"During her marriage, Muri almost never gave her a living. How can she not, after all, every harvest that Muri gets, is immediately taken by Mislan. So, like it or not, Arni is looking for another job to support herself and her children."
"If that woman really doesn't love her, why would she want to have children?" cut me.
"You, whether you like it or not, as a wife, you must fulfill your obligations. Grandma has also heard that Arni has not wanted to be touched by her husband for several months. To the extent that Muri has to go somewhere else."
"Then what does all that have to do with me, grandma?" I asked. Because I'm really confused about Romelah's grandmother's story. That woman is not my daughter, brother, or friend. Why is Romelah's grandmother telling a long story?
"I just want to tell you, if Arni's life is difficult, Juna. So, please, don't make it harder for you. There are times when you have to be quiet even though you don't like something. Silence doesn't mean you're lying to yourself, right? others weren't hurt. If it's like this, do you want to support Arni and her children, and grandmother Marisah?"
I didn't answer Romelah's grandmother. I don't really care about the woman's life, her children, or even grandmother Marisah. They have arms and legs if they can manage to stand up and find food on their own. After all, my words should be made of self-introspection. Not even slumped as if I was a bad person who had dropped their mental. Really, that's a shallow thought.
"Already, Grandma, angry?" I asked after seeing the look on Romelah's grandmother's face looked calm. She nodded. "Okay, now accompany your handsome grandson for breakfast, after all," I asked.
"But, grandma wants to go to the market, you know."
"To the market so my courtiers take care of me. Now I want to be accompanied by grandmother Romelah for breakfast. Period."
***
After a week of unrelenting rain, today the sun seems too long to just shine on the earth. The distinctive smell of morning dew began to glow because the light was so piercing the nose.
Today the tea pickers get to work. They had already left with great enthusiasm. Wanted to get lots of tea leaves, so they would come home with enough money to eat. There are times when I'm concerned, I'm really lucky that I was born into a wealthy family, who doesn't have to think about what to eat tomorrow, how much money I will get tomorrow, or what work tomorrow I will have. But everything is in hand, just run it.
"No more daydreaming, let's go to the garden!" Uncle Junet said, surprising me. He seemed more than ready to go. His curly hair looked smooth, his long shirt tucked into his pants. Really, I can't tell the difference between uncle going to the garden or going on a date.
"I'll stop by Rokli grandfather's house first, uncle," I said. Uncle Junet looked confused. "It was Romelah's grandmother who ordered cassava from Rokli grandfather and asked for it this morning."
"Damn !" he cursed, "Why is that old woman so troublesome? Aren't many of my courtiers able to do it?"
"That old woman is your mother," I answered while ignoring his grunts that were not melodious in my ears.
We immediately went to Rokli's grandfather's house, which is indeed quite far from my residence. Rokli grandfather was the owner of a cassava garden, she said. Almost every day sold to the market. Villagers who do not have cassava usually buy it there. To be made cassava, tiwul, sredek, or just boiled cassava and eaten together with wedang ronde.
I exhaled while looking at the road ahead. Many children are still at home just herding their cattle before going to school. What a beautiful sight this is. Even then, I wanted to feel it. Not only did I feel that way, I also wanted to feel what it was like to be close to my parents. Ah, never mind... my fate may not have been as lucky as theirs.
"Uncle, it's here," I said. When you see a house painted yellow.
Junet's uncle immediately pulled the car over and parked it. I came out, greeted by small children gathered around. It's always like this, they... when they see a car approaching, they scream with joy. Understandably, this is still an era where cars are a luxury item. Moreover, in the village.
"Well... you know, there is skipper Arjuna, after all!" cried a middle-aged man from inside the yellow-painted house. He seemed to be in a hurry while wiping his hand with the scabbard. Then come over to me and shake hands. "What is the village skipper doing here so early in the morning?"
"This, you know, grandpa... Romelah grandmother asked me to buy cassava." I answered. Mbah Rokli laughed in a shrill tone.
"Well, yeah... is it true that Rome is asking to be bought? Usually, she comes here herself and brings me a love letter," joked Rokli grandfather. And somehow, It can make me laugh.
"If you look around, you really fit, grandpa. Why don't you just get married? Grandpa Rokli already has my blessing."
Mbah Rokli laughed even louder, even his eyes were already filled with tears now.
"But, Romelah didn't want to. What's lacking, after all, I am a man?" he asked seriously. Apparently, these parents have fallen in love with my grandmother.
"Don't love my mother, grandpa... trouble," Junet's uncle interrupted.
"How troublesome, after all, Net?"
"Mother is what loyal men are looking for. Where in this world is a loyal man, right?"
Now, not only Rokli grandfather was laughing, but Junet's uncle too.
"Although basically, men are crocodiles. But they can be loyal if they can suppress their lust."
"Well, what skipper Arjuna said is true. After all, all women are the same. It feels the same, hahaha!" added Grandpa Rokli again.
Even though his intention was to come here to buy cassava. Why turn into sharing a personal story like this?