Super Mom

"Ms. Mira! I wonder why every time you go shopping, the menu is the same almost every day? Is there nothing else to buy but spinach and tofu and tempeh? Yesterday's feeling was also buying soup vegetables and tofu tempeh, even yesterday it was only tamarind vegetables, and salted fish. Doesn't your family get bored with just that," Marni asked, glancing sarcastically at me.

She asked me, while grabbing the spinach that I was holding onto the vegetable cart. Coincidentally, she was also at our regular vegetable shop, called Mang Adi. He was a traveling vegetable bone.

"Marni, why did you throw the spinach, I already chose it! So what if I'm shopping, after all, what I buy is also at the request of my children and husband. They all like to eat vegetables and this time they asked me to cook clear spinach, as well as fried tofu and floured tempeh." I answered Marni's question, while taking back the spinach that Marni had thrown. Meanwhile, Marni was picking through the vegetables.

"Ah ... you can get away with it, Ma'am. Just say that you don't actually have the money to buy another menu, right? You can't afford to buy delicious and healthy side dishes, right? Look at the beef, chicken or fish. Aren't you drooling, or are you just insecure?" asked Marni, smiling mockingly at me.

"You don't need to make excuses, or bring up all the children's names. Just say that Mbak Mira is poor and can't afford expensive and healthy food," Marni continued, insulting me.

She was just saying things to me, and was so dismissive of me. Even though she herself doesn't necessarily cook nutritious food, let alone expensive food like she just said. Moreover, from earlier I saw that he was just shuffling Mang Adi's merchandise and until now he had not chosen anything.

I don't know what kind of vegetables he was looking for, because he was just flipping through the merchandise. Even I, who had just arrived, had already found what I wanted, but Marni had yet to choose anything.

"Yes, Marni, it's true what you said. I also wonder about this Mira, how come she only buys cheap vegetables every day. How are her children going to be smart and fat, if she only gives them food like this every day! How is it appropriate that Romi is getting thinner by the day? This is all because of his wife, who can't take care of her husband. In fact, it is Romi who works hard every day for his wife's children. Eh ... he is only fed with clear vegetables and tofu tempeh," said Mrs. Ratmi, who is my mother-in-law.

She talked at length, telling me about my ugliness in front of Marni, as well as other mothers who were shopping.

Bu Ratmi didn't even seem to hesitate to talk about me in front of my own eyes. When in fact, I wasn't penniless, but I was deliberately saving money for the sake of her son.

I spent the money my husband gave me as sparingly as possible. Moreover, I knew that Mas Romi's income, which was only that of a public transportation driver, was uncertain. I just wanted to stabilize my family's economy, so that when Mas Romi earned little or nothing. I can still give them a decent meal.

Even what my in-laws say about the weight of my husband and children is not true. Because actually the weight of my children and husband continues to increase every month, unlike what Mrs. Ratmi just said.

"Yes, Mrs. Ratmi, Mbak Mira is really calculating. Even though it's all for her own family," said Marni, responding to my mother-in-law's words, even as if to inflame her.

"That's why, Marni, Romi first introduced me to Mira. I was not happy with her. I didn't agree with their relationship because I could see what kind of woman this Mira was. It turned out that my worries became a reality, that Mira was a daughter-in-law who couldn't take care of the family," explained Mrs. Ratmi, without wanting to protect my feelings.

"So, Mom, how come Mbak Mira married Mas Romi, if you didn't approve of their relationship? Did Miranya get pregnant first, Mom, so Mas Romi insisted on marrying Mira?" Marni asked again.

She asked my mother-in-law, with a sharp look on her face. Marni also continued to pry information about me from Bu Ratmi. It seemed she wanted to know as much detail as possible about my home life with Mas Romi.

"No, Marni, Mira is not pregnant.But it seems that Mira is using a pellet, so my son Romi keeps insisting on marrying her. Even though at that time I already had a candidate to introduce to Romi. She was a beautiful woman, the daughter of a friend of mine, and was already working as a bank employee. She was a career woman, unlike Mira who was unemployed and could only hang out at home. All she can do is play with her cell phone and spend her husband's money," Bu Ratmi grumbled, after answering Marni's question at length.

Mrs. Ratmi even brought up her desire to match Mas Romi with her friend's daughter.

"Geez, Mom, why did Mas Romi choose her instead? In fact, if he had chosen the son of Mrs. Ratmi's friend. Mas Romi's life would have been guaranteed and he wouldn't be struggling like he is now. Right, Mom?" Marni asked later.

"Yes, Marni, maybe if Romi married my friend's son. His life will be happy, and even your life will be happy," said my mother-in-law.

"Yes, ma'am, of course. Because Mas Romi's wife also works and has a regular salary. In fact, Mrs. Ratmi can also get sustenance from them. Unlike now, who only has a woman like this as a daughter-in-law. The woman you said never gave anything to you," Marni said again, sounding as if she was stirring up my mother-in-law's emotions.

Hearing all that made me want to leave immediately from the presence of my in-laws, and Marni who was deliberately talking about me in front of myself. I was also lazy, if I lingered in a place that was starting to make me hot. I was afraid I would lose control, especially if I had to respond to their words.

I was afraid that I would get high blood pressure from constantly listening to the scathing words from both of their mouths. I didn't expect that my mother-in-law would talk about me to other people. She said that I never gave her anything. She talked like that either in a state of consciousness, or it turned out that she was sleeping.

Even though Mas Romi and I didn't give her large sums of money every month. But every time Bu Ratmi asked for money for her living needs, such as for condangans, paying for electricity, credit, and make-up. I always gave it to her while I could. But apparently, all that Mas Romi and I did did not make Bu Ratmi feel helped. Instead, she seemed to turn a blind eye.

"Mang Adi, how much is this? This is plus a quarter of an egg, Mang?" I asked the total price of my groceries.

"That's eighteen thousand, Ms. Mira." Mang Adi answered my question.

"Here, Mang, the u4ng," I said, handing him a twenty thousand u4ng.

Mang Adi accepted the u4ng from me, then thanked me.

"Mbak Mira, here's your change," Mang Adi said again, handing me my change.

I immediately accepted Mang Adi's change and thanked him. I even intended to leave immediately. However, just as I was about to say goodbye to the ladies who were shopping, Marni continued to provoke my emotions, with her spicy words.

"Geez, ladies, how come there are still people in this day and age who only spend twenty thousand on shopping and still have change. How can you be so economical, ma'am! Watch out, Ms. Mira, you have to be careful! Usually diseases come quickly, if you're with someone who likes to be stingy to fill their stomach." Marni scared me, and she even raised her voice.

Continued...

"It's okay, Ms. Marni, let Ms. Mira spend a little, but she pays immediately. Instead of spending a lot, I'll go into debt first. I'll end up with no money for more shopping," Mang Adi said defensively.

"Yes, thank you Mang. Ladies, if you'll excuse me, I'll go home first, because I want to cook soon," I said goodbye to everyone, who were still faithfully crowding around Mang Adi's cart.

"Yes, please," said the ladies, with the exception of Mrs. Ratmi and Marni, who did not answer me.

I immediately turned around from where the ladies were gathering, who were shopping for vegetables. In fact, I had actually cooked fried rice and eggs for my family's breakfast. I'm used to getting up early to serve my husband and children.

So when I went shopping for vegetables, breakfast was already ready. I deliberately spoke like that. So that I could escape the gossip of Marni and Bu Ratmi. However, I had only taken two steps. Marni spoke again, in a louder voice. Perhaps, the goal was for me to hear her.

"Alah, you want to cook spinach vegetables and fry tofu and just act busy! Like you want to cook meat rendang, which takes a long time," she said.

"Yes, Marni you are right. Mira is not only a stingy person, she's also very busy, even though all she does is cook. She's an unemployed wife, and all she can do is cook malnourished food and clean the rented house." My mother-in-law replied to Marni's words, with a tone that was so insulting to me.

Actually, I really wanted to turn around and go back to where Marni and my in-laws were hanging out. I wanted to reply to their words, which were so demeaning to me. I wanted to get back at the two of them, who were getting more and more outrageous.

But I decided against it, because I didn't want to cause a scene just because I was carried away by my emotions. Because I don't think there will be any benefit for me, if I serve their words with emotion. It was better for me to go home and cook immediately, and clean up the rented house. So that I can finish my work at home quickly, after which I can resume my hobby of writing novels online.

I'm used to writing every day after my work is done and my kids have gone to school. I have been writing for more than five years, starting from channeling my hobby and now it has become a regular job writing on online writing and reading platforms.

*****

Before returning home, I stopped by Mrs. Ami's shop first. I went back to shop for things I hadn't bought yet. I'm used to buying groceries at the stall, because Bu Ami's stall sells various basic needs, except for vegetables.

"Mom, buy ten kilos of rice and two liters of cooking oil. And the laundry soap too, ma'am," I said.

I told my shopping list to Mrs. Ami, who was the owner of the stall.

"Is that enough shopping, Mira? Can't you buy bath soap and toothpaste too?" asked Mrs. Ami. Mrs. Ami is the owner of the grocery store near my rent.

"There's still some, ma'am," I said.

"Oh, that's it. So, a total of one hundred and thirty-five thousand, Mir." Mrs. Ami handed me my groceries, while mentioning the total.

"Oh, here, Mom, the money!" I gave her the money, amounting to one hundred and fifty thousand rupiah.

"Ok, thank you, Mira. Here's your change," said Mrs. Ami, handing me fifteen thousand rupiah in change.

"Yes, ma'am. Mira, please excuse me. Assalamualaikum," I said goodbye.

"Waalaikumsalam," Mrs. Ami replied.

I quickly left Bu Ami's shop, which was only twenty meters away from my rented house. I usually shop for my basic needs, such as rice and other necessities for bathing, at Bu Ami's shop.

I always bought rice and other necessities once a week, except for vegetables, which I bought every day. One week, I used to buy five kilos of rice, for four family members. Deliberately, I am now buying ten kilos of rice, while there is more sustenance, so that it can be used for the next two weeks.

"Assalamualaikum," I said, opening the door to my rented house.

"Waalaikumsalam. Dek, you just got back from shopping, huh? What took you so long?" my husband asked, after he answered my greeting.

I opened the door to my rented house, carrying my groceries. As it turned out, Mas Romi was shining his shoes, which he used to pull public transportation. He put his shoes away, as well as his polish brush. Then he stood up and helped me carry the rice over my head.

"Yes, Mas. Have you and the children had breakfast?" I asked.

"They have, Dek. In fact, they are changing into their uniforms right now." Mas Romi answered my question.

"Thank goodness, then. Mas, please bring the rice to the kitchen!" I asked Mas Romi to help me carry the rice to the kitchen.

"Yes, ready, dear wife," said Mas Romi, who was following me from behind.

I immediately put all my groceries away in their usual place. After I finished, I went back to work, which I hadn't had time to do before. Because I was too late to go shopping, to Mang Adi's usual hangout. Because, if I came late, I might miss out on the shopping. Because Mang Adi had already left to go around to other places.

"Dek, Mas is leaving first. I'm going to look for a piece of diamond for you and our child," Mas Romi said, while telling a joke.

"Yes, Mah, we also want to go to school with Papa." My two children also said goodbye to go to school with their father.

"Yes, all of you be careful! May Allah always provide abundant sustenance for our family and intelligence for our children." I chanted a prayer for my family.

Not forgetting, I kissed the cheeks of the three of them. I also kissed the back of my husband's hand, and my son kissed the back of my hand reverently. My first son is in junior high school, he is in third grade. Meanwhile, my second child is only in the second grade of elementary school and their ages are about seven years apart.

After saying goodbye, the three of them left the house and boarded my husband's angkot, which he always took home. Although the angkot is not ours, he always takes it home after he has paid a deposit to the owner.

The owner of this angkot is a kind-hearted person. He allowed his employees to take home their hand-held angkot. I escorted the three of them to the porch of the house. After the car in which my three heroes were riding disappeared from sight. I immediately went back into the house to finish my work.

"Mir, Mira, open the door," Mrs. Ratmi's voice called my name.

"Yes, ma'am, just a moment," I replied, as I was typing a story on the screen of my old-school cellphone.

"Hurry up! What are you doing, so slow? You must be playing with your cell phone!" Mrs. Ratmi, shouted, like someone who was collecting a debt.

I quickly stood up to open the door for my beloved in-laws. I put the cell phone I was holding on the table first, then walked to the door. After the door opened, my mother-in-law walked in without even asking me, the resident of this house. She walked past me into the kitchen and I don't know what she went there to look for. I didn't keep quiet either, but I kept following her from behind.

"Mom ... what are you looking for? How come you're going straight to the kitchen?" I asked.

"Well... this is what I'm looking for," said Mrs. Ratmi.

Instead of answering my question, she took the two-liter pack of cooking oil that I had just bought.

"Why ... Mom, what do you want to do with the cooking oil?" I asked again.

"Already, don't ask too many questions! Anyway, this oil is for Mom," she said lightly.

"But, Mom. Mira just bought the oil, if you want it, not all of it," I said pleadingly.

I was surprised when my mother-in-law took my packaged cooking oil and wanted to take it away.

"No buts, Mira. Anyway, this oil is for Mom, anyway you can buy more. Besides, I also used my son's money to buy this oil, right? So you don't have to be stingy in giving me this oil," said Mrs. Ratmi casually.

"But don't take it all, ma'am. Split it in half," I said again.

"Mira, you're so stingy with your husband's mother. I can't even ask for oil," snapped Mrs. Ratmi.

"Mom, it's not that I can't. But I ask you not to take all the oil, because Mira also needs it. What will Mira fry tempeh with?" I asked my mother-in-law, hoping she would halve the oil.

"That's your business, not mine. Ah... never mind, watch out I'm going home!"

"But, Mom," I said.

"What else, Mira? You're so complicated, if you want to fry tempeh or tofu, just buy more oil. If not, you can just use used cooking oil," Mrs. Ratmi said casually, without wanting to understand my feelings.

"Never mind, watch out, Mira! Don't get in my way," she shooed me away, while pushing my body.

I almost fell down, if I didn't hold on to the dining cabinet that was there. Bu Ratmi didn't listen to what I said. Instead, she walked away without caring about me.

'Basic, in-laws have no morals, boro-boro want to ease the burden of life of their children and sons-in-law. This is actually draining him. It's better if he wants to be grateful, but this is just arbitrary. In fact, he even had the heart to tell everyone that I was a stingy son-in-law, a son-in-law who didn't care about his in-laws. He doesn't even realize his son's job, which is only a public transportation driver. He doesn't realize how much his son earns?" I grumbled to myself. Upset, resentment became one.

Mrs. Ratmi just left me, then I immediately stepped my feet towards the front door. Because I was sure that the front door would be left open by my mother-in-law. And I was right, the door was wide open. Indeed, Mrs. Ratmi always annoyed me. Fortunately, her behavior did not go down with Mas Romi, my husband.

Then I immediately closed the door, but just as I was about to close the door, Mirna suddenly came to my rented house shouting not to close the door yet. I don't know what she wanted. I was actually really lazy to deal with her. But she was already wet, because she was at the door at this time.

"Ms. Mira, don't close the door yet, wait for me!" Marni, shouting like a loan shark collecting a debt.

"What do you need, Marni?" I asked to the point.

Continued...