"Res, where are you going at this time of night?"
"It's just eight o'clock, Sis. I want to buy satay."
"Where?"
"Mr. Hajj Sodiqin," Ares said briefly, pulling the zipper of his jacket.
"Ha? Since, when did Mr. Haji sell satay? I just knew it. Not selling materials, right? Is Mrs. Haji selling it?"
Hearing the answer from his sister, Ares burst into laughter until his voice was heard into the house. And, it has immediately brought a rebuke from the mother.
Knowing that Ares laughed out loud, Lia understood if her brother was playing a prank on her.
"Hahaha… You already know, why you asked me? Cak Irwan Satay is the best of the best in here." replied the younger brother nosy.
"Yeah, I think that you just buy it in the next town. Who knows," said Lia angrily, which made Ares laugh again. "Wait here, don't walk yet," she continued, then went into the house.
Ares just nodded, then sat on a chair on the terrace while waiting. He knew if his sister was taking a jacket because she wanted to go with him. That night, both of Ares and Lia had not yet finished their dinner. However, the cold weather in their area has naughtily made the stomach easily hungry.
---
"Ares, you didn't tell me about Daddy's control earlier. How was the result?" The older brother asked his sister after they walked out.
"The doctor said, it's better than before. But in the meantime, he has to use a wheelchair first. Until the condition of his legs can make him stand up again."
Lia was silent and did not respond to the information conveyed by her brother. Instantly, her mind wandered back to the calamity that befell his father almost two months ago. After asking and answering questions about it, the two of them fell silent and continued walking towards Cak Irwan's place without discussing the father again.
Bimo—Lia and Ares' father had bad luck. Where while on his way to one of the neighboring towns to supply cut flowers, he had an accident that caused both his legs to break. Of course, this has made Bimo not as easy as usual in his activities, because it is certain that all his movements will be very limited.
From that incident until during the healing process, Sekar—Lia's Mommy replaced her husband's role in managing their flower garden. Ares and Lia also help keep their cut flower business running. Moreover, during the recovery period, Bimo must take a break so that his condition will improve quickly.
Many things make Bimo so dear to his wife and children. The man did not complain at all and even had high motivation to get well soon. He was not fussy at all and according to all the doctor's recommendations, including when he was advised to eat all the food given so that his stamina got better.
Bimo knows that he will not be as strong as he used to be. But at least, he is still very grateful because he is still allowed to gather together with his wife and children. In addition, Bimo can still see the expanse of cut flower gardens which are the wheels of the family's economy. Because even though he can only see and enjoy the beauty of various colors of flowers, it is already able to make his heart feel calm.
---
"We also have to keep the spirit like Dad," said Ares breaking the silence during the walk.
"A must. You too, if you are asked to help Mother, don't make too many excuses," said Lia who was a little fierce, as is her trademark.
"Yeeee, how could I ever do that. If I can't, well ... I said that I can't. Sis Lia knows for how my school schedule is. Don't forget it!" Ares grumbled in annoyance, while Lia just laughed. It is undeniable that his sister is one of the sources of his joy and happiness.
When they almost arrived near the tent stall owned by Cak Irwan, the two of them suddenly stopped when they overheard a conversation that briefly mentioned their father's name.
Lia gave a signal to Ares not to come any closer, then asked him to move a little away from the tent stall so that he wouldn't be seen and could hear more clearly.
"Yes, because of looking for wealth with witchcraft! That's why Mr. Bimo—Lia's father, has a deformed leg. The devil asks for a foot sacrifice." Thus heard clearly, the words spoken by someone.
"That's true? Isn't it a looking for wealth with witchcraft, usually the victim is their child? Or something else, but not a limb," said someone in a confused tone.
"Hey! There are various kinds of looking for wealth with witchcraft nowadays. Even labeled halal. Come to think of it, Mr. Bimo can't do anything. Meanwhile, the flower orders are the same. But how come recently can build a greenhouse. He said he wanted to open a tour for all visitors. Nowadays, money is hard. The easy one, huh… that looking for wealth with witchcraft." The chatter of the first person who had been cornering the name of the father of the two children.
"Eh, but here, it's not like that. It doesn't make sense." Some refute the long explanation that was conveyed.
Both Lia and Ares had their heads boil. However, Lia asked Ares to stay still so he could hear more.
"The one that makes more sense is… the Lia. She said she suddenly went to work since Mr. Bimo had an accident. Yes, maybe you can get income from Lia."
"What work are you doing?" one of them asked.
"What's more, a job that pays a lot? You know, buying land and building a greenhouse. At the very least… be mistress maybe, hihihi."
Finally, Ares' patience was completely unstoppable. Even with Lia whose face was already reddened with anger. They took a breath for a moment, then decided to enter the tent stall at a leisurely pace. But don't ask about feelings, because the look in their eyes looks so cold and ready to tear the enemy apart.
"Is that what it's called nowadays… Sugar… Sugar…"
The person has not yet said, Lia casually replied.
"Sugar Daddy."
"Nah! Yes, it is true!"
A second later, the girl with wavy black hair immediately rose from her seat in a hurry. In fact, to the point of making the chair, she was sitting on fall backward. Followed by two other girls whose faces had turned deathly pale, when they found out that Lia was standing in front of them with a cold stare.
"Come on, let's go on with the talk! If necessary, I will borrow the mosque's prayer so that your slander can be spread throughout the village. Just stay here, it's called looking for death!" With a cold tone but threatening terms, Lia said as she walked closer to the three girls.
The other two had pulled themselves closer to each other, then grabbed their friend's arm in fear. Meanwhile, Liyana—who is the leader of the talk about the people in the back, stands up straight and stares fiercely at Lia.
"If you're jealous, tell me. You don't have to use any slanderous events. Uncouth!" Ares also added that he was also very annoyed with the attitude of Liyana and the gang.
The girl with olive skin and wavy black hair is Liyana—the daughter of Mr. Arya and Mrs. Asri who also owns a cut flower business like Lia and Ares's parents. The location of their house is also not far apart, even still classified as one RW. It's just that Liyana's attitude, who is often called Ana, often irritates Lia. Especially with the slander made by the girl that made her sicker.
"Halah, slander? Yes, this time, where is there a thief who wants to confess?!" Liyana said arrogantly.
"Where there is an envious person who wants to confess!" said Ares not wanting to lose.
"Ana, if your life is not happy, don't interfere with other people's lives. Mind your own business. Busy taking care of my family. Let's just pay for Dad's treatment, give us monthly money. Don't just use lips!" fierce, Lia attacks Ana.
The girl gulped but was not at all afraid to face Lia who was looking at her sharply.
"Let's answer! Dare only behind. Here, speak to my face. All in front of Ares too, while we are here. Please," challenged Lia, which seemed to make Ana's head begin to boil.
"Halah, where is the thief confessing?" Those were the only words that came out of Ana's lips.
"This is the umpteenth time, your attitude is not commendable at all. What's wrong with me and my family, what's wrong with you? To the point of being confident in making rubbish rumors like that. Outrageous!" Lia continues to scream, and Ana is still silent.
"Ohhhh… or, could it be that mistress is you, Na? But, you accuse me instead. It's said that where there is a thief who wants…"
Plaque!!!
Before Lia had finished speaking, a hard slap hit her left cheek.
---
The commotion invited Cak Irwan, who turned out to have just delivered an order of satay to Mr. RT's house. Meanwhile, the tent stall was only guarded by one employee who had been trying to intervene, but the two girls who were fighting were completely unheard of.
Ares's net rounded when he saw his sister being slapped so hard by Ana. When he was about to make calculations with the girl, Lia stopped him.
"What is this?" Cak Irwan immediately joined.
"Ohhh, how dare you get physical now, huh? Don't you dare answer directly, because that's the truth? So now it's clear who is Uncle's mistress." Just as Lia closed her lips when she finished speaking, Ana suddenly attacked her.
Ana grabbed Lia's hair. Fierce and not wanting to lose, Lia also returned the tug by pulling Ana's hair tightly. The two of them had a big fight and quite a lot attracted the attention of several people around Cak Irwan's stall.
Seeing the situation getting busy and several people starting to intervene, Lia waited for the moment to knock Ana down. And not long after, the opportunity came when Ana pushed him away. It wasn't too hard, but cleverly, Lia pretended to fall hard enough that she was pushed and hit the chairs in that place.
"Ohhhh," Lia groaned in pain. Then in the next second, she was unconscious.
Ares, who had been trying to intervene, immediately approached his sister who was already slumped on the floor.
"Sis Lia?! Oh Sister, wake up Sis!" Ares shook his sister's body but there was no response. However, when he paid close attention to the look on his sister's face, Ares realized that it was just a pretense.
Of course, as a brother who understands his sister, Ares understands what to do.
"Sis Lia! Hey, Ana! How dare you make my sister unconscious like this. You psychopath! Don't worry, My Sister. I'll call the police!" Ares threatened which instantly made Ana turn paler.
The girl argued, which only pushed her slowly. She never thought that it would make Lia unconscious. Because she was so scared, Ana also fainted on the spot. Not long after, the people who were there immediately rushed to help the two girls to be helped so they quickly came to their senses.
In the hearts of Lia and Ares, they laughed out loud when they had succeeded in tricking Ana. Even so, this is not over because Lia will still make calculations for Ana. Even asked her to withdraw all slanderous words and insults that were thrown at her, especially to her father.
***