-4-

"So, I want to order three sacks of cassava, grandpa," I said before the two of them started laughing again.

"Is it true that your waste is buying cassava? What kind of celebration do you want?" asked grandfather Rokli curiously.

"To be made cassava, she said ... because next month mom and dad will be here," I explained.

Rokli grandfather went straight into the house, then lifted the sacks containing cassava one by one. In fact, this is already the third sack that he took out.

"My grandmother only needs two sacks. And how much does it cost?" I asked. Because I don't know how much this cassava costs.

"For skipper Nathan and Mrs. Larasati, it's free, skipper. This one sack, especially for Romelah... special, free too."

"Well, it can't be like that, after all, grandfather. Rokli grandfather can lose, you know... this is a lot," duh... how about these parents? How can one garden cassava be given to me for free?

"This is still nothing compared to what my parents have done for this village, skipper. Especially for my family. Thanks to the smart house built by Mrs. Larasati, my son is now an ABRI. And Mukidi, my first grandson, has a dream to become a teacher. So, this gift of mine is nothing."

"Never mind, Arjuna... just accept it. Otherwise, it's been a long time. What time is it," said Junet's uncle, who seemed rushed. This is actually who is skipper or uncle, he seems really busy than me.

"Yes, Grandpa... I'll excuse myself first. Thank you for this very much gift. Don't pray, Romelah's grandmother trembled to want to be proposed to by you," I teased. Rokli grandfather laughed again.

"Amen," he replied enthusiastically.

"Amen," I repeated.

BROOUGHK!!!

Uncle Junet jumped in surprise, he spontaneously hid behind my back. I looked at the source of the sound, it seemed like the noise was coming from a small house at the end of the road.

"I'm tired, Muri! I'm tired! If you really don't want to pay my debts, fine. Just divorce me!"

And, the scream was heard again, along with the run of two small children from the house. The two of them seemed to be hiding while sobbing as if frightened. What is it? Honestly, I'm curious.

"Don't be surprised, it's normal... the neighbors here are used to husband and wife quarrels," said grandpa Rokli as if he caught my curiosity. "Poor Arni... it's really unfortunate that she has to marry a man like Muri."

"Muri is light-hearted or remarried, grandpa?" asked Uncle Junet who seemed to be curious too.

Rokli grandfather pointed at the tiny house at the end of the road, then he took a deep breath.

"Both... Muri is an example of a bad husband. All the money from his garden was given to his parents, while when he was going to plant, he always asked for Arni's money. Not to mention for food, where can a woman get money other than debt. But, every Muri knows if Arni owes him a debt, he will be furious and hit Arni. Yes... like that, and it's been like that for a long time."

I was silent, and didn't reply to Rokli grandfather's words. Is there such a man? If so, where is their heart to have the heart to do such a vile thing to their wife? Didn't he first propose to his wife on the basis of love? God... this is a very confusing thing.

****

This morning the garden was quite busy. The pickers and foremen have come to fulfill their obligations. They look so eager to make money in the middle of a stretch of tea plantations that stretches.

"So the skipper is good. Have a lot of money, you just have to work, everything is fine," I tilted my face, apparently Manis was sitting beside me. She is my new friend, from across the village who happens to insist on working with me.

"So workers are good. All you have to do is build muscle, work full-time, and then get paid. They don't have to worry about what if the price of tea leaves goes down, and what if the income isn't enough to pay the workers. And, much more." I argued. Manis seemed to smile sweetly.

"Talking to you is the same as talking to a bird," he said. "unbeatable."

"Sure, Master Arjuna!" my pride.

Manis and I turned our heads when we saw a girl wearing a school uniform approaching the plantation. This is not the way to school. Moreover, she seemed to be looking for something.

"Son, what are you doing here?" I asked. However, the boy seemed hesitant if the one being asked was him.

"Me, skipper?" he asked.

I think I've seen this girl before. But I forgot where.

"Yeah, you, kid," I answered.

"I'm looking for Mother, the skipper. I want to say goodbye to school first. Earlier, Mother left so early I didn't see her."

The girl whose uniform looked shabby looked sad. I have absolutely no idea why a young face can be gloomy like that. Is something heavy bothering her? Or is he looking for her mother because she doesn't make breakfast? Or even her family is so deprived that she can't afford it like her friends? God...so sorry, her.

"Here, no pocket money. You can save it to buy a new uniform," I said as the girl approached. But, she was still silent.

"Come on, just accept the gift from skipper Arjuna. When will you be given the money for free."

I glared at Manis whose words were a little outrageous. But, I didn't say anything.

"Thank you, skipper. But sorry, I can't accept it. Mother said it's forbidden for me and my older brother to accept people's gifts for free without doing any work."

Again, I feel slapped by this girl's words. Who is the mother? She is really great at educating her child.

"Really, who is your mother, girl?" I asked.

The girl pointed to a group of women who were busy picking tea leaves, then she shouted, "Mom! That's it, Boss, my mother!" she said proudly.

I looked at the direction of the girl's gaze. My eyes widen for a moment when a woman approaches. A woman with a shabby and shabby appearance, a woman with bruises all over her body.

"Arni, my mother, skipper."