Should I Joke (Again)

05. Maafin Rei

After resting and eating dinner, Rei sat on the back porch of the house. Not much has changed from this house, the last stay before marrying Reza this house building is still the same.

Only some parts of the house seemed to be repaired because of water seepage when the rainy season arrived. The backyard is still the same, many fruit trees there, mangoes and rambutans. Only now papa adds the side area to be a special place for hydroponic gardens.

Papa is indeed a champion, utilizing his retirement to develop his hobby of farming. Still enjoying the tour behind the house, passing the path looks flower garden there. Various types of flowers, roses of various colors, orchids and chrysanthemums.

It feels unsatisfied to look at them, various colors and fragrances. Make the mind so calm, release fatigue at work.

Sitting in the gazebo next to the flower garden, looks new may be often used when the father and mother-in-law were resting while busy with the flowers.

"Re... " Holy Mother called him. Rei turned his head and smiled, this middle-aged woman is so graceful with all her charms. Although his age is no longer young, but he is still diligent in taking care of himself especially with natural herbs typical of Indonesia, especially if not herbal medicine.

"yes Ma"

"Kok alone, mama cariin loh earlier" walked up to Rei, and sat down beside him.

"Let's see Ma's flower garden again, the more flowers."

"Alhamdulillah, rather than barking will look for busyness even add savings." replied the Holy Mother

"Yes, too, especially brother and sister whose duties have moved, ma added rarely go home."

"Yes, that's the risk of being a state servant. But if we do it sincerely everything will be facilitated."

Rei smiled, both of his sisters-in-law were indeed following his papa as a state servant on their own wishes. Alm also. Anton once told me that almost all of his papa's extended family are state servants, ranging from AD, AL, AU and there are also police.

"You're here apparently, papa cariin in the future is here." Said Papa approaching them, followed by Bik Mai who carried a tray containing drinks and snacks.

"Let's eat Rei, this was given to Mr. Somad's front neighbor who just came from Banyuwangi to see his new granddaughter who was born."

"Yes ma" Rei replied briefly

"Rei, papa wants to ask but Rei ain't mad, is he?"

"Papa wants to ask what, please as long as Rei can answer. Rei ain't gonna be mad."

Looking at his wife then nodded, sighing Papa Hadi made his point.

"Did Rei not want to remarry son?" . Rei looked surprised by his words, as if choked as it felt.

"You deserve to remarry and seek your happiness. Papa and Mama know there is still trauma in your heart because of failure in the household. But never close your heart to another, to another's love." Papa said, he knew Rei was still closing himself up. And that makes him unsettled.

Rei understood what Papa Hadi meant but I don't know, it doesn't feel right to be in a relationship if his heart is still the same. The failure of the household left her with pain in her heart, twice she bears the status of widow. It will not be easy to get a partner who will accept it with his current status.

"Re.. Mama knows, Rei is hesitant to get into a relationship because Rei is inferior to Rei's status right?" ask Mama.

Rei nodded, there was no point in hiding anymore. It feels like his chest is already tight. Crying.maybe this way it can take all the burden out.

"Rey, honey. I'm sorry if we ask this, we just want to see you happy. We won't force you, but we're responsible for the deceased's commission."

Rei fell silent, his memory returning at the time of reading the last letter from her late husband. The late Anton also asks her to move on with her life, seeking new happiness.

Rei's cry broke again, if time could be turned back, he wanted to get married once in a lifetime. But fate said otherwise, Rei's life path was not as smooth as imagined.

"Sorry Rei. pa, ma. Rei does not want to burden papa and mama, Rei feels unworthy of your affection. Especially since Anton's mas is gone." said Rei with a whim, his tears flowed along with his emotions that burst.

Give her a hug with warmth like her mama did. Indeed nothing has changed, their treatment of Renita is still the same as when there was Anton on her side.

"Re...Rei knows that mom and dad love Rei like our own kids." Papa comes closer, gives Renita a hug.

"There or no Anton, Rei is still our son. Until whenever will be our son." Sacred Mama stroked Rei's hair, and wiped her tears.

"Don't hesitate to speak your heart, if there's a story problem, you'll be ready to listen, we'll always be there for you." Papa Hadi. The three re-hugged like parents and children.

"Thank you Ma, Pa" and they nodded.

Rei was moved to hear they still loved him despite not being their daughter-in-law anymore.

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Morning arrived, after dawn prayers Rei changed clothes. She was enthusiastic when last night Holy mama took her to the market.

Rei has not been to the traditional market, at home mom to the market only when the stock of basic needs runs out, if daily shopping usually makes shopping to the vegetable shop near home.

Mama Suci deliberately invited Rei to the market so as not to be lonely at home, because this morning after dawn Papa Hadi will send vegetables to several restaurants and markets in this city.

They chose to walk to the traditional market, the distance is only 1 km and quite far for Rei because he rarely went out of the house without a vehicle.

"Racid?" mama asked as she saw Rei begin to sweat. Rei only smiled, although actually his legs had started to ache.

"Basak loses to bibik non" joked bik Mai hastened her pace.

"Geek ah, Rei ain't never walked this far." stopped while breathing. The Holy Mother only smiled looking at the two.

"Let's continue again, let's get there quickly. Later there we have breakfast pecel ya." take mama.

Morning air that is still fresh like this is rarely found in the big city, so mumpung here benefits as best as possible.

"Come on Rei, spirit." Inner Rei

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Satisfied with shopping for market snacks that he rarely met, eating pecels and buying special food for souvenirs from home people and office friends, Rei and Mama Suci also went home to take a bentor.

Bik Mai had gone home first because he had to cook breakfast for papa workers who today will pick vegetables for demand from a star hotel in the city next door.

What a fun new experience for Rei, getting to know life in a village that is different mobility with the city where he lives.

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"Where is he finished?" holy Mama asked as she saw Rei pass through the kitchen.

"Oh, yes it's done" Rei replied

"Yes already, now you rest first, clean up later a bit unfortunate can go home."

"Ready ma" Rei passed to his room, Holy Mama continued to clean up her groceries.