THE SOULMATE FROM HELL
35. THIRTY-FOUR
Thanks to the free time owned by Gendis Atmojo, his plan and Umbara not to come at the one month baby party event was a complete failure. Her mother-in-law had even deliberately come to the house to pick them up.
By the time she and Umbara arrived at the front of the house, her mother-in-law's car had been parked neatly in the carport. While mang Ujang, the mother-in-law's personal driver, was seen sitting while smoking in one corner of the terrace with a very bored face, but once he realized his arrival he was seen sighing in relief. As if to say: finally this long wait will be over soon.
Betari and Umbara had greeted Mang Ujang before they entered the house and found Gendis Atmojo who had appeared plenary, wearing a simple long evening dress in wine and her hair was embraced low in modern style, beautiful and graceful as usual— was chatting casually with Romeo Salim while watching television accompanied by a pot of green tea and a few pieces of strawberry cake from the new neighbor—which by his uncle, him and Umbara, he, especially he was forbidden to eat the damn cake was a small bribe.
Umbara, who was not very fond of cakes, did not comment on anything, while he understood his uncle's intentions. Even without the need for Romeo Salim whispered it with a line of soft words but full of warning. “Let's lo baper. Can be in vain already everything.”
But the thing that Betari did not think of as a result of Romeo Salim's greed for the damn strawberry cake was Umbara who that day also took him to a cake shop after they worked, after they worked, Umbara ordered a piece of strawberry cake and two cups of hot tea for the two of them.
That evening, the weather was cloudy and the rain was spatter, the air that initially felt very hot became a little cooler. They took a seat in the corner of the shop that was deserted by the visitor, other than the two of them there was only a pair of elderly sitting one table from them, two young girls at the table by the door and a mother standing at the checkout table, who shortly afterwards left with a big box of cookies.
Umbara took a slow sip of his hot tea and Betari who sat beside him again said, “You really don't want to try the cake?”
“Enggak.” reply Umbara. “You want me to pesenin again?”
Betari. “I still want to eat chicken noodles after this.” he said later.
“Warung chicken noodles in front of it rame really like good.” Betari stared out through the large window beside where Umbara was sitting pointing with her finger a chicken noodle and meatball stall that stood just across from the cake shop where they were.
“We're going there. You finished the cake.”
“This you really don't want to try?” bargain Betari again, not as a pleasantries because since then he offered Umbara not because he wanted to make small talk, let alone feel bad because only he ate while Umbara did not. Betari just wants Umbara to try the cake. The reason that he also felt a bit strange, because actually Betari himself is a person who is ignorant.
Umbara refused again because he did not like the cake. Betari then devoured the last piece of strawberry cake. But suddenly one of Umbara's hands had grabbed his chin and quickly a gentle kiss landed on his lips. Umbara looked at him who was confused and said, “Kuenya very sweet.”
Clearly her husband's actions that afternoon had added to the burden of her mind. More than that kiss.
Betari did not feel sure that every time she saw the strawberry cake she would not remember the kiss.
“Oh, you guys are home!” gendis Atmojo's voice greeted them. Then firmly gave the two an ultimatum to take a shower and get ready to leave.
Umbara and Betari did not argue, then climbed the stairs to the second floor.
There was a conversation between Gendis Atmojo and Romeo Salim in the living room.
“The cake is delicious, yes. Is this you or the Dance that bought?” gendis Atmojo told Romeo Salim.
“ini do not buy kok, aunt, yesterday given a new neighbor in front of the house.” replied Romeo Salim honestly. “He said he was homemade.” he added later.
“Oh, yes?”
“Hem.” Romeo Salim then continued his words. “Kan new neighbor ahead it chef Vino, aunty know the jury cooking competition in Netxtv the youngest.”
Gendis Atmojo. “Know, know. The cake is delicious.”
***
Betari himself was born from a wealthy family, the Salim family has become a rich and distinguished family even since the days of his great-grandfather. So since childhood Betari has been accustomed to various kinds of traditions and events like this.
Indeed, those who are too rich, will never feel affectionate to spend as much money as anything, let alone make them fall poor.
But his life experience after graduating from High School makes Betari have a very different thought than he should have if he still lived life as a family member should live.
From the son to the great-grandson of Juan Salim, perhaps only Betari had ever lived the life of a commoner. Therefore, Betari's view of the feast which he attended this time remained in that one word: exaggeration.
Indah Atmojo, Gading Atmojo's younger sister greeted them with a smile.
“Where is Ivory?”
“Ah, sorry, mas Gading can not come, he is still in Singapore.”
“Ckckck, when will the Ivory mas want to retire. Pity him he is old.” When saying that Indah Atmojo deliberately glanced at Umbara who was standing behind Gendis with his wife.
Indah Atmojo understands that Gading Atmojo is not on holiday in Singapore. Since replacing their father decades ago, his eldest brother has become a very busy person. Should be at his old age his eldest brother no longer need to take care of the company. After all, in their families there is no shortage of quality young people. It was just that the elder brother was too stubborn to appoint one of them to take his place.
“Mbak Gendis is not worried about his health.” Again Beautiful Atmojo glanced at Umbara.
In fact, for now anyone need not worry about it. At an age that has passed the sixty mark, where people are diligent in and out of the hospital, Gading Atmojo is still very fit. He seems to be a man blessed by God.
Gendis Atmojo just smiled. She knew that if her husband had heard her brother's words, he would have been angry, because he would have meant that his sister had called him grandfather.
While Betari, aware of the deliberate words of Indah Atmojo, glanced at Umbara, her husband was like one who heard nothing.
Then Gendis drove the conversation to another topic that was more fun and wanted her to hear, while walking to their table to sit down. Gendis Atmojo will not stand for long, because his legs will ache.
“Oh, yes... By the way you have filled in yet, Nduk.” the question is not thrown from the mouth of Indah Atmojo, but from the wife of her other husband's uncle, Wening Atmojo who has now sat with them, right next to Betari.
Betari smiled strangely. This is what happens when you talk to parents, what else mothers. Once you ask a question, sometimes the question can immediately make you dizzy.
While from the tail of his eyes, Betari was able to catch Gendis Atmojo who was sitting beside Umbara smiling, it seemed that her mother-in-law had indeed been waiting for this moment.
“Prayer, Aunt.” diplomatic words Umbara.
“Yes, but you can't just pray. You also have a lot of effort.” said Wening Atmojo which was then directly approved by the people at the table.
"Yes, Aunt."
"Don't just say yes. Your mama has taken a big grandson." said Indah Atmojo.
“Mas Gading has also often told me that he is impatient for carrying grandchildren.” this time it is the turn of Jaka Atmojo, the second sister of Gading Atmojo.
“Say again, even if you do not want to replace his position, at least you can grant his other wishes.”soff Jaka Atmojo.
