Virally
35. Between Two Choices

They come together offering the hope that was once lost.

Among the two choices where should I dock?

To him who has always looked after me with bringing turmoil that will one day come

or to him who was ever present in my teenage years

I was worried between two choices

*******

My car drove slowly through the streets of the city, leaving my unfinished home like a love story that is still not complete.

I sighed as I entered the courtyard of the house. From the window of the car I saw two women talking in the yard. One skinny tall I used to say Aunt Sri and another fatter named Aunt Rina.

Two neighbors who are famous as reporters 'lambe' housing. Sorry I went straight home. If you know I'm going to meet this lambe duo, I better stop by Miepa first.

Sure enough when I got out of the car, Aunt Sri looked smoldering with a burning spirit of 45 welcoming my arrival.

"Other Orchids live your life long. Just speaking directly, Auntie has been told Auntie's son that you are now a telegram." I cleared my throat to hear Aunt Sri mention 'Telegram'. My aunt selebgram justifies her speech in the heart

"That's the same as an impulse." Aunt Rina chimed. Why not influenza I say, Again only in the heart.

"Yes Aunt.. Which mama?" I just realized Mama's absence near them. My eyes looked at the mask Aunt Rina had placed on her head. Nyambi mask is bando as well.

"Your mama is picking up plant seeds on the back porch. Aunt tukeran seedlings with your mother."

"When do you want to invite?". This legendary question for singles I finally have to accept.

"Iya, Tante dengar pacarmu yang dulu sudah nikah ya sama teman mu yang cantik itu. Ya namanya juga tidak jodoh. Nasib ya Anggrek, Eh mereka masih sering ke rumah?." Tante Rina mulai memancing di air butek. Ada sakit terasa di hati ku menggores luka lama.

"Betul Tante itu memang jodoh mereka. Jodoh kan dari yang di atas. Kita menerima saja garis takdir." Aku sengaja memenangkan pendapat Tante Rina. Biar dia merasa jumawa. Benar saja hidungnya tampak kembang kempis.

Aku ingin melewati mereka berdua tetapi keduanya kompak berdiri menghalangi jalan masuk ke teras rumah.

"Anggrek ada pacar baru ya sekarang. Tukang ayam yang sering kesini naek mobil pickup?". Aku terbatuk-batuk mendengarkan pertanyaan Tante Sri.

"Eehhh batuk." Tante Rina menurunkan masker di kepala kembali ke hidungnya.

Lalu dia melanjutkan pembicaraanya "Bukan itu Sri, Cowok yang suka naik mobil tua itu kan ya? Ganteng anaknya."

Entah darimana Tante Sri dan Tante Rina tahu Doni dan Bian. Apakah mereka menggunakan teropong dari rumahnya?. Perumahan Mama memang perumahan lama jadi tidak mengherankan ada yang seperti kedua tante ini. Berbeda dengan perumahan baru yang biasanya cenderung pasif

"Dua-duanya teman, Tante. Oh Itu Mama, Anggrek. Permisi dulu ya, Tan."

Hati ku bersorak gembira ketika Mama muncul dengan bibit tanaman di tangannya. Kedua wanita di hadapan ku menyerbu bibit tanaman yang dibawa Mama. Mereka sudah sibuk bicara tentang cara perawatan tanaman.

Aku bergegas menuju ke dalam rumah, samar-samar ku dengar suara Tante Sri mengomentari tubuh ku yang tampak lebih kurus. Dia prihatin melihat tubuh ku kurusan karena ditinggal kawin.

Oh andai kamu tahu Tante perjuangan ku demi mengurangi berat badan sampai pingsan dan bedrest berapa hari. Demi tubuh seperti Lisa Blackpink yang sampai pingsan pun tak berhasil ku dapatkan.

Remembering that I remembered Bian and Doni when I collapsed due to the indiscriminate diet I was running. They came at the same time. Same when they express feelings. Both come at a time not much different.

Every choice has consequences. I took a breath and exhaled slowly trying to think clearly about every decision I would make.

I went to the kitchen and I heard Aunt Sri and Aunt Rina asking when I got married. I'll be taking your questions soon. Mother's habit if there are relatives or neighbors ask when the ghost.

**

I just finished taking a shower and changed my clothes when my knock and Mama's call sounded. My guess seems right. Not long after that, Mama came in.

"Aunty Sri and Aunt Rina asked who your boyfriend was. Mama's upset to hear it."

"Have you told me yes."

"Mama better pray for Orchid's soul mate to come quickly."

"Every day you pray but if you are busy looking for money. When did you get a daughter-in-law."

"When waiting it is better to do things that are beneficial to many people, it is also Ma." I stuck it in Mama's arm. Trying to seduce a hot Mama hearing the neighbor's babble.

"What is "Tian or Doni? Mama saw they seemed to like you." A mother's instincts are often right. If the condition of Mama is not emotional because of the babbling of Aunt Sri and Aunt Rina. I must have told you in detail.

"Dian, Ma. How wrong his name is."

"Yes, he is a little quiet. Different from Doni who can chat for a long time with Mama so Mama can't remember her name."

"If according to Mama if they like orchids. Mama choose where?". I tried to provoke Mama's opinion without telling her that both of them were right to put their hearts on me.

Mama was silent for a moment as her emotions began to subside.

"Mama saw both Bian and Doni's good boys. Orchids are the ones who run this relationship. You can choose between the two. Pray and follow your conscience. I heard from your grandfather, Doni was married."

"Yes Ma. He already has one man's son. While still following his ex-wife it's just that it's very likely that his son is being nurtured by Doni."

"Being a mother is not easy especially son Doni is still under five years bearti right? Because according to the story, Grandpa's marriage hasn't been too long."

"Yes Ma." I answered briefly along with that the sound of Papa's car was heard entering the house.

"Well that's your Papa has come that must be Orchid. Make sure they both really like you. He knew he was just telling Mama to ask. I want to have a grandchild too."

"Ready Ma." I nodded and immediately closed the door.

My heart is troubled to think of choices before my eyes. There are consequences in every choice. Neither Bian nor Doni.

Am I ready to face the Bian family? or should I be the extended mother of Doni's son.

It's not easy but what if I fail again like when I was with Adiwarna. The fear that I buried deep down came back. My daydreams were scrapped when my screen blinked. There's a green message notification from Natasha.

"Tomorrow to the boutique."

"Yes Natasha, I'll stop by the boutique. I'm just gonna slide right in there tomorrow morning."

"Okay, Orchid."

"There's something I want to tell you, Nat."

"About what."

"Tomorrow. It's better to meet in person."

"Aiihh you make the pregnant curious. Okelah Orchids"

I closed the device. Yes all the worries in how many days feel heavy in the mind. I need to share my thoughts with close people I can trust.

**********

True no opinion that says one of the most frustrating when experiencing unpleasant events is comments from people who do not know sit the problem🤭🤭

Sometimes the stress just hear comments people ya😂😂

Please like n comment yes readers, Thanks 😘