Asti Girl Carrying the Curse
Chapters 37. Local Customs and Habits
The help of Mbok Bayah is very felt for Asti, because he lives in this city alone without relatives. So he can only ask the woman who is still healthy and agile at the age of 60 years. Satrio also began to be busy with various activities at the office.
While in the village, Lek No and his wife began to prepare various needs for Akbar's wedding. Starting from buying two goats, to inviting all the neighbors who live in the village.
" Mbok Bayah came, yes, to Sendang Mulyo Village! Let's get to know my family and neighbors there."
" Can, yeah. Maam? " ask the woman hoping - please worry.
" Yes, I can! Who forbids it!" Asti gemas.
Since working in this house, Mbok Bayah changed Mother's call on Asti to become Mbak. Because he saw that Asti was very young in age and life experience.
"Keep, who are the working moms here how?"
" Oh, Bude Prapti? He's still Pak Satrio's relative, Mbok! Maybe not work here! Again bothered to take care of the marriage of his youngest son ."
The old woman was quite good at taking care of Akbar. She was only briefly told by Ms Anggita about a young mother who needed help to take care of her newborn baby.
Until Asti continues his explanation. " Bude Prapti House in Sendang Ranti. But his son's wedding will be held at the bride's house, in Madiun. His father Akbar forbade me to come there as an invitation. In addition, Akbar is still too small to be taken away, Mbok!"
Sorenya, Satrio took his wife, son and Mbok Bayah to the village of Sendang Mulyo. Maybe it's a traveling event for her first-time baby. So Asti was a bit of a hassle also preparing all the needs of Akbar.
Here, the real role of Mbok Bayah. The woman meticulously arranged all the clothes for Akbar and all the baby gear carefully.
Satrio had entered the trunk, three bags filled with clothes. One baby bag and stroller for Akbar. Their departure was made in the afternoon after Satrio returned from his office. Because Satrio is still at work tomorrow. The man applied for permission only on the day his son's wedding took place, which was on Saturday.
Two days before the event was held, as is the custom of the people in the village of Sendang Mulyo, the neighbors flocked to this joglo house to help Bulek Ratih cook various dishes. Before entering the kitchen, the mothers met with Akbar who was being carried by Mbok Bayah.
They were amazed by Akbar's handsome face and his increasingly rounded body. Anxious, Bulek Prapti held his grandson and was shown to the mothers who were working in the kitchen.
The baby looked at the mother's faces with astonished eyes. Until Bulek Ratih sounded funny as if he was Akbar, to greet his new fans.
Only when held Asti, Si Akbar cried. Either afraid of being faced with many people or having a pinch on his cheek that is puffed up by a prank mother
The cooking show will continue tomorrow morning, because it is late afternoon. Bulek Ratih, assisted by Ninuk and Mbok Bayah tidied up the kitchen space that looked still messy.
In the morning in the backyard, Lek No and Joko had taken two goats from a neighbor's house. The slaughter of two goats Akbar's wedding will be carried out by Pak Haji Anwar.
Many children came and saw the slaughter of the animal. Including Akbar. Initially the 21-day-old baby was attracted by the sounds released from the goat. Over time Akbar's eyes closed, because the air behind the house was very cool with many large trees growing there.
After the two goats were cut, Pak Haji Anwar assisted by several men began skinning his skin. The job must be held by an expert.
Lek No and the other fathers began to cut the meat with a large and sharp knife. Meanwhile Joko and the other young children, brought part of the goat's entrails to the bathroom of the mosque to be cleaned .
Later Bulek Ratih and Ibu Haji Anissa who will process the meat into a dish called goat gule. The mothers began to prepare the spices. There has been provided a large bucket of coconut milk taken from dozens of coconuts that have been shredded and squeezed with water.
Once the cooking was cooked, the mothers would take him to the living room. There are mothers - mothers who are in charge of wrapping various dishes by putting them into plastic - transparent small plastic. This food will be part of the contents of the rice box or blessing that will be taken home by the invited guests at the Akbar wedding.
Akbar seemed calm when he was carried by his father, to the middle of the event after the study was completed. Pak Haji began to cut a bit of Akbar's hair, alternating with others, including Lek No. They also began to recite prayers for the baby to be given health, safety can also glorify his parents.
" Here, Ma'am I'm carrying! " Pinta Ninuk's.Gesit.
Asti asks Ninuk to put his son to sleep in his room. In the kitchen, the mothers began to prepare hot gule dishes into dishes. The smell of spices smelled from the plates which began to be distributed to the invitations sitting cross-legged on the floor. Not to forget, Bulek Ratih lifted a large aluminum container containing rice. The addition is a bowl of tomato chili and a container of pickled cucumber and carrot made by Asti.
Guests enjoy processed dishes Bulek Ratih which is very famous for its delicacy. Satrio went into the kitchen and asked for a plate of goat gule for him. Satrio deliberately did not use rice to feel the pleasure of processed cuisine Bulek Ratih which is the hallmark of cuisine in this village.
Guests return home after finishing enjoying a plate of rice gule. They also brought rice in a box that was put into a bag of crackles with some additional cakes that had been a friend drinking tea and coffee, for the family who had been waiting at home .
Many fathers are still in front of the joglo house. Especially Haji Anwar's men. Some of them even help Lek No tidy up the room to be as neat as before. Like rolling mats and carpets, also return guest chairs into the house.
Ninuk collected food scraps and garbage into bamboo baskets.
Since this afternoon, the busiest is Lek No's son, Joko Adi. The young man returned to this village a week ago. After his employment contract with an electronics company in Semarang was not extended.
" Mom I'm the same Mbok Yah sleeping in the back house huh! " Ninuk.
Plans tomorrow afternoon Lek No and Satrio will take Akbar to Pak Sahuri, the man who has a hair shaving shop near the market. Sure enough, after they came home, the appearance of Akbar whose head was bald became the laughter of the family.The little baby was also laughing and carried alternately by Lek No, Bulek Ratih and Ninuk.
Sometimes Asti is also confused, because these boys are very comfortable living in this village. Rarely crying, even though the diaper is full and wet, his sleep will be good all night.
" Obviously, he's a descendant of the Winangun breed!" Ledek Joko as Asti unknowingly reveals her astonishment.
The baby boy smiled sweetly again. Even began to fall asleep in Asti's arms. Since then, Ninuk stroked his tiny petite head that pelontos.
" Asti, just stay here for a few days! Your land letter is done. Mr. Haji Anwar has also obtained an architect and professional building contractor." Lek No's voice reminded.
" Don't I stay here a while?" asti asked Satrio for permission carefully.
" Whatever...! " Satrio replied as if he didn't care.
She was already very disappointed after both her parents were unable to come to this event. Pak Cahyadi's hypertension relapsed, making it rather difficult to force yourself, driving a car with a very long distance to come to the village of Sendang Mulyo . Although this event is very important, the wedding of their grandchildren.
" Yes, already. Later in the afternoon Mas Satrio and Mbok Bayah return to the city! Later if I go home, can ask for Joko's transfer. Let's not trouble Mas because there's a lot of work in the office."
Suddenly, there is a desire in Asti's heart to immediately realize his dream. Having a home and business nearby. Especially if he remembers , the land he will build is the gift of Bude Ayu. He also has to fight for his son's future.
During his marriage to Satrio, it was only this time that Asti discovered his bad side. If you are angry or disappointed about something, Satrio will speak harshly.
Even since Akbar was born, the man has rarely talked about his office and work with Asti.
Sometimes the confused and desperate Asti faces a drastic change in Satrio's attitude. Their marriage was just 14 months old and they had a 3-week-old baby. However, at the moment Satrio seems unhappy. In fact, he was increasingly indifferent to all Asti's affairs, except in the presence of his relatives and brothers.