Devotion (A Devotion)
The Journey of Mas Hadi

“Love this is your wife, Hadi. This mother is a girl, knows how she feels. You are a man, the leader of your family. If you do not want to marry Nofi, you do not need to pay attention, nor to his son.”

He was silent without much talking. He sat down motionless, glued. The man did not dare to look at his mother's face.

“For Love, my daughter-in-law. If your husband is wrong, rebuke, remind.”

“I've reprimanded, Mom. But Mas Hadi if reprimanded angry.” The rest of my sobs are still heard. Let me know his son's behavior.

That night, my mother-in-law stayed overnight at our house. Until late, he advised his son who did not dwell in front of the mother. Every now and then, I screamed hysterically losing control every time Mas Hadi denied what happened.

“Right you want girls?”

“Mboten, Mom. No.”

“Then what do you mean get mad at me ‘mean him have a daughter’ Mas?” pekikku was restrained to hear his confession.

The man could not answer that question. His mouth did not say the words that had been thrown for me. Because there is a mother who is ready to listen to the testimony of her son, Mas Hadi did not admit it.

“Trus why did you tell me I had cancer? So that I can marry her? Without me getting sick, you can marry her. He asked her to marry him, and she answered no. But perform the ritual with his photo.”

My anger has reached the crown. When he was with me he admitted and clearly said he wanted to marry Nofi. When there was a mother, why did it suddenly change?

Mom's face looks tired advising Mas Hadi. The old woman ran out of words to persuade Mas Hadi to talk properly. His hand still gently rubbed my head that was lying on his lap.

“Tomorrow, Mom's home. If you hurt Love again, you can go see a woman you feel is better than your wife. Let Love and the children be the dependents of the Mother in this house. Don't come back here again.”

I was shocked to hear the last words of Mother. Satisfied with his defense, but I don't mean it. Nothing, let Mas Hadi know the consequences later if you continue to approach Nofi.

That night I slept in the middle room. I accompanied him for a while before entering the room. A woman who has been my mother for nearly fifteen years.

Why am I so close to him? For me, as the second woman present in Mas Hadi's life, I must know the position. My husband can go to school and succeed because of his father and mother, not because of me. So it is my duty to reach out to my mother and father-in-law so that our marriage is full of blessings.

Throughout our marriage, I never protested how much money Mas Hadi gave his parents. Even I always say, “first your mother, first your father. If they are happy, prayers and prayers to us, then the fortune will be easy for us to get.” Even when I was clapping no money, I was willing to sell jewelry to meet the needs of my father and mother-in-law.

What I did was not without reason. First reason, my three sons. I want, my daughter-in-law will also treat me, as I treat Mom. The second reason, in case of any trouble, I could easily convey to Mother that she advise her son. So, that's the benefit of a wife putting my mother-in-law first for me.

As of now, Mother would easily defend me rather than her own child. Because I'm sure you know how I feel. Not something to be made up of. I am thankful that I have a mother-in-law like her.

“I go to the room first, Bu.”

Before going to the room, I take a peek at the children in each room. Adi was sleeping in his own room. The room is located at the front of the house next to the living room. Ivan and Izal occupied the large room both. Ivan's not asleep. Izal was already sound in a dream. I turned off the room lights before ordering, “berdo’a first, Nak.”

“That's you, I like to hang out with Mom. Don't think what, my mother is old,” grunted with a lame face. “If there is a problem, solve both. Not complaining to my parents.”

I smiled triumphantly. “Mas, have I not advised, and given way. I want girls, I want solutions. But Mas disagreed. I don't like Mas to watch over Nofi and her son, but Mas won't take care of my feelings. So, I can't advise anymore.” I told him all my feelings this time, without getting angry. I tried to hold my heart, so as not to sound noisy by Mother-in-law.

The next day Mother came home while not tired of giving advice to her son. “You're a boy. Your job is to take care of the wife and child. Not a see other women.”

Actually, I want to laugh to see the face of Mas Hadi who is like a buffalo in the nose in front of his mother. Lost all anger and anger towards me. I don't give a shit. It is the duty of a mother to counsel her son, if the wife has given advice but is not encouraged.

Since Mom's arrival, Mas Hadi did not discuss Nofi and Caca anymore. But something is different with him. Now, Mas Hadi often comes home late. Every time I am asked, there is unfinished work. Especially when his position rises, his responsibilities are getting bigger.

“Just ask the same Mr. Kemal if you don't believe.” As soon as he always gave me every question.

That Saturday, Alfin and Caca played home as usual. Nofi left the children to her ex-husband, then hurried away. Alfin and Caca play with the little kids in the alley. I tried to hide the anxiety of seeing children playing in front of the house. I shouldn't show my race.

“Mas I went to the market first,” pamitku to Mas Hadi who is still sleeping in the room. On Saturday he had a day off work.

Mas Hadi did not turn his head, only replied, “hem," then continued his activities with a mobile phone.

Saturdays are very crowded in Ngaliyan Market. The Semarang community and its surroundings are mostly employees and factory workers. Saturdays and Sundays are days where they are free from work and can shop freely. Like me, I prefer shopping on Saturdays.

After shopping I went home. The children who had been playing bicycles and balls, had not been seen. Alfin and Izal play games in the middle room. Ivan chose to read the book. When I went into the room, I did not find my husband.But I realized when I entered the garage, the car was not there.

I dialed Mas Hadi's phone number to ask him where he was and what he wanted to cook this afternoon. There's no answer. Five times I repeated, no sign of my calling being answered.

At lunch, Alfin and Izal had lunch together in the living room. I treat Alfin as I normally would. The skinny boy stuttered to answer my question.

“Lho, Caca where is Al? To your Dad's house?” I didn't find the little girl playing with her brother.

“Eh, it's Aunt. Go the same Om Hadi go to the place where Mother reunion.”

I stared once again at Alfin's eyes, “Where is Al?”

“Sama Om Hadi Aunt, Mommy Mommy.”

“You didn't lie?”

“It was Al, but Al didn't want to. So yes Caca itself.” The innocent voice of the boy made me tense up.

I immediately stood up to the room and called Mas Hadi. He has not given any news since. The lunch hour was gone and he was not home.