The Woman Behind The Scenes

Chapter 24 - The Hidden Plan

Ting! Ting! Ting!

The sound of the bowl is beat with

a spoon, it sounded clear in the morning. Like this, life in Jakarta ...

thought Dara.

Tom woke his wife up,

asked him to accompany buying ketoprak on a cart that had just passed it.

Food like that, there is nothing in the area of Dara's origin. He sat on the terrace, accompanying

her husband was ordering ketoprak for everyone in the house.

In these three days, Dara is no longer

it was so awkward being in her in-laws' house. He has not met any other family

besides Haris. According to his in-laws, they would get visits from some

aunt of Tomi this afternoon. Her parents-in-law had 6 siblings, and several

from among them will come to visit.

Dara looked at the merchant's hand

ketoprak it, mix some spices in a dish with a swab

wood, and put some materials inside such as tofu, vermicelli and others. It

go after making Tomi order, and receive payment.

“You've never eaten this, have you?

Want me a bribe?” Tomi stroked the head of his wife who was still holding back the drowsiness. Some

another plate containing ketoprak had he delivered into his in-laws' room to

breakfast Haris, Tami, and Tomi's mother.

“I may not be able to eat this.

My stomach is still nauseous,” replied Dara briefly. Tom nodded, and ate

ketoprak. He enjoyed it so much, and saw it eating voraciously, making

Dara smiled a little.

“After aunt Dina, and aunt Atin

come over here. Maybe with their husbands. Want to meet you, he said,” said

Tomi then continued to eat his armpits until they ran out.

Dara nodded. That's the response

best for news like that. He drank a glass of ice water in the morning

that, and move his legs that feel cramped. At four months gestation

this, the stomach is not too visible, but severe aches often

assaulted him.

“Oh yes. The blue one wants me to sell. Later

there's a cousin of mine coming with a friend who's gonna help you sell butut cars

that,” one more news from Tomi for Dara, that morning.

“Sold? Why?”

“Create what here? Anyway if I

leave the car here, surely Tami will be a lot of not at home. Notwithstanding

good. I'd better sell it. It's nothing, right?” reason Tomi's in enough

resourceful, and well received by Dara.

At home

it's only Tami and Tomi who can drive a car, and at her age

happy to hang out, Tami often comes home at night to bring a car.

That day was so hot. Tom

it looks like a high fan is coming out into the living room, and Dara

set up tables and sofas. They were waiting for Tomi's aunts.

A red car stopped

in front of their house, followed by a horn. Two women with veils

long out, followed by two old men.

“Aibi!” Tomi looks happy, and

immediately attract Dara to come to their guests. Dara experienced one per

one of them came, and the old woman— looked so

friendly to him.

“Beauty,” aunt Dina said to

Tom. Dara remembered Dina's aunt whom she had just salami. That woman too

also terrorized him to stay away from Tomi. But .. he looks so friendly.

Everyone sat in the living room,

and many stories they shared. They ask a lot about Tomi's life

and Dara, also occasionally joking on Kio who actually does not understand Indonesian.

Auntie Dina also told me

some of the souvenirs brought by Dara's in-laws when she returned from the Philippines,

and her in-laws also told her that Dara took good care of her there.

“So when does Farah arrive?” ask aunt

Dina brief. Dara felt she had misheard, but was real. Tomi's waterfront

changed, and so did his father-in-law.

“After night, bi.” Answer Tom

curt. Dara seemed to feel a great tightness in her throat. Exists

there were so many questions he wanted to ask Tomi about the conversation

that, yet he had to at least wait after their guest left.

“With children?” dina again.

“Iya bi. Everything.” Tomi said

curt. He several times avoided eye contact with his visible wife

surprised by that.

After their guests left, Dara

still stunned, unable to believe what he heard. He waited until Tom

came to him in the room.

Krriyet!

The door opened, and he could see

Tomi's in. Right now, he seemed to be between wanting to cry, and being angry.

“You didn't tell me about this.

Why?” she immediately asked in a cold tone to her husband.

“I miss the kids. Farah is not

let them get on their own plane. So do not want them to come,” Tomi replied

truthfully.

“Then? Ye? Where you're going

put Farah?” dara's tone became increasingly cold.

Tom took a breath, and answered

question Dara in a slow voice, “ She's here. With kids.”

Dara held back the anger

churned. He now regrets their arrival in Jakarta.

“Then I? Kio?”

“Do you want me to take you to the apartment

we were? Or you can also be here together deng-“

“With Farah? Withhim? What are you

crazy guy? Then you? Did you tell the kids that you weren't with him

any more? Then are you going to sleep with him? Did you even think up

there?” Dara interrupted with her anger.

“Mama don't want them in place

others. Mama wants them here. What do you think I can do? Kids certainly

don't know yet, they're still small. Of course I'd sleep with them if they

request.”

“Then? Farah's? Farah slept with

since the beginning?” his anger continues to burn.

“Even if I sleep with

they, I'm not gonna do anything with Farah, baby,” Tomi trying

reassuring his angry wife.

“Do you think I believe? You guys

even have fun in bed and take lots of photos while you

go home on vacation with him. Did you forget? Am I so insignificant?” tears

pouring out profusely, and Dara felt a tightness in her chest.

He remembered some lovely photos

Tomi and Farah a few years ago when she was left pregnant

in Philippines.

Dara took her tote bag, then

quickly carrying Kio. His mind was short, and he seemed to be not

it cares where he's going. He went out of the house carrying

her child. Take a taxi and stop at a famous mall.

He pushed his son stroller, which

I don't seem to understand what's going on. He walked slowly, looking

around, trying to turn his attention. If he had not bought a ticket, he

must have left by now with Kio.

Drrta! Phone's vibrating. An

incoming messages.

Tom: Where are you? Come home.

Dara: I'll be out here until

I can afford to go back there. Do you think I'm a rock that I don't

tunded?

Tom: Don't be stubborn. Go home.

I'll sleep with you. If my children ask to sleep with me, then you will

sleep with you.

Dara: Still. You're not

say nothing about this plan. Do you think I'd like to see him?

Tom: I belong to you. Quit

obstinately. I'll pick you up and Kio, Ra. You are pregnant.

Dara sits at the food court table, the,

order a smoothie to calm her heart. Kio was seen several times

rubbed his mother's face. As if to give a sign to his mother not to be sad.

He gave up .. and finally

let Tom pick her up. Tomi didn't come alone. There's Haris, and Tami who

accompanied him.

Tami waved her hand when

seeing Dara from a distance. He sat right next to Dara and Kio, and

several times he asked this and that. Looks like Tomi's already

tell him what happened to him on the way.

“Kak. Sister is nothing ‘kan,

if Farah's at home?” Tami asked in a slightly clear tone. Either way

concerned, or he also wants his former brother-in-law in the house.

“I follow what my husband said,” answered

Dara brief. He could not hide his frustration.

“When they're picked up?”

continued.

“Shortly. 7 O'clock at night. Brother Tomi,

and Kak Haris who went to pick up,” said Tami.

As if

having no choice, Dara only fell silent after hearing that.

Dara is waiting for her husband to come home with her

anxious. He had planned not to interact with Farah when he

till later.

A horn suddenly startled him

from daydreams. He could see their car had arrived. Dara saw from

the window showed three children getting out of the car. A child

she is about 8 years old and her two younger brothers. The car engine was then

die. Dara was caught in confusion. He saw no one else

get out of that car.

“Grandmother's grandson!” audible sound

his father-in-law, who welcomed the three children, with open arms, and they

scattering in his arms.

“Which direction?” connect her in-laws, please,

ask Tom.

“Let's go ‘ma. Length,” answer

Tomi is brief, and keeps the car keys in a hanger. Dara exhales

breath relief. So, the woman didn't come.

“Honey, let's meet the kids. Bring along

Kio,” take Tomi who suddenly has been standing in front of the room door.

“Farah?”

“Neg. He's not coming. Separate on

airport earlier. He knows you're here, and he doesn't want to see me anymore he said.

So maybe he went to his brother's house,” Tomi's explanation brings feelings

which is even more relieved. Fortunately, it was on Dara's side.

Dara came out of her room,

carrying Kio who was busy playing the toy in his hand. Those kids

looking at it, with a questionable look.

“This Mama Dara. This is what accompany

I'll be old. Mama Dara this is your mama also from now on.” Tomi said

answer the confusion on the faces of the children. He took Kio from the sling

Dara, and the children one by one came to kiss Dara's hand. An

the scenario is reversed, unlike what he imagined.

“This is ade Kio,” said Tomi again,

introducing Kio to his brothers. The boy was immediately attacked by

the children, and they instantly became familiar with him.

“What will we sleep with mama Dara?”

tanya Fitri, the eldest daughter.

“Do you want to sleep with mom

Dara?” Tom asked back.

“I want to sleep with Kio, too

with dad,” sahut Fitri.

“Good. Then we all

sleeping together.” Tomi answered and gave a warm hug to four people

her child.

Dara smiled. He must learn

being a good mother-to-be for the three children, though she doesn't know yet

how-to. But, seeing Farah's three children's response to him, they

I don't seem to mind Dara's presence.