Tyranny Mother-in-Law

Farewell

"What is Jakarta like?" Asked Laras while looking at Niken who was sitting next to him.

They are currently taking a train to Jakarta.

Niken has given understanding to Laras, about their family is not good at this time.

Niken tried to give an understanding that made Laras not hate Bima.

Niken asked Satria for help to take care of his divorce with Bima.

Then God is willing to help manage the school transfer letter for Laras.

Seruni helped with the pleasure of Laras and Niken packing the goods.

"Runi, I won't bring everything. There's a lot I live. Later, you just wear it instead of idling. Anyway, I don't know, Mas Bima will continue to stay here again or not."

"Sir, I'm so sad, you go with Laras. There's no place to go when I get into trouble, or need a friend to confide in."

Seruni looked at Niken slowly.

"Runi, now I better understand how you felt when Bram betrayed you. The difference is, you and Bram married without a deep love. Mas Bima and I have been married for almost thirteen years of our marriage, then before marriage we have also been in a relationship for more than two years. Fighting against Mother, who may not give us blessing until now. We are both trying to live it all, facing all the trials of married life together. But, it seemed, Mas Bima had grown tired of facing all that."

Niken returned Seruni's gaze gently.

"Sir, I will lose you so much! Really am! Although Ma'am Niken is not my biological brother, but I feel, this Madam Niken even knows me more, compared to my other brother, or mother. When I have a problem, no matter how small the problem is, Madam Niken must be my escape. Now, Ma'am is leaving, tomorrow I will run to where if I want to shed all my uneg-uneg?" Seruni spoke with a face full of sadness. Sad to lose Niken.

"Germen, listen, good mama is good! We can still keep in contact after this. Or if you and Regas are on vacation to Jakarta, you can play to my place. I still think of you as my own sister, Runi. I only parted ways with Mas Bima, but I still continue to negotiate with your family. There's Laras, he's also part of the Widodo family. After all, if you have found the right man, you can also pour out your ego on him."

Niken raises her eyebrows while teasing Seruni.

"What do you mean by Ma'am?"

"Not what. But, I sense that Satria is still waiting for you. He's a good guy. Although you guys were married, however, he lost his wife in a different way to you, Runi. Satria is a good man. I can't guarantee it, but, if you're sure, he's the one who deserves to be with you."

Seruni looked at Niken with a sparkling face.

Then the two hugged each other.

*

"Jakarta is a big and busy city. Different from Yogya which is easy and calm. Mama has applied you to school, where mom used to study. The teacher is good, and hopefully you can find a friend at this new school."

"Say, Amanda, in Jakarta her friend's rude, Ma. Hard hard. So if you're joking, don't take it too hard."

Niken chuckled at the innocent words of Laras.

"Depends on you too. Mama used to have good friends all, like jokes like you are the same friends now, just different languages. Mama used to speak jakartaan, you are Javanese. In fact, there used to be a friend of Mama who joined that guy. Now a famous designer."

Laras looked at Niken enthusiastically, as his mother told him about a friend during school in Jakarta first.

"Later my school's far away, huh, Ma?"

"Actually not too far away. Mama accidentally enrolled you in the school where Mama and Pakde Bagas went to school first."

"So, Pakde used to be a school too, over there?"

Niken nodded slowly while smiling. His hand rubbed the hair gently.

"I'm sorry, Mama and Papa, yes, son. You have to change schools, break up with your friends, and we live a new life somewhere else. Sorry, if, Mama can no longer take you back to papa's place, Aunt Seruni, Om Dewa, and Eyang's daughter."

"It's okay, Ma."

Niken hugged his daughter.

*

She remembered Susana inside the house when Laras and Niken were still at home.

The house feels warm and crowded, full of love and feels more alive.

Now, it feels hollow.

It's blank!

Not only because of the person who left the house, but, the atmosphere of warmth full of love seemed to disappear as well.

Bima stared at the sheet of paper on the blue map.

A divorce document ready to be signed. However, he felt very worried about putting the signature there.

Half his heart asked not to do that. However, the other half said it had to be done because, if they continued to survive would make Niken suffer.

Bima covered her face with both hands.

The shadow of Niken seemed to dance in her memory.

Their first meeting in the office a dozen years ago, then Bima ventured to idly ask questions and get acquainted.

Turns out the dipper together, Niken received his invitation to eat together and watch together. Then their relationship continued until Bima ventured to propose to him.

Although, I did not approve, Bima managed to convince Niken to want to be his wife. Bima can also convince Bagas and his mother Niken to accept him being part of their family by editing Niken.

Now, their marriage is on the edge.

By signing a signature on a piece of paper it makes his relationship with Niken immediately break up, and Bima will lose the woman he once loved.

Tears flowed in the corner of Bima's eyes. Imagine himself in his old age. Laras who have grown up blaming himself as the culprit of this separation. Most of the bad shadows danced in her head.

Bima feels more guilty for Niken, especially for Laras. Bima is very sorry.

Bima poured her body on her soft mattress, then closed her eyes.

Silent. Quiet, quiet.

Bima finally fell asleep.

A few days later, Seruni had helped clean up her brother's rented house, and had some of Niken's household items and utensils transported to her. Then Bima returned to her parents' house.

Bima did not renew the contract of the house.

With a heavy heart he closed the door of the empty house, then locked it.

Stare once again at the home that has given so many memories to her and her family.

Then stepped towards his car towards the owner of the house to give up the house keys.

Then go somewhere.

Bima returned to Bu Mirna's house with a big bag.

Ms. Mirna warmly welcomed Bima's return with a hug and a smile on her face.

"Have you cleared everything?" Bu Mirna asked as she took off her embrace for Bima.

"Already, Mom. Now I'm going to the office. I have something to do in the office."

Bima put the bag in her room first while still a bachelor. Then go back to the office to finish the job.