
Dennis looked at Yanti closely through the gap he made in the newspaper. After that night, nothing changed from Yanti. The woman also only asked about the hospital where Arthur was being treated.
"Yan, you don't want to learn martial arts?" ask Dennis while folding the paper.
Yanti, who was sweeping with Waskito in a sling, stared briefly at Dennis before resuming her duties.
"Sir, sir," he answered briefly.
"Hmm, even though your punches and kicks are hard. You can fight the thugs, Yan." Dennis clenched his hands and hit the air.
"Sir, sir," Yanti replied unchanged. He then further accelerated his broom movement and stayed away from Dennis.
The man was worried. During this time Yanti was always busy taking care of the house and her son, there was almost no time to rest other than night. An idea came to his mind and he rushed to Jumilah's house, there was someone he had to call.
...
That afternoon, Lani came to be escorted by Andre. He was rather surprised to see Yanti who was studying with a woman in the living room.
"P-Mas Dennis in the study." Yanti stood up, about to take her sister-in-law.
"Ndak what, Ce. I went in by myself. Ce Yanti, go ahead." Lani refused subtly.
"That's Mas Dennis' sister" Yanti told Niken.
The female teacher just nodded.
When the day's lesson was over, Yanti rushed to the study where Lani was sitting alone.
"Where's Dennis?" ask Yanti.
Lani stood up and approached her sister-in-law. "Important. Come on, Ce, let's go shopping."
Yanti laughing. "I've been shopping. The market is also closed at this hour."
Lani spontaneously laughed, not expecting her brother-in-law to be that simple. "No, Ce! Not vegetable shopping."
"Keep, what shopping?" Yanti was confused by being laughed at.
"We'll see, if there's a match, just bought." Lani pulled the woman's hand.
"Eh, but it's time for Kito to sleep" Yanti said again.
"No, there's Ko Dennis. Let him take care of Kito."
"But.." rejected Yanti who was still in doubt.
Dennis emerges from the front door with Kito clinging to his trousers. "You just go."
"P-Mas Dennis!"
"Well, right! Go, Ce!" take Lani again.
Yanti stared doubtfully at the two men. He wasn't too sure Dennis could look after his son. But Jum's house is not far away and hope nothing happens.
...
Andre, the driver took their car to a place larger than the turi market. The inside is much better too.
"There's a new shopping place open, Ce. I want to try, so take Ce Yanti."
Yanti simply nodded while hearing Lani's excited babble. He only understands half of what is being said, but Lani seems quite content to talk to herself.
"Well, there's a bando sale. Let's try it!"
They entered a stand that sold various embellishments ranging from clasps, hair rubber, bracelets, and so on. Lani forces Yanti to try, and repeatedly offers if she wants to buy.
Yanti refused, her eyes fixed on the small colorful bottle inside the tray.
"It's nail polish, Ce Yanti want to try?"
He then remembered that using paint, ablution water could not enter, so Yanti shook her head. "If there's a boyfriend? Put on girlfriend leaves?"
The perceptive kiosk officer directly gave the intended object. Yanti also bought a boyfriend powder. While Lani bought some bracelets and hairpins.
Lani gave her bag to Andre who was standing outside the stand.
"Please bring it," he asked half-command.
"Yes, Non," replied Andre obediently.
Yanti again invited Lani to another stand, and did more or less the same thing.
The young mother was worried. He knew that Setiawan's family was wealthy, but..
"Ndak what, Ce. It's Ko Dennis who paid for it" Lani replied.
Yanti was astonished. "Non Dennis' P-Mas?"
"Yes. That," Lani pointed towards Andre who was carrying five large bags. "Everything for Ce Yanti. He told Koko."
Yanti's eyes were wide. Dennis had bought him clothes, and footwear. "I've been bought. No, no, Lani. Let's return the goods, yuk.." pinta Yanti.
"Ndak what, Ce. Ko Dennis is Cece's husband. Even more should be highlighted" said Lani while laughing loosely. He did not care even if he was seen by other visitors.
"Who knows if an important guest will come to the house, cook Ko Dennis's husband's clothes like a maid."
Yanti felt shocked to hear it. Still, these items were too much for him.
"Lani.." pinta Yanti again.
Lani also did not care even though Yanti looked at her with a welt. The girl continued her shopping spree happily.
As Lani said, when they came home, Dennis did not show any anger at all. The man also escorted her to the door when Lani came home. But Yanti could see Dennis's shoulder coming down, not as firm as usual. The way he walked was also very limp, like grandfathers.
"Yan.." call Dennis almost without energy. "From tomorrow we'll cook some bayem and tempeh again, yeah."
"Ndn't be fried chicken, sir?"
"Sir. We save until I get my salary next month" said Dennis, who returned to the workspace with a deep sigh every few steps.
...
That day, while Dennis was still working outside, Yanti had an unexpected guest. It was fortunate that she followed Lani's advice and dressed more neatly.
"I make tea first," said Yanti who was terrified to see Lili already standing in the living room. His views are judged to every corner of the house. To the clothes and accessories that Yanti wears.
"Ndakn't. I'll just go right ahead" Lili refused. Mrs Setiawan then threw the envelope towards Yanti. "Here, for you."
"What is this, Mom?" ask Yanti.
"Open it" he ordered. "I know you need money. This should be enough."
Yanti who had already opened the envelope, was surprised by the amount of money inside and Lili's words.
"Sorry, Mom. I can't take this money," he subtly refused. "I've had enough money from P-Mas Dennis."
"You think you can make my son happy? As long as you take care of your husband's son first, Dennis won't be happy. You also have no education, where becus takes care of the husband," lili hina.
"Mas Dennis doesn't mind Waskito" Yanti argued.
The irritated Lilies, took the envelope roughly. Causing Yanti's skin to claw at Lili's red-painted nails.
"Let's see, until when Dennis will survive with a village boy like you" the woman threatened. "At any time you won't be able to match Dennis' position in the eyes of the family."
Lili again left behind painful words that still ring in Yanti's ears. She was indeed only a contract wife, but it still hurt to continue being insulted this way every time they met.
Yanti has tried her best to be a worthy wife in the eyes of the Dennis family. Including studying with Miss Niken. But only a few people think of it as family.
He thinks this might be better. As a contract wife, she won't be with Dennis forever.
"Come, son, buy a peanut cake," Yanti invites to Waskito who is holding on to the edge of the table.
The boy chattered ambiguously in Yanti's sling. They're heading to the grocery store at the end of the alley.
"Mbak Sur," Yanti said to the shop owner.
"Buy what, Jeng?"
"The cake is 1000, make Kito," replied Yanti.
"Nobody else, huh? Stump here?" ask Mbak Sur while wrapping a bean cake. He then pointed towards the young man who was preparing the rice. "Let's take mas'e to Mr. Dennis' house."
The new employee nodded towards Yanti who nodded back.
"Yes, Sur Ma'am? All oil, rice is the same sugar about a kilo-sekilo. There's someone who can help me bring." Yanti is happy, because her hands are full by her son and their snacks.
"Hahaha, yes, Ms. Yanti," said the owner of the stall who likes to sell well.
.
.
.