
After finishing accompanying Nakula to go looking for action figures, I sniffed the aroma of cooking from the top floor, restaurant special floors and food court. I cradled my grocery bag while looking at Nakula.
"What?"
I commented with a smile, "Laper, said Mas Kaysan, don't eat late."
"Reason."
"The mother said that too, so as not to get sick easily."
"Reason."
I put on a sour face, grumbling in annoyance.
"Take away can be."
"You what? I'm tired, Ma'am. My college assignment is a lot."
"I'm a lot, harder."
Nakula sighed heavily, "Take away, after that go home."
I nodded happily, "Nakul, want a western. I've never tried it."
"Ndesos!"
I squealed and hit Nakula on the shoulder.
"Maclum I'm not someone like you, when I was a kid I used to eat rice with salt. Tasty but make high blood, so you used to like to get angry is not clear." Nakula looked at me with her pushy eyes.
"What do you want, what western?"
"Kayak at the master chef's, tenderloin steak."
Nakula patted his eel, "Cow."
"No, tenderloin steak."
"Cow?"
I put my feet on the floor, "Metal cow." I snarled, not wanting to see Nakula's face that was rubbing against me.
Nakula chuckles behind her cloth mask, "Ndeso, ndeso."
"Belvin. Ndeso gini is also your sister." I said sniffling as I walked ahead of Nakula.
We arrived at the top floor, any scent smelled on this floor. From starting street food wrapped in a contemporary look, to luxury restaurants with fantastic prices that make flower bags deflated.
"Tetep tenderloin steak, do not want to try other westerns. Sushi, or Korean food?"
"No, I want steak." I was adamant about my choice, because watching on TV sometimes made me fantasize about being able to enjoy it.
Nakula nodded, "If eating steak should be in its place, it can't take away."
I looked at the circular clock on my wrist, the time had already shown 15:45, which meant that in one hour Kaysan also came home from work. And, the afternoon until evening activities will continue with him, spoiled, pinching to the ends of playlocks. [hugging in quotes]
But, she owes me an explanation, about her being a university rector. It's fitting that he showed me a VIP parking card yesterday.
Nakula preceded my move, he headed for one of the western restaurants selling a variety of processed beef foods.
Maybe if I was dating an ordinary person, I could feel the beauty of dating even if it was just a walk in the mall, or just visiting a bookstore while hitching a ride on photos. But with Kaysan, the man who has enjoyed my body I have never felt the beauty of my version of dating, the millennial courtship of ordinary folk.
"If daydreaming does not eat."
"Just kid, it's a responsibility. My stomach is already rumbling."
"What you know is the truth, I am the son of a concubine. Ayahandas. But, my status and the other brothers remain the same in the eyes of the Father and the court higher-ups, we have the title of Bendoro Raden Mas."
"But why didn't Kaysan tell me?"
"That's something I don't know why, Ma'am. But isn't there a lot of news out there if a King must have a concubine, or more than one wife. Ma'am should know the cause and effect of marrying into the Ningrat family."
I covered my face, the tremors in the recesses of my heart seeping tears that slowly wet my palm.
"The mother is our wingless angel. He received us who were not from his womb to receive the same affection as Mother's biological children. Believe me, if you become a queen and empress will grow a different taste. The taste that makes your heart will be as vast as an ocean."
Nakula's explanation made me sob, what it meant if I was 'boring' Kaysan could easily remarry, without my permission.
My chest is getting crowded. I have no taste for eating or just breathing.
"Prepare accordingly, as if you know nothing of us. Until finally Kaysan himself explained to you. I know, Kaysan's got a point of its own."
"Remove your tears, I don't want to look like a man who hurt a girl."
I pulled one corner of my lips, "Then who's Kaysan's little brother I haven't met yet?"
"The man who gave you the disc?" I'm nodding.
"I don't think you need to know, because he will never come to the main house of Ayahanda."
"Why?" manya curious.
Nakula smiled knot.
"To know too much makes your heart unsettled. Eat up!" Nakula.
Two hot plates containing tenderloin steak with barbeque sauce landed on table number 7, two glasses of melon juice and one glass of cold water followed later. I looked at the sliced fries, mix vegetable, and hot plate that were smoking hot. My stomach is getting rattled.
As if I had forgotten my heart, I began to hold a knife and fork. Without caring if my face is puffy and looks shiny, I start eating it. The heat of this tenderloin steak is not as hot as my heart which is tainted by a taste called disappointment.
*
Before returning home from the Mall, I took the time to buy some bread under the trademark BreadTalk. The aroma I have finished daritadi, now several pieces of bread with a form that is warming and tempting already in my tray.
It's not because of the money I've easily earned now. An opportunity like this is a miracle. I do not want to waste to be able to buy expensive snacks a la the people with an upper-middle economy. It seems like I should be grateful before the suffering starts to ambush me silently.
*
The twilight had already disappeared, along with the black clouds still hanging in the night sky.
I'm late, Kaysan must have come home and waited for me at home. Not out of the streets I feel happy, but I was overwhelmed with anxiety.
There was a fear of my own when I made a mistake, it could be a mistake that I made to consider Kaysan to have another wife. By reason, because I was negligent with the husband's orders and other rules.
After the frog Nakula's car arrived at the parking lot of the house. I brought a lot of my luggage.
"Don't run!" Nakula.
I just cleared my throat and looked carefully around. Feeling safe enough, I spread my legs wide.
Kaysan's BMW was parked in the parking lot. That means Kaysan is really home. Panic overcame me. I took a deep breath, before entering the room.
I peeked briefly from the gap of the door that was not tightly closed.
Kaysan held onto the laptop, letting the TV see it. Surely if that TV could talk for sure he would complain. 'What use am I, am I just a silencer when you guys are preoccupied with making love.' It's so cute TV, my mind.
With slow steps I entered the room. Kaysan looked over, I was surprised.
"What time is this?"
Mampus, batinku. I put my luggage on the couch. Walking up to Kaysan with a stiff smile.
"Sorry, Jani's late." I bow my head.
"May go but also know the time! I'm allowing you because I know, I can't freely accompany you either."
"Sorry." I said sorry. I should have been angry at the lie Kaysan had covered up, but why was it that I was scolded for being an hour late.
"Bath and prayer! Do your job."
I flinched a little, "Which tasks, Mas?" many confused. The duties of a wife are many.
"Campus duty! Today I am going to Bali. Pick up a dancing teacher for you."
Kaysan showed me the backpack he put near the closet.
"Mas, mad?"
Is this a punishment for me, because of the cow I have to leave my husband for a few days.
"Maghrib time is few, work it out. I don't want to be called a negligent husband for not reminding you!" His voice was full of pressure, with a thousand steps I started towards the bathroom.
*
And, I know because I married a noble family. However, as a result, I don't know if it will be this complicated.
Only to the owner of this Universe do I complain. Complaining about my complaints.
Edit, so don't ngeyel. Dizziness should go to Bali. ππ