
“What? Julia no longer works here?!” exclaimed Bu Ranti was surprised when asked about the whereabouts of the woman who had not been seen since her arrival.
Yesterday Ms. Ranti was already feeling anxious about Arunika's disappearance. Now he was shocked again by the news that Julia had not worked at his son's house. Only one day did he leave his young son-in-law with another son-in-law, but he had twice received bad news.
“My friend suddenly needs him to take care of his toddler son.” Nadia mentioned her friend's name and happened to know her as well. It is true that the person is in need of someone to look after his child.
“Mom know for yourself, ‘kan, nowadays it is difficult to find good and honest art. And also because of the pandemic that is now happening, I do not want to carelessly accept people. Fear later that person brought the virus in this house,” said Nadia at length with great confidence.
“Then who will take care of your home?”
“Mother should not worry so. For a while Arunika and I will do homework until I get new art. Isn't that Aru?”
“Yes, Miss Ranti. We will take care of this house. Miss Ranti take it easy. Doing homework is not difficult.” Arunika answered clearly while smiling as if nothing had happened to her. “Oh, yes, what did you bring this?” He took off his arms from the mother who had been stuck there since, changed by lifting the structure of the branch carried by her mother and mother-in-law.
“It pepes fish and vegetable lodeh. We brought him here for breakfast. You guys haven't had breakfast, “kan?”
“Iya, Mom, we haven't had breakfast.“ Juna who had been silent since then, replied with enthusiasm while rising from his seat in the corner there. He thought there was going to be a fight, that's why he stayed away.
The sound of Juna's stomach that sounded because it smelled the aroma that came out of the bushel, has proven that the food is delicious. That's the result of Bu Nita's cooking. Whoever the person is, by just smelling the scent alone, it is certain that person is unable to resist it.
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“What did you do yesterday?” asked Bu Nita when now he only lives alone with his only daughter.
“Means Mother?” tanya Aru did not understand the question of his mother.
“Mother knew yesterday you were away from home.” Arunika's eyes were wide in disbelief. Bu Ranti did not tell her mother about her disappearance. “You went looking for work, ‘ya?” Arunika's eyes were increasingly widened by his mother's guess.
“Why do you want to find work?” The eyes of the adorable Bu Nita mixed with sadness to make Aru's heart torn apart.
“Aru... Aru just thought there was no way Aru just stayed home, Mom. I know myself, ‘kan, Aru can't be so.”
Bu Nita looked at her daughter so deeply. Making Aru unable to look so long until finally he cut it by lowering his face.
“Does Nadia still treat you badly?”
“What mother mean?” asked Arunika again because she did not understand.
“Mother knows in those nights Nadia slept in your room with Juna, and you slept with Julia. Mother saw it.”
A speck of tears gathered in the corner of Aru's eyes to hear the confession that his mother knew. “Bu....,” is almost inaudible.
Bu Nita who was no less sad wiped her tears that almost shed. “We better talk about this with Bu Ranti. Mom doesn't want—”
“No, Mom. Don't!” reject Aru hold the hand of his mother who was about to leave. “Bu Ranti has been so good to us. There should be no more quarrels in this family because of Aru. Poor Miss Ranti, Bu.”
“But you're hurt, Nak.”
“It's okay, Mom. What Aru is facing right now is nothing compared to the treatment of the Father first.”
Bu Nita was silent but still looked at her daughter's face with sadness.
Aru carried both of her mother's hands and held them tightly. “Please don't worry about Aru, yes, Mom. Aru will be fine here. I just need to take care of my health for Aru. And Aru please do not say anything to Ms. Ranti,” pinta the girl with pleading eyes.
“If you are no longer able to stay in this house, talk to Mom.”
Aru smile, “Iya, Bu.”