My House of Resilience
Chapter 43. Enough Mahar Only

People say the most telling commentators and calculators are in-laws. This applies to Marlena and Ari's current marriage. After seeing the baby box is not there, then Ari's mother commented on other things that made Marlena more upset.

"Box baby doesn't exist, it's not an important issue. There's a bed, right? Next is thanksgiving. Should if the child is brought home, at least have to share food. How are you, Mar? Already know the child's time to go home, even not prepare any events."

Marlena did not answer. He even exhaled his breath violently. Not yet after the pain caused by the Caesarean section just now, her mother-in-law added the burden again.

Not ending the nagging after the nagging thrown by her mother-in-law, now coupled with the sound of her baby crying. It added to the burden of Marlena's next thought.

"If her child cries it is quickly breastfed. She must be hungry. So the new mother mbok yah greget that. Don't melt!"

I think Marlena wanted to scratch her mother-in-law's face. She is a new mom, but not very experienced. She also needs guidance from her mother-in-law. Not even this and that. If only she wasn't in this condition, I don't know what would happen to her mother-in-law.

Without saying much, Marlena took the baby and then breastfed the unnamed child.

Soon her husband came to the room. Marlena thought there would soon be peace, apparently not at all. It is an event he never suspected.

"Mas, I've got Mom here. I want to ask you a question" said Marlena.

"Hemm, ask!" reply Ari.

"Where did you get that money, Mom? Did Mom give it to you?"

Gluey!

The mother and child were glued. Originally her mother-in-law could have easily cornered her daughter-in-law, but now it has been inversely proportional.

"Mas, why are you quiet? Are you hiding something from me too?"

Her mother-in-law was silent. He did nothing. It was better for him to retreat before his daughter-in-law went berserk with him. Slowly he left the room.

"Where are you going?" ask Marlena.

Gluey!

"Mar, I have nothing to do with this money" said Ari defending his mother.

"Wait on! What does this money mean?" Marlena's question then made her mother-in-law stop continuing her steps.

"I got fired from my job."

"What's? Where did this money come from?" Marlena will keep asking until she finds the answer.

"I'm sorry. I was forced to make this home certificate a guarantee of debt to the loan shark."

"Oh my God, my God! How are you, anyway? Not learning from experience. You stupid or what, anyway? If we don't pay, where do we sleep?" Marlena's voice was no longer held back. Along with the cry of the baby due to the quarrel of both parents.

"Mar, I'd like to apologize. But, I promise I'll find another job."

Marlena shakes. "It's fair that my ex-wife would rather get divorced from you, Mas. You're stupid not to stoop."

Her mother-in-law felt she could not accept her son being cornered like that. Actually she was about to come forward to smack Marlena's mouth, but the same husband was arrested.

"Don't follow along, Mom. We better go home. Let them solve their own problems" said her husband.

"Maybe he got his karma, ma'am. He hurt her in the past. Tanti is not ridho because of Ari's treatment that makes her difficult."

His wife's anger did not even subside, but instead blindly berated her husband. Still, even though his son was wrong, he did not want to accept the fact.

***

A few days later, the preparation for Tanti's wedding was almost 80 percent. Sarinah has not insisted on asking for a luxury wedding. It's most important for him that Tanti wants to get married again.

"How, Nduk? You're glad you didn't force a fancy wedding?"

"Thank you, Mom. So grateful. I also know that Tanti must often have a holiday selling because it takes care of this wedding. Oh yeah, shouldn't the old house be sold, ma'am. Later let me save the sale, some I will return to Mas Ari. He must be in need of money right now."

Sarinah was really upset. For a few days, she had not heard her daughter's ex-husband. But, even if his decision had been like that, Sarinah could not hold it back anymore.

"As far as you are, Nduk! I'm actually tired of hearing that name."

After hearing her mother's answer, Tanti went to see her father. He asked the man for permission to sell the current occupied house. Her first reason for wanting to forget about her past was that she also wanted to split some of her money for her ex-husband. Tanti's life with her new husband is much better than ever.

"Sir, if for example the house that Tanti lived in is sold, it does not matter, sir?"

"You don't regret selling it?" ask Hardiman.

"No, Sir. The house there are some that mas Ari. Poor him. Right now he's probably in need of money because his wife's giving birth maybe."

As good as his daughter's heart. Already hurt like that time, he still gave some of what was mixed in his house.

"alright. Father agreed. You'll ask someone to help you sell your house."

"Thank you, sir. You are the greatest," praised Tanti.

Shortly before Tanti gets married, she will meet her ex-husband to give some of the money for the sale of her house. After the business with his father was finished, Tanti went back to see his mother. The woman was preparing some of her daughter's wedding needs.

"Mother, the brakatnya later I buy in the market, yes. It's just a rag, "Sarinah explained.

"Mom, you better hire the danger later. Don't buy it. Dear money. Renting is not too expensive. Ask for help in making up-in. I can't dance, Mom"

Sarinah. "Mom doesn't agree, Nduk. Aren't you ashamed of Abbas's extended family if you use a loan kebaya? If you buy it yourself, you can save it."

"Mom, dear Tanti with the money, ma'am. This is also to use children's savings to help with the cost of this simple wedding," he explained.

"Well, that's how it is. This is my father to help you. Abbas is also willing to give some money for this marriage."

It is regrettable that Sarinah did not want to buy kebaya because she wanted to save money. All the costs were paid by his parents. Basically Tanti just don't want this and so.

"Mother, Mas Abbas simply gave the dowry in Tanti's marriage. Tanti is not a crazy woman, ma'am. If he had to pay for the wedding, not now. Better to keep for the next life."

Gluey!

Arguing with Tanti will be endless. He seems to be very frugal. I don't know, what his daughter is working on so much that she severely limits the finances spent on this simple marriage.