-7-

And, the atmosphere was very quiet. I don't know what kind of silence this is. Uncle Junet pulled my hand so I could come closer to him when Muri went inside to get another cigar because "it seems that Muri is jealous of you. Look at the expression on his face. Later we are read to by him. It's better after the rain stops we go home immediately,"

"Why, how jealous? I didn't do anything with his wife. After all, where am I hooked with a slum woman who is already married? That's fine!"

"Hush, don't be so loud, Juna. Listen later. Listen, yes, Muri is in this village, famous for being jealous of Arni. A man who just greets Muri will definitely be angry," explained Uncle Junet.

Honestly, I was very surprised to hear Uncle Junet's words. No wonder, the warm atmosphere that had been created immediately turned awkward when I asked Arni about their marriage. because when Arni approached me and took the coffee that was in my hand? Really, I didn't mean to make him jealous, if that's how Muri felt.

"The skipper earlier?" said Ningrum, greeting me. I just replied with a stiff smile, because I was starting to feel uncomfortable with this situation But, Ningrum beat my hand instead. "Father, father!" she shouted, calling Muri. Not long after, her father came out.

"This skipper, you know, gave my mother a lot of money. They said that they were ordered to buy Ningrum's uniforms, Ningrum's clothes, as well as Mother's clothes!"

Arni immediately covered Ningrum's mouth, then she looked at her husband's face timidly.

"Given a lot of money? What money? Is that true, Arni?" he asked impatiently.

I immediately grabbed Muri's shoulder even though he was pushed away.

"It's not like that. Ningrum misunderstood. I only gave your wife her wages. The wages of picking tea leaves."

"Even other wages, I also don't know, you know, skipper," he quipped.

"How can a respectable skipper like me give another salary to a married woman? Even though you say your wife is beautiful, you know... she's not my taste."

Muri immediately fell silent. Meanwhile, Ningrum looked at me with a sharp gaze.

"Master--"

"I'm sorry my child, skipper. She has been presumptuous. Also forgive my husband, skipper," she said pitifully.

"Jealousy is a sign of love. If he's jealous, it's a sign that he loves you very much," I said with a smile. Then I patted Muri's shoulder, which is now not being pushed back. "I'm going home first. May your family always be in harmony. Oh ya, uncle... Please take care of the school for the Muri children. They deserve a proper education up to high school level, you know."

"Alright, Arjuna!"

I immediately left in a hurry, because it was still raining heavily. I just ignored the screams of Muri and Arni from behind

In fact, my intentions are good for their family.

This morning, I was still sitting in the front seat of my residence. While looking at the jasmine flowers and shoes infested with butterflies. I'm too lazy to go to the garden because of yesterday afternoon's events. So I just sent Uncle Junet who was there with some other servants.

Again, I exhaled. I was wondering how Muri would react after I left. Surely, his wife would be beaten to death. Pity.

"Handsome people are daydreaming early in the morning, aren't they? Later, their soulmate will be stolen by a chicken, you know." Romelah grandmother came, then she sat beside me. The routine is true, every morning and evening is always here.

"Beautiful widow, come here alone. Rokli grandfather will steal it later, you know," I teased. Romelah's grandmother laughed. "But Juna is serious, you know, Grandma. If Grandma wants to be with Grandpa Rokli, then Juna will be happy, you know. You look good together!" I said excitedly. Romelah grandmother even threw me kale.

"Yes, then we just got married and died right away. You are. People are old, yes, just matchmaking. What's appropriate is you, after all, it's time to get married why do you still feel at home alone? Indeed, there is nothing attractive about virgins in your heart. Or maybe, you are attracted to the widow?" she teased.

"How about it, grandma... I want it with grandma. But, grandma is old. Yeah, it doesn't taste good."

"Arjuna! Your grandmother, you know, this!"

"Hahaha...."

"I got the news earlier in the market," Romelah's grandmother now looked serious. She didn't respond to my joke anymore. A pair of eyes framed with wrinkled eyelids now glanced at me with a strange look. As if I had done something wrong. "Reportedly, you have given Arni a large amount of money. Is that true, Jun?" she asked then.

"Yes." I answered honestly what my grandmother said.

"Why is it like that? What do you mean by giving her money, Juna? Nenek didn't tell you to go too far, you know. Grandma only told you to respect people like her. And not insult difficult people. You know what the impact of your behavior is?" I kept quiet, trying to hear what else Grandma had to say. "Muri told the citizens if you have a heart with his wife. This is not true."

"Wait, grandma... wait. Don't judge me before grandma knows what's going on," I said trying to explain. "It's true that I gave him money, in quite a large amount. But, do you know what money grandma is?" Grandma seemed to shake her head. "That's money from her wages that has been unfairly deducted by one of the garden foremen who fell in love with her but she refused. I can't be honest with him about it. Even though I have reprimanded the foreman. And grandmother knows, not only him. There are some garden workers who are treated the same. Maybe the problem here is, that I gave the money directly to Arni. While the others I left to my uncle. Then, I was not honest with him, so people and his son who happened to see, him gave such news. And, I don't care what the villagers say, Grandma."