The Third Party

23. Second Visit

Without feeling I came to cry hearing the words of Handi. His words sounded like they were coming out from the bottom of his heart. How disappointed he was because all this time his mother had always been proud of her brothers. I never realized it.

"Are you unconscious? People refer to Mas Hasan and Mas Harun as being a benefactor to their wives? I could have earned a decent living just by working for Ma'am Eka's company. But I don't want to. I've been embarrassed enough to hear people call my two brothers capitalless men. But why is that what I am proud of? Why do you want me to be like them?!"

"Say I have to how? I am a mother, but I am also a husband. I have a duty towards my mother but I also have a responsibility towards my wife's child. I will not forget my duty as your son, but if this is my happiness I beg you to support me, our blessing and be happy with us."

I could not bear to hear the voice of Handi getting louder and stifled. Why should she beg her mother to be proud of her, why should she beg her mother to support her decision? I don't feel like hearing it.

I wanted to go up to him and hug him but I realized my position. Let Handi finish his business with his mother without me joining and muddying the atmosphere.

And for the first time my in-laws were at a loss for words. He was silent not to argue or deny everything that Handi said. It seems like Handi's words really hit his heart.

Without saying a word my in-laws left the house followed by Heni who had been silent since then. They both just left.

I got up and went to Handi. I hugged him who I was sure was holding back his cries. We hugged for quite a while.

"I'm proud of you" I said in a choked voice just like him. I heard no reply from him but Handi tightened his arms to me. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the sacrifices that I sometimes misunderstand. And how impressed I was with his personality.

After that incident, my in-laws did not come to visit again. Maybe a month or so.

Me and Handi live all mediocre because most of Handi's salary is used up to pay KPR, but we are happy and fine. Although I was often left out of town I was not lonely because my new neighbors were very kind to me. It's like I'm getting a new family here. They often come with me and Damar. They rarely bring food.

Every day I was always in a good mood because I had never heard the discordant voice of my in-laws and also did not face the irritating attitude of my sister-in-law. I always welcome Handi home with a big smile and a warm hug that I could never do while living with my in-laws. Perhaps this is the definition of happy living in simplicity.

*

It's a sunny afternoon. I was sitting on the porch of the house to welcome the return of Handi who since yesterday went out of town. Suddenly my in-laws appeared in front of me out of nowhere.

"Mother? Who's here the same?" manywould be surprised.

"Self," my in-laws answered briefly.

"Where's Heni? Why don't you take mom?"

"I took a taxi. Heni is busy preparing for his wedding." I frowned hearing Heni was getting married. Finally the little devil got married too. I wonder what her future husband looks like.

Even though I was already determined to improve my relationship with my in-laws, I couldn't help but think negatively of him. There was no way he would come to visit because of kangen to Damar, that was impossible.

"Have you not come home yet?"

"Not yet, maybe in a minute. Please come in, ma'am, I'll make you tea." My in-laws didn't ask any more but she followed my steps into the house. I let my in-laws sit on a mat in the living room.

His look was still the same as when he first came to this house. I don't understand why my in-laws so underestimated my new home and Handi, don't you remember she used to live in a rickety hut?

"Mother? Been long? Where's Emma?" Handi immediately raised questions.

"Just now."

"What's wrong? Tumben's mom here?"

"Why indeed? Don't like seeing your mother come?"

"It's not so ... "

"Please drink ma'am," I said deliberately cutting off Handi's sentence. I don't want any more debate between Handi and her mother.

After that my in-laws told me the meaning of his arrival. He will hold a celebration at his home for Heni's wedding later. My in-laws asked me and Handi to come.

"Heni's future husband came from a wealthy family. Although the recipe will be held at home, the mother does not want mediocre. Everything has to be luxurious. Shame on the neighbors," my in-laws explained at length.

"Do you know Heni's future husband? His family, his job, his home address. Isn't this too rushed?"

"Too in a hurry what? Precisely this is synchronized so as not to happen things that are not desirable. Prospective ghosts like this should not be separated. Heni couldn't have picked you wrong!" answer my in-laws without sin.

"I'm just reminding you because it looks like Heni hasn't known this man for a long time."

"You don't have to deal with that! The important thing is that you prepare money. Hasan already borne the cost of renting tents and decor. Aaron bears the cost of catering. What are you going to help with?"

I gulped at my in-laws question. Does he have no pity to see how we are doing now?

"Mom knows for yourself now my salary I use to pay the house installments. Maybe I can't give as much as Mas Hasan or Mas Aaron but I'll work on it, I don't know how much the nominal will be."

The expression on my in-law's face showed that he didn't like Handi's answer.

"Why are you using a home loan show?! Repot itself is it?! Indeed, from the past, of all the children of mothers, you are the most dissident and unruly and the result you are also the hardest!"

"Here you go, ma'am, don't talk about it anymore."

"Yes already, you bear the cost of make up. It's the cheapest between decor and catering!" my in-laws break up no debate. After that my in-laws also pampered.

I don't know how to. My mind was busy guessing how much a wedding make up cost. Where will Sandy get the money? Definitely not a little bit of a number. I don't know because when I married Handi I didn't use MUA services.

Me and Handi came to the religious affairs office held a marriage contract there, without makeup or wedding clothes in general. Hasan and Aaron came as witnesses while my mother-in-law would not attend because she was ashamed of our very simple marriage.

And now my mother-in-law came and asked us to cover the cost of her daughter's bridal makeup. Where's feelings?