[1]

A few months ago.

Samanta smiles faintly as she looks at the results of the cooking she just finished this morning. It's been a tiring Saturday, but she shouldn't complain. In an hour, she has to be on standby, monitoring everything related to her boss's business trip. Although at home, as the deputy marketing manager at ShopaShop, she can't just sit around waiting for the results.

"Hey... let's eat," Tata offers as soon as she sees her husband coming out of the room. There's a frown on his forehead. "Where are you going?"

The person asked just glances briefly, scans his wife's appearance, and sighs. "What's up with you? Today is Nilam's event. Don't tell me you forgot?"

Tata quickly digs into when the information about her husband's family event was organized. However, nothing. She can't find a single word about the event in question.

"I... don't know, honey."

"Come on!" Her husband, Ottis Pahlevi, waves his hand with reluctance. "When did you know? My family's events are always a priority."

The woman with shoulder-length hair blinks. "Well, not really, dear. I really didn't know."

"Nilam already told you, Ta. You just don't care about whatever my sister informs you." Ottis emphasizes the 'whatever.' His eyes also judge his wife. "We're leaving shortly. I'll wait for you for another thirty minutes."

"But, honey," Tata quickly interjects. "After this, I have a meeting. You know, right?"

Ottis sighs again.

"A meeting?" He shakes his head in disbelief. "Whatever. When can you position yourself as a good wife, Ta? Always with work, work, and work."

"Honey, we've agreed on this, right?"

Ottis still doesn't change his attitude towards his wife. He's too fed up with Tata's constant arguments. "Not just once or twice, Ta, you're like this."

Later, the guy in the sky-blue shirt just left his wife like that. As if he knew his wife wouldn't mimic his steps. Indeed, until his foot was at the door, Tata didn't follow him. Deliberately, she slammed the door of her house loudly. The deafening sound became the accompaniment to her departure this time.

Meanwhile, Tata clenches her fists. Feeling irritated and frustrated. Every time it comes to Ottis's family, she's always cornered. What did Ottis say earlier? Nilam informed her? When?

She quickly grabs her phone from the dining table. Opening all the incoming messages, especially from Nilam. There's no message there. Including, call logs from Nilam. Indeed, there was one unanswered call from her sister-in-law a week ago, but there was no other message. Then how did she know about this news?

"If I argue, I'm still the one at fault. They say I'm too busy working," Tata scoffs. She sighs softly. Once again, her eyes have to settle, the meal she intentionally prepared for her husband, who knows when he'll enjoy it. "Although Ottis knows I work for whom."

The fingers that still faithfully hold her phone are witnesses to how many 'demanding' messages Nilam has sent.

Nilam:

Sis, don't forget Mom's medical expenses are getting higher, you know. Ottis has allocated for household needs, but you know right, that's not enough? Ridho just started working. Don't rely on it.

Nilam:

Sis, Mom's medicine ran out. Ottis hasn't got money. He said to ask you. Luckily you're working, huh. Good for you. Poor Ottis if he has to bear it alone.

Nilam:

Sis, Dad wants to buy medical equipment. I've checked the price, two and a half million. It's good. I'll transfer later. I've ordered it.

Nilam:

Sis, Kay has an event at his school. He's asking for new shoes. Mas Ottis just bought him a bag. The shoes are from you, right.

Ottis knows?

Clearly, the man knows. In fact, it's her husband who asks Tata to keep working. Don't resign and endure whatever happens at the office. All for what? To support his demanding extended family. Does Tata support her family? No. She has long been an orphan. Supporting herself and feeling happy to have a 'complete' family.

Unfortunately...

Tata sighs softly. The clock on her wrist is already pointing at 10:00. She has to hurry to prepare for the meeting. She needs to redirect the squeezing feeling enveloping her heart. She mustn't let it disturb her concentration. The boss never mentions Samanta's negligence during the business trips she should actually attend. Instead, she is asked to be on standby when her boss requests data.

***

Her office inventory car is already parked right on the edge of this busy street. Before unbuckling her seatbelt, she first pulls and exhales a slow breath. Cultivating positive things because surely, being there isn't something that can make her feel happy.

Her mind is tortured.

A large paper bag with the logo of a famous bakery is already in her right hand. It's unthinkable for her to stroll carelessly into this beige-painted house.

"Come on, Ta. Cheer up!" she says softly as a way to reassure herself that she can get through this afternoon. After all, it's not like she's been in this condition for just a year or two. Her mind counts... ah, it's been ten years apparently. Then what makes her worried?

"Aunt Tata!" shouts a kid she knows very well; Kayyish. The daughter of Nilam and Ridho, her sister-in-law's brother.

"Hey, Kay."

For this 8-year-old girl, Tata's affection is quite significant. How she wishes she also had a 'Kayyish' in her life. However, it seems that God hasn't blessed her with that.

"Why, Auntie is late? The event is almost over," says Kayyish with a disappointed expression. "It was fun earlier."

Tata smiles faintly. "There's still work that Auntie has to do."

"Keep working until you forget there's an event at home," grumbles Nilam. She welcomes Tata with clasped hands.

Samanta doesn't want to argue with her, choosing to say, "Yes, Nilam. Sorry. I brought your favorite cake and brownies for you and Mom."

The creases on Nilam's lips start to fade. Replaced by a honey-sweet smile, especially when the paper bag switches hands.

"Oh, you're making trouble."

Then, she just walks away. Without caring that her sister-in-law is still in the yard. It's Kayyish's tiny hand that pulls Tata into her house. She's already very used to being treated like this by Nilam. She no longer considers it a burden. It's useless to have that in her mind. She doesn't get any defense about her sister-in-law's attitude towards her.

"Are you complaining about such trivial matters, Ta? It's understandable, Nilam just left you like that. She must be busy. Having Kayyish too. If you had a child, you'd know, the trouble of having a child."

That's what Ottis once said to her.

This is from her sister-in-law. The real issue is...

"Wow, you come when everything's already done, Ta," says the middle-aged woman sitting next to her husband. She smiles broadly, but Tata knows, that smile is full of sarcasm.

"Sorry, ma'am. I still had some work left earlier."

Rieka, the woman's name, grumbles in annoyance.

"Keep working, Ta. When aren't you busy? This is your brother's event, you know. Don't you consider Nilam your sibling? Is that it?"

"No, ma'am."

Tata approaches, hesitating to extend her hand. It's not impossible that she'll receive a gentle slap from her mother-in-law. Her head has been looking for the most suitable excuse to get out of this situation since earlier. Her husband, sitting leisurely while enjoying a cup of coffee, doesn't bother to calm his mother's heart.

"But the fact is, you come after the event is over. You know, Nilam has Kayyish. There's also I’m to be taken care of. You're just busy with your own affairs. Your husband, too, helps around the house. He also works, right? Busy too. Still manages to make time. And you? Just enjoying what's there?"

Tata falls silent.

"You, as the eldest daughter-in-law, should set an example for your sister-in-law, but instead, you're like this. Ottis must have told you, right? You're definitely stubborn. Do you feel great now, Ta?"

"No, ma'am." Tata tries to defend herself. Her hand clenches tightly. Her fingers turn white with the anger she has, it's enormous.

"Forgive me, ma'am. I’m fault."

That's all she can say.

"If your busyness is because of a child, Mom understands. Until now, you don't have a child, but your busyness is like being a president." Rieka says with a sarcastic tone. "Enough. I ashamed to have a daughter-in-law like you."