Moving to Raden Van Nijhof

CPTR XVI: Head of the Colandam Family

While Mona had just returned to her apartment to rest, Gama had to go to the southern district because her grandfather called her.

“Who is this woman? Is he an important person?” ask Gama while combing hair.

“An old friend.” Arnold replied his grandfather's secretary briefly.

Gama nodded and turned at the end of the hall and entered the prepared office. Inside there, sat a middle-aged woman. Her hair is short as bob's neck. While his nose is pug almost hiding in shame. The skin is bright and looks firm without wrinkles.

When Gama entered, the woman immediately turned around and gave a small nod as if to pay homage as a guest who respects the well-being of the host. Gama did the same.

After a makeshift formality, the woman turned again to face Lim's grandfather, Gama's grandfather and the head of the kolandam family who was now sitting in a velvet chair. The man looks old eaten by age, his deformed face tilted to the side due to old wounds in youth makes it look creepy. His bleached hair was neatly combed back. His old body looked stooped, even while sitting. Despite his fatal facial appearance, Grandpa Lim treats his guests warmly.

“Ernie, baby, nice to see you again. What can I do for you on this happy day?” asked Grandpa Lim in a heavy raucous tone as if he had almost lost his voice.

“Mr Lim, I'd like to apologize for never visiting. You know my family's situation. We were even too poor to go on vacation and I have to admit it was my and my husband's fault. Our debt is still piling up, almost all my husband's salary is used to pay debts and installments. Only a few are available for my daughter, Gwen.”

The woman named Ernie sighed and continued. “My daughter is growing up soon and I don't want her life to be like mine. He was a good, obedient, and reliable boy. It would be a pity if his life ended as pitiful as mine. I want her to be an independent, confident woman who doesn't have to rely on her husband after they get married.

Therefore, I want him as Mr. Limlah and go to college at a big campus also get the best facilities we can provide. But my husband has another mind, Mr. Limlot's brain and does not want to keep up with the times. She just wants to see her daughter get married, then become an ordinary housewife who obeys her husband. That's why we fight so often.

My husband also started drinking a lot and I didn't know how to stop him. I know he has problems of his own. Men's problems in general and he never talked to me about them at all, so how could I help him? He is rarely at home when not working.

She would rather spend time with her friends than with her only child. All right, I'm not gonna make a fuss about that. I stopped caring about him for a long time. It's just that if he doesn't have time for us, at least give me a little extra money to be able to give Gwen the music lessons she wants.

The poor girl even caught her father working part-time after school, every day until midnight just to get money and take tutoring. For God's sake, when I found out I was crying. At that time I also felt like a failure as a mother.”

Ernie hurriedly wiped away her tears that were about to fall and continued, “I came here to ask for your help, Mr. Lim. Last night I had a fight with my husband as usual. He came home half-drunk and started looking for it. During a fight, I accidentally hit the back of his head with a jug.

He was still alive and had only fainted after that little blow. At that time, I was not aware of what I was doing. I'm scared shitless when he realizes he's gonna get back at me and maybe even kill me. I panicked and decided to run away and bring my son here.

Right now we don't have any money left, just settle in a cheap inn near here and for God's sake I don't even know my money is enough to eat tomorrow. Mr. Lim, I'm here for help. Please give us your protection and keep us away from my husband's revenge. Only Mr Lim can help us, I have no one else but, Mr Lim, so please, I really need help this time.”

Grandpa Lim scratched his cheek. His face turned irritated and cold, “Why did you do it? Hit your husband with a jug like that? Do you intend to kill him?”

A cold sweat rained down Ernie's back and he hurriedly raised his hands shaking his head then replied, “Not so, Mr Lim! It was spontaneous, he slapped me on the cheek and I simultaneously took whatever was behind me and it just happened to be a ceramic jug. I have absolutely no intention of killing him, swear to God!”

Grandpa Lim hurriedly interrupted, “Are you making sure he doesn't die?”

“My son treated him when he was unconscious. No blood, so I'm sure he's fine.”

Grandpa Lim leaned his back on the chair then said briefly, “Since when did you guys start fighting?”

“Five years ago. Gwen was still Junior High at the time and my husband seemed screwed up after work. I knew it was a bad day because I was trying to get close to him. Helped like a good wife, but she kicked me out.

I was really shocked that night. Never have I seen him so upset in such a lifetime. He was a quiet man before. Rarely complain and even if there is not something really big.

But now he's gone awry and I don't know why. Several times I tried to find out but he never wanted to talk. Even when he looks stable his mouth remains tightly clenched refusing to tell. Over time I was also annoyed with his selfish behavior.

If if he does have a problem and cannot talk about it with me, at least do not mess up and make others miserable. His demeanor slowly turned irritating, he began to demand a strange moment while at home as if he was the king of the world. Ah, maybe since then I realized this change is not the temporary kind.

He started to transform into someone else and I really regret it. For a few years I tried to fight for my rights as a wife. But he even beat me up saying that I don't know thank you and that I'm the reason for his career running aground all this time.

I started fighting back when he said to me, replying that he dared to hit me, but instead of realizing he seemed to be enjoying it. I don't understand why he likes to fight so much and get into trouble with me like a kid.

Many times he comes home drunk and starts breaking dishes and glasses in the kitchen just to wake me up and start a fight. It was hard not to cope with it, my nerves were not young anymore and I began to be offended by his actions. I really don't know how else to deal with it.”

Grandpa Lim's face was still coldly unsympathetic. “Ernie, the business of how people treat their families is not something I can afford to be with. Even if your husband beat you up or spied on you, it wasn't something you should be throwing at an outsider like me.

Yeah, I'm your dad's best friend. Yes, you also helped take care of my grandchildren after their poor mother and father died 15 years ago, may their souls settle there. I am indeed very happy to be able to repay all your good that has been done to my family.

You are a good woman and I respect you. But I can't just help you and interfere unless your husband also agrees to let you help. After all, I'm just an outsider.”

“Means I have to ask her permission first?”

Grandpa Lim stared fiercely. “He's your husband and he should be. We're trying to do good here. If indeed he really feels you've been a hindrance to his career all this time, he should be glad you're no longer around.”

Ernie frowned and felt her heart lame. The logic that Grandpa Lim was trying to cram was laughable in his head. But he as much as possible put a face of respect in front of him. Ernie tried to explain, “Master Lim, it looks like you misunderstood. My husband has tantrums on par with a 5-year-old and likes to see others in distress. His heart was noisy with the whisper of the devil and he was happy to do as he pleased. Talking well will not work. I tried it already. A second after Master crammed the good thoughts earlier he will immediately refuse and ask you to hand me over.”

Grandpa Lim said exasperatedly, “Then why would he ask that? Is that not her right as a husband? Consider me old and inflexible, I am indeed a village person who still respects our norms and customs. The husband-wife relationship is sacred, you tie a promise before God, somehow you

treating each other is no longer a matter of people and there will be a day of accountability for everything you do. Now that you're here, come on my granddaughter's wedding day and mess up the night mood with all your whining. Oh, I have to how is this? My husband beat me up and I can't take it anymore.”

The sudden impersonation of Lim's grandfather makes Gama laugh loosely while Ernie looks down embarrassed. But Grandpa Lim is still not finished, he continued, “Don't start blaming like that as if you are the most unfortunate person on this earth. You've always been a tough woman from a long time ago. Most pretentious to know what is right and best for yourself.

Now look at you. Can you still be proud of everything? When your father betrothed you to my youngest son you easily rejected him as if he were the lowest class. You feel too great and too good for my son who is nothing more than a high school graduate.

Your father came to me helplessly explaining that you wanted a man who was more mature, more classy and had an attractive appearance in a metropolitan city child. Your father always made you his favorite son and you know it.

Ernie lowered her face deeper and both of her cheeks began to blush. Shame now filled his body cavities. His heart was mixed with all the feelings that started to mess up. Little did he glance at it only to find the look in Ko Sami's eyes still waiting for his answer. Ernie looked down again avoiding the judgmental gaze. He chose to remain silent in case the answer made things worse.

“You are good friends with my eldest grandson, therefore I let you come here as a form of my personal respect for you. When they said you were here for help, I accepted you and listened to everything.

But why is your behavior more irritating than usual? Living in the capital makes you feel great? Feel better than your people, higher than our people whose fate is not as lucky as you?”

Ernie suddenly felt enough. Her unbending emotions were spilled with a defiant tone, “With all due respect, I simply do not feel so. I'm here to seek help, not to be treated this way.

If my request is too heavy then consider this all mere business. No need to remind me of the past. I'll pay for it when I have enough money. My request is only one, take care of my son, school her and make her an independent woman.”

Upon hearing that, both Arnold and Gama frowned, amazed by the bravery of this woman. Gama suddenly chuckles while silently staring at Lim and Ernie's grandfather alternately. Can't wait for Grandpa Lim's reply to this woman. Meanwhile Ernie's eyes were still gleaming with emotion staring at Lim's grandfather like a fox watching the king of the forest.

Grandpa Lim got up from behind the table, his still flat water turned turbid with a feeling of heaviness filling up. With a booming voice pointed out to Ernie he said, “I've known you since you were still learning to walk on the cold floor of your house. You grew up to be a haughty girl who never knew the word complacency.

You don't know the name of thanking and courtesy to an older person. I know what

treating you like a princess just like the people in our hometown did.

You then retaliated by refusing the arranged marriage your father arranged just to humiliate us both. That way you show everyone that you are not a woman in general and are able to control your own destiny.”

“Mr Lim, that's not what I mean.”

“No. Don't talk. You think you are special, endowed with a beautiful face and a brilliant brain that even I cannot deny. When you feel mature, you run away from home to be with your husband.

You never even told your mom and dad who waited for you every day. Once upon a time, your old father came to my place, bowed before me and worshipped, imploring me to use my people to bring you back to the city where you grew up.

But just so you know, I refused. I said, ‘Ernie's an adult. Know what is right and what is wrong. He knows what is best for himself. You guys should be proud of the boy.’ I kept advising him for hours later until finally he was tired himself and alone.

Since then, he has looked fresher and his health has returned. I heard the news that in the early years after your marriage you were also working. That way you and your husband get a decent life in the capital.

But soon you and your husband were cheated and the money you invested was gone. You borrowed money from the leeches and instead came to us for help.

What are you thinking, though,

uh huh? Do you think we're not good enough to help you? This child's base. Since

that I hear you guys live hard and short. I'm telling you this isn't

to insult you, no, but shortly after hearing you're poor

the people in the hometown on the fun. They love to see women

arrogant like you ended up falling poor just like them.”

Hearing all that Ernie could only bow her face deeply not knowing to retaliate let alone. In her heart the emotions were still blazing but spilling it took extra courage this time and Ernie had absolutely nothing.

Ernie took a breath, staring at the ceiling above him as if there was an answer there. The shadow about his parents slowly plastered clear like a round of old film. How he behaved to his parents all this time has caused people to hate him and how he treated people in his youth makes him ashamed of himself now. Ernie speechless.

Waiting, letting his mixed emotions crumble crumble into a single entity. When finally his mind had calmed down again he could find that at the end of it all was a sense of regret and guilt. Ernie was crying like a little princess who was denied her wish.

Seeing this all of Lim's grandfather was completely unaffected. His determination was still hard, not the first time he had seen a woman crying like this. Grandpa Lim continued, “You left your parents who had worked so hard to raise you just for the man you love, and then you came here complaining that your life was hard and your husband beat you up, you, an Ernie, and you, regretting the decision and coming to me, it really doesn't make sense.

You brought your son here, asked for my help, everything I served well. Then as an older person I advised you, but you refused even to oppose, and then you asked for business? All right, let's talk business.

What can a woman like you give? What's your job now? Do you have a place to stay? Then how will you repay my kindness? You're going to get stale and hit people on the street with your ceramic jug and then take their money, huh? For God's sake, Ernie, what kind of life did you live to this extent? You live your life like a fool and soon you will die like a fool.”

Ernie's sobs got real after hearing this. The reality this old man portrayed was too heavy for him and he could not bear it. Meanwhile Arnold hurriedly took out his handkerchief and handed it to Ernie. Ernie used that handkerchief to clean her tears. Now her eyes are swollen, red with a thin line around her pupils.

“What should I do now, Mr Lim? Please, forgive me for my stupidity just now. I have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about.”

Grandpa Lim suddenly softened. Ernie's desperate tone was apparently something she had been waiting for. Grandpa Lim approached her then squeezed her weak shoulders trying to calm the poor woman down.

Grandpa Lim looked straight at him then said, “This man is my grandson. His name is Gama and he lives in this town by himself. I gave him a house and I think it's too big if it's occupied by him.

You stay with him there for a while until we're done dealing with your problems. Gamma is a quiet boy so you don't have to complain about the crazy actions that men of his age usually do. What say?”

Ernie quickly nodded. He grabbed Ko Sami's hand and kissed her without being asked. After the tribute kiss was over, Ko Sami rubbed Ernie's head and said softly, “Now come back to your son. We will contact if there is any development with your husband.”

Ernie nodded again, got up from her seat and hurriedly walked out of the room. After Ernie came out, Grandpa Lim sat back in his chair and sighed heavily. The first thing he did was to observe Gama's reaction. The young man gave a big smile, showing that he was amused by the appearance just now.

Grandpa Lim turned to Arnold her secretary then said, “Go to her husband's place tomorrow morning. Offer him some money to forget about the trouble that night. Tell him we're ready to help him with his problems at the office. He'll understand. After all he hasn't completely turned into a fool.”

Arnold nodded in understanding and understood that it was also a gesture for him to leave this room. That's what he did too. Meanwhile, Lim and Gama's grandparents remain in the room. Grandpa Lim looked at Gama desperately trying to understand what was inside the boy's head.

“Sit then. I have a job for you.” Grandpa Lim said in a firm tone of voice.