CUTS
Mae's Dilemma...

Behind the success of the husband is a great wife behind him that's what the people say and that can be seen from Mae's household. Either Mae who is too affectionate with his wife to be unequivocal or the thoughts of Mae's wife are shallow.  Many stories are heard by Cut and his family when visiting Mae's house more precisely the house owned by Abu who was occupied by Mae with his wife and five children.

“So Brother, sorry a little messy.” Mae invites Cut and his family in.

Cut accidentally comes to see people around whether they are still his neighbors first or have changed. They came in the afternoon when Mae had already returned from the market. Mae's wife didn't even care about their arrival. Cut tried to smile but was instead met with a sour face so he could only sigh. He did not expect that Mae who was dear to his parents had such a gluttonous wife.

Last afternoon Mae had time to go home to meet with Mr. Cek Amir. He said that his wife would not sell the gold for capital. So, Mae asks to rent the shophouse and the house for an unspecified time. That way, he had no more money for his wife to buy gold every month.

For some people, wearing gold is a symbol of glory and pride. Just like Mae's wife thought. Those who wear a lot of gold jewelry are rich people. Mr. Cek Amir agreed to Mae's request, he himself did not have the heart to tell Mae to leave because after all, Mae still considered as his own family.

“Sorry, Mr. Cheque. Should have been, Mae received the girl that Pak Cheque matchmaking.” Mae was full of regrets that afternoon.

“Already, maybe one day your wife changes. But, Mr. Cek hope you remain the head of the family. Don't let your wife treat you like a slave. The late Abu will surely be angry to see you who have been educated and loved actually become like this. A husband is a leader and the leader must be firm so that his subordinates will listen to all his commands. Mr. Cek will not interfere anymore with your household affairs. However good, Mr. Cheque. Your wife still considers bad the presence of Mr. Cheque. So, from now on, please have your own, Mae.”

Mae is in a dilemma, on the one hand she thinks of her children but on the other hand she also does not want to lose those whom she already considers family.

Return to the afternoon where Cut and his family are visiting Mae's house. After a few minutes, Mae came with a tray of sweet syrup for them. Cut was quite surprised to see this sight. His heart was sad to see Mae as the head of the family but received such treatment from his wife. Even as they sat in the living room, not even Mae's wife approached them. He prefers to go into his room with the smallest child.

“Much has changed yes, Mae?” cut.

“Iya, Brother. Aid houses and roads are also on the tarmac. No more kayak potholes first. The natives here are also many victims of the tsunami. Our neighbors are not the people they used to be. Most of them are immigrants who rent relief houses in this village.”

“Kakak so remember Rendra, he often plays to the side house. Was Rendra's childhood friend safe?”

“No, Brother. His father survived but was disabled and only two years ago died.”

“Who lives in that house now?” ask Cut curious.

“His wife rents rooms for college kids there. The results are good enough to cover their daily needs. All her children were victims, Kak.”

“You don't keep any more ducks, Mae?”

“No, Brother. Couldn't. After dawn, Mae had already gone to the market. Ashar Mae just got home. Can die if their lives are like that every day.” Cut didn't have to ask why Mae's wife wasn't helping. Because seeing Mae's five children alone has made Mae's wife a headache in caring for them.

“You didn't join the government program, Mae? Two kids is enough!” guru Rendra's.

Mae smiled slightly, Mae wants to have a lot of children, Bang. Every time I see them when I get home from the market. All the tired Mae like gone by herself. Moreover, Mae's wife also never complained while taking care of them. That's why Mae loves him so much because he also takes good care of the kids. Maybe adab and his manners are not good but same Mae he and the kids he is very good.”

Cut and Rendra now understand what makes Mae's wife special. The woman with five children was chatty but never complained when caring for children or her husband. Maybe yesterday at Mr. Cek's house, he was offended by Mr. Cek's words to him. I don't know…

Finished from Mae's house, Cut walked us to visit the neighboring house that Mae said earlier. An old woman was sitting on the porch of her house. The woman had a strange look at the guest entering her yard.

Cut smiled and said hello, “How are you, Mak Wa? Remember me?” Cut started talking while the woman looked at him fixedly. It was as if it was no stranger to the face in front of him but forgot who.

“I Cut, Abu Din's son who is next to Mak Wa's house. His brother Mae.”

Cut was startled as his body was hugged tightly all of a sudden. The woman cries in Cut's arms.

“Abu and Umi you have been brought by sea water. Rendra same mother's son also brought. God is still good with us, Mak Wa, you and Mae are still given age until now. When did you arrive? Mae says you're going to Java with your husband. Is this your husband? Mae said, your husband's a soldier huh? Who are these two young people? Which one is your doctor's son?” Cut smiled again, he did not expect that Mak Wa clearly remembered it. Then Cut introduced all his family members to Mak Wa.

“This looks like Doctor sir huh?” mak Wa said as he shook hands with Iskandar.

Thank God you were saved by angels in the form of grandmothers during the tsunami. And it's a good thing you didn't let Mae go, otherwise I don't know what would have happened to you first. It's possible that you've been taken secretly by the white people kept being put on their ship. Lots of babies who go in there but never come out again.” Mak Wa speech makes everyone dumbfounded.

“What Mak Wa says this is true?” ask Cut curious.

“Many people saw. The babies without parents were put there to be examined and no one came out. Who would pay attention to them while everyone was thinking about the fate of their respective families? They won't give free favors there's definitely something they take in return. Those infidels have every means to get their wish.”

Cut no longer commented because the day had started magrib. They say goodbye and then return to Mak Cek Siti's house. After Magrib, Bang Adi came to meet Iskandar. They discussed the issue of name management for Iskandar's assets. He wants to ask for a KTP so that tomorrow can be taken care of immediately.

“Om, Is can't take care of it. Om only yes!” iskandar.

“Iya, you accept transfers only. But cut Om's paycheck, huh?”

“Emang assets Big Brother lot huh?” The curiosity of grace is like it never ends.

“Then, the assets were almost half an acre of land. Continues after the tsunami, Om can many projects and Om salary there Om use to build housing behind the front and Om build shophouse. All that Om rent. The result is for three, two for Om because it was using Om capital and now it is paid off. So after this the results for all of you after the pay cut Om. Maybe there is no need to take care of Om because those who want to rent just contact you and then take the same key Om.”

“But it needs treatment, Di. It can't be so, too, if you don't take care of who else is being treated. Iskandar will soon be teaching where he can come back here to take care of his legacy.” Sela Rendra's.  

No one knows the contents of Rendra's heart but clearly, his heart felt heavy if Iskandar returned home to Aceh. There was a sense of dislike when people kept mentioning Faisal's name every time they saw Iskandar. Rendra's feeling jealous? Yes, that was what was captured by the instinct of Anugrah who secretly glanced at the father with his inquiring gaze.

“Some one is jealous?” whispered Anugrah to her brother. Iskandar looked at the sister with a frown.

“Papa was jealous because everyone who saw Big Brother always called Papa Fais name. Doesn't your sister know that Papa is jealous?” Iskandar shook his head slowly, he did not think of getting that far. It is strange to be jealous of people who are not clear status. Is he alive or dead?

Dreet…

Rendra's phone is shaking. It was Risma's mother who contacted him. “Ma, stay first yes. Want to pick up the phone.” Cut nodded seeing the husband go to the terrace.

“Hallo, Ma.” Sapa Rendra by phone.

“Hallo, Son. How's the Cut family doing in Aceh?”

“Alhamdulillah, all good, Ma. What's up, Mama phone?”

“You're still a long time there? Mama both want to go home but see your Papa who is still sad so do not have the heart to leave him. Mama thought we were waiting for you just so Papa you're not too lonely here.”

“And there is Reni same Riko?”

“Riko is back at work, while Reni is busy taking care of her children. Her husband also has a job in Aceh and maybe Reni will return to Aceh as well. So your father lives alone again. Mama and Papa Wahid could not bear to leave him alone.”

“Em, I don't know for sure because there's some unfinished business. Hopefully tomorrow will be all done. Thank you, Ma is ready to accompany Papa.”

“Sama-sama, Ren. yes Mama closed first yes.”

“Iya, Ma.”

Tuttt……

When he was about to enter, Rendra actually crossed paths with Bang Adi who just came out of Mak Cek Siti's house.

“Di, briefly anyone I want to ask.” Call Rendra.

“What's up, Bang?”

“You will take Reni back here again?” Bang Adi frowned.

“The plan is there but not yet in the near future. Pity also Papa if left alone. Riko has also returned to Jakarta.”

“Tadi, Mama Risna phone. They want to go home but do not have to stay in Papa alone because Reni also want to go back to Aceh.”

“Not anytime soon, Bang. I'm busy here too. Just let Reni same kids there first.”

After Bang Adi left, Rendra went back inside to gather with his family members.

“Who's phone, Pa?” ask Anugrah.

“Grandmother Risna.”

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Up at 03.13 am...where are the likes and comments???