Tak Semanis Sugarcane Is Not Sepahit Coffee
Chapter 11
Keisya was too busy recounting his days at school. Sunday morning was filled with school books. Starting from various tasks that get an A to the babble of him who can not paint, unlike Fira and Aji friends at school whose paintings are displayed. He had cried to ask for painting lessons for the sake of his painting mounted on the classroom wall, but the father refused to follow his request as a result I had to talk to Fathan.
“Mami will talk to papi, right?”
“Why doesn't Keisya study with Fira or Aji alone?”
“Keisya shy.”
“Why shy?”
“Keisya once asked for help to teach origami and Fira said Keisya son of a rich man, should not ask to be taught with him.”
“Why Dira said that?”
“Neighborhood.”
“Then why don't you ask to teach Aji?”
“Aji is angry with Kei for spending his provisions, Aji never wanted a friend Keisya. Though Keisya has apologized and replace the provisions with mbak Uti.” cuisine
“Why does Kei eat Aji's lunch? Kei won't bring it?”
“Taste her mama Aji really good, just as good as mami's cooking. Keisya often misses mami. Mami why not stay here every day just”
***
Since the meeting at Oma Keisya station often contact me to play to Jakarta. Little Keisya has never been absent to check on my break. Before going to bed at least he should say good night. That's what made me interact with Fathan a lot.
I never wanted to ask where Keisya's mom was. A year with Fathan began the story. “The woman cheated. I love him but he doesn't. I asked him to be betrothed to me. Keisya is there because I always mix medicine in his food so he wants to connect with me. When she finds out she's pregnant she intends to abort. I gave her a threat and she became a good wife. I had to leave him for college in America after Keisya was three months old.
For less than two years I never came home and we were just communicating via video call. When I came home, Keisya was not even three years old. Keisya is not well taken care of. I kept quiet because I thought she wasn't used to taking care of a child. And the days when I came home from work he wasn't home, he was home at midnight. His grandson was almost midnight and I got word he had an accident. The doctor said the baby in the womb could not be saved. He was bleeding and needed a lot of blood. I could have donated blood to her but I chose not to.
The phone contained only one message and the conversation was never deleted. From there I knew she was cheating on me with her boyfriend before marrying me. She got pregnant at four months of age which was stupid I did not even realize that her stomach was enlarged. His girlfriend is not responsible. His accident was intentional, he committed suicide. And I obeyed his will to commit suicide. I let the medical team announce the date of his death.”
***
I knocked on Fathan's workspace door and walked in when he said “Log in!”. After the morning run, he usually spends time reading. If there is no I Keisya has participated in spending the morning by reading until before lunch.
“Mas, want lunch outside or at home?”
“Try me Keisya! If he wants to eat at home what would you cook?”
“Mas want me to cook something?”
“Bby?”
“Sure.”
“Please cooking arsik goldfish. Yesterday there were employees who cooked goldfish arsik and it tasted really good.”
“Then we have to shop the goldfish.”
“Wait a minute, I'll grab the car keys first.”
“Jack motor only let it be fast.”
“Serious?”
“Iya, borrow the motor sir Hendra.”
“But hot.”
“Not what. Come hunted.”
“Keisya, mami sama papi go bentar ya!” yelled Fathan who saw Keisya playing with a cat in the backyard.
“Cute!” Fathan looked at me and Keisya immediately ran to my left hand.
“Yakinu. Mami once invited Kei to go on a motorcycle, keep Kei's hair flying so beautiful.” Fathan looked up for an explanation. I just nodded and took Kei to the front yard.
“Kok me 'don't know you ever take Kei on a motorbike?”
“Lupa.”
“Do not repeat!”
“Not a promise.”
“Should promise!”
***
Fathan laughed when we got to the door. No, actually he's been laughing since we were in the shopping market. This is all because he saw how I did my sawala to the sellers in the traditional market earlier. Though bargaining is a common thing that sellers do with buyers.
Seeing her laugh I became excited when Dila also laughed and was amazed when I went shopping with her first. He said it looked like my mom. Ah, miss him with them.
“Need me to help?”
“Bby.”
“Keisya also dong!”
Fathan helped me weed the fish while Keisya picked the long beans. There was a question that escaped his lips. Fathan and I got overwhelmed answering his clever question.
“Eh, again busy cooking it turns out, fast mom comes 'no welcome.” Aunt Diana-mama Fathan came up with a plastic bag filled with cookies as well as fruit. I reached out to greet him.
“Oma!”
“Mama didn't say that to Jakarta today. Alone?”Fathan embraces and brings Aunt Diana into the living room. Keisya looked at me then turned on the backs of the two adults on his right. “Kei help mommy only, deh.”
“Meet oma first, oma misses with Kei. Let the mami continue to cook.”
“But,”
“Kei!” shouted Fathan.
“Already called papi, hunted meet oma!”
“Bent awhile, mami”
***
“Married to my son!” aunt Diana said we finished lunch. Fathan stared. We've talked about this before.
“How much more time do you need? Isn't it enough three years?”
“MA!”
“OK, mom keep waiting for your good news, Dea.”
“Taste you always good, thank you for this lunch. Immediately, tell mama your decision! Mama hope you give me the answer you want.”
“Mama has to fly to Malaysia, after later give your answer yes? Mom says!” aunt Diana kissed the head of Keisya who was finishing his fried chicken then passed leaving the dining room.
“Sorry to make you uncomfortable. I'm going forward first.” Fathan went after Aunt Diana.
I don't know how I feel about Fathan. I never wanted her to be my life partner even though Keisya had me consider as my little princess. I don't know. Any man close to me has never been more than a brother.
The look on Naufal's face twisted. This is what happens every time I have a serious relationship. There are promises that we made first and this keeps my heart afloat. Really, I've willingly let go. However, I could not prevent it when the memories came attacking me.
“Mami, bloody mami nose!”
