KARMAS
My promise

This morning, I was told Mommy to go vegetable shopping to Bu Inah's shop. Actually lazy, because in the shop Bu Inah is a gathering place for the mothers of gossipers. Moreover, Bu Rasti, the most diligent and longest hanging out in the Bu Inah stall even though the shopping is finished. For what else if not just unclear gossip.

However, because today is Sunday, and I have no activity other than helping Mother to keep her shop, then I agree to Mother's orders.

"Don't stay in Bu Inah's stall for long, Van. Later, I will be the nyinyir as the next-door neighbor," he said giggling as soon as I opened the front door.

"Yes, I'm the 'Gossip Queen', Bun. Emang pantes, that is, unyu-unyu face gini so the ringleader of gossip ?" ask me while my face is funny.

"Unyu-unyu from Hong Kong !" grunting Mother.

"Kalo Anin, new tuh unyu-unyu. You, he's expired his face. It should have been followed by Arga, already have children too. Inimah, what the hell," continued my mother again.

"Udah first, Bun. Let's talk Mr. Ustadz Maulana first. It's still half six. Later if the program Mr. Ustadz Maulana has been completed, then Mother to the mosque," my advice to him.

"What do you want to go to the mosque ?" tanyanya.

"Yes, talk, Iah. Who said the jellyfish shake ?" I replied while struggling to avoid Mother.

There was a sound from inside as soon as I closed the door. Maybe the sound of Mother's sandals that were placed on me. Luckily, I closed the door. Not to hit the target. Then came the sound of Mother's nagging.

"Basin a bad boy !" his yell.

I just laughed when I heard it.

Upon arriving at the Bu Inah stall, the gossip mums were gathering, including Ms. Rasti. I don't heed their babble which is mostly just a joke. However, my ears were itching to hear their rant about Arsya.

"Cooking, anyway, Mom. I did not expect, you know," said Bu Endang.

"Astagfirullah 'aladzim," said Bu Asty as he rubbed his chest.

"I don't think, yeah. In fact, right, I see Arsya like not the macem-macem people," said Miss Sarah.

"That's the outside, Mom. Alim, wear hijab, not macem-macem. But he often, you know bring a guy to his house. Change it, Mom. Especially if it's not..."

Gubrak ! I hit my groceries right in front of Miss Rasti. Automatically, his chatter was cut off and turned to me.

"Bikin surprised me, Van," said Mrs Rasti with her sinless face.

"Shock, Miss Rasti said ? It is precisely I who was shocked by the creatures like Bu Rasti ninyinyirnya nauzubillah, defeat Corona Virus," I cried fiery.

"Well, that viral coronavirus, yeah. That took a lot of casualties, didn't it ?" said Mrs Rasti trying to shift the topic of conversation.

"Say, the doctor who handled it died, yes. The city of Wuhan is also in isolation" Ms Sarah said.

"Gerrie yes, like in that zombie-zombie movie," said Bu Asty.

"Udah sono, Miss Rasti also went to Wuhan, let alone in isolation. Let the pain not spread here and there. Dangerous to the public health of our village" I advised him.

"Lha, what's dangerous, Van ?" Ask Ms. Rasti not to understand.

"Let not slander-slander is not clear with people."

"But really, what am I talking about. If Arsya was already pregnant first," he explained full of confidence.

"Who said ? Is there proof ? Where do I see !" my challenge.

"Yes, there is, anyway," said Mrs Rasti keukeuh.

"Don't be reckless, ma'am. If the accused of the same Miss Rasti, do not accept, can be reported to the authorities, you know. Miss Rasti could get defamation Law. Not afraid, Mom ?" my challenge.

"My husband has police contacts, really. Many anyway. Why fear ?"

Jesus ! That's how she talks. I think the world belongs to him.

'Anyway, the pregnant Arsya, I was reported. Arsya should have been reported to the police for committing immoral acts. This led to her becoming pregnant out of wedlock. We do not know who the father of the child he contains. That way, he likes to change guys," he said.

Plaque ! I was very anxious with his mouth and could not bear to land a slap on his cheek that was blushing red because of that blush.

Miss Rasti staggered back a little because of my slap which seemed a little hard.

Plaque !!! Miss Rasti returned my slap. It hurts too. Then it was hot my cheek got a slap from Miss Rasti.

"How dare you ! There is no ethics. Who are you, anyway ? Sultan's son, huh ? How dare you slap a rich man like me. He said you were a graduate, but his behavior was like not in school with his mother," he growled.

"Mouth Bu Rasti, who did not get an education. He said S2 graduates. S2 from Hong Kong ! There are, ice mambo, kali. Inget, Ma'am, Miss Rasti's daughter is all. Karma happens. Whoever plants, he will reap. Penance, ma'am, repentance," my advice.

"The child yesterday afternoon has dared nasehatin parents. Belagu, really. Just a bank officer too. Different classes with us. Not level. My husband PNS, CIVIL SERVANT. Remember, it is ! My first son, Shanty, PNS as well, worked as a lecturer at a renowned University in Jakarta. My second son, Reina, went to medical school, he's about to graduate. And my third son, Aira, went to State High School, the most elite school in town. My family is also from my Father, Mother, Grandpa and Grandma PNS all," explained Miss Rasti fiery.

Who asked about his family ? He was so proud of his status as a Civil Servant. Basic nyinyir !

"Lagian, I'm just a basic trader, his defense is exorbitant. Your father is also not a PNS like my husband. Only the fried rice man who sangal at the crossroads there. No need to doubt that you are a person. Your family treasure is not my fingernail, Vanya. So what do you want to boast about, huh ?" shouted Bu Rasti in a high tone.

Other mothers tried to mediate with us. But wet, I thought. He sells, I buy. Let them think I have no ethics. Because Miss Rasti has trampled on my family's self-esteem. Moreover, say Father and Mother who according to him different caste and not as level as himself who is descended from PNS. PNS title, I'm proud, I thought.

"Casual, Miss Rasti. No need to bring Dad with you Mother. Want a fried rice man, cake. Want a grocer, cake. The important thing is that his life does not bother people, do not ask for the same people. Let alone GOSIPIN PEOPLE," I replied deliberately pressing the last sentence to insinuate him.

Suddenly the crowd of mothers grew more and more because of the commotion between us. It's not the mothers who are surrounding us anymore. There are also fathers, even elementary school children who should go to school to participate in swimming activities that are routinely held every Sunday also see our action. We were free in the morning. And seen from far away Mother ran in a row with Arsya.