The Third Party

10. Love

I was washing dishes after dinner. While Handi and her mother were chatting in the living room of course with Damar in my in-laws' lap.

"Mom, can't Heni help with homework? It's a pity that Emma's all working."

"When your wife was still working, Heni was doing it all. Now change, let your wife take care of the house and Heni can work." Even though I didn't look directly at it, I'm sure my in-laws' faces looked very cynical when saying this.

"Heni got a job?"

"Yes not yet ... But he often went out to find work. That's why he can't take care of the house."

"The condition is different, Emma has just had surgery and also has a baby. As long as Heni hasn't got a job he can help Emma, right, Mom? Poor Emma's exhausted."

I could hear the conversation of Handi and her mother from where I was washing dishes. I told you my in-laws' house wasn't spacious, so any conversation could be heard in this house.

"Basically your wife is spoiled! All women also do housework, especially if she does not have a maid. Mother also did it first, even while caring for four children. But you never complain to your father! After all, this time the mother took care of your child more!" said my father-in-law in flames. "That's what mom did so she could rest. Where is tired? Try to think! Your wife's base is spoiled!"

I smiled wryly at my in-laws answer. Not once was I said to be a spoiled woman. And I can't believe that the reason for keeping Damar is so I can rest.

"Did he tell you to talk to your mother like that?! Look at what kind of woman you married! How dare he tell you to arrange your own mother" after my in-laws.

"Nobody told me, Mom, Emma didn't tell me either. I just feel sorry for seeing her exhausted condition."

"It's true that mother forbade you to marry her, but you can't be told! You still want to marry her! And look at it, right? You chose the wrong wife!"

Up here I can still hold back. I know that Handi's mother never liked me. Words like that are common to me.

"Why are you bringing up the problem?!"

"Indeed mom's right? Try if you are married to a woman who used to be your matchmaking mother. Your life will not be what it is now. His parents must have given you the capital to open a business. You stay well at home!"

I didn't hear any answers from Sandy. Maybe he was thinking about what his mother said that I thought was true. My heart started to rumble. Does he regret his decision to marry me? Was he silent because he agreed with his mother's words?

"Look at your two brothers, don't you want to be like them? Good life, good house, car, money never short! They never fuss over who does the homework because they can pay the maid! While you?!"

Again, I did not hear an answer from Sandy. My heart rumbles because I'm more convinced that I'm really regretting my decision to marry me.

"You better divorce your wife and marry again! The woman you were married to was not married until now. He's willing to wait for you. Your chance is still open to marry him!"

I'm done washing dishes but I don't want to get out of the place where I'm standing. I couldn't help but cry hearing my in-laws words. Not even a month I gave birth but she had the heart to ask Handi to divorce me and marry another woman. Where's conscience? She is also a woman like me. Does he not think about karma? She also has a daughter, is she not afraid that Heni will suffer the same fate as me? How would he feel if it happened to his daughter?

"Mommy speaks the truth, but your child is still a baby who doesn't understand anything. If you are older, it will be difficult to separate from him!"

Then I heard the door shut. Maybe my in-laws went into his room. I wiped my tears and went to my room.

I got into my room and cried again. I don't know why it's so crybaby like this, a little cry and baper. This is not really me.

Moments later, Sandy went into the room. Seeing me cry, Handi came over and sat down next to me.

"Emc ... Why are you crying?"

"Did you forget that the walls of this house have ears?! I heard everything."

"Emm .. sorry." Sandy looked at me with guilt.

"Honestly, do you think that what your mother said was true? Do you regret marrying a poor woman like me?"

"Have it, don't talk like that. You've already memorized the nature of mother."

"But that doesn't mean it can be a justification for his words that always insult and blame me. I have memorized the nature of your mother but long ago I was tired. Whatever happens to you as if everything was my fault" I retorted in despair. It felt like to speak in a slightly higher tone I was no longer able to.

Handi fell silent unable to reply to my words.

"Mom said anything about me I never retaliated. Let him call me a spoiled woman, a poor woman who does not know herself, a woman who only hitchhikes in your life, I always try to be quiet. I accept it all even though you know it hurts." Several times my hands wiped the tears that I thought I would not stop dripping.

"But I don't feel like I can hold it now. If you really want us to get divorced, and that's best for you then get divorced I agree to divorce."

Suddenly my chest felt tight. There is a woman who wants to divorce after giving birth to her first child.

But I can't take it anymore either. I know it's not Handi's fault, she's been very good as a husband. But, I think my household is not just about me and Handi. My household has been entered by the third party, my own in-laws.

This matter won't end here even if me and Handi love each other. How long will I survive if my in-laws continue to insist that my husband divorce me? To where will I be able to face it? Not to mention the problem of the child that I was so hard to touch. Maybe I can survive the physical torment he gave, but the inner torment? I'm not sure.

"Speak what are you?! You're my choice. If I don't love you I won't marry you!"

"Will love be enough?" My voice was getting slower because of resignation while Handi's voice was getting higher.

"It's Emma, it's night. We'd better get some sleep. You're just exhausted!"