A Series of Dreams
What a Sweet Morning

Lasmi babbles and approaches her husband. Whispering softly, he again gave a warning.

“Do not until your rash attitude makes the Union marriage void, sir. We have failed to catch a snapper because Anga married the village begundal. Don't let this whale miss.”

Pausing his soft speech, Lasmi made sure Wisely and Seruni did not hear.

“Again, when else do we enter the restaurant. It's an opportunity, Wise pays. What are you afraid of? We're pretty dandy and neat, sweet smile. Up and down the luxury car that AC until it bites the bone. Please start getting used to it, sir. We are rich people from the city. Don't embarrass yourself.” Lasmi ends her advice to her husband while throwing a gloating smile at Wisely.

“Come, Ni.”

Wisely's hand suddenly moved and rubbed the back of Seruni who was sitting by her side. Spontaneous attitude and make the man unpleasant. The brain is unable to control its movements due to a sudden messy feeling. The touch of the prospective wife a few minutes ago was able to make her defense ravaged.

***

Lasmi's restaurant choice seemed to be a fireball that burned the old woman herself. The morning debate is over, but that doesn't mean the problem is resolved.

“What food is this?” Lasmi looked at the large piece of meat accompanied by French fries, boiled carrots and asparagus.

“Steik, Bu.” Seruni answered slowly.

“Where is full if there is no rice? Why order the side dish, not all rice?” lasmi asked, annoyed. A glance spread around and found her husband seriously cutting meat with a knife.

“This change rice, Bu.” Wisely pointed to the fries that were mounting at the corner of the plate.

“It's vegetable. Not rice.” Lasmi pouts.

“Hah!” Mata Lasmi. “This luxurious restaurant does not provide rice? Is that true? The tent on the side of the road there is still rice. Here again, where's the link?” The old woman rambled as she watched her husband pour the sauce over the piece of meat.

“This steik, Bu.” Seruni tried to hold back patience.

“I don't know what steik is. I am from the village, yunya nasi uduk sambal lalapan. This is meat there, lalapan there although not petai and juvenile jengkol.” Lasmi pointed at the boiled carrot pieces. “Why doesn't the link exist? Do I have to send a separate message? Where is it good to eat like this? Yes ‘kan, Sir?”

“Eat it, Mom. It's an overseas menu. Mother never, ‘kan?” Soothing password. “Again, not Mother who has chosen this place. Then, why protest?”

Lasmi scowls. Still can't take it with a treat on the table. He wished he could eat big and full until the afternoon. Apparently, all beyond her expectations. There is no menu of roasted chicken, grilled fish, and kale chalks of his favorite. Moreover, the menu of fried flour squid that he had tried when in a neighboring celebration last year.

“Already. I'm ahead. There is a food stall there. I bought white rice.” Seruni. Not happy with Wisely who has been quietly paying attention.

“Yes, all buy Mom sambal terasi. Want to?” lasmi bargain, soften.

Sandi flicked her hands, kept her head down in embarrassment.

Just standing up after removing the wallet from his simple handbag, Seruni's steps were restrained by Wisely who suddenly came along to do the same.

“I'm coming, Ni.” Wisely smiled.

***

There is one more chapter