My Mom Wants to Mate
62. About Daniel

Third month of marriage

Mami has not been too meddling in the affairs of Karen and Daniel. They were acting a bit stiff. Over time, Karen's relationship with Mami Seli has improved.

However, Mami Seli's name if you do not want to know about the life of the child. He keeps a close eye on things through Daniel. He always asked and advised Daniel.

The heart specialist patiently faced all the questions of Mami Seli as often as anything was thrown. While the relationship of Karen and Daniel is still the same, only the road in place and has not developed.

Although Daniel several times tepergok* give more attention to Karen indirectly, Daniel's attitude has not changed. In fact, now he's getting frugal talking to his wife.

Karen had been touched several times because of Daniel's attention that was not shown. However, seeing her increasingly indifferent attitude, Karen still has not been interested in giving heart and love to Daniel.

~

Daniel's respiratory health is becoming increasingly alarming. He often has difficulty breathing even though the duration is not long.

Why do I often have shortness of breath? Did I get a disease like my specialty? But heart disease is not contagious, unlike the specialization of other infectious diseases. (Daniel).

Although not contagious, it is not impossible for a heart specialist to get heart disease. Of course not because it is infected by patients, but it could be congenital, hereditary, or lifestyle.

Daniel studied his healthy lifestyle. He does not drink alcohol, does not smoke, does not consume coffee or more sugary drinks. He also does not eat a lot of junk food or fast food. He only eats fast food occasionally.

The foods he ate daily were home-cooked meals and fruits. With Karen conditions that are sensitive to artificial sweeteners and flavoring, all sweetener products in Daniel's home are replaced with organic sweeteners. The flavoring used has also been replaced with non MSG mushroom broth.

He also does sports so that his life can be categorized as a healthy lifestyle.

As I remember, I tried to be as healthy as possible. Akh, but who knows. Meningan check. (Daniel).

He also did a general check-up at the hospital where he worked. The result is good, there are no signs of pain in the heart, lungs or stomach (some internal organs are characterized by shortness of breath).

***

This weekend, Karen and Daniel are staying at Daniel's parents' house. After a while Karen held back the curiosity for having been rigid with each other with Mami, now she is determined to interrogate Mami.

Mumpung already peaceful again, today also I have to get info about Daniel version of his mother. (Karen).

After dinner, all the residents enjoyed the television show except Stella. He has to learn extra.

Karen approached Mami. "Mommy, can you talk to me for a second?"

"Yes, Ren. What's up?"

Daniel and Papi were already looking at Karen awkwardly. Karen doesn't care anymore. Curiosity is in the bushes.

She invites Mami to leave the television room. Mami agreed and chose a room to chat with her daughter-in-law. They were sitting on the couch in Mami Papi's room.

"Ehm, I want to know Daniel's story about the beating in High School, the same as Daniel's move to Vincitore High School, Mi. Frankly, I've wanted to know about that."

Mom was suddenly sad and tried to avoid it. "Err ... Mommy has a headache, Ren. You can go out first, right?"

"Mi, please, please. My mom has covered up a lot about Daniel from me. About the comic room and about this. Every time I ask, Mami's gonna dodge. My family knows everything about me. Nothing I closed at all. Why can't I know about Daniel? Mami's impression trapped me so I could accept Daniel."

Mami was down, thinking long.

Maybe it's time Karen found out. (Mami Seli).

"Well, Mami will tell everything as much as she can and as much as Mami can. But first, Mami wants to know what you've heard about Daniel?"

"I told Daniel to hit one of the students, then get out of school. That's it, Mi."

Mami breathed deeply. "Daniel is smart. But he has no social skills. He doesn't have many friends. One time, Daniel's class was held daily. He was asked to cheat, but refused. After the replay was over, Daniel was taken to the back of the school to be beaten up by the student. But because Daniel's body was so tall, he won."

Karen looked up, but was not satisfied. "If that's not supposed to be out, right?"

Mami Seli smiled bitterly and cried. "That's the pain of Mami hearing gossip that does not fit the facts. Daniel was never out of school. Mommy moved him from there."

Karen calmed Mami down, stroking the old woman's back.

She opened the closet and looked around for something there. "Here, Ren, Daniel's picture at the time."

Mami was very sad, but tried to catch her breath so she could finish the story to Karen. "When the first fight, Daniel won. And the students were not so bad. He only hit Daniel in the cheek and leg. The next day, the student took his friend 1 gang to gang up on Daniel."

Karen closed her eyes and imagined the horrors of Daniel's situation at that time. "Who's this from?"

"It's taken by the fathers who found him behind the school."

"Did Mami report to the police at the time? This is persecution, right?"

"Hoah." Mami sighed as if implying aggravation. "That's Daniel. I'm sure he doesn't want to take this to the police. Though the fathers who found him were willing to be witnesses." My mom took another photo. "It's time to be hospitalized."

In the photo, Daniel's blood has been wiped off his face. The wounds have been sewn and bandaged.

"Daniel's a victim, right, Mi? Why do you want to tell Mama? Daniel's not a bad boy, Mami don't have to be ashamed for the story."

"Mommy's sorry, Mommy didn't mean to be dishonest. Not because of shame. But because Mami's heart hurts when she remembers the incident, Ren. It's hard for Mommy to tell a story like this."

Karen rubbed Mami's shoulder. "Sorry, Mi, if I make Mami remember the sad times. Then why do not Mami manage the rumors circulating?"

The mother who was still in tears smiled bitterly. "No matter how hard Mami explained, no one believed. They connect the chain of events and draw their own version of the conclusion."

"As far as Daniel is concerned, they're being punished by the school, right?"

"Mommy doesn't know, Ren. They came to the hospital to apologize and ask us not to go to the police. Mami Papi was willing to report, but Daniel was prevented. Continue to ask the school to punish them, after that Mami focus on transferring to Daniel's school, has not monitored the development. There are teachers who know if they have been punished, but what kind of punishment, Mami doesn't know."

Karen's trying to accept all Mami's explanations. There was still a lot in his heart especially Haris' words. He said that Mami Seli would definitely put Daniel as a victim.

"Mi, um .. sorry, but it's kind of absurd that Mami didn't tell me this from the beginning. If Mami had told me, I wouldn't have misunderstood Daniel as a bad boy and cruel."

"Ren, Mami already said, Mami is not strong to remember the bad memories of Mami's favorite child. And again, want Daniel in the position of victim or bully, the final opinion will still be negative really. If Daniel is in a bully position, he will be judged an unruly brat. If Daniel was in the victim's position, he would be judged as a weak child and have no friends."

Yes too. (Karen).

"Did she have no friends at all, Mi?"

"Have, but not much. She was, Mami same Papi ever thought he had a disorder Asperger Syndrome because he was difficult to socialize. But it's not, he's just an introvert."

"The introvert? But he sometimes brings up stories about what he likes."

"That's it, Mommy was astonished too. Usually introverts can only be chatty in front of close people. But Daniel can also talk at length in front of strangers whose topic he likes. We thought he was ambivert. Ambiverts are more flexible than Daniel. So Mommy doesn't know what her name is."

Karen was silent to that explanation.

Mami who had eased her crying was holding both shoulders Karen. "Mommy knows a little how hard it is for you to adapt. Mommy just wishes you could be strong."

They're ending the conversation.

Karen walked to the room while still thinking about what the explanation of Mami Seli was. But from the photos shown, it seems like the story of Mami can be accounted for.

The problem is, lately Daniel even more rarely talk to me. It was much worse than the first time we met and got married. Now, after speaking, he must have left immediately. I don't know why. (Karen).

Karen opened the door. Daniel is asleep. Although not completely relieved to hear the story of Mami Seli, Karen's view of Daniel has changed. She looked at her sleeping husband with great pity.

It turns out we were both bullied. Even you are much worse. (Karen).

He recalled the wound in the photo he had seen and rubbed Daniel's hair. Yeah, that stitch was on the left side of the head. He traced the stitches with his finger.

Poor little baby's. I don't know how sick you were at that time. I do not think that if you are weak, you can forgive someone who has been evil to you. (Karen).

to be continued...

Jogja, June 19th 2021

***

Tepergok*: caught red-handed (default form of 'club')