The Thorn in the Family

Breakfast Menu Ala Bethari

..."Guests should not reproach anything presented by the host"....

The next day I told her that she was allowed to go home. I was riled between happy and confused, because until now I did not have enough money to pay the hospital fees. The only thing I can use to pay is Ipul's school savings. Inevitably I had to borrow the money first before the cord money I received from the company was paid.

I reached for a savings book neatly tucked away in a small map. My heart was really worried about using that money. I slowly opened the savings book.

“Alhamdulilah there are still twenty-four million, hopefully this money is enough for hospital costs mbah”. I said in my heart and immediately prepared to the nearest bank to take the money.

Actually the twenty-four million money is money that I set aside specifically for the school fees of Ipul later. The money was savings with an allocation of one million per month for two years I worked in Jakarta.

Arriving at the bank I immediately took a queue and prepared to wait my turn.

“Tar you haven't picked up mom yet, Mbah can already go home”. The voice of the phone call broke my daydream while waiting for the queue.

The savings that I specialise in Ipul education are deliberately not making ATMs, my hope used to be that it was not easy when going to take. In fact, it is now even a hassle of its own.

“Before bu Tari still take money first, be patient ya”.

“Alright mom pack the luggage first then, do not forget to bring the car pack Toni”.

“Iya bu”.

***

Hospitals.

Arriving at the hospital I immediately went to the cashier to pay all hospital bills without going to the altar first.

“Excuse me buk, I want to finish administration on behalf of patient Mr. Suprapto”.

The hospital staff checked the amount of bills I had to pay.

“This is a total of twenty-three also seven hundred thousand”.

Hospital staff gave a piece of paper with details of the costs to be paid. The details consist of the cost of the drug, the cost of the doctor's actions, the cost of treatment and some tests that have been carried out.

“What? Many once”.

Instantly my eyes glared unblinkingly at the receipt given by the hospital attendant.

I quickly handed over the money for the payment and passed to the room to pick her up home.

Apparently mom and mom were ready to wait for me from earlier, so it didn't take us long to get home.

Pakde Dar and Paklek Wanto did not come to the hospital to visit the altar, when they arrived at their home they also did not come to see the altar.

I and Ipul struggled to get the altar into the room, while the mother brought a series of tools that were brought in while in the hospital.

Don't forget me and my mom thank you to Mr. Toni who is willing to help us. Before pak Toni said goodbye I took the time to wrap a sheet of red money to replace the cost of gasoline used when picking up Mbah. Unfortunately, Mr. Toni refused to accept.

“Do not want to thank you, we fellow neighbors must help each other, do not hesitate if you want to ask for help”.

Mr. Toni cupped his hands to me and my mother as if he was signaling retreat.

***

Day six at my mom's.

As usual, you will return to your usual routine to prepare breakfast. This time I did not want to go to the market. I really don't have much money anymore. If later to the market I will pay for all the endless maternal groceries.

I gave it to my mother to replace her cook.

“Ah no Tar, can you cook in large quantities?. Mommy cook is not just for you and Ipul lo”.

“Iya ma'am I know. Dance can kok”.

That is exactly what I expected because if the mother is cooking then the mother will buy some delicious food in the market without knowing if I do not have money.

It is also my fault that I have not dared to be honest with my current situation.

“Well it's time we cook”. I said in my heart.

I quickly headed to the rear fog of the house with a knife and a large bucket. This time I won't cook them meat, chicken or fish. I'll just cook up the processed food that's here.

I swiftly headed for the garden, took the cassava leaves with so many, I also took the mashed leaves that I would cook mixed with flour later.

Do not forget I plucked enough chili to make chili that is so spicy as their idle talk.

All the food ingredients have been collected, I quickly process the existing vegetables. I made cassava leaf blocks with tofu side dishes without tempeh and a mixture of mashed leaves that I mashed with wheat flour salted. I don't use my flour or any other versatile flour because it costs more.

As much as possible I have to suppress all expenses that can be reduced. I also do not make coffee or tea because I have not had time to buy coffee powder that has run out. I only serve warm water.

There were no spirits or oranges on the table. There are only a few star fruit and rambutan pick results beside the house.

“Ah has finally settled everything, just wait a minute they will definitely come to eat”.

And...

Ten minutes later.

The whole family came with no guilt. Come just to eat without caring about the food how to get it.

Pakde with a smile that was so quick to go to the table where the food storage and open the hood.

“Duh cook what iki Tar”. Say pakde Dar with a sour face.

“Cock makeshift pakde”. Answer me briefly.

“Mana healthy cuisine like this, no meat or fishnya”.

“Sehat pakde the good food fresh from the garden, vegetables without pesticides and most importantly does not cause cholesterol”. I answered so casually.

“This tea and coffee is not yet in bikin”. Bude Murni also opened up the hood of food to find the whereabouts of drinks they used to drink.

“No tea or coffee bude, have not bought sugar and coffee, it's next to there is warm water, drink it it is equally warm”.

“Cih delicious, which there I will vomit if drinking warm water without sugar or other flavorings”.

“Where is your mother Tar?”.

“Mother is resting tired pakde a few days wait mbah alone in hospital”.

The two children of Pakde Dar who are still sitting in Junior High School and SD whine for the existence of fried chicken that they usually eat at breakfast before leaving for school.

“Mar wake up Mar quickly here”. Shouted Pakde so loudly when calling Mom.