Dul
034. End of Pain

It was quite late at night when Mr. Wirya brought Dul to the living room. And not yet the blood has rippled because he heard the voice of Bu Yanti who rebuked her husband.

“Udah malem, Dad. Don't play that now. Little kids should sleep fast.”

Since arriving earlier, Mr. Wirya was busy inviting Dul to chat about the toys he brought. He had even just stretched out a piece of paper containing step by step instructions assembling the toy.

“Shortly, Ma'am,” said Mr. Wirya without turning his head. Dul's heart instantly jumped.

“Children's growth during sleep. Can't sleep late in the night,” said Bu Yanti, then looked at Dul. “Have your feet washed? Soon sleep.”

Dul's heart instantly slipped. “Not yet Uti. I wash my feet first.”

Without looking again, Dul rushed out of the room. His ears caught the sound of the foot clattering of Bu Yanti who most likely followed him.

On the outside of the kitchen, there is a patch of usual place for household assistants to wash cooking utensils. In that place there is a faucet that if the morning below it there is always a bucket filled to wash. Dul rubbed his feet under the water and could not be separated from the gaze of Bu Yanti.

“Wash clean. Also used soap. That's your nail is already long.”

His voice is flat. But Dul feels he is being corrected by a teacher who is famously feared. Dul waits where else he makes a mistake. Uti's attitude is not fully understood. Judes, no. Neither is friendly. His attitude is nothing wrong. Everything's true. However, the way the old woman conveyed the truth was deeply troubling to her.

“Sudah—. Washable. Well, pinter .. now ahead first. Sit near Akung. Uti grab nail cleaning tools.”

Dul felt awkward as Bu Yanti lifted her leg onto the sofa. Her toes stiffened as Bu Yanti touched and cut her toenails clean.

No one ever did that to her mother. Not Mbah Wedok, or Mbah Lanang. However, that night Bu Yanti became the second person after her mother to show personal care as deeply as that night.

“So feel like you have another child, yes, Mom?” goda Pak Wirya to Bu Yanti.

Bu Yanti chuckled. “How about taking Dul to the reception we keep talking about Dul is our son. All must be menggeledek,” continued Bu Yanti.

“If there is anything, do not need to be answered. Let's assume for ourselves. Temen who has not met for a long time must have really thought that Dul our youngest child.” Wirya continued her laughter.

“Izeng very if that,” said Bu Yanti, but still chuckling.

Actually Dul did not really understand what made the pair of grandparents laugh almost midnight just because he was sitting between them. However, Dul joined in with a smile. It turned out that Bu Yanti and Mr. Wirya could joke as well, he thought.

At eleven o'clock, Dul yawns and stretches his body.

“It turns out it's late. We're sleeping, yuk. Tomorrow morning you will take a morning walk around the complex. Want, right?” Mr. Wirya stood up from the sofa holding Dul's arm to Sukma's room.

“Mau,” Dul replied.

On Sunday morning, Dul kept his promise to accompany Mr. Wirya to walk casually around the complex. After walking around the complex, they immediately had breakfast together. After breakfast, he was asked to take a clean shower. Bu Yanti showed a small brush that could be used rubbing between her toes.

Dul felt that morning was very cheerful. His body moved a lot because he walked with Mr. Wirya, then his stomach was filled with delicious dishes. And now he's sitting on the porch with his toys. Observing Bu Yanti watering the plants with a spray hose.

A few minutes observing, Dul felt something was wrong. Bu Yanti tapped on the hose that was not on.

“You helped see?” ask Mr. Wirya, show the sprayer on Dul.

Somewhat hesitant at first, but Dul approaches to take the strange spray Mr. Wirya thrust at him. Under the serious gaze of the two old men who looked at him holding the complaining flower spray, Dul felt burdened with the full responsibility of repairing the thing.

Play it once, then play it again. After repeating the thing that felt right, the sprayer was back on.

“Well, I'm holding it doesn't break, Kung! I can!” The screech was so tumultuous. For the first time he felt so useful. Two adults were amazed and something went normal thanks to his help.

That afternoon, the house of Mr. Wirya and Bu Yanti increasingly looked different. More familiar, warmer, and more than just the name Akung Uti which he initially considered as a formality only.

Dul plays accompanied by Mr. Wirya while Bu Yanti cooks for lunch assisted by a kitchen assistant. Finished cooking the woman again sat nearby involved in putting together the toy. Unintentionally, he forgot about his mother who was in the hospital. When the knock on the front door sounded, he did not even turn his head. Dul is busy watching Mr. Wirya and Bu Yanti who are arguing about his toys.

Her mother was allowed to go home after six days in the hospital. Mr. Wirya's house is no longer a scourge for Dul. So that when Bu Yanti stood in front of the door to release those who say goodbye, Dul slightly linger. Waiting for what the woman will tell him.

“Eat a lot, take a nap. The wine is also routinely drunk. Next week stay here again, yes …. Uti no temen.”

The string of words Bu Yanti just made Dul flowery. From then on, he transformed into a friend of Bu Yanti to each reception attended by the old woman. The reason, Bu Yanti needed an excuse to refuse her friend's invitation to go hang out. By bringing a grandchild, he can say that his grandson will not stay at home for long.

Dul increasingly enjoy their moments of togetherness and familiarity. Many Saturdays-Sundays he passed by staying at the house of Mr. Wirya and Bu Yanti. Until finally, one afternoon the husband and wife came to the house to pick him up. At the time, her parents were not at home. Mbok Jum just said that his mother went to the hospital. Because his mother was too familiar with the hospital, Dul did not ask further.

Bu Yanti appeared at the front door with a very serious face. “Come, get ready for the hospital. Let's see Mom,” said Bu Yanti.

“Whatever is Mother why?” Dul hasn't moved. Bu Yanti's worried face made her uneasy. Hospitals are synonymous with sick people who are not active as usual.

“Most likely, today your sister will be born. In a few hours Dul may be Mas from younger sister,” explained Bu Yanti.

“My sister, yes?”

Bu Yanti took him to the room to change clothes. “Iya, your sister. Definitely beautiful. Suitable to be Mas Dul's handsome sister,” said Bu Yanti.

To Be Continued