THE ACCUSED'S WIFE WAS NOT IN CHARGE OF FINANCES
4. Saddened by the Accused

"This is my salary for this month!" Wendi handed me an envelope containing money. Today he paid his salary and everything was immediately paid to his wife after arriving home.

"Thank you!"

Sari carried the envelope to the room to store it in a safe place. Before saving it he counted first but he was astonished because this time the money was less than usual. Usually he receives as much as Rp 2,750,000 but this time the money is only Rp 2,000,000. Sari scratched her non-itchy head.

"Why Deck?" wendi's voice startled Sari as she suddenly appeared at the door of the room.

"Eh.. anu..it's okay, Mas." said Sari nervously.

"Sorry before Dek, the money that Mas gave earlier was less because some of it I have given to Mother. Said the mother who met me at the office that she really needed the money." Wendi explained at length.

"Nothing Mas, we should help parents if they are in need," said Sari to make Wendi's heart so relieved.

Sari again had to be clever in managing her spending money every day. It is true that now he already has his own income but many needs that require no small cost.

In the months that followed, Sari became more dizzy because her husband's salary was reduced but she never asked that because she was afraid if her husband was offended.

Until one day, Sari was shopping at a store and accidentally heard Widy's mother who was none other than her mother-in-law was talking to her friend.

"For a lot of money Jeng? The shopping is very much," exclaimed Ningsih's mother with her cry.

"It's Jeng's habit, yesterday my son's payday and part of his salary he gave me" Widy's mother proudly said.

"Don't Wendi have a wife and kids?"

"Yes, wendi even has three children but he is a child who is devoted to parents. I always refused his gift but he insisted. His wife also works," said Widi's mother proudly.

"Well, that's good!"

"Yes dong,"

Sari bit her lip hearing her mother-in-law's words. The money from her husband that she receives every month is always reduced even this last month is almost half reduced so that her personal money that she often saves must be reduced as well because the money is used to cover her needs others.

Sari looked down when her mother-in-law passed because she did not want to be found out that she had accidentally heard their words. Sari saw a lot of groceries that were in the basket and still while continuing to be filled with various instant foods.

Widy's mother doesn't recognize her ex because Sari happens to wear a hat and a mask. He stopped by the store to buy soap and cooking oil after school because he had received his honor.

***

Today Sari can only serve potluck dishes because the money is still a little. Salted fish and clear vegetables have been presented at the dining table.

"I guess your salary is also a lot but how come the food you prepare is only this much? So people, don't be stingy dong!" said Wendi.

"Mas should understand dong, haven't you been lacking in a few months?" answer Sari with a ketus.

"Ohhh, so you don't advertise if I give some of that money to my parents,"

"Not so, but we also have many needs. Cuisine rations for our family cut in half?"

"Say that you are not good at managing finances!" snapped Wendi with a reddened face restraining anger.

Sari sobbed and ran to the room. He was crying so much. His heart was so wounded being accused like that.

Still sobbing, he took the rest of the shopping money from his storage and he approached Wendi in the living room and placed the money in front of him.

"Please own the money. This is the rest. So for the next month, I will no longer have to hand it over to me. During this time my salary is a small part I save for the cost of education of our children so only a little that I use for additional daily shopping," said Sari with a raucous voice.

Wendi was silent to his wife's explanation. There is little regret for having already spoken rudely to his wife who has been very loyal to his side.

Wendi's emotions lately have been very unstable. How not, he could not refuse every request of his mother who he thought was excessive. In that case his mother only lived alone with his father at home. Dad also still has a pensioner's salary but anyway mother always asked Wendi for money since she knew that Sari also had her own income. Widy's mother did not want to know that the needs of her children and grandchildren were also many.

"Have you ever seen me buy a new shirt or a new bag? Let alone my personal needs, the needs of children alone cannot be met. Lucky for us because Tasya and Tiara did not follow the appearance of his friends. So if according to Mas, I am a wife who is not good at taking care of finances, then from now on I will not ask for Mas's money again" said Sari again with tears that continue to flow. The tightness in his chest made him talk stammer. Fortunately their children were not at home so they did not see the quarrel between their parents.

"Don't be so Deck! It was just..." Wendi did not continue her words because suddenly her mother appeared at the front door. As fast as lightning Wendi took the money put by Sari earlier on the table and kept it in her pants pocket.

Seeing the arrival of her mother-in-law, Sari pretended to want to pee. He immediately ran to the toilet and cleaned his face and welcomed the arrival of his mother-in-law.

As usual, Ms. Widy continued to the dining table and opened the hood without any hesitation.

"Waduhhhh, how come there's no food? Mother was deliberately not eating at home because the plan wanted to eat here but it turns out the food does not invite taste," said the mother-in-law.

"Sorry Mom, I can only prepare food in its style because our finances have been thinning while it is only the middle of the month," said Sari as is.

"So the wife must be smart money dong! Or maybe you sent some of it to your parents?" widy said without feeling.

Wendi rubbed her face harshly hearing her mother's words. He knew his wife must be very sad, disappointed, and angry with such accusations.

Sari's tears flowed back and could not be contained.

"Mom could have scolded me but please don't involve my parents. Even a cent of them never saw my sweat results let alone used it for shopping," Sari said with tears.