Tone of Nara
CHAPTER 2 My Mother-in-law and Brother-in-law

I now live in my house, in a rather large housing estate. This house used to be a home

mom and dad. Papa does give a lot of things besides love and protection. Before papa died, papa made sure me and mama could live even without papa. Papa gave me this house and bought me some assets, which could be my supply later. Papa gave me the house I live in now complete with its contents, after I got married. Papa and Mama chose to go to Bandung, and watched

our efforts there.

Because this is my home, I take care of and do everything in this house. That's what my mother-in-law said. I'm the host who must take care and do all things in this house.  But it was my mother-in-law who arranged everything in this house, including finances. The money my husband sent all

given to the mother-in-law to arrange it.

Since marriage, I have lived with my mother and father-in-law and my two sisters-in-law, Pipit and Prita. My mother-in-law always said, since I am the oldest, then I am the one in charge of this house and its contents. Including cleaning the house, washing and ironing clothes throughout the house, cooking and so on. Mother said, we will not be able to pay the maid. So inevitably, I'm the one who has to do all that. I am too old to help. As for my two sisters-in-law, they were too busy with

his college.  They all depend on me completely. That's why they're always looking for me, if I'm out for too long. Even if I'm just looking for clothes or making tea, they need me. That's why I have to hunt down the house no matter what.

Arriving at home, I saw Prita and Pipit enjoying fried chicken from a famous fastfood store.

There are also some sweet martabak pieces that look very delicious.  Especially for those who like to eat. Tired and all that, my appetite will be amazing. Seeing what is presented on the table is a separate survey for me. On the table there are also some cold sofdrink cans that will definitely taste very good after a tiring and hot trip earlier.

“Assalamualaikum,” I said say hello. I put my groceries on the connected kitchen counter

with family room. My eyes still looked and glanced at the table where the food was scattered with the wrapping garbage. Ughh, whereas before leaving I had cleaned the table until it was shiny.

“Greetings! Oh you brother,” replied Prita coldly. Meanwhile, Pipit was still engrossed in the chicken and the drink. “New home at this time. Where are you playing?”  I looked up a bit at Prita's cold tone. Is that how I've been gone? Guilt comes from my heart. Argh, this is all because of that fucking fish.

“Kan me from market dik. A long time indeed. Brother tried fast earlier,” replied me in a soft voice. My guilt is getting bigger seeing Prita's cold face.

“Wah is enjoying martabak ya dik. Looks good,” I said approaching them while looking at the food on the table.  The temptation of food is very difficult to resist. For me, eating is fun. Everybody knows that.  I glanced at Prita who was still looking at me, while the pipit was still engrossed with her fried chicken. I sat beside the table looking at the food

Prita's face suddenly changed when he looked at me.  Throwing him the fried chicken he was just about to bite, back into the box. He immediately pushed the city box of chickens and martabaks at me

 “Udah ah Pit.”  Prita said loudly.

“Lah why the hell, still good, just another piece,” said Pipit is still engrossed with his chicken.

“Ntar eat fat chick for free,” said Pipit as if I wasn't there.

“Crazy for you. You want your body to be like her? Look dong,” said Prita while looking at me with a look of disdain. Pipit stopped his bite and looked at me.  His shoulder was slashed, as if he was shuddering in disgust. He threw the chicken, which was almost finished, into a box that was almost empty. Just stay

the piece belonged to Prita earlier and half of it had Pipits.

“No want to, brother. Where was I so swollen elephant like him,” Said Pipit standing followed Prita.

“That's what you spent and then settled. Remember to clean up. I don't want you to know I'm eating fast food and martabak at this hour. If you know, I will say that you bought all this and lazily spent it from earlier,” said Prita sharply .

“Yes, I'm fine, take it easy,” I said while enjoying the food on the table. I took

a can of soft drink on the table. I haven't opened yet, a hand took my can and replaced it with a half-filled can.

“Enak just want to drink mine. You drink my drink, there's still. Got Pipit also still.” Said Prita who was already standing behind me. He took away the tin cans of soft drinks that were still intact. Only leaving the can empty, and two cans whose contents are only half and one third.  All right, it's okay. This is also good, my mind. The food is still good, free again. If I buy myself where I can. Even though my money and my husband's money are in my mother's, I won't get it if I make snacks outside. Mom will definitely scold me. Sometimes I snack in the market anyway, it's if Sandra or Mama give me money. It's also very rare, because if you find out that I was given Mama's money, you'll be angry and the money will be confiscated. If Sandra knew how I was doing, she would treat me secretly, unbeknownst to the house.

 I continued my activities to finish my brother's leftover food and drink. When finished,

I cleaned everything.  This room is a room that always reminds me of Papa.  I looked at a picture of my family hanging in front of me. That's my family now.

It used to be on the same wall depending on my picture with my old family. Me, mom and dad.  Moments

making the photo, Mama bathed me very cleanly. Mama rubbed soap over and over again on my body. Mama bought him a special dress for the photo shoot that day. Papa wears his best suit and mama wears a very beautiful kebaya and prada cloth. Papa's hair is neatly combed with hair oil, and,

which makes papa's face look more handsome. While the mama who is an ayu-faced, shouldered her hair like a Javanese woman in the past. Beautiful said papa, who terpesoina see mama at that time. Mama blushed, when praised Papa and I fantasized, after growing up, I was no longer black, fat, snubby. I dreamt that when I grew up I would be like Mama.

But for a long time the photo was no longer there. The photo that's attached right now, is a picture of my family in this house right now. They are my husband's family. Plus my presence among them, beside the child

me and Pradipta when we both enjoyed the television show.

“Mother, this narrow,” protest Mas Pradipta back then.

“Biarin why the hell. You are always the same tone. I also want to sit with my mother-in-law. Yes no Nak Nada,” was the answer of the mother at that time. Everyone there laughed at my mother-in-law's silliness. My heart warmed because of my mother-in-law's treatment.

“Bu, stop. You exist there only. Like a little boy. Don't disturb Nada and Pradipta,” said father

reminded wife.

“It's okay well, Nada is happy if mom considers Nada her own daughter,” I replied while

smile, at that moment.

All of that happened when the first painting was attached. After Papa and Mama moved to Bandung and

the first painting was replaced with a painting now, the mother never did it again. If there is a Pradipta mas, the mother is more attached to her child and tells me to sit alone. Missing her son, she said.

Besides mother and father, there was me and mas Pradipta who stood side by side. My face is very bright

there. Yes I was happy, because my first love was standing next to me at that time. There's nothing more I want. I was happy and it all came out of my face. While the handsome face of my husband who is of Chinese Javanese descent, smiled although a bit stiff.

Next to Mother was Prita and Pipit, Mas Pradipta's younger brother. Two beautiful girls, fair-skinned and slightly squinty eyes. The slim body is in accordance with the red dress shirt that shows the perfect curves.   Looking at the photo, I nodded. This is one of my reasons for being slim. To my husband and to be treated well by the people in the photo.

***

Today all the work I can finish quickly. Even after lunch, when all my family went into my room, I cleaned it. After that I ironed. Today was very hot. The clothes dry quickly so that it can be directly ironed. Although many, but Prita clothes and sparrows are also mothers are house clothes that are not difficult to iron. I still have time to eat food

nightly. Just have to execute him by dinner. I really don't like cold food. All dishes must be cooked before serving.

I made sure everything was tidy and then took a shower. After the shower, I put on my clothes quickly. I chose this time to wear the clothes that I just finished yesterday. I combed my curls and put a bando of flowers on his head. I gave a thin powder to my round face. I added a little blush on the cheek and liptint on the lips. I stared at my face in the mirror carefully. Once satisfied, I immediately set up the camera handphobe on the table. I'm going to make a videotape for my husband to send. A short video I made to channel longing.

I miss my husband's Pradipta so much. He's a hard worker. Even for the sake of making money

many and sufficient for our needs, he was willing not to go home. I know, he fought for us like he said when I asked him when he came home. Despite being married for eight years, my meeting with my husband seemed to be able to be counted on fingers. For communication with telephone or videocall

we rarely do either. My husband said he was too busy every day. He always comes home at night and falls asleep. If it's not important, I'd better not call, said Mas Pradipta. He said he was afraid that I would call him in the middle of work and would interfere with his condition.  It is only by sending videos like this that we communicate, letting go of longing. I keep all the videos of her husband's submissions in my gawa. Of course to see and see again when I am sad and happy, especially when I miss it and lonely. I know, my husband's too busy to make calls and video calls with me. And I really appreciate time. That's why I'm so happy and appreciative of Pradipta, who is still willing to take the time

record a video to send to me. I do the same thing every day, no matter how busy I am.  After the camera was ready, I started greeting Pradipta via video.

“Hi my husband, have you heard? You must be busy working there. Thank you for being a husband who worked hard to support us. But don't work too hard. Don't let you get sick. Oh yes, I sewed this shirt yesterday specifically for me to wear in front of you. Good no? Don't worry, it's not expensive. The cloth was bought by my mother yesterday. I don't go to a tailor, I sew myself so there's no tailor fee. Hows it? Do you like my appearance? I'm beautiful right?” I said, circling in front of the camera. I really feel beautiful right now, and I want Pradipta to see me when I'm beautiful.  While recording

like this I feel Pradipta looking at me directly and smiling with a smile that looks like him. His narrow eyes, which seemed to be closed when laughing, were like they were in front of me. But I don't know why I feel like there are other eyes watching me right now. But where possible, I was alone in this room.

“Buahahahaha!” a loud laugh surprised me. I was shocked to death. Scroll the door of the room slightly open? It open? I remember I closed it? Did anyone peek at my actions in front of the camera earlier. My face warms up, embarrassed. I quickly turned off the camera footage and walked up to the door. I wonder who peeked at me, even though I could have expected it.

“Ssst! Pit, don't be loud laughing later Tone hear,” voice Prita stop my steps to

exit room.

“Ya abis very funny sister. Like watching an elephant circus in bando ha.. ha.. ha...” said Pipit.

“Sst, jangna hard hard but. It's a free entertainment for us and my sister. I'm sure Mr. Pradipta and Juli, will laugh later. Uh or even disgust?” said Prita.

“Pffftttt, already ah sis, my stomach ache has been laughing from earlier. Let the elephant be ashamed.  Come to think of it, Nada does not know herself anyway. A body of that size, which is black and if cringetan .. iewwww.  But yes, let it be. Not bad entertainment in the afternoon like this,” sounded Pipit said before then their steps away to the room.  I'm self-absorbed. Is it true that my husband will laugh at me like they are laughing at me right now? My chest feels squeezed. Between pain and shame. So hurtful. It's always been like this. I realized, all this started from the shape of my fat and big body.

. “I want skinny” I whispered in my heart.

POV Tone end