The Hate That Ends Marriage

Reproof Painful

As usual, after completing his daily routine of helping the residents in need and watching over the workers at his father's farm, Radit returns home when the sun has started to set.

Today was truly a very tiring day, thanks to the gossip spread by his sister. Throughout this day Radit was always asked the same question, so it almost made him want to curse because he was upset. Fortunately, he could refrain from cursing at people who always wanted to know that. He only answered briefly, refuting the baseless gossip while commenting on the fake smile on his lips.

It was a long and exhausting day. Now Radit is sitting at the dinner table with his family who is not so big, consisting only of him, his father and his brother who mouthed a bucket. Their mother was gone 4 years ago because she was very sick.

“Father heard today you were rejected, Dit,” said his father, pretending not to be too curious.

“Don't Father too. I'm tired of answering the same question, for the hundredth time maybe.” A long sigh blew from Radit's mouth.

“Abang Radit overestimated, huh. It can't be that much.”

“This whole thing was a bad boy, sir. Spreading baseless gossip altogether.” Radit glared at his sister from across the dining table.

“Lho, so you're the one who spread the gossip, Rin?”

Puffing his body proud, Ririn said, “Ririn is that you.”

“It was not something to be proud of, moreover the gossip was not true at all,” Radit scolded his sister.

“What's so right, Rin?”

“Nno, Dad. Ririn only concluded what Ririn saw. Ririn's observation can not be wrong, Bang Radit does look rejected.”

“Rather than concluding useless things, you better learn. Soon you want to pass SMP, Mouth Ember.”

“Already, already, don't argue. True or not, I just hope you quickly have a family, Dit. Remember, you are 27 years old. It's time to get married." Taking a breath, his father continued, “Bapak listen, Grandma Aya's granddaughter is still single. Maybe you can consider it.”

“I know I'm old enough to get married, sir. But if I get married, surely Grandma Aya's granddaughter is not my choice,” Radit said.

“Why is that?”

“I don't like it. His attitude is very rude.”

“You'll be able to guide him to be better.”

“I'm not sure his attitude can be corrected,” muttered Radit skeptically. “Why do you look so eager to match me with him?” Radit narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“No, of course not. I just thought, maybe you have an interest in Grandma Aya's granddaughter. You heard she was very beautiful.”

“What's the point of being beautiful if it's so bad," said Radit. "I promise to find a future wife as soon as possible. Father take it easy.”

“Bapak please so.”

The three of them continued their dinner with another chat to cheer up the atmosphere.

°°

Outside Widya's room door, Grandma Aya knocks slowly before entering immediately to deliver a message, if early tomorrow Widya will go with Radit to buy fish because their stock of side dishes is up. In order not to get up late in the morning, Widya was told to go to bed quickly by her grandmother.

After her grandmother stepped out of the room, Widya kicked the blanket that covered her body. Why of all the people there must be that annoying guy who accompanied him to the market tomorrow morning. Though Widya could have gone alone, but her grandmother did not believe Widya could bargain for fish, as her grandmother said just now when she protested.

For sure tomorrow people will gossip to see them walking alone in the fish market. Oh, my God, this is really annoying! Widya wishes her grandmother a speedy recovery so she can get out of here quickly. Tapping her body on the mattress, Widya beat her pillow repeatedly to vent her frustration.

***

Silent as yesterday, Widya and Radit walked together towards the market. The two try to keep their distance so as not to touch each other. Unfortunately, it was inevitable when they arrived at a market full of sellers and buyers.

Some people there noticed them, then whispered and smiled meaningfully at the two of them. It feels Widya wants to go home quickly because she feels uncomfortable with the views of people towards her.

"I'm not a hypocrite like you," Widya replied.

"This is not hypocrisy. This is a courtesy attitude to others" Radit said exasperatedly.

Just now Widya wants to return Radit's words, an old grandfather calls her down the street to ask for help. Radit immediately left Widya among the crowd of gossipers. Ignoring Radit's words so as not to shop for fish alone, Widya approached the fishmonger on her left. Widya did not want to delay the time to leave this place immediately.

"Please be chosen, Neng. Still fresh fish," said the Fish Seller Mother showed the fresh fish she sold.

"It's not the fish from yesterday, is it, Mom? It smells like it's rotten." Widya sniffed one of the fish the mother sold.

"It's still fresh, Neng. Even if it smells a little fishy."

"This is not fishy anymore, but already want to rot. Is this fish worth selling? Should have been thrown away. It's better if you sell the living, not the dead like this." Lifting the fish with her thumb and index finger, Widya dropped it in disgust.

"If not the intention to buy, do not talk about my fish rotten so dong, Neng. Eneng's speech could make my trading not sellable," said the Fish-Seller's mother brushed Widya's hand off her merchandise.

All eyes were on Widya with an accusatory look, and pity the Fish Seller Mother. A hand snatched Widya's wrist from the crowd, who were whispering a sneer at her rude behavior.

"Sorry, Mom. This kid likes to be rude, but he didn't mean it that way. Again sorry." Radit bowed his body and asked Widya to do it too.

Standing stiffly next to Radit, Widya removed the Radit handle from her hand, and looked at the Fish-Seller Mother coldly. "I didn't do anything wrong. Excuse me."

Widya stepped away haughtily and ignored the angry words of those around her. He was equally indifferent despite being said to be rude and uneducated by everyone there.

"Sorry, Mom. I'll advise Widya and have her apologize later."

"Already, Dit. That rude woman you don't take care of anymore."

"It's been my duty to take care of him, ma'am. Then, excuse me. Again sorry."

Crackling among the crowd, Radit circulated a look looking for the arrogant and rude woman. Radit found him already at the end of the road.

Widya's steps come to a halt, as Radit pulls his hand once more to face her.

"Is it so hard to say an apology from that spicy mouth of yours?" cela Radit's.

"There's nothing I have to apologize for. I said the right thing, that fish is rotten." Pulling off her hand, Widya stared intently at Radit. "It's wrong for me to be honest?"

"To be honest, but the way you say it offends other people. You could have said, if the fish is not fresh without having to reproach someone's sales."

"Whatever, I don't want to apologize anyway."

"That's it. I'm tired of advising your rude behavior, too. Here let me do some fish shopping, you just go home."

Radit stuck out his hand asking for the wallet Widya was carrying.

Roughly, Widya placed it on Radit's palm, then turned around, walking back to her grandmother's house.

Before Widya goes any further, Radit's words stop her from moving.

"I feel sorry for your parents. They must be tired of facing your rude nature. You should be aware, your behavior will only make your parents' upbringing questioned by others. Especially today, your grandmother must feel very embarrassed after hearing your behavior from people later."

Widya just stayed in place, unable to reply to Radit's words as usual. Wiping her tears violently, Widya tried hard not to let out sobs that almost came out of her mouth.

Don't let him win, inner Widya.