Asti Girl Carrying the Curse
Chapter 88. The Night Change of Year
The journey of human life is like flowing water. From p the springs continue to move with the current on the long journey. Sometimes blocked by large rocks, sometimes split into smaller rivers. Full of winding struggles before reaching the vast ocean.
With Ninuk having a desire and event, Asti let his cousin who arranged the turn of the new year's night. Coincidentally Joko also closed his tent stall for the next four days.
Asti proposes to hold prayers and joint studies after congregational Isya prayers. Ms. Ning has prepared food ingredients that will be processed to be served at the event.
Si Mak Rempong has been noisier since his morning. She kept reminding her brother to take orders for gurame fish, goldfish and squid. While the chicken has been cooked revealed in many spices.
In order not to disturb the work of the women in the kitchen, Asti who was looking after Akbar after he came home from the market rather early in the morning. I'm guessing eleven o'clock.
Asti has given information to Dania. If the market is quiet after Dzuhur, the store can be closed. Dania was given two days off to rest. Later after returning from the market, Dania will bring the store keys to Asti's house.
"Here, deck. Same Mother. Ma'am Jum again help Aunt Ninuk make satay. Ade want to eat satay?"
" Sate?" akbar asked again following the final word he heard. Immediately patted Akbar's butt so as to immediately take a nap this afternoon, in the master bedroom.
Akbar's eyes closed for a long time too. Yesterday he had time to massage Akbar's legs as well. Since Akbar started walking a lot, Asti regularly massaged her baby's legs on Mbok Sami. The woman lived in a simple house in the village opposite the shophouse.
After Akbar slept better. Asti moves Akbar into the box. The box has a cover. So it is quite safe if Akbar will be left by Asti to join Mbak Ning in the kitchen.
" Where are the preparations?" ask Asti when she enters the kitchen. Pieces of spiced chicken meat have been stabbed into the lid from bamboo. Bu Jum was cutting cucumbers and carrots to make pickles. Mbak Ning started making sambal as well as various spread spices for all kinds of fish that have been stacked in containers in a half-cooked state.
" Who are you inviting ? Can't we eat this much food?" Challenge Asti.
"That's fine, Ma'am!" Ninuk replied.
Huh, Asti wants to see Ninuk's head. The more he grew up, the more absurd things he did. Fortunately, not too negative. About the association, Joko also often monitor all the activities of his sister. Coincidentally, Ninuk's boarding house belonged to one of the parents of his friend.
Lek No and Bulek Ratih came after Ashar. As usual, the woman carried two containers of her homemade food, Tengkleng and Tongseng. The man found Akbar who was dressed by Asti after taking an afternoon shower.
Don't ask the happy cry of the baby. He immediately ran and went into his Grandfather's arms.
" It's like going to a party, Nuk?" tegur Bulek Ratih's.
" Yes, Mom. Feeding party. Later that night all Mas Joko's employees want to come. Let Chef Danu burn. "
" That's you, Nuk. Mas Danu wants to rest first, even given a job... Huh basic!" Omel Joko just came down the stairs. I slept in one of the rooms upstairs. After taking Ninuk's order at a fish market, in another area.
The smell of various aromas of this cooking spice is indeed different from everyday. Asti has prepared cucumber pickles - carrots, sambel for sate Tai can also sambel beans.
Yesterday he had time to buy cooking utensils such as happy call used to burn various chickens or fish. However, Ninuk remained determined to burn various types of satay traditionally with charcoal and also iron tools. They bought it at the market.
"Whatever..." Answer Asti.
He left the kitchen and joined the garden on the right side of the house. There are Lek No and Bulek Ratih who take care of Akbar. The boy ran along the garden planted with thick grass. His hand was engrossed in pulling the leaves of various ornamental plants that Mr. Spirit treated painstakingly.
" No, Akbar!" Hearing the voice of his mother who forbade him to pull the leaves, Akbar began to act. He again ran towards Lek No to immediately catch him and lifted high.
Preparations are 90 percent complete. The burnt-out event will be held on the left side terrace. Near the temporary building of Joko Tent. It just so happens that the place is wider and more open. Because all the land has also been plastered so it is easier to clean later.
Some tables and benches were shifted to the edge of the room. They put out mats and carpets in the room. They started the event by praying together. Not to mention that the show began, Akbar had appeared wearing Koko, a small sarong and wearing white skullcaps. Asti was the one who put it on with a little persuasion.
Immediately the presence of the funny Akbar became the laughing of the people. He immediately sat on Lek No's lap. Even though the grandfather will soon lead the prayer together.
Asti sat in the corner of the room, still wearing his white face. Mukena who was part of the dowry of her first marriage with Satrio. Mukena made of the best cotton material was purchased from the most beautiful boutique in the city of Solo. Asti rarely wears it so it looks like new.
Asti's face bowed while reading the small Koran in his hand. Many prayers were recited by them from family members who had preceded them, their struggle to rise with various efforts, to ask for safety for their departure in the coming month.
Until they began to realize, if from the side door of the house Asti there are guests waiting. In addition to the employees who work in the Joko stall, there is also Mr. Leon with the assistant who are two people.
They are immediately welcome in. The women immediately took out some small meals and a fresh warm tea drink. Dinner will be served immediately after the various satay and fish are finished being burned.
Mas Danu assisted two other male employees immediately burned satay, fish, squid and shrimp. They used burnt iron with charcoal from coconut shells and a large fire.
The smell of burnt meat and fragrant fish burst into the house. Asti is busy cutting Jum's artificial lontong, which is made with banana leaves. All food is served on the table.
Afraid of Akbar running around on the mat and will spoil the preparation
In less than an hour, Ninuk came in carrying two aluminum containers filled with satay and carp, and the like.
Lek No immediately led to the dining table first with a plate. Bulek Ratih and Ninuk help prepare a satay dish on a large plate with a nut seasoning flush.
Akbar seemed to be overjoyed by the large number of people gathered at his house that night. He ran from one man to another until he got into the arms of Mr. Leon. Asti prepares a little rice with grilled gurami fish side dishes looking seasoning, using only soy sauce.
Asti patiently feeds Akbar to eat first. The men eat well. Danu until the rice again. Chicken satay and Tai satay can be practiced hard.
Mr. Leon silently looked at Asti who only ate a little. Ninuk was thrilled that his dinner was a success with an impromptu invitation to guests.
Mr. Cakra started lighting large fireworks in the side yard. Akbar was greatly amazed when he saw the sprinkling of flames. He screams happily, while jumping - jump.
It turned out that Ninuk confided yesterday about the sepinya atmosphere in the village, also in this area before the turn of the year was heard by Mr. Leon. Since yesterday the man went to buy various firecrackers and fireworks to just celebrate the new year at Asti's house.
Only ten o'clock at night, Akbar was already in the arms of Bulek Ratih. The woman picked up Akbar and would take him to the master bedroom.
At the table, various foods are almost toilet. Lontong with chicken satay with peanut sauce or sate tai can that looks pale, it is very delicious with spicy cayenne pepper sauce.
Not to mention the variety of fish and the like that are burned with barbeque seasoning.
Soon came Mas Yanto and Pak Roh. They join in on the side terrace, by lighting the wood to repel mosquitoes and the night air that begins to cool.
At exactly 24:00, Mr. Cakra started lighting firecrackers in a row. Again, Ninuk was busy perpetuating the event through his phone and social media. He really enjoyed the event he had dreamed of all his life.
Now the face of the teenage girl to adulthood is full of novelty when embraced by her mother, while witnessed by her father and brother. Behind the door, Asti sees only the colorful blazes of firecrackers that Pak Cakra and Mas Dimas burn alternately in the dark night sky.
Mr. Leon also saw the figure of Asti standing behind the side door. A little away from the body of Mbak Ning and Bu Jum.
The young woman had closed her ears tightly because she was not used to hearing the sound of loud thunderous firecrackers. But Asti also wanted to know, so his face was up to see the firecrackers that floated high into space . A burst of bright light and dark side from behind Asti's body, it reflected her beautiful face. A plain face without make-up, which always gives Mr. Leon a sense of comfort, fascinated and amazed.