My husband's Traumaku
Chapter 7. Family Gathering

The expected day has arrived. Linda is preparing a change of clothes that she will bring to her parents' house. He plans to stay there like Mbak Sari and Tika. Aruna was also very happy to know that she would be staying at her grandmother's house.

"What are you doing Lin?" asked Erik who saw Linda put some clothes in the bag.

"Tomorrow there will be a family event at my father's house. Me and Runa want to stay there. We've made a deal with Sari."

Erik just nodded his head at Linda's explanation.

"You do too, don't you? Let me get you all your change of clothes."

Erik frowned. "Am I coming?!"

"What do you mean, Mum?" Linda's feelings are starting to get bad. "Obviously you're coming."

"You go alone. I'm afraid to meet a lot of people!" Erik rarely comes to events like this. But since the event was held at her parents' house, Linda thought Erik would come.

"Mas ... What do I say to my mom and dad if you don't come?"

"Yes whatever ... You can say I'm working or taking passengers out of town, easy, right?" Erik never once thought about Linda's feelings.

"At least you can get us there." Linda did not dare to force Erik.

"I told you I was lazy. You two go!"

"Let's just talk to your father for a while after that you can go. Later they think nothing of you if you are invisible," Linda again.

Erik thought for a while. "Alright, but I'm only there for a minute."

Linda was relieved to hear Erik's reply.

In the afternoon the three of them left for Linda's parents' house. Aruna was so happy that she was finally able to ride in her father's car.

After a not-so-distant journey they finally arrived and they were warmly welcomed by Linda's parents.

Erik had a conversation with his father-in-law, and it wasn't until fifteen minutes later that he left. Actually Linda was not nice to her father and mother but she herself did not dare to prevent Erik from leaving.

"Erik why is it so rushed Lin?" ask Mr. Yanto, Linda's father.

"Mas Erik wants to deliver passengers sir, they have booked the car long before," Linda replied as instructed by Erik.

"Thank God that Erik's job is good."

Linda lowered her face. He was ashamed to hear his father say that. If Erik's job is smooth, of course, he will not be confused to find money to pay for car installments.

"You're doing it, right?"

"Yes, I made the same agreement as Sari."

"Good .. happy father. The atmosphere of the house becomes crowded if there are you. Father and mother often feel lonely if you rarely visit."

The next day...

People started to arrive. The brothers of Pak Yanto one by one began to come with their children and grandchildren. Pak Yanto and Bu Yanto welcomed guests in front of the house while Sari and Linda prepared meals in the back.

Everything was fine until Linda and Sari finished preparing the meal and joined the other guests.

Linda seemed to be insecure about her appearance. He was already wearing his best clothes but still he looked the most shabby and old-fashioned of all. On top of her thin, dry body made her look older than her age.

His cousin who was the same age as him wore the latest model clothes and also jewelry. And for sure they were accompanied by their respective husbands while Linda was not. Though this event was held at the home of his parents but instead Erik did not want to show the trunk of his nose.

"Where's Linda's elixir? How is it not visible?" ask one of Linda's cousins.

"Mas Erik is out of town" Linda replied with a smile on her lips. How sad he feels he will not show it to others.

Sari could see Linda's discomfort. He tried to help his sister by diverting the conversation from the person who started asking Erik.

Linda was visibly distressed during the event as almost everyone who greeted her asked Erik. But still he tried to smile.

"This event is only once a month. When did he not take the time to come? If in the house of another brother he did not come is okay. It's at home in-laws themselves time doesn't come?" so the whispers kept buzzing in Linda's ears.

The show is over and now Linda and Sari are resting in their room when they were teenagers.

"He can be lazy to meet people but at least he can keep your feelings and feelings of father and mother. Of the many guests, the time of the father's own son-in-law who is invisible? He's not out of town, is he?" Actually Sari was very upset with Erik. Moreover, he knows how Erik's nature really is.

"Mbak Sari know how Mas Erik?"

"Yes, but you also don't just shut up Lin. Erik this is too much. You have to rebuke him, no need to be afraid."

"I don't want to make a fuss with Mas Erik. Besides, shouldn't I obey my husband?"

"You don't want to make a fuss, but you're actually afraid of your husband. Don't spoil your husband! Think of yourself too!"

Sari kept staring at Linda. Seeing the shabby clothes Linda was wearing made Sari even more upset.

"When was the last time you bought clothes or at least given money to buy new clothes?!" If Sari knew Linda would wear such clothes, she would have brought Linda one of her clothes that was much more worthy of wearing.

Linda couldn't answer because maybe it was two or three years ago.

"But I love him Ma'am. I have no problem wearing clothes like this. Maybe he's like that because our economy is tough. Later if he already has a steady income surely he will give me enough money. I love Mas Erik."

"Rethink Lin, you don't love Erik, but you're afraid of Erik. If you love you don't fear the person you love."

No matter how badly Erik treated her, Linda always tried to accept him. She loves her husband and wants to always make him happy one of them by fulfilling his wishes. According to him, the sacrifice he had made so far was a form of his love for her husband.

But the sentence that just came out of Sari's mouth made Linda think again. Why every time Erik was just a feeling Linda was always anxious and afraid. He always felt intimidated. He was very careful to talk to Erik. His words he made as smooth as possible so that Erik would not be angry or offended. Is that like love?