5. THE MOTHER-IN-LAW

“Are you drunk?”

Amanda took a step back as her husband’s body moved closer. Fortunately, she had locked the door earlier. If not, someone might have come in or peeked into their room, especially with a few relatives still staying over.

“Dinda.”

“I’m Amanda!!”

The voice made Radit shake his head weakly. Especially when he blinked slowly and saw the face of his late wife.

“Sorry,” he said apologetically. “I was just—”

“Quick, change your clothes! I don’t like that smell,” Amanda snapped, pushing his hand away so he would leave her alone.

Believe me. There was a small pain that pinched her chest. Amanda chuckled softly, mocking herself for still not believing that she and Radit were officially husband and wife.

“Manda?”

Amanda quickly wiped away the disappointment in her heart and said, “You can sleep on the sofa, right? Dadang changed it to a bigger one this afternoon. It’ll fit you.”

Radit nodded slowly. “Sorry about earlier, Manda.” Amanda stayed silent, returning to adjust herself in front of the mirror. “Dinda just left recently. Honestly, I still miss her.”

“You’re not wrong,” Amanda muttered. “The one to blame is fate that took away your happiness too soon. Go ahead, sleep. Nothing to regret.”

Tonight was their first night. It wasn’t like a typical newlywed couple spending time in each other’s arms. For both Amanda and Radit, this was the starting point of their problems. Many storms would probably come their way in the days to come.

---

“I’m going home now.”

Her mother was insistent on putting her things on the front porch. She didn’t care if Yuda or any other relatives overheard her muttering again.

“Mom.”

“I’m not blocking your marriage. I just want to go home. Can't you take me?” Her voice was getting louder.

Radit sighed heavily. He groaned in frustration as he watched his mother’s behavior. But he didn’t have the heart to let the woman who gave birth to him go home alone.

“Don’t you feel tired? It takes at least three hours to get from Medan to Kisaran. Stay here for a bit. Don’t you miss Ayra?” Radit tried to convince his mother.

Meanwhile, Yuda had instructed the relatives not to watch the argument between the mother and son. Amanda just watched them from a distance. There was still so much she didn’t know about Radit.

“Maybe you should have breakfast first. It’s still early,” Yuda suggested.

“No need.”

“Come on, I’ll take you later,” Radit finally said.

“Really?” His mother’s face lit up.

The atmosphere in the dining room suddenly became awkward, especially after hearing Radit and his mom’s conversation. Then Tiara took over the conversation once breakfast was over.

“I still haven’t learned the recipe for the fish pepes from Ningsih. When can we do that?” Tiara started the conversation, while the others left the room one by one, not wanting to deal with Radit’s mom, who sometimes got angry for no reason.

“Rich people, huh? Are you really interested in a recipe from a village woman like me?” Ningsih sneered.

Amanda shuddered on her own, while Tiara just chuckled lightly and seemed very relaxed.

“I’m from a village too. That’s why I want to learn from you. Radit says your cooking is delicious.”

“I don’t have time. I want to go home!”

Tiara nodded with a smile and looked at Amanda, who had been silent the whole time.

“Alright, if Ningsih really wants to leave, we won’t force her. Maybe Ayra will wake up soon. You want to say goodbye to her, right?”

Ningsih stayed silent. Then Tiara gave a signal to her husband to leave the room, leaving Radit alone with the two women who were now staring at each other in silence.

“I’ll go see Ayra first,” Amanda mumbled, and Radit nodded.

Just as she was about to leave, Ningsih spoke again with her sharp words.

“Why get married if you still have a babysitter taking care of your child? What’s the point of having a wife?”

Amanda paused, clearly offended by the remark. She then walked away without paying attention to what her mother-in-law had said.

“Manda?”

A young nanny in uniform smiled at Amanda and handed Ayra over to her.

“I’m still not used to it, Sus,” Amanda admitted as she awkwardly cradled the little girl.

“It’s okay. You’ll get the hang of it. You’re a new mom,” the nanny said understandingly.

“Hi?” Amanda tried to talk to the little one. But all she got was more crying, making her even more uneasy. “You still don’t feel comfortable being held by your aunt, huh?”

“Mama. Now you’re a mama,” Radit scolded her, seemingly having watched her for a while.

He smiled a little and signaled the nanny to leave them alone in Ayra’s room.

“Yeah,” Amanda replied, then handed Ayra over to Radit.

“We’ll both learn,” Radit said softly. “I’m not close to Ayra either. Since she was born, I’ve been running back and forth between the hospital and taking care of Dinda after her cesarean. So, I’m still awkward too.”

Amanda nodded slightly. She felt relieved after hearing Radit’s words. Just then, her mother-in-law appeared to say goodbye.

“Be careful,” Amanda said, the first time speaking to the woman who scared her so much.

No response, just a sharp glare. Amanda sighed softly and returned to Ayra’s crib as before.

“Manda, come with me.”

“Where to?” Amanda asked, sounding very innocent.

“To the village. Let’s take Mom there together. Ayra and I will take care of her. Everyone in the village needs to know that I’m married to you now. I mean, you, not Dinda anymore.”

Believe me, the journey to Kisaran felt very tense for Amanda. Even though she just sat quietly in the back, she could lay down if she wanted. Her mother-in-law was in the front with Radit driving. Still, she felt like she was being watched.

“Arini just came back from working abroad. She’s already finished her Master’s too.” Ningsih started a new topic after a long silence. Radit just nodded in response. “You still remember her, right?”

“Yeah,” Radit answered briefly.

“She’s still not married. Pretty. Still young too.”

“Are you trying to insult me?” Amanda couldn’t keep quiet anymore, especially when her mother-in-law deliberately glanced at her through the rearview mirror.

“Eh eh. Someone’s finally realizing it.”

“Mom,” Radit scolded softly. But his mom still couldn’t stop. And then...