looking for his mother.

"Which Ehhhhm is Yah?" Retno is very understanding of the 'Who' that the Father means, he just a little bide time anger his father. Really, Retno's tired body contributed more could make him quarrel with his father. Retno as much as possible avoids this.

"Laki earlier, who just nganter you to the front of the house. No manners." Waluyo raised her voice when she remembered her daughter being ushered by a stranger in her eyes. Men in old-fashioned sedan cars with shabby clothes that have paint here and there.

"Retno doesn't know that there's a father at home. That's why Retno didn't come in." Retno leads Waluyo to sit on the sofa. He did not want Waluyo to stand too long which could cause his father was exhausted. After his father sat down, he hurried off his backpack, then placed it in his bedroom. He then went to the kitchen to find Minarsih. Retno smiled at how she opened her arms to welcome Retno into her arms. Retno immediately slid into the arms of Minarsih whom He longed for so much. The last they met was when the incident of Retno's mental condition suddenly devoured him, so He preferred to run away so that both parents did not know the psychiatric condition He suffered.

"Patience is ayu. Your father just doesn't want you to choose the wrong path." Retno patted Minarsih's back gently. He nodded to agree with his mother's words.

"Sana, follow your father!" Retno took off her mother's hug heavily, He sighed before walking after his father who was ready to lean on him with a variety of sharp questions.

" What was the man's job? I'm not sure he can live you." Retno was shocked to hear her father's question. He did not expect his father until his heart spoke like that. He denigrates Salman who is a foreigner to Waluyo.

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"The last time you called me crying, Did you meet your father?" Salman was careful to ask that question. He pats the back of Retno who is still in her arms. He will not force Retno to tell him, he does not want if Retno hurt himself more than this, if Salman asks too much more.

Retno nodded weakly. Salman was increasingly convinced by his thought, that Retno's father had a big contribution to the condition of his lover's soul. Retno slowly distanced herself from Salman's embrace. Slowly the grip of Retno's right hand on her left hand loosened. Movement that can not be separated from the observation of Salman, and made him a little surprised when he saw the blood on Retno's left wrist. Salman immediately neutralized his shocked facial expression. Salman believed that someone with conditions like Retno hated being pitied, reviled and hated. They need encouragement, strength, and trust. So calmly, Salman rushed to fetch water to clean Retno's wounds. Retno, who was the first to receive this sweet treatment, could not stem her tears. She thought Salman would run in fear while choking her with a crazy label like Adly. He never thought that Salman would look at him with warm eyes full of strength. There is no look of pity, fear or even disgust at the condition of Retno. Retno smiled, for this time only she wanted to maintain her choice without being forcibly snatched away by her father.

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"He's really nice. Pinter, submissive, just a little pendiem the person," Retno's eyes seemed sparkling when telling it. "Sometimes I'll have to know you as Ratih deh, Mas." Salman nodded, his left hand stroking the top of Retno's head gently. Who is the figure of Ratih who is talking about Retno with these happy eyes. Salman should thank him.

Retno smiled accepting Salman's sweet treatment. After the drama a few minutes ago, Salman decided to invite Retno and Nanda to go to Parangtritis to relieve their fatigue. Retno turned to look at Nanda in the back seat who was observing the streets around enthusiastically. He turned back to face forward, caught a glimpse of Salman then smiled faintly. Retno believes her choice this time, will make her happy.

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     "Mas, this one wants what two indomies?" Retno asked Salman who was drinking in the fridge at Salman's house. The story of how Retno could end up at Salman's house is, because Dira suddenly called Retno because there is a crucial need. Interest that makes Retno pat her bidat slowly and make Salman groan frustrated. How not, if what is meant by the precarious situation by Dira is to invite Retno to watch a booming Korean drama.

     "One less if two mostly. How's it going?" Salman walked towards Retno who seemed to shake his head.

     "It's up to you." Retno stuffed the eggs into a pot that was ready with boiling water, then her skilled hands had already started cutting cayenne pepper while waiting for Salman's decision to eat one or two indomies.

     "One day," Salman finally broke, he slipped Retno's unkempt hair behind her ear. "Do you want to?" Retno weighed for a while, remembered something, then shook her head. Salman nodded in understanding.

     Salman walked towards the dining table, then rushed to sit on one of the chairs. He seemed enthusiastic waiting for Retno's homemade noodles to mature. Retno who saw that, chuckled softly how the widower gave birth to one, look exactly like Nanda when she heard Retno read the story. Speaking of Nanda, the boy was taking a nap. A mandatory schedule that Nanda must always implement. Said Salman, napping is mandatory to refresh the body and mind of Nanda from daily activities.

     "What do you want, right?" Retno asked while putting the cooked noodles into a bowl filled with spices. He then stirred painstakingly, in order to mix everything. Not to forget he added chili pieces on it. All activities that did not escape the observation of Salman.

     "No need to be made, Dira is already big. Let's make it yourself." Salman said when he saw Retno taking water again. Retno turned her head towards Salman then nodded in understanding, then placed the pot into the wash. Soon, he took his homemade noodles to serve towards Salman.  Salman muttered a little when he inhaled the distinctive smell of indomie which he said is the number one most delicious noodle in Indonesia.

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     "Who?" Retno raised her face when she heard Salman's question. They were in Salman's office. Retno all of you want to see how the development of the order bag, which turned out to be only finishing. It is true testimony from colleagues and friends who say the print belongs to Salman is fast working. He then recalled what if his friends knew that he now had a relationship with the handsome widower they often talked about. Retno unintentionally chuckles at the reaction of her friends. The rarity that succeeded in making Salman's curiosity doubled, no, it might be tenfold.

     "Why laugh?" Retno frowned cluelessly when she suddenly saw Salman sulking.

     "You why? Who's chatting you up?" Salman repeated his question.

     Retno smiled amusedly looking at Salman. Why is the man so gini? This is far from the shadow of the widower in his beloved novel.

     "It's Adli, mas." Salman raised his eyebrows as if asking who it was. His mouth shut tightly, the pen he had just held was already placed on the table. Salman is preparing to hear Retno's answer to a question he did not address. Hopefully Retno understands the code he gave her. Retno put on a smile, unable to bear Salman's attitude. He wanted to tease the jealous man.

     "My ex-boyfriend, Mas."

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