The Third Party

22. In-law Visits

I took a deep breath enjoying the scent of my new home, the scent of freedom. Today me and Handi started occupying our new home. Just a simple house with two rooms. I am so grateful to finally be able to live in my own home.

There weren't many things that we brought, just clothes and important items that belonged to me and also Damar. Do not ask for furniture and home supplies. My in-laws didn't let us carry anything in their house even though it was me and Handi who bought it. Starting from the closet, shoe rack, even mattresses we should not bring even though the mattress was Handi bought with his own money. A television I managed to bring, that's because I insist if the television was I used to buy with my own money.

Don't ask me how my in-laws reacted when Handi told me we were moving house.

"You took Handi from me! You've kept her away from her mother! You've made him into an ungodly child! See later, your son will also leave you! Karma must have come to you!" Of the many swearing vows that my in-laws say this is what still ring in my ear and scares me a little.

I have a boy too. What if my son leaves me and prefers his wife? Will I also accept karma? Many times the question filled my mind.

Ah ... Never mind. It all depends on how I behave to my daughter-in-law.

I shook my head to get those unimportant thoughts out of my head. Why would I think that far? Damar hasn't even been two months yet but I've been thinking about him and his wife later.

"Han, we're buying kitchen supplies. We don't have cookware and cookware. That's very important." I approached Handi who was holding Damar in the living room.

Handi looked a little confused at my invitation.

"There's still his car. Let's not fuss with him" I said to reassure him. Handi borrowed an Eka car to transport our goods. And before the car was returned, we bought basic necessities, I thought.

"Why confused is that?" ask again.

"Emc ... What about tomorrow? I don't have any money anymore" he replied honestly. My heart rippled to hear Handi's reply. Ah ... Sure oes. Handi even applied for a loan to his company in order to pay the down payment of this house.

I asked Handi why not just borrow money from her sister. They'd be willing to help if Handi needed the money. But Handi said she didn't want to bother her two brothers.

"Wear my money. I still have savings." Despite the doubt, Handi finally obeyed my words.

During the trip, Sandy kept quiet. It made me think that Handi might be sad because she left her mother. But that was just my guess.

"Dam ... Why are you quiet?" I dare to ask. "Are you sad to be separated from your mother?"

Handi didn't answer and it made me think more of a no-no. If only I knew what his mind was.

It didn't take me long and Handi was done shopping for home supplies, just the important thing. Stove, kitchen utensils, some plates, a glass and a carpet. Others I can buy later, if Handi's money has been collected again.

For a while Damar clothes I put in the basket while my clothes and Handi I put in a used cardboard is okay. Actually I still have a little money. Enough to buy a closet but for now it's better that money I keep just in case.

Arriving at home I immediately visited the kitchen to arrange the items I had bought while Handi I told to keep Damar so that he could all rest. Finished with the kitchen business I caught up with Handi in the room. It shook my heart to see them both sleeping on carpets.

We really started from zero. There was nothing we had brought from my in-laws' house other than clothes. We look more like people in a hurry to leave than people who move house. But it's all okay as long as it can make my household calm free from the interference of my in-laws.

A week after my move to my new home my in-laws came to visit, of course with my beloved sister-in-law Heni.

I felt bad just by looking at them. There's gonna be a storm. Especially before me and Handi left my in-laws had time to curse me for making Handi stay away from his mother.

"Mom, why don't you tell me if you want to come?" welcome Sandy enthusiastically. I could see how happy Handi's face was to see her mother coming. I also tried to welcome my father-in-law well.

"Come in ... " Handi let her mother and sister in.

My in-laws went straight in and looked around our new home with her julid gaze. My house is completely empty and there is no furniture. In the living room there is only a mat. There are no chairs or tables.

My in-laws went into the room where Damar was sleeping. He shook his head to see Damar sleeping with the blanket I folded up to become like a small mattress, after which he came out and looked around the kitchen.

"Is this the kind of life you want Handi to live?" asked my in-laws after he finished observing every corner of our house.

Me and Handi were stunned.

"What does mother mean?"

"Aren't you sorry you left your mother to live like this with your wife?!"

Oh my God ... I'm so sick of fighting like this. Why do my parents always start?

At the same time, Damar was crying. How fortuitous. I immediately ran to the room to breastfeed Damar while avoiding an argument with my in-laws. I intentionally did not close the door so I could see everything.

"I didn't leave my mother. I can still visit my mother at any time. Our house is close. Or you can visit your granddaughter here if she misses."

"Mother has opened a way for you to make your life as good as your sisters. But you chose the wild woman as your wife. Look at your life now! Divorce her Han, divorce her now before it's too late! You can have a better life like Hasan and Aaron."

And again, Handi was told to divorce me. So often I hear these words that I feel no pain at all.

"Please stop comparing me and other mothers' children. We have our own path."

"They can make your mother proud and live a good life. Don't you want to make your mother proud like them?!"

"Why is that all that's always on my mind? Why only money? I work hard to meet the needs of my family! I'm the only mother's boy who isn't called a parasite by people!!" replied Handi with eyes that did not know where to look.

"Why aren't you proud of me just because I don't give you more money than they do? Why do mothers hate my wife because she is not as rich as their wives? Be proud of me Mom .. I am your only child who still has pride!" said Handi with a choked voice.