"Okay, okay... what's wrong, after all, why is this a fuss? Please, those who get along well. The fellow courtiers must be united, you know." aunt Sari came to intervene. She brought ginger wedang along with putu ayu. Fortunately, aunt Sari came, otherwise the two men would definitely have a war later.
"Oh, yes, aunt, where is Manis? I haven't seen her in almost a week. How come I miss her," I asked. Aunt Sari looked surprised, and I don't know why she had to be surprised by my simple question.
"Do you really miss Manis? Don't you miss the woman who has become that person's wife?" Uncle Junet teased.
"Who?" asked Uncle Sobirin curiously too. I glanced at Uncle Junet, she just laughed.
"That, Arni... even the love story in the tea garden yesterday, which Boss Nathan scolded, has spread widely in this village."
God, can you not shut up this Talkative man's mouth forever? It seemed they were really happy to see that I had no face in front of people.
"Auntie, how about Manis?" I asked again, ignoring Uncle Junet's words.
"Manis, Manis to the city, skipper ..." said aunt Sari at last. "Her father has to be hospitalized, and the city hospital has adequate medical equipment. So, like it or not, Sweetie has to go there for her father."
The father that Aunt Sari meant was not Manis's biological father, because her parents had not been around for a long time. he--the father who is called by Manis is her uncle who is none other than the second brother of Aunt Sari. Who happens to not have a wife? He lives with Manis and his mother--Manis's grandmother, who already treats Manis as her own biological child.
"Then, where does Sweet get the cost to the hospital, auntie?" I asked because I knew Sweet was in trouble right now. No... not just now, but a long time ago.
Aunt Sari looked worried when she heard my question. She looked at me a little cautiously and then lowered her gaze again and said, "Finance matters, already... Someone has helped, skipper. The village guard has already helped."
Village guard? The widower with four? I don't think their family relationship is that close to just being helpful. Shouldn't I be the most entitled to help Sweet? Not that goddamn guard. Before I could ask another question, Aunt Sari left in a hurry. I'm sure she avoided it on purpose. And I'm more sure if something goes wrong here.
*****