In-laws, Children and Daughters
Family Responsibility

Kenzie sat pensively in the room, daydreaming about his decision to let his wife go to the boarding house Abah kyai Jalil alone. A decision he now regrets.

He knew that his wife wanted to find peace in the boarding house. He felt very close to Abah kyai Jalil, a famous spiritual teacher known as the soul guide of many people. Kenzie supported his wife's desire to leave, but he also felt very worried. As a husband, he felt that he should have accompanied his wife, even more so because the place was quite far from their home.

"I'm sorry, Liana. I had to."

"Why did you leave your phone at home? Are you intentionally or behind?"

And he couldn't contact his wife because Berliana's phone was at home. Whether intentionally left out or indeed missed.

Kenzie has a bigger problem. Her mother who had just recovered from illness could not be left at home. Her mother was very dependent on her, and Kenzie felt that she had to take care of her mother first before going to the boarding school.

In addition, Juwita, Kenzie's mother, dislikes his wife. He always asked Kenzie to divorce his wife for trivial reasons. Kenzie could not understand why his mother hated his wife so much. His wife was a very kind, thoughtful, and loving woman. Kenzie feels very lucky to have a wife like her.

Kenzie pondered and thought about what to do. He felt guilty for not accompanying his wife, but he also could not leave his mother alone. He felt trapped in a difficult situation.

Kenzie is getting uncomfortable. He felt he lost his wife. His wife is the one who always helps him when he is feeling sad or stressed after coming home from the office. Kenzie felt that the presence of his wife was very important to him. He misses his wife.

"Liana, I'm sorry."

Finally Kenzie decided to contact Abah Kyai Jalil to ascertain the state of his wife.

Tut tut tut tut

The first call was not raised by Abah kyai Jalil. But Kenzie did not give up and achieved it once more.

Tut tut tut tut

..."Assalamualaikum, Abah kyai Jalil. How's Abah doing?" asked Kenzie, as soon as his call was raised by Abah kyai Jalil....

..."Wa'alaikumsalam warahmatullahi wabarokatuh Mas Kenzie. Thank God, I'm fine. How are you doing?"...

..."I'm fine, Abah. I want to apologize because I cannot accompany Berliana to come to the boarding house Abah. I feel so guilty for leaving him there alone." Kenzie immediately expressed his apology....

..."No need to apologize, Kenzie. I understand your situation. You can't leave your sick mother alone at home. But you also need to pay attention to your wife. Did he ask you for permission by message or phone?"...

..."No, Abah. Instead, I want to apologize for not being able to contact him so contact Abah. Her phone's left in the room, Bah."...

..."Oh, I'm sorry Abah, Mas Kenzie. Abah was wrong not to ask him to come home when he got here."...

..."I apologize, Abah. I want to keep my wife here for a while, Abah. I feel that he will feel calmer and safer here. I'll come pick her up again when my mom is recovering from her illness and stable."...

..."Of course, Mas Kenzie. I'm very happy to be able to help. Just calm down and don't worry about your wife. We'll take good care of him here."...

..."Thank you very much, Abah. I felt relieved after talking to Abah."...

..."Equally, Kenzie. Do not hesitate to contact Abah if you need help or advice."...

..."God willing, Abah. Thanks again."...

..."Equally, Kenzie. Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi."...

After leaving his wife in the boarding school Abah kyai Jalil, Kenzie felt more relieved despite being burdened by his problems with his mother.

***

Kenzie's mother, Juwita, is, hearing the conversation Kenzie who was contacting Abah kyai Jalil so that he should be able to play with pretending to be sick so that his son remained at home just waiting for him and did not go to see his wife in Ponpes Abah kiyai Jalil's. She doesn't like her daughter-in-law, Berliana. He wanted Kenzie to separate from his wife.

Juwita won't let Kenzie go to ponpes Abah Kyai Jalil to see his wife because he doesn't like her daughter-in-law. Therefore, she plans to go on a show by pretending to be sick again in order for Kenzie to stay home and not go to the ponpes.

Juwita had different expectations about a suitable potential mate for her son, and this led to conflicts with her son-in-law from the start. He would do anything to dissuade Kenzie from meeting his wife in ponpes. He did not want his son to continue his relationship with his son-in-law.

"Kenzie, why did you call Abah Kyai Jalil? You want to leave mom alone?" tanyanya direct.

"Kenzie wants to go to the ponpes Abah Kyai Jalil to meet Liana, Ma. But Mama's sick, so Kenzie's waiting for her to heal." Kenzie tries to keep calm answering questions from his mother.

"Oh, mama understands. But, what are you going to do now? You still want to go?" challenge Juwita with her sharp eyes and tighten her jaw.

"It's not so, Ma."

"Mama's still sick, and you're leaving. Hey, how you, Kenzie!"

Kenzie let out a long sigh when he heard the words of his misunderstood mother. He has no intention of leaving his mother at this time. His mother accused him like that.

"Please go Kenzie! Leave your mother alone at home. If Mama dies, you'll regret it!"

"Ma, what the hell is that talking about?" Kenzie shook his head to hear the words of his mother who began to digress.

"Kenzie, can you give me Mama's will?"

Hearing the question asked by her mother, Kenzie approached where her mother was standing and asked her to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Ma. Mama wants what? hasn't Kenzie always been following Mama's requests?" Kenzie asked Juwita a question, which made her shake her head.

"Ta-pi, but you don't obey mama one thing." Kenzie frowned at the answer given by his mother just now.

"You don't want to leave Berliana."

Finally Juwita continued his sentence again, telling him about one thing that Kenzie could not obey. Though one thing that has been their problem so far, namely Juwita's dislike of her daughter-in-law, Berliana.

"Ma. Try Mama to remember. Who's Kenzie's girlfriend that Mama likes the most, loves and wants to be Kenzie's wife?"

A smile rose on Juwita's lips. He thought that Kenzie would comply with his wishes, with questions to be answered at this time.

"Alice," Juwita replied quickly with her warm smile.

Kenzie smiled as he watched his mother smile. "Then, what was his attitude towards Kenzie and mama all this time?"

Juwita immediately fell silent to the question from her son just now.