Bima often finds himself in an impossible position. He loves his mother, Ratna, who raised him alone after his father passed away. But he also adores his wife, Sinta, an independent and strong-willed woman. From the outside, Bima's life seems perfect—a successful career, a loving wife, and a devoted mother. But beneath the surface, tensions simmer between the two most important women in his life.
Bima's daily routine is a delicate balancing act. He wakes up early to ensure he has breakfast with Sinta before heading to work, but he also makes it a point to call his mother every morning. These small gestures, though well-intentioned, do little to ease the underlying tension that plagues his home life.
The Silent War
One evening, after a long day at the office, Bima returns home to find an all-too-familiar scene. Ratna sits stiffly on the couch, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Across from her, Sinta is scrolling through her phone, pretending not to notice Ratna's presence. The air is thick with unspoken words, and Bima immediately senses that another battle is about to begin.
"Good evening," Bima greets them, attempting to infuse warmth into his voice.
Sinta barely acknowledges him with a nod, while Ratna sighs heavily. "Bima, have you eaten? I made your favorite sayur asem."
Before Bima can respond, Sinta interjects, "We already ordered food from outside earlier."
A moment of silence follows, and Bima feels the weight of disappointment in Ratna's expression. He hesitates, torn between accepting his mother's home-cooked meal and respecting his wife's decision. Eventually, he forces a smile. "Thank you, Mom. I'll have some later."
This is how it always is—Bima caught between two forces that refuse to bend. He often wonders if there is a way to make them see eye to eye, but tonight, he is simply too exhausted to try.
The night drags on with forced pleasantries and veiled jabs. Sinta makes a sarcastic remark about outdated traditions, while Ratna counters with a comment on modern women lacking respect. Bima barely eats, his appetite replaced with anxiety.
A Son's Guilt
Later, as he lies in bed beside Sinta, he stares at the ceiling, his mind racing. He loves them both, but lately, it feels as if loving one means betraying the other. Sinta turns to him, her voice softer than before.
"Bima, I can't keep doing this. You have to choose."
Bima closes his eyes. He knows a choice must be made—but at what cost?
The next morning, Bima wakes up feeling the weight of last night's words pressing against his chest. He gets ready for work, forcing himself to move mechanically through the motions. When he reaches for his phone to check messages, he notices a missed call from Ratna. He sighs, knowing he must return it soon.
Sinta watches him from the doorway, arms crossed. "She called again?"
Bima nods. "She always does."
Sinta exhales sharply. "I just don't understand why she can't give us space, Bima. We're married now. We need our own life."
Bima rubs his temples. "She's my mother, Sinta. She raised me alone. I owe her everything."
Sinta softens for a moment, but her frustration remains. "I get that. I do. But she needs to let go."
Bima doesn't respond. He kisses Sinta on the forehead and heads out the door. As he drives to work, Ratna's words echo in his mind, mixing with Sinta's complaints. He feels trapped, like a man walking a tightrope with no safety net beneath him.
A Mother's Pain
Meanwhile, Ratna sits in her small apartment, staring at the untouched plate of food in front of her. She had woken up early to cook for Bima, hoping he would come over. But now she knows he won't.
She wipes a tear away, unwilling to admit how much it hurts. Bima is all she has left. She sacrificed everything for him, but now, it feels like he is slipping away.
She picks up her phone and types a message: Are you free for lunch today? Then she hesitates. She doesn't want to be a burden. Instead of sending it, she deletes the text and puts the phone down.
She knows what Sinta thinks of her—that she's too controlling, too traditional. But Ratna only wants the best for Bima. She wants to protect him. But maybe, just maybe, she's holding on too tightly.
The Breaking Point
That night, when Bima comes home, he finds Sinta packing a bag. Panic grips his chest. "What are you doing?"
Sinta doesn't look at him. "I need some space."
"Because of my mother?"
Sinta lets out a bitter laugh. "Because of us, Bima. Because you refuse to stand up for what you want. I love you, but I can't live like this."
Bima feels his world shattering around him. He wants to tell her to stay, to promise that he will fix everything. But the truth is, he doesn't know how.
As Sinta closes the door behind her, Bima sinks onto the couch, his head in his hands. His mother's voice, his wife's voice, his own doubts—all of it swirls in his mind like a storm.
For the first time, he realizes that if he doesn't act soon, he might lose them both.