The Third Party

6. Laundries

I just kept quiet to see Heni carrying the gifts away. It seems that mother and son are both greedy. It seems I just realized that the motto in this house is mine is theirs while theirs is theirs.

It's not that I'm afraid to ask for those gifts back. I just do not want to fuss especially just because the gift is not how much the price. I let Heni have it though not sincerely, rather than fuss, I thought.

"Don't forget the floor you mop! A friend of mine spilled a drink!" said my in-laws as they passed into his room.

After the departure of my in-laws I immediately went to the kitchen to wash dishes and dirty glasses that are not small in number. The rest of the food I have stored in the refrigerator without dare I taste it even though I myself cook it and also buy the ingredients. Next I folded the carpet and mat that had been used as the guest's seat.

I saw the wall clock showing at eleven o'clock at night.

To be honest I was very tired but there was still one more thing I had to work on, mopping the floor. I feel like my body is crumbling because I haven't rested since. Maybe if my condition did not end the operation I would not feel this kind of fatigue because I was used to working hard. But it hasn't even been a week after I had a Caesar. I still feel pain in my operating stitches even though I can still hold it.

My body is no longer strong. I decided to go to the room for a short break.

When I got to my room I saw my baby still sleeping in bed. I also laid my body beside Damar's tiny body.

I tried to close my eyes, but the words of the mothers were ringing in my ears. Even though I tried not to be affected but still their words made me think nothing of Handi. Is it true that Handi is like other drivers who also have women ready to accompany him when he is out of town?

I reopened my eyes. It seems like my rest is enough to get here because I actually think more about Handi. I'd rather mop up the living room than think of a no-no.

Suddenly I heard the sound of Handi's motorcycle stopping in front of the house. I rushed forward to see if it was Handi or just my imagination because I had been thinking about her.

I opened the door and Handi was actually in front of the house.

"You're not getting out of town?" many happy.

He nodded and smiled. "No, backtracked tomorrow morning. But maybe it'll be a while, it could be a week." Handi embraces me entering the house.

"Have you eaten? Want me to have dinner ready?" I asked after we both sat in the dining room. Handi asked for coffee and now I'm with him.

"No, thank you. I ate earlier. Is Damar fussy?"

"No, he's been sleeping all day." I honestly don't know because Damar is more with my in-laws than with me. "You okay if I stay?"

"Where are you going?"

"I want to mop the floor, my friends came and someone spilled a drink so the floor was dirty," I replied while pointing to the mop I had prepared earlier. I want to get this job done so I can get to bed soon.

"You don't have to do it now, Emm, tomorrow morning. Rest ... You're out of surgery, you have to take care of your condition."

"I'm okay" I replied.

I've been holding the mop handle and will start mopping but then Handi's hand grabs my waist from behind.

"Let me do it. Go to sleep ... You must be tired" whispered Handi. I turned around and saw Handi looking at me with a look. Without me telling him he knows how I feel. She knew her mother didn't like me, so she understood that her mother didn't treat me well when she wasn't around.

"No, I'll do it. You're the one who needs to rest."

"But you look exhausted Emm ... You need a break."

I am very tired and I want to sleep now. But I also thought about the condition of Handi. He just came home and tomorrow he has to work again, and I don't have the heart if he does.

"You leave it. Tomorrow morning I'll have Heni do it."

I smiled wryly at Handi's words.

You don't seem to remember your sister. Telling Heni is like finding things with your mother, my mind.

*

Her morning...

Sandy has gone to work. My in-laws came knocking on my bedroom door. Looks like the occupation of me is about to begin.

"Here let Damar be with me, you clean the house!" My father-in-law went in without waiting for my answer. I had no choice but to do as he commanded.

By eight I was done cleaning the house. Sweeping, mopping, washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen, taking out the trash, ironing, washing my clothes and my in-laws' clothes, what else have I not mentioned?

Heni didn't wake up so I did everything myself.

I went into my room and I was surprised to see me.

"Can't you knock on the door first?" hardik.

"Sorry Mom, but this is my room!" flat answer. "I want to breastfeed Damar and bathe him."

"Is your job done?" ask my in-laws with an unaccepted look.

I'm nodding. There was laundry in the back but it was Heni's clothes while my clothes and Damar's clothes I washed as well as my in-laws' clothes. I myself am quite tired because from yesterday I was made busy by my in-laws and this morning I have also done everything. I want to take a short break while nursing Damar.

My father-in-law also went out of my room. I haven't touched my Damar-in-law yet.

"That's why you didn't wash Heni's clothes?!"

"Why Heni Why Mom? Is he sick enough to not be able to wash his own clothes?"

"It's not about Heni why? This is about you not washing your own sister's clothes?! Heni is Handi's sister to your husband, meaning she's your sister too. Washing your own sister's clothes won't?!"

I was also very upset with my in-laws' attitude. Why should I wash it now? If Heni is sick, it might not be a problem. But at this time Heni is still good at sleeping while I have been working since this blind morning.

"I must bathe Damar Bu, and Heni can wash his own clothes."

"I will bathe Damar! You take care of Heni's laundry!" My in-laws kicked me out of my room. I also have no reason to argue. I'll be out of the room immediately. But I didn't go to the laundry room to wash Heni's clothes. Don't expect me to do it. I'm not his maid.

I walked towards Heni's room.

"Heni ... Get up" I said, knocking on his door. After several calls, Heni finally came out of his room.

"What the hell is so noisy?!"

"Mom asked you to wash your clothes!"