Chapter 3. Sweet Amelia

"Bik Inah, please try it. It's tasty, isn't it?" I opened a pack of Pepes to try. After grilled for a while, the smell of pepes tastes good

"Heem, delicious ma'am. It tastes fresh, and doesn't have a fishy taste. It's delicious. I'll just try a little of this, okay? I will take it back for Pak Maman. He likes this," she said, showing a thumbs up. Then, she hurriedly tidied up the pepes and set it aside.

"I'll take a shower first, OK? Mr and Miss, is it still a long time?. Please take care of it for a while, OK?" I tidied up the kitchen utensils and Bik Inah continued to wash the kitchen utensils. She takes care of the dishes.

*

I felt the aches in my body disappear and my mind, which was full of memories of the files earlier, feels lighter.

Hmmm ... it's quite tiring too.

I wore a turquoise shirt paired with a three-quarter skirt in dark green. Hair in a neat bun and light makeup. Anita told me that I must always look neat and clean.

I checked my phone, maybe someone is calling. One incoming message, from Wishnu-my son.

[Mom, how's work? Are you okay?]

[Mom is already at work. Alhamdulillah. You take care. Always Pray for Mom and keep healthy]

[Always, Mom. Wishnu always prays for you Mom. I love you, Mom]

He immediately replied to my message, this shows he was waiting for my reply earlier. Feeling tight in my chest, and wanting to cry because of his care, I took a deep breath searching for strength. I have to be strong and have a heart for him, so that he becomes an independent and strong child.

[Yes dear. Love you my son]

Wishnu, he is an only child. After separate from Bram, my ex-husband, we stayed at my parents' house. There is only my mother, father had died. Mother has several chicken farms managed by partners. the income of the business will be shared according to the agreement. The income is not really bad for the daily life expenses of the three of us. However, recently the price of the life chicken is not stable, we are going to bankrupt. It's not a profitable, even our savings are taken out for operational costs.

Last Sunday, Wishnu  gave good news. This news made me determined to find a job with a steady income.

"Mama...! Mama...! I got accepted to college!" shouted Vishnu at that time. He ran and hugged me. His face looks very happy the dream of going to college in Malang east Java has been achieved. Architecture, major of his choice.

"Alhamdulillah, Finally, your hard work is accomplished. Mom is very happy." I rub his length curly hair. His hair is long, he promised me to cut it, if what he wanted granted. His posture already looks tall, with a height of about 6 feet, brown skin, and a clean face, he looks more mature and handsome.

I am determined to lead you to become a successful person without relying on Bram, your Daddy. It hurts to remember his betrayal. Three years he lied to me.

Has been Three years, they fooled me!

The opening of a branch in Batam Sumatera  was just a cover to hide his new wife. Until he had two Childs, and stupidly I didn't realize his betrayal. I am very disappointed and feel like the most foolish person in the world.

Now, let's go back to how we used to be when we never met. Yes, back to that starting point.

I presume that I never knew Bram, and crossed him out from this my life story. Therefore, I firmly reject the share of wealth or costs for Wisnu. I am determined to ease everything from my life.

I want to live quietly.

*

Tin... Tin... Tin... Tin...

A car horn sounded . I looked ahead, saw Miss Amelia coming home from school.

"Good afternoon, Miss Amelia. Introduce me, I'm Maharani, just call me Rani," I introduced myself.

"This is Miss Rani! Wow, it's here!" she immediately came to me, hugged me and clung like a child to her mother. Without feel clumsy. This child is so cute, for a moment I feel of Wisnu. Her face is so cute, clean white, wearing a plaid uniform, white shoes, very cute.

"Hurry up and clean up and eat right away. Aunty has cooked for Miss Amelia."

"Okay!" replied Amelia. She immediately ran to her room.

Hurriedly, I prepared food on the dining table with plates, spoons, forks including napkins arranged in such a way as in a restaurant.

In the guiding book, Amelia likes mango juice, and doesn't like dragon fruit juice. Fine, I make mango juice with a concoction like in the restaurant where I used to work. Once as a manager, I know exactly the right recipe and taste.

"Wow, that's delicious!" shouted Amelia seeing the food available on the table.

"Hmmm, the juice is so delicious. Auntie, you made it yourself?! It's not like usual," she commented after drinking the mango juice until it was empty.

"Want more, Auntie"

"That's enough. Eat first. Aunt will make it again after eating. let's eat!"

I took the rice on her plate. Pepes I opened a little. She kept watching me, what I did, and she noticed.

I don't know what's her planned.

"Auntie, don't call me miss, please. I'm embarrassed. Just call me Amel or honey. As my friends called by their mother. I want it to," Amelia whined at me.

Her eyes were looking at me like begging.

Deg (feel heartbeat)

I saw it.

.

.

"Fine. Aunt, call Amel or honey, okay? Come on, eat now. Which side dish do you want, honey?"

We started getting to know each other. It turns out that it was Amelia who chose me to work here. She read all the application files sent online, and she made her choice. She said, feeling right with me.

At this opportunity, she chooses a candidate that will work here. Normally, the Great Madame will send people to work and  take care of this work. Amelia said, there are many strange people. The last one is only one year at most.

We ate together, she insisted on being accompanied. She eats very well, even now it's the second plate. She is really hungry.

"Honey, you don’t eat at the school canteen?"

"The food in the canteen isn't good. I am too lazy to eat there. Just take snacks at school," she said while chewing her food.

"What If Auntie brings you food?"

"I really want it, Auntie! Wow, I can show off to my friends! Usually, they were shown off and even teased by them. They brought lunch; their mother made it."

Seeing Amelia's acts, my chest felt tight. This child from this age didn’t get love from a mother.

It’s a Pity.

While she was eating, she kept smiling and sometimes looked at me.

Very sweet.

******