Asti Girl Carrying the Curse
Chapter 36. A Mother and Her Struggle
It seems that Asti has a lot to learn from Widya and Bulek Ratih in terms of taking care of the baby. During this week those who took care of themselves and their babies very painstakingly. The grandmothers were also always ready to help Asti for various household affairs. Starting from cooking, drying clothes, washing dishes and various other workers in this endless house .
Sometimes Asti still often hears people say about the pain of a woman when struggling in the delivery room to give birth to a baby. But this pain, Asti continues to feel after giving birth, even for days. Though she gave birth normally, which in a few days was able to walk. How mothers who give birth must go through surgical operations. Of course it feels nano-nano, because his stomach must be exposed to a scalpel incision to help remove the baby!
This is the morning at Satrio's house. Bulek Ratih is more focused on taking care of Asti's needs. The mother-in-law takes care of the baby. Funny thing is, the little baby also woke up because he heard the busyness of the people in this house.
"Let's take a shower, Asti! It's the warm water!" Bulek Ratih's orders while leading his nephew to the bathroom. It does not matter if Asti had to wake up from her sleep many times because it takes care of the little one. Still, Bulek Ratih forced Asti to have a bath and be clean and fragrant in the morning
The grandmothers had also felt what Asti felt, perhaps even more pain. Because Widya's mother has also given birth to two daughters and one son. Bulek Ratih gave birth to two children, one male and one female. Because he lives in the village, Lek No can only bring his wife to the practice house of Midwife Nilam in the next village. Bulek Ratih gave birth twice normally.
Usually if there is an obstacle, Ms. Nilam, a woman who has long worked as a midwife, will refer her patients to the nearest hospital. Though the distance of the hospital was many kilometers away from the home where the midwife practice.
After finishing the bath, Asti only needs to wear a corset on her stomach, which is a gift from her mother-in-law. So Asti is somewhat free from the ritual of using a stagen that is quite troublesome.
Javanese women used to have to use a cloth that is not too wide but made from hard to make their stomachs so as not to sag after giving birth. Even when using the stagen, they also have to be helped by others, so long. The shortest length of the fabric, can be up to 3 or 4 meters.
" Your baby is healthy and funny Asti. " Said Ibu Anggita.
Asti just smiled to see the tiny baby was sun dried in front of the house by Satrio accompanied by the twins. The habit of the twins Ibu Anggita was to run to this house, when he saw Satrio riding Akbar. Although everyone knows that Tarra and Torro haven't had a bath yet!
Ibu Anggita will say hello and chat for a while with Asti family members who also gathered in front of the terrace. Usually there are two grandparents of the baby, Lek No and Pak Cahyadi.
The woman also proposed that Asti hire an elderly woman, who used to work as a baby sister in Jakarta. Moreover, Ibu Anggita heard that Mother-in-law will return with her husband to Purwokerto. While Lek No and Bulek Ratih will also return to the village ahead of the planting season next week.
The woman called Mbok Bayah came to Asti's house the next day. After being interviewed by Ms. Widya and Bulek Ratih, they also agreed. Because the woman is quite experienced in taking care of the baby. Mbok Bayah even though he is old, his people are diligent, careful and not dirty.
Actually, the two pairs of Asti's parents still want to linger there to take care of the tiny baby. But they also have their own business and interests in their homes.
" Anyway, Akbar's wedding was held in aja village, Lek ! " lek No reminded the two of his iron again, before they returned to Purwokerto the next morning.
"Please, Sarno. Just prepare everything. Oh, ja. Satrio, give the money now so Lek No can buy two big and healthy goats for the wedding!"
Last night Mr. Cahyadi and Satrio agreed to this agreement. They will hold a wedding or shave the baby's hair in the village of Sendang Mulyo. Because, the state of Asti is still not too healthy to take care of the event later. Although the event will be held simply, it still costs a lot of energy and costs.
Widya's mother looked rather sad leaving Asti and her 8-day-old baby. The woman repeatedly kissed Akbar's cheeks which began to look puffed up like a bakpao.
" Keep your health, Asti! Don't mind much! Please pay attention to Akbar and Satrio, yes!"
Again her in-law message, made Asti subconsciously look at the man standing next to her, holding her baby.
Satrio's face was a bit cloudy, because some days he was always together with his parents. However, Asti was like being reminded by something! He had to look after Akbar, as a descendant of Winangun.
Usually Widya's mother is sensitive to the attitude and behavior of someone, because she has been in education for a long time, also studying child psychology. Does this mother-in-law also feel Satrio's self-change? He was the only boy in their family. The youngest is closest to her.
"Satrio! Don't make it up to you!" Reprimanded Mr. Cahyadi, while staring intently at Satrio's eyes.
Asti's chest rumbled. All this time, he only took care of the health of his body and the baby. Almost all of Satrio's needs are held by Widya's mother. Even Asti asked Lek No, carrying all the washed adult clothes in a laundry shop across from this housing estate.
Asti could not bear, if the two women were very good, to have to do this one thing. Across this complex, there are rows of shophouses and shops selling various daily necessities. Although they live in a small town, but all the conveniences of modern life are very easy to get. Including washing in laundry. There is even a mini market in the store.
"Assalamualaikum! " greetings of a middle-aged woman in front of the house.
"Greetings hallaikum!" Asti answered, opening the front door.
Asti's guest this morning is Mbok Bayah, the woman who will help Asti take care of her baby. Currently, Akbar was sleeping in his small crib in the middle room.
Usually Satrio if you want to go to work it likes to make noise. Asti's husband if he takes something it's never careful. They now have a baby. Poor Akbar who often looks shocked when sleeping because of the noise of his father's actions. Because the baby was only Asti moved to the crib with a fence so that the baby still sleeps comfortably and safely.
" Login, Mbok. Akbar is still booby! He woke up early this morning, and Mbah Kakung and Mbah his daughter went back to Purwokerto!"
Mbok Bayah wastes the need to bathe for the baby. From toiletries, towels to clothes instead. While Asti prepares breakfast for Satrio assisted Bulek Ratih.
The man was shining his work boots while singing rather loudly. Asti has not done that for a long time, because it still can not squat. But this morning, it seemed Satrio was brighter and excited to leave for his office!