Asti Girl Carrying the Curse
Chapters 90. Kesah Joko
Akbar was already a concern of the people in the house after he finished eating. The handsome baby's face was beaming. Run around here and there, until it's hard to tell by Bu Jum.
Afraid of the boy falling, as the side yard was plastered somewhat low in the North. With a wide got that is closed so that it is safe and does not smell. Joko does that so that the yard is not flooded during the rainy season or easy to clean if dirty.
Bu Jum watched over all of Akbar's behavior from the side door. While Bulek Ratih and Mbak Ning cook for lunch, Ninuk and Asti sweep and mop the floor.
The men gathered in the courtyard to the left of the shophouse. The four shophouses were also closed to give their employees rest. Understand the new year
The employees there are boarding or contracting across the highway from the shophouse. Because the village is more populated. There are even some residents who try some of their homes for rent or used as boarding houses.
Ratih Bulek has issued various foods in the form of fried sweet potatoes, bakwan also boiled cassava . Ninuk brought a large aluminum teapot containing concoction of coffee tubruk typical of the village. So later the person who drank it just poured on each glass.
Suddenly, Joko was already sitting on the sofa upstairs. Asti was mopping the floor that had just been swept by Ninuk.
" I'm sorry, I. Asti "Say Joko slowly.
Asti stopped his work for a moment." It's okay. Easy, aja...." Asti is patient.
Joko realized, the anger had made both parents uncomfortable today. Moreover, he scolded Ninuk and Asti in front of the crowd.
" I'm like a person who doesn't know yourself, because you've always helped my family's economy all this time. Just because of a trivial matter, it drops your pride!"
" Do you have a problem with Almira?"
" That's it... Don't talk about him anymore!" Rejecting Joko was a bit hesitant, her face looked a little desperate
" Yoko! You are what I consider to be my own sister. Even though our age is the oldest I am a year old. Please speak frankly and honestly! What are you doing with Almira?"
Asti's resolute voice made Joko speechless. " She's already broken up with Mas Adam, because her parents have already urged her to get married!"
"What happened to Adam? All this time their relationship was fine, right?"
" But Adam could not marry his family first. Her first sister is not married! Mbak Yati still has to finish his special education first. She's getting engaged!"
Asti sat beside Joko, after she tidied up her various tools of cleanliness. He only heard that Mas Adam's older sister became a doctor at a puskesmas in a different sub-district in this area.
" Are you sure you want to marry Madam Almira? And he doesn't love you! It's difficult for Joko, if we get married without mutual love from both sides. Households are arid, there is no happiness and calm..."
" Therefore, if Mr. Leon intends to propose to you, accept it...."
Asti is getting confused. "Kok, I don't understand this. What connection?"
"'There's something to do! Ms. Almira has long been interested in Mr. Leon. Since he was involved in the National housing exhibition in Semarang. Ms. Almira designed the manufacture of both which featured several examples of houses on projects that were being carried out in this area. But Mr. Leon still keeps his distance only for business later. The man was a bit cautious when it came to women. She's learned a lot from her first marriage failure."
" I'm not sure! Is Madam Almira interested in peyek crumbs like me? If the charm of Mr. Leon is like the morning sun that dazzles the eyes of young girls. The man was not only handsome and rich also looked bona fide with his appearance!"!"
Asti laughing. He was even shocked to see Joko's haggard and helpless face. When did this brave warrior become mushy. In poetic words, the poet recites a poem of heartbreak.
"Where is the mental steel of Joko Laksono his son Pak Sarno Winangun? The matter of Mbak Almira just being a whip! She was a woman, not so married to Mas Adam alone, immediately moved on to Mr. Leon. Cook you back off?"
Joko's eyes shimmered with an odd look. " Unless you can be a hindrance to Almira!"
" Any, not funny. Yoko!"
" Asti, accept Mr. Leon's proposal this time. Maybe Satrio's just a jerk who doesn't appreciate you! Many men with mature minds will choose you as a woman who deserves to be a man's life partner!"
It seems that Joko also did not get a positive answer from Asti. Eventually they became silent. In a difficult period of her domestic life, when Asti's relationship with Satrio experienced various problems. Joko who always stood on the front line to defend him. Can he help his brother too?
" I can't believe Mr. Leon likes me! He's a city guy, a young businessman. High-educated. Of course, he will marry a woman who matches his position. Take Almira for example! Only that girl deserves to be next to Mr. Leon the most. It's a pretty guy, hijab, scholar and still a girl."
The atmosphere of silence covered the situation between them. Until lamat-lamat sound azan Dhuhur reverberated. Asti immediately left the place, going down the stairs to the floor below. But he had seen Joko who was still sitting there.
The men downstairs were taking turns using the bathroom near the kitchen and outside the courtyard for ablution. In the small musholla that Asti prepared near the middle room, enough to accommodate 4 to 5 people praying congregation there.
Akbar was already sitting in his chair, near the living room. She enjoyed the milk in her bottle as her eyes that were gradually closed from drowsiness.
Asti held Akbar after the milk in the bottle had run out. This is how Akbar, he sleeps faster if it is too tired because it moves. There are many people in this house, making him happy. He moved everywhere despite being monitored by Bu Jum. As long as the gate to the top of the stairs is closed it is safe enough.
While putting Akbar to sleep, Asti continued to think about Joko's words earlier. He thinks it's natural that the man of the city, like Mr. Leon for example. He was friendly and kind to everyone, especially the residents who lived around this neighborhood. He's a newcomer. The housing company he is building uses road access in front of Asti's house after getting an agreement with locals to wear it.
The highway was now enough for two cars to pass, with smooth asphalt. Even given a got that works very well for water disposal. Even Mr. Leon also boarding at the house of Mr. Sembodo along with his two assistants.
Asti was afraid, too pessimistic with the attention of the handsome man. Moreover, Mbak Almira is more suitable to accompany him. They're so harmonious.
Nor was Asti jealous. He has a lot to learn from his life experience. Too expecting happiness, with his marriage only running very short. But his hurt and disappointment still continue to be felt to this day.
Slowly Asti folded his face, before he exited the room. I heard a short conversation at the dinner table. There are Mr. Leon, Lek No , Joko at the dinner table and Bulek Ratih. While others brought dishes containing food to the side yard. Including the three employees of Joko, Mas Yanto and two assistants of Pak Leon.
The women sat on mats with a bowl of spicy sambal and a large plate of lalapan in the form of cucumber pieces, decoction of leaves of the miser, and papaya leaves.
" Come, Asti. Eat up!" Take Bulek Ratih.
Asti obeyed obediently. He went to the kitchen to get the dishes. His head began to feel heavy. For a moment he stopped to hold on to the kitchen door leading to the laundry room. For a long time the surrounding scenery began to darken and feel cold. Until his body collapsed slowly on the kitchen floor in a rather loud voice.