Replacement Ribs

2. Pick up Mentari

Kirana woke up to the sound of an alarm from her phone. Last night he couldn't sleep well. The room was still so foreign to him. There is also a man in one bed. Tristan's goodnight speech that was addressed to no one when the man was about to close his eyes further made his mind wander in uncertain directions. The greeting of love is certainly not pinned on just anyone. Only special people deserve it. Kirana tried to guess until her sleepiness came on its own. Even when his eyes were open, the thought again disturbed him. A mentor? Kirana tries to think positively if the call of affection is aimed at Mentari. Kirana hears Tristan calling her daughter affectionately.

Kirana tries to wake Tristan who still looks very sound. But several times she called her husband's name did not open her eyes.

"Mas, it's dawn!" Kirana repeated once more and only retorted deheman like delirious people by Tristan.

The woman took a scrunchie on the nightstand to tie her hair. Then she pulled out her blanket and got out of bed. Letting Tristan who seemed reluctant open his eyes.

Although Tristan has confirmed that their status is only husband and wife on paper, Kirana still carries out her role as a wife and also a mother for children. After the dawn prayer, she tried to reawaken her husband. But it was the grumbling he received. Tristan remained out of bed. In order to avoid a fight, Kirana finally came out of the room. He went down to the kitchen to cook breakfast for the two of them.

The last vegetable in the fridge was cooked last night. There's nothing in there but eggs and some processed meat in the freezer. Kirana also cooks rice. The only cooking idea that comes to mind is fried rice. Add sausage or corned beef. Either Tristan will like it or not.

While waiting for the rice to cook, Kirana cleaned the house. Because according to her mother-in-law, Tristan did not employ ART. Only three days once Bi Elis, the housekeeper in the main house came to clean the house.

"Don't touch!" The sound that was quite loud shocked Kirana. He turned his head to look at Tristan who was standing at the end of the stairs with quivering lips.

"S-I just want to clean it up," Kirana replied as she put back the picture frame of Elita who looks so beautiful in her white coat.

"Tomorrow Bi Elis will clean the house" Tristan said with a cold face.

Kirana put all the cleaning tools back in place. She did not want to anger her husband. Tristan is very sensitive when it comes to his late first wife.

"You want coffee, Mas? I made it, huh?" kirana asked to see Tristan take a cup and then open one of the cabinets.

"No need."

"It's okay, Mom. I can do it if I just make coffee." Kirana slightly forced to take the cup from Tristan's hand. And she succeeded because her husband just handed her the cup he was holding.

Kirana makes coffee according to the dose told by her mother-in-law. Some things about Tristan are known. About the character and some of his habits. And a cup of coffee that had just been brewed, Kirana placed on the dining table. Because Tristan disappeared from the kitchen and out of nowhere.

Kirana raised hopes that this morning would be a good start for the new household within hours of her passing. With a smile, Kirana put the fried rice seasoning she had just made into hot oil. Then add the rice and stir it until mixed with spices evenly.

Two dishes of fried rice with the addition of eggs and also sausage prepared Kirana on the dining table as well. Along with the sound of footsteps down the stairs.

"Where are you going?" kirana asked as she watched Tristan climb down the stairs.

"Not your business" said Tristan ketus while wearing his watch.

Kirana also gave a rough sigh. "We have breakfast first, Mas. I cooked fried rice. I don't know whether I like it or not."

"No need to cook for me."

"I don't feel bothered." Kirana pulls up a chair for Tristan. But the man continued to step past the dining table.

"Mas!" Kirana's call was not ignored. The woman grinned bitterly staring at the two dishes of fried rice and coffee in a cup that might have been cold. Although his heart is beautiful, Kirana is not too dizzy. She is not the type of woman who melows and easily decomposes tears. Kirana was a woman who, despite her heart ache, had a big smile she could still display.

"Mas!" Kirana was shocked after her husband who had reached the exit.

"Lent a minute on the phone. He'll ask to be picked up. Mas has promised to pick him up," he said later because Tristan still ignored him.

"You're the one who picked it up. I have a lot of business today" Tristan replied as he pulled the doorknob.

Moments later, the sound of a car roar was heard leaving the garage. Kirana again sighed harshly. Though disappointed to feel unappreciated, Kirana returns to the dining table and enjoys her own breakfast. Not a strange thing either because every day he always ate alone while staying at the boarding house.

The sound of the phone made Kirana gasp. Calls from Mentari using his oma's phone. In the morning, Mentari asked to be picked up. Apparently the boy was impatient to get back on the phone and asked to be picked up from his home immediately.

The only two-wheeler he had was still in the boarding house. So Kirana booked a taxi online to pick up Mentari. There was one more vehicle parked in the garage. Motor sports are of course Tristan's. Let alone wearing it, just touching it Kirana did not dare. For a while, he had to keep a little attitude. Maybe it's better than adding to the problem with Tristan.

The taxi Kirana was riding stopped in front of a whitewashed house she had just left yesterday afternoon. Looks lonely because only inhabited by a homeowner, an ART and a driver. Kirana opened the unlocked gate. Greetings to the residents of the house. Mrs Ratih opened the door and warmly welcomed her new daughter-in-law.

"Where's tristan?"

"Mas Tristan .. work, Ma" Kirana said. She saw her husband wearing formal clothes and carrying a bag. It is certain that Tristan will leave for the office.

Madam Ratih was breathing rough. Looked at his son-in-law. He thought Tristan would take a day or two off. Apparently not at all. He also told Kirana to go inside.

Kirana had visited the house several times, so she no longer felt awkward to break through to the living room along with Bu Ratih.

"You've had breakfast, Wi?" Bu Ratih does prefer to call Kirana with the last name Kirana Dewi.

"Already Ma," said Kirana as she approached Mentari who was busy playing with her doll collection.

"Mother!" Mentari who just realized the arrival of Kirana hugged her mother. Again, the boy asked where his father was. Kirana tries to give her understanding when Mentari starts to get jealous because her father stopped picking her up. With the lure of taking a walk, Mentari finally collapsed. He was also busy playing.

Kirana chatted with her mother-in-law while waiting for Mentari to play.

"Hopefully, be patient with Tristan." The same request as when Bu Ratih proposed to Kirana.

A faint smile expanded on Kirana's lips.

"Yes, Ma. I know the risks I'll take when I accept Mama's proposal."

Madam Ratih rubbed her daughter-in-law's hand gently.

"Again thanks. I have loved Mentari sincerely. Remember Wi, Mama will be on your side if Tristan hurts you."

Kirana nodded gently. "Thank you, Ma. I'm sure Mas Tristan is a good man. It just takes time to accept each other."

Madam Ratih curled her lips. It was not wrong for him to choose Kirana to be his daughter-in-law. From the moment he first met when he picked up Mentari, he was able to read the sincerity in Kirana. He treated every student in school with love. Especially on Mentari. Every hour of study is over, Kirana always accompanies the child to be picked up. Many stories about Kirana that Bu Trained got from Mentari. Finally, he expressed the desire for his son to marry again. Mr. Ratih also knew that Tristan married Kirana only for the sake of Mentari.

"Ma, can I have Mas Tristan's number?"

Bu Ratih's forehead frowned. "You haven't exchanged contact numbers?"

Kirana smiled clumsyly. "So I forgot to ask for Mas Tristan's number. I want a permit to shop after I get out of here."

Mr. Ratih also gave Tristan's contact number. And also tell at length about the favorite food of Tristan.Kata people, suitable cooking on the tongue can melt someone's heart. Whether true or not, there is no harm in trying. And some shopping list kitchen needs were stored in Kirana's brain memory.

Kirana sends a message to her husband if he's going to take Mentari shopping. The message was simply ignored not even read. Or maybe Tristan is busy. But at least he told me.

With Mr. Cip escorted, the family driver Kirana and Mentari went to a shopping center. Not playing with the excitement of Mentari's heart when Kirana took her hand into the mall. The joy of the boy could not be hidden because he could finally feel going with his mother like his friends. No longer a Mentari who does not have a mother like the one who has often been the subject of his friends. Kirana's lips curled to see the smile on Mentari's face. Sometimes he chimed in on the babble of children he continued.

A moment later Kirana's smile faded as Kirana's eye lens caught the two figures sitting in the coffee shop. His tongue was twisted for a moment when he saw Tristan and ….