The Third Party

20. New Things

Two nights staying at Madam Eka's house made me feel comfortable and at ease. Eka's teenage daughters are very well-come to me, and consider me like part of their family. I am so jealous of this family. Even their maid is not needed like a maid but more like a family. Unlike me at my in-laws' house, my status is daughter-in-law but treated as nothing more than babu.

My ASI went back to good health so I stopped giving formula to Damar. Sandy saw this as a miracle. He also said my aura was different, my face was radiant even though only two days I was free from his mother.

Handi was talking to Ma'am Eka while I packed my things in the room. I don't know what they're talking about but I'm guessing Ma'am Eka is telling Handi that we're living apart from her mother. I hope this guess is true.

I was done and approached Handi and Mbak Eka in the living room.

"We're going home now?" my many.

"Are you ready?"

I nodded steadily. After calming down at Ma'am Eka's house it feels like I'm ready body and soul to face my in-laws and my sister-in-law.

But I saw doubt in Handi's eyes. Maybe he's worried that if I go home later, me and his mom are going to fight again or there's something else he's afraid of I don't know.

"All right then."

After saying goodbye to Ma'am Eka, we went home. But Handi did not take me home. He invited me to a park and I happily followed him.

We sat in a chair while I held Damar.

"Why Han? You look moody."

"Actually I was afraid to take you home" said Handi Lirih.

"Why?"

"I'm glad to see you like you are now. Later when I get home, I'm afraid that mom or Heni will cause trouble again, and then you'll be like yesterday again." It was obvious why Handi looked hesitant earlier.

"I'm sorry Emma, I can't be fair to you" he said. I don't know how to answer it. Maybe I would have been the same if my parents were still around.

Probably true my second-in-law's word. Sandy is different from her two brothers. He is the most obedient, self-knowing and also likes to work hard, the best, anyway Handi most everything. I should be grateful to have Sandy.

"It's Han, I'm fine. You can understand my position is enough for me. Don't be so moody."

"I deliberately invited you here to talk about it because later when we're home we can't talk freely."

Yeah, correct. I just sneezed my in-laws could hear it.

"Speak what?"

"What do you think we're living apart from mom?"

"Han, are you serious? Of course I want to." True my guess, Ma'am Eka must have told Handi about this. "But where do you want to live? We're gonna contract?"

After a long talk, Handi and I finally decided to apply for Home Ownership Credit or KPR.

Handi will start looking for a suitable house and also prepare all the requirements. For a while we will be back at his mother's house. And until that day Handi asked me to be patient and keep my sanity.

We finally got home after our conversation was over. We agreed that we would not discuss this at home because Handi was not ready to see his mother's reaction.

Arriving home it was night. My in-laws sat alone in front of the television, in the living room.

"Good night, ma'am" I said. I remained polite to him no matter how he behaved to me.

"Hmmm .. "reply without seeing me.

I immediately took Damar to the room followed by Handi who brought my things and Damar. Arriving inside the room I saw the room a little messy. I told him because I've been living for two days. Maybe Handi didn't have time to tidy it up, I thought.

I put Damar on the bed and then I cleaned my face. I want to put on my face care cream before going to bed. Even after giving birth, I still have to keep my appearance. I forgot not to take her during my stay at Madam Eka's house, so I want to wear it right now. But I didn't find that cream on my dresser. One package of my facial care products is missing from my dresser.

Not only that, my perfume and lotion were not found there. Trying to think positively, maybe I forgot to put it or maybe Handi took care of it but forgot to put it in its original place.

"Han, you know where my face care cream is, did you move it?" my many.

"No, there isn't?"

I'm shaking.

"Any, but this morning I've cleaned up the room. But now it's a bit messy," muttered Handi. I started to think a no-no after hearing Handi's answer.

Surely Heni, who else?! Only two days have I lost my things, let alone a month! My husband could be missing! my inner.

"If there's no tomorrow just buy Emm, don't you make a fuss," said Handi calmed me. Though I knew in fact he was trying to take my bad thoughts away from Heni. We both know for a fact that Heni has entered this room.

"All right," I answered briefly. Actually I'm disappointed, because even though it's just a face care cream at least Heni can talk to me first. But, yes, just cream. I can buy it again. Don't let that spark a commotion.

"I'm going to get a drink, you want some?" ask me to Handi.

"No, thank you." Then I went to the kitchen. At the same time I heard the sound of Heni's motorcycle coming. I finished drinking water and wanted to go back to the room just as Heni entered the house so we accidentally passed each other in the living room.

My eyes were set to avoid eye contact with Heni, so there was no choice but to look down. But it made me see Heni's feet and the reflexes of my mouth.

"Isn't that my shoe?" I asked unconsciously.

Heni glanced lazily. "Yes, why? Can't I borrow it?!" reply with a very irritating tone.

I remembered Hasan's words to avoid conflict so I kept quiet and did not prolong the problem of shoes. Maybe that's best. Then I turned my attention away from the shoes but my eyes were fixed on the bag Heni was carrying. Again, my mouth cannot be controlled.

"That's my bag too, isn't it?!"

Heni looked annoyed at my question. He immediately opened the bag he was carrying and took all his belongings.

"It's just a bag!!! Here, eat your bag!!!" heni said as he threw the bag at me.