The Tongue of In-Law

Mahendra's consciousness

“That night Karin met Afgan in Prapat Bu.”

“Oh yes...” replied bu Nana pretended to be surprised.

“But Afgan seems to hate Karin a lot.” Karin said in a sad tone.

“There may be she hates you, Karin. You have been in a relationship with him for a long time.”

“Indeed yes Ma'am, but from Afgan's attitude it seems he hates Karin a lot, Mom. Even the answer is very ketus when Karin sapa.”

“You're patient, Karin. Maybe at that time his wife was nearby so he was afraid his wife was angry,” obviously bu Nana calmed Karin.

“According to Karin it's not because it's Mom. Maybe Afgan is still hurt because Karin once left him.”

“If I think, not Karin. Afgan really loves you even though you are married. He can't forget you. Even it seems like he is still expecting you, Karin.”

“But he's married Bu.”

“Indeed yes, but her marriage to Shireen was forced,” obviously bu Nana lied.

“I mean mother, how forced?” karin did not understand.

“He does not love his wife, Karin. All he has in mind is that you are one. She even married Shireen because she told him to. Afgan age is already a lot and the mother is afraid she will not marry, so the mother forced her to marry Shireen even though she does not love Shireen at all.”

“So Afgan married that woman not because of love Bu?” ask Karin curiously.

“Not Karin. They are also not dating. All because of mother's request. I know you are married and can not be expected again, so the mother told Afgan to get married immediately and aunt Noni was the one who betrothed them.

Afgan was desperate because you were married and could not come back. That's why he wanted to marry Shireen even if he had to.”

“But Karin saw Afgan seemed to love his wife very much Bu. Because when out of the lobby he embraces his wife's shoulder and seems very friendly.”

Miss Nana smiled immediately. “Kan can do him to make you jealous. I'm sure he deliberately embraces his wife's shoulder because there you are and you will certainly be jealous to see them walk friendly.”

‘Ber also what bu Nana said. If indeed he does not love his wife, it means that in front of me he deliberately behaves friendly so that I am jealous, ’ inner Karin in heart.

Hearing the story of Nana who said that if Afgan married Shireen not because of love, Karin's desire to seize Afgan will be wide open. From Nana's story, Karin can conclude that Nana's mother seems to be less fond of Shireen. If indeed Nana ma'am likes her daughter-in-law, why did Nana come out to Karin if Afgan does not love his wife. From that story Karin can judge that Nana ma'am still wants Karin to be his son-in-law again. Karin immediately smiled happily to hear all the stories of Nana.

***

Arriving at the house Shireen was greeted with a sullen face by Bu Nana seeing the return of Shireen from her workplace. Ms. Nana had planned to present a myriad of homework to her daughter-in-law. As soon as Shireen was about to enter her room, Bu Nana who was already standing behind her immediately said.

Shireen turned to her mother-in-law.

“Good Ma'am, but Shireen wants to pray Ashar first yes Bu,” pinta Shireen.

“But don't be long yes,” said bu Nana reminded him.

Up in his room Shireen immediately took ablution water and after that he immediately prayed Ashar when his body felt sultry and wanted to take a shower immediately. But because of a lot of homework that he had to do so Shireen only pray Ashar. Take a shower after all the housework is done.

After the prayer, Shireen immediately folded his face and reassembled it in a towel clothesline. After that he went straight out of the room and was going to head to the kitchen. Not until the kitchen she was already greeted by the anger of her mother-in-law again.

“You did say anything in the room, how long the new time came out,” said bu Nana with an angry tone.

“Sorry Mom, Shireen was praying Ashar first,” Shireen replied.

“Indeed pray how many hours!” snatch bu Nana.

Shireen was silent and lazy to respond to her mother-in-law's words. He immediately stepped into the kitchen without caring for his mother-in-law who was still standing nearby. Seeing that Shireen didn't care about her, Nana grew angry.

“Shireen, I'm not done talking.”

Shireen immediately turned around and approached her mother-in-law again.

“Sorry Mom,” Shireen replied as she lowered her head.

“From now on, I remind you. All the housework, you do it. Go home from the store and don't relax anymore. Remember, you're here hitchhiking. This is not your home, nor is it an Afghan home. So you are self-conscious. You and your husband are actually hitchhiking in this house, so you have to be smart to carry yourself. Do all the work in this house and never protest or complain against Afgan. Once you complain to Afgan, remember I will not stay silent,” threatened bu Nana.

“Iya Bu, Shireen will not complain to Afgan mas,” Shireen replied while lowering his head.

Although Shireen actually felt annoyed at her mother-in-law, but she was unable to do anything because Shireen did not know about this house. For shopping purposes Shireen also does not know where the money from because Nana always says that all the needs of Nana's house that always spends money either for the cost of kitchen or other purposes.

But Shireen also did not know the money was actually money from Afghanistan or from Bu Nana himself. But Shireen's guess is that Afgan is the one who always gives money to his mother. Because as far as Shireen knows, Nana Bu does not work or have other income. It's just that in front of the Shireen, Ms. Nana always said that she spent money on their living expenses in the house.

Even Bu Nana did not hesitate to tell Shireen that Shireen was just hitchhiking in the house. It sometimes makes Shireen feel hurt and sad. Even today when he came home from the store, he was tired but welcomed with homework that was never finished.

Then Shireen did all the housework. Even though it is late afternoon the house must be swept and dipel.

After the house was wiped clean and dipel, Shireen then cooked for their dinner. It was all done on its own without the help of her sister and mother-in-law even though she was tired. He made fish chili and boiled spinach. Not long after that everything was finished. After everything was done, Shireen was about to walk into her room, but she was suddenly called back by her mother-in-law.