The Third Party

24. You're Not Taken!

Early in the morning me and Handi had gone to my in-laws' house. Today is Heni's wedding day. The decorations, the catering, the documentation are all ready. The right left neighbor had also come to fill the house.

Handi had given his mother some money to pay for MUA services whether she got where the money was.

The bride is on makeup in the room. While Mbak Rina and Mbak Eka are also being made up and given clothes that match the clothes of the bride, maybe a kind of family uniform. I know the brothers of the bride will serve as the receptionist.

I approached while carrying Damar, I thought I would also be in makeup like my two sisters-in-law.

"Emma, why are you here? You are not in the makeup, which receives enough guests just two people Eka and Rina. You don't have to come!" hardik my in-laws who finished first.

"Why can't it?" sahut Mbak Eka's.

"He'll have a baby, the baby will be fussy. It's been good." My in-laws observed my appearance of being just plain dressed.

Actually disappointed to hear my in-laws reason but what can I do? I was glued there to see how beautiful Mbak Eka and Mbak Rina are in makeup and use the kebaya with the same color and model.

I turned away so as not to be so visible if I really wanted to be made up like my two sisters-in-law. I saw that Handi and her two brothers had also finished changing into regional clothes that were also in line with the bride.

"Emma, why haven't you changed your clothes yet, haven't made up yet? The show is about to start. The guests have come" asked Mas Hasan.

"I'm not going with Mas, Damar will be fussy. I'm here, that's okay" I replied.

I want to cry when I say it. I really want to dance like them. At least once in my whole life because of my marriage I didn't feel it. Am I childish if I want that?

How I'll explain to them. Not that I don't want to, but your mother won't let me. I just relented because I didn't want any fights on this special occasion.

"I'd better get to the back. Afraid Damar is uncomfortable because it's too noisy here," I said dodging. Then I went to the laundry room. It's the only room that no one's in.

Without my tears dripping. Disappointed and hurt of course. An event of this size I was not allowed to join. Is that what I am in my in-laws' eyes? Is that all he was with me?

"Emm .." call Handi down. Soon I wiped my tears before Handi saw it.

"Why are you here?"

"I want to breastfeed Damar. Our room used to be a warehouse. It's more comfortable here" I replied without looking at Handi.

"Are you okay?"

I just nodded.

"Did mom say something?"

" No" I answered briefly. "Hurry ahead. The show's about to start."

Sandy left even though she knew I wasn't okay. I stared at his departure with an unwillingness.

Envying of course. Hasan and Rina, Aaron and Eka are all in pairs, while Handi? People will ask where is his wife? I also want to be like them instead of hiding in the laundry room because I don't want the world to know how I feel.

A few hours later Handi came to me in the laundry room.

"Well, I'll get you some food first."

"No Han, I'll take it myself when I'm hungry" I refused. I realized whatever I did was considered wrong in this house. If my in-laws find out that Handi took food for me, surely the name as a spoiled woman will come back she pinned it on me.

"Then here, let me carry Damar so you can eat. You should eat now, not later." Handi.

I gave Damar to Handi and then I went to the front, where the reception took place to take a meal. I haven't had a chance to pick up a plate yet, my in-laws have come to me.

"Emma, you help wash the dishes in the back. The guest boomed, the catering officer to the point of being overwhelmed. Hurry there" said my in-laws in the midst of the guests. I can't speak anymore. I left before my father-in-law raised his voice and later I would be a spectacle for the invited guests.

I put up with my hunger and I took my dirty dishes and glasses with me and washed them. Finished washing the dishes I went back to the front to pick up the meal because I was already very hungry now. I can't hold it anymore. Up in front of me I saw a sight that made my hunger disappear instantly.

The whole family is taking pictures with the bride and groom without me. Hamar and Hamar were there.

Seeing me coming, Handi came straight down to me.

"Let's take a photo together" Handi grabbed my hand and was about to take me on board to join the rest of the family.

"Emma is not to be invited. He doesn't wear a uniform like the others. Later the photo is not aesthetic, ruin the photo!" heni whinek.

"Emma, if you want a photo later if the guests are gone," added my in-laws.

I cannot express my disappointment. Must they say that in front of a lot of people? Should they show that I'm not considered part of their family?

"Oh ... Yes I understand," I replied trying to hide disappointment.

"Let Emma take pictures, she's part of this family too. If it's because her clothes are different from ours, it's because she doesn't allow it." Ma'am Eka defended me.

I know actually either Mbak Eka or Mbak Rina want to defend me but they can not do anything because many people. And it is very unethical if at an event like this there is a fuss especially the problem is only me who is not invited to family photos.

"This is Heni's show, so let's just follow Heni's wishes. If Heni doesn't want to, don't!" reply in-laws. "Handi, leave your son to Emma. Let's finish this family picture first!"

Sandy looked confused as to how. He was worried about going back on the lap and taking pictures with them or accompanying me.

"Quickly don't waste time!" shouted my in-laws.

"I'll be the same Emma" Handi replied in the end. I'm glad to hear that. If only Handi had chosen to continue taking pictures with them, maybe my household would have ended up here.

I walked back to the laundry room. Maybe it's my place there. I sat there until I finally let out tears. This may be called pain but not bleeding. I'm really a son-in-law who isn't considered.

A few moments later Handi appeared and had changed into his original clothes.

"We go home now" he said gently, wiping away my tears.

"You missed your family photo show" I said. "Where come back, finish first. I'll wait here."