Suddenly Wife
Othor's Sapa

Good night everyone, old othor didn't stop by here. Hopefully there are still people accompanying othor until here, othor can only say thank you.

For those who have stopped by Khanal Story, othor apologizes for being on hiatus first. The chapter is still not much typed. For Zee's story, In Shay's God stay up here. When's? othor can't confirm the time.

While waiting up, if you like please stop by the other othor story.

To accompany the PPKM that is still valid. Keep your health and follow health protocols.

Sorry othor a little new story promotion. If not, you can skip it.

•••

"I never asked for good food. I'm just gonna have to leave a little rice and salt." Little Dawn said as it was near the kitchen door. His eyes looked at the food that was on a table in the kitchen.

A woman turned her head and looked at the face of Dawn with her nanar. 

"You've been given a place to live should be grateful. Still dare to eat here. Go there, no food." Said the woman.

Even a small dawn that was only eight years old could only swallow his saliva violently. It was common for him every day to find such a word. Even for Dawn, eating rice with salt is quite a luxury food. If lucky, he can add with grated coconut leftover cooking vegetables.

While looking down, Fajar turned around and stepped his feet towards the side of the house. His two little hands were still holding his stomach which was hungry because it had not been filled since last night.

He walked over to the side of the house to avoid the raindrops that began to fall in the afternoon. The shabby clothes he wore were half wet on his left shoulder. 

An old woman standing near the rickety terrace beside the house of Fajr's adoptive parents called out to Dawn in a slight whisper.

"Jay!"

Instantly Dawn stopped her footsteps and turned to the direction of the source of the voice. He smiled widely when he saw the Mbah Party or more often called the Mbah Par, waving his hands towards Dawn while carrying a plate of rice. Dawn also immediately ran a little towards Mbah Par.

"You haven't eaten, have you? There's food. There go inside. Will see your mother." Mbah Par said while offering a plate of rice with eggplant leftover yesterday that looks just warmed back.

Dawn accepted it with a happy glowing face. He looked very happy even though he only ate potluck. For Fajar, there is a little rice to prop up his stomach alone is very grateful. 

Dawn hurriedly received a plate of rice into the rickety kitchen. The roof covered with tile seemed to leak in some places. However, it does not make the difference of Dawn at all. He took a small seat that was near the 'pawonan' (a furnace made of bricks to cook with firewood).

"Thank you, Mbah." Dawn said as she put rice into her mouth after washing her hands.

"Yes, eat slowly. Don't rush, it'll choke. It's his drink." Said Mbah Par while putting a glass of water near Dawn.

"Yes." Yeah." 

"So you're done looking for the grass?" Ask Mbah Par. Yes, Fajar does have to look for grass after school. Sometimes, if it is difficult to find grass, Dawn also has to go around the village to ask 'rambanan' (leaves for goat food) to the neighbors. It has been done since the Kindergarten class to support goats owned by his adoptive parents.

"Easy." Fajar replied with a mouth full of rice while nodding his head.

"Where are your brothers?" Tanya Mbah Par while changing the water bucket to accommodate the water that leaks because it is fully filled.

"Main." Answer the Short Dawn.

Mbah Par breathed his heavy breath. In fact, he was very sorry for Dawn who was the adopted son of the Rahmadi and Christian families. They both found Fajar who was about five months old and lying in a patrol post when they were about to go to the market. Since then, Dawn was taken care of by them.

Rahmadi and Kristiani have two sons. The first child was named Bagus Setiawan, who was now thirteen years old. He was already in the seventh grade of junior high school. While the second child of Rahmadi and Christian couple named Candra Kurniawan, who at that time was in the fifth grade of elementary school.

Although Rahmadi and Kristiani had two sons, they never told them to help them find goat feed. Both children were allowed to play after school. In fact, until the Maghrib. As for Dawn, she had to look for grass every day after school. 

Not only that, Fajar also had to get up early since before dawn, to help make snacks that would be sold to the market. Usually, Dawn helps to peel the ketellas and yams that will be fried and brought to the market for sale.

Mbah Par and her husband, often gave food to Dawn secretly. They knew that Dawn was often treated arbitrarily by her adoptive family. But for Dawn, all of it was willing to do just for a sip of rice. Little children still do not understand how to get money to buy food as a stomach booster.

"You're wet, you'll take a shower and change." Par said when he saw Dawn washing the dishes that were already clean in a tub filled with water to wash the dishes. 

"Yes, Mbah. Thanks for the food." Dawn said with a cheerful smile. For Dawn, the food was able to prop up the stomach until tomorrow morning.

"Sunday, follow Mbah to the rice fields next door. There has begun to harvest, later follow 'ngasak' the same Mbah." Mbah Par.

The face of Dawn shone happily. The harvest is the time awaited by Dawn. He can join Par's mbah for 'ngasak'. 'Ngasak' is an activity to take the remains of crops in the rice fields. Usually, the activity is done if the owner of the rice field has finished harvesting the results of his rice field.

From the results of the 'ngasak', Fajar usually get a bag of medium-sized kresek rice if the rice harvest is extensive. However, if it is not wide enough, Dawn usually only gets a little rice. 

All the results of the 'ngasak', will be given to Mbah Par for sale. If you are lucky, Fajar can get five thousand rupiah. However, if the results obtained are small, usually Dawn only gets two thousand rupiahs.

"Yes, Mbah. I'm going to come with you. Tomorrow's Monday there's a sports lesson. I'm gonna go get some shaved ice. Hehe." Dawn said with her trademark smile.

Not yet had time for Par to answer the words of Dawn, a voice called out his name.

"Goddessa!"

•••

The day awaited by Fajr arrived. Yes, Sunday as promised by Mbah Par a few days ago. They will go to the rice fields in the next village to 'ngasak' rice crop remnants. Mbah Mulyono, or more often called Mbah Mul, the husband of Mbah Par, is also ready to go.

The three of them will leave for the next village on foot. Dawn is also ready with a sack and also a sickle that will be used to find grass. Yes, after doing the 'gasak' activity, Dawn will usually all look for grass for the goats of his adoptive parents.

Dawn departed after completing his task of helping his two adoptive parents prepare merchandise to be brought to the market. Mbah Mul and Mbah Par are also waiting for Dawn to be finished. They chose to leave rather late in the day so as not to wait for the harvest activities to be completed for too long.

"Have you had breakfast, Jar?" Tanya Mbah Mul when she saw Fajar walking towards the door of their house.

"Already, Mbah. I got rice. Hehe." Answer the Dawn with a big smile.

"What fish?"

"Fish salted dong Mbah. But the fish ran away, so there was only salt. Haha." Answer the Dawn with a laugh. For him, getting rice with salt mixed alone was very lucky. 

Mbah Par and Mbah Mul who saw the cheerful face of Dawn also smiled. Those who live together are a little amused by the Dawn. The children of Mbah Par and Mbah Mul who have a family, are also not quite a family. They are also struggling to maintain the survival of their families.

"It's late enough, let's go." Par said while standing up.

Both Dawn and Mbah Mul followed him immediately. The age of the two people who have stepped on sixty-five years, did not dampen their spirits to work together to seek sustenance just to survive. 

They walked past the riverbank to save time. Occasionally they joke around with each other to get rid of boredom and fatigue.

About an hour later, they had reached the rice fields in the village next door. Apparently the rice harvesting activity has not been completed. They had to wait until the entire harvest was over. Dawn took advantage of the time by looking for grass not far from where the two old men had rested.

"Don't go far, Jar. Will miss." Shout mbah Mul as Dawn slightly away.

"Yes, Mbah. Not far, though. Just here."

Dawn resumed its activities looking for grass. He slightly shifted to the river bank which was on the side of the road. Dawn is still engaged in its activities until a voice shocks him.

"You're Dawn, right?"

Dawn was quite surprised when anyone recognized him. He turned his head and turned around a little. When he saw who the figure who had called him was, Dawn immediately stood up. He looked embarrassed while lowering his head.

"You're looking for grass up here? But this is a long way from your house, Jar?"

"Yes, Mom."

"Who are you?"

"Ehm, same with me, ma'am." Again, Dawn did not dare to raise its face. She looks embarrassed.

I heard a heavy breath from the woman. Yes, she is Rahma's mother, Dawn's homeroom teacher. Ms. Rahma who happened to pass by the road, accidentally saw Dawn who was looking for grass. At first, Rahma did not realize that the child was Dawn. The reason, the distance of the Dawn house with it is quite far if taken on foot. If riding a motorcycle, it can take about fifteen to twenty minutes.

"Yes, don't be too tired. Look for grass, but don't forget to study and take care of your health." Said mom Rahma.

Dawn could only nod its head while looking down. He did not dare to stare at his homeroom. I don't know why he was embarrassed.

Rahma reached into her pocket and gave money to Dawn. He and all the teachers who were in the school of Dawn already knew the life of Dawn. Lucky Dawn is a smart child. In fact, he easily did all the schoolwork when he worked more to help his adoptive parents.

"Here, there's a little pocket money for you. Well kept, yeah." Said Rahma while slipping the money into the hands of Dawn.

The startled dawn immediately raised its head to look at Rahma's face.

"Eh, no need ma'am." Dawn Word. He felt bad for his homeroom class.

"Of course, take it. Consider it your sustenance. Mom go first. Don't forget to study, yeah." Said Rahma's mom while riding her motorcycle back.

Fajar nodded while not forgetting to thank him when he saw the homeroom teacher was about to leave. After making sure Rahma left, Fajar immediately shouted happily. He was thankful for the unexpected. 

After that, Fajar immediately saved the money given by Ms. Rahma well. He also immediately moved to finish his activities looking for grass. 

Not long after, Mbah Par and Mbah Mul call Fajar. Apparently, the harvesting is done. Now, it is their turn to start the activity of looking for the remnants of the rice harvest.

That day, Dawn was lucky. He got a lot of leftover rice. Mbah Par and Mbah Mul also get a lot of results. They are lucky because the rice fields that are harvesting are quite wide.

The results that the three of them get, will be made one to then be collected with those at home. They will sell it later. 

Mbah Mul gave pocket money to Fajar. It was with pleasure that Dawn accepted it. He plans to save the money for pocket money to school.

•••

Dawn arrived home in the afternoon. He hurriedly gave the grass to the goats belonging to his adoptive parents. The skinny body with old shabby clothes belonging to the two foster brothers looks wet and full of mud paddy fields. The barefoot dawn deftly gives grass to the goats.

Beside the house, Candra, Fajar's foster brother, was carrying a ball. He had just come home to play ball. Candra walked up to Dawn who was behind the house.

"Where have you been?!" Candra asked as she kicked the ball towards Dawn.

The dawn that was bowing instantly gasped in shock. He immediately stood up and turned around to look at the face of his foster brother.

"Find the grass." Answer the Short Dawn.

"For money!" Candra's orders while raising her hand towards Dawn.

The usual dawn found such treatment from his two foster brothers was just plain ordinary. He was very familiar with the behavior of his brothers.

"Where is money. From the morning also look for goat feed." Answer Dawn while turning around.

However, Candra still did not believe it. He approached Dawn and pushed it down on a pile of grass. Candra immediately ransacked the torn pants of Dawn. He was looking for money there. Candra knew that today Dawn went 'ngasak' with Mbah Par and mbah Mul. Usually, he would get an allowance from them.

After searching, and not finding a penny of money, Candra immediately kicked Dawn's leg until the owner felt a lot of pain.

"Basic doesn't know it's lucky. Should ask for a lot of money if go 'ngasak'!" Snap Candra. 

Afterwards, he left Dawn still bowed on the grass. His little hand rubbed his leg from his adoptive brother's kick. Feels downright.

Dawn seemed to ignore the pain in his legs. He stood up immediately. The small hand immediately gave the grass to the goats who had shouted hunger.

Hunger and thirst were ignored by Dawn. After she finished feeding the goats, she rushed to the bathroom that was behind the house. He snatched the t-shirts and shabby pants of his two brothers who were being dried for a change of clothes. Dawn hurriedly washed her dirty clothes and immediately dried them after they were done.

It was four o'clock that afternoon. His stomach hunger could no longer be held back. Dawn hurriedly went to the kitchen to check on the food. However, nil. There is no food there. The rice in the basket where the rice was finished. Dawn crows looking for food ingredients that can be bitten to prop up the stomach. Again, he found nothing.

The dawn breathed its heavy breath. He walked out to the back porch. The sunlight that had moved to the west had begun to dim covered with clouds and mountains that were not far from the village of Fajar. Dawn sat pensively facing towards the house Mbah Par.

He wanted to buy food from the money given by his teacher. However, Fajar had promised to save a little. Yes, Fajar entrust the money to Mbah Par. He already did not dare to bring home the money for fear of being taken by his two foster brothers.

Mbah Mul who had just finished entering the rice turned to look at Fajar who was sitting alone. He was very familiar with the habits of Dawn. Mbah Mul walked to his side of the house and called for Dawn.

"Jars! Go with Mbah, yuk." Mbah Mul.

Dawn turned and found Mbah Mul walking towards the kitchen. Dawn smiled and followed Mbah Mul. He was already very sure he would get food to prop up his stomach.

"Want to eat, Mbah?" Ask Fajar while smiling grinning and walking following mbah Mul.

Mbah Mul turned to look at the face of Dawn that sparkled expectantly. His heart ached when he saw a child of the age of Dawn had to bear the weight of life.

"We'll find food first. Your rice is over. We're looking for a ketela in the back." Answer Mbah Mul while walking ahead of Dawn.

"Burned, Mbah?" Ask Fajar enthusiastically.

"Yes." Yeah."

"Horry! I want two? One for school tomorrow." Dawn said with a hopeful face.

"Can."

Afterwards, they immediately walked towards the backyard of Mbah Mul's house. Dawn helps mbah Mul who has started to choose ketela trees for its yam. He crouched down to start digging up the ground around the tree.

"This is it, Jar. It looks like a lot." Mbah Mul.

Dawn immediately moved and began to help mbah Mul. After a while later, Fajr and Mbah Mul were finished. They immediately brought the ketela to the house of Mbah Mul. There, it turns out Mbah Par has prepared a fire to burn the ketela. They immediately began to burn after clearing the ketella from the ground.

By maghrib, the catfish had matured. Dawn immediately split it and blew it slowly. His stomach was so hungry that he did not care about the heat from the ketella that had just been taken from the 'pawonan.

"Slows, Jar. It's still hot." Mbah Par.

Dawn nodded while still blowing the ketela. After being cold enough, Fajar immediately finished the ketela. He even took two ketelas to prop up his stomach until tomorrow.

"So, can I have another one for tomorrow's supplies?" Ask Dawn.

"Can. This is Mbah kasih dua. You don't want to bring pocket money? He said he wanted to buy what it was after tomorrow's sport." Mbah Par.

Instantly the Dawn fell silent. He was planning to buy some ice. However, if she bought shaved ice at school, Candra, her foster sister would definitely ask and hit her. Dawn does not want it to happen. Dawn shook her head while staring at the face of Mbah Par.

"No need, Mbah. Not so. I'll hit Candra's mas." Fajar said while wrapping the two ketelas and put them in his shirt so that people do not see in his house. After that, Fajar immediately went home because his adoptive parents would soon be home.

Sorry, this is just another form. Othor just wanted to try something new and different from other othor stories. Thank ye. 🙏