Chapter 8
I sat pensive in the room. Since coming home from talking with the three tamarind-dwelling brothers, my brain can't stop thinking. Half of my heart couldn't believe what they said.
"Winda deliberately traps Azzam so that residents can catch them and then they are forcibly married. Winda's parents are not clear who and where they are now," said Kak Neti.
"Yes, Dek. Actually Azzam doesn't like Winda. Winda is a naughty girl, she likes to change men before marrying Mas Azzam. Masmu is too innocent as a man. Why doesn't he know that he has been framed by Winda,
"continued Sis Lia too. I took a deep breath, it felt even more confusing the problem I was facing.
"You know, Dek. We are suspicious of Winda's pregnancy. According to my sister, it's not Azzam's son. Just imagine, they've only been married for three months, but Winda's stomach has grown like that. Maybe she's more than five months pregnant." Again, Kak Neti's words flashed in my mind. I don't understand the size of a pregnant person's stomach, how can I know how many months old Sis Winda is pregnant?
"Clara, are you sleeping?" call Mas Azzam from behind my bedroom door. I stood up lazily and opened my bedroom door. Mas Azzam seems to have just returned from his office.
"What's the matter, sir?" I asked lazily.
"Follow Mas forward!" he said coldly. I followed behind him without protest. He told me to sit down, then looked at me intently.
"Winda complained, she said you didn't want to be invited to clean the house. Why, Ra? This is your house too!"
So Sis Winda complained to Mas Azzam. Just be careful, I will look for evidence of Sis Winda's cheating later.
"Not invited, Mas, but told to. Why should I be asked to clean a bathtub that hasn't been cleaned in three months. What has she been doing all this time?" Mas Azzam shook his head, his face looked displeased.
"Indeed, three months ago Mas was the one who cleaned the bathtub. Until now, I have not had time to clean it again, because Mas is busy with office matters."
"If I may know, how did Mas get married to Sis Winda?" I asked quietly.
"You mean?" Mas Azzam looked at me not understanding.
"What's the story, Mas Azzam can marry Sis Winda. Have you been dating for a long time, or do you use the ta'aruf process like we did yesterday?"
"Oh, that. We're not dating, actually...."
"What do you want to ask like that, Clara. How come you're so upset, it's our business. You don't have to interfere!" Winda's voice boomed making Mas Azzam stop his speech.
"Obviously I have to interfere, because my status in the eyes of the law is Mas Azzam's wife. Even though he has lied, I believe he did it because he had to!" I said no less fiercely.
"You mean, we lied that we were married, didn't we? We have many witnesses, we are legally and religiously married. Only Mas Azzam is too cowardly to take me to meet his family!"
"Maybe Mas Azzam still has doubts about you, Sis," I mocked. Sis Winda's face turned red, maybe she was holding back her anger. I wanted to make fun of him again to make him even angrier with me. However, he suddenly held his stomach with a grimace on his face in pain.
"What are you doing, Win?" asked Mas Azzam panicked. While I only pay attention to the interaction between the two of them.
"My stomach is cramping, Mas. It hurts so much," he complained. Mas Azzam invites Sis Winda to sit down. Sis Winda complied, she sat down slowly while continuing to wince in pain.
"Let's go to the hospital, okay! Mas order a taxi first!"
"No, Mas. I don't want to. Just call Mak Ijah. Maybe a little massage can reduce the pain."
Strange, why didn't he want to be taken to the hospital?
***
"Don't worry, it's never mind, you're just tired, Winda. Come on, Mak, massage inside!" said Mak Ijah.
The old woman smirked while glancing at me, she had just come after being picked up by Mas Azzam. Sis Winda, who kept on grimacing in pain, complied when she was led by Mak Ijah into the room.
"You just wait outside, Azzam. There's no need for you to be inside!" expelled Mak Ijah expelled Mas Azzam who wanted to come into his room.
"Yes, Mak. If there's anything, quickly call me, okay!" Mas Azzam's message.
"Ah, there's nothing wrong with what you mean. I told you that Winda was just tired. After I took a massage later, her body would be refreshed immediately!" said Mak Ijah not happy.
I pinched behind Mak Ijah. He was very arrogant, able to confirm something that is not certain. Mas Azzam sat down weakly. I was still standing not far from sister Winda's room, the door was closed.
"It's because you don't want to help her clean the house, Clara!" said Mas Azzam while looking at me sharply.
"How come I'm the one to blame, Mas. I told you, I'm not a maid here. If Mas feels he can't take care of the house, just find a maid. Why was it given to me!" I replied. I can't accept being blamed by Mas Azzam. My husband couldn't answer my words. He just sighed, then shook his head with a desperate face.
"Oh, yes, Mas. My question has not been answered, you know," I continued. Suddenly I remembered my question earlier.
"What question?"
"That, how did Mas Azzam get married to Sis Winda?" I repeated again.
"Oh, that. Hmm, we got married because we had to actually. At that time, it was late at night, Winda who lived next to my rented house asked Mas for help to get rid of the cockroaches that were flying in his room." Mas Azzam paused for a moment, then continued his story. Mas Azzam said, when he was looking for the whereabouts of the cockroach, suddenly Mr. RT and local residents came.
To be continued