Back from Malaysia

Manggar Maula Mahabana

Suli had been working as a domestic servant in Malaysia for two years now, leaving behind her husband, Karto, and two children: Nono, who was aged four and a half, and Nini, 3.

Karto patiently looked after both children. Every time Nono and Nini asked when their mother was coming home, Karto would answer: "Emak1 will return when you go to elementary school!"

Karto's reply would soothe their longing, but then they would ask how she would get home.

"She'll fly home. The plane will land right in front of the house," said Karto.

"Hooray! We'll have a plane!" Nono exclaimed with joy.

"Let's fly together, round and round up there!" Nini shrieked.

Karto smiled, amused by the jovial response of the children.

Every afternoon, Nono and Nini would scream happily as an aircraft flew overhead.

"Maaak! Come here quickly! Come home!" they shouted while clapping their hands.

They waved until the plane was out of sight, smiling without showing any sadness or disappointment. For they knew their mother would be back only when they went to elementary school.

* * *

Suli regularly sent home most of her earnings via money order. The amount was more than enough to support her family. Karto could even afford to save part of the money in the bank.

Karto spent his days hanging around at home, instead of working in the fields. While the family had no problem earning a living, he thought there was no need to work. And since he was already dependent on his wife, he willingly stayed at home to take care of the children. He deemed it his duty to do so.

Lonely? That's what Karto felt when his kids were asleep. As a normal man, he was frequently uneasy in his loneliness. In the first year of Suli's absence, he could still spend his days watching TV or listening to the radio. But in the second year, he became restless. One night, he felt so desolate that TV and radio broadcasts became too boring to keep him occupied.

"Do I have to cheat on Suli?" He thought he could find another woman with whom he would share his affection.

"Who can I make love to?" Karto tried to recall the women he might be able to approach.

"Sri Wati!" He whispered one of the names. He was sure that the young and pretty divorcee would need his company. Sri Wati had been divorced by her husband after five years of marriage because she was considered infertile.

"I needn't worry about her getting pregnant when I make love to her!" Karto thought.

He was convinced of winning her heart. He would offer her new gowns or a gold necklace if necessary, by spending the money he had saved from Suli's wages.

When Nono and Nini were sound asleep that night, Karto immediately left for Sri Wati's house.

"What's wrong, kang2?" asked Sri Wati in surprise.

"Come over to my house! Suli has sent a letter for you!" Karto replied.

Sri Wati readily followed Karto.

"To be frank, I'm lonely, Sri!" Karto said as they reached his home.

Sri Wati looked astonished, but his coaxing soon did away with her fears.

"From now on, let's make believe that we're a married couple!" Karto said forthrightly. Sri Wati gave in to his hugs and kisses.

"Our relationship must be kept secret," said Karto.

"What if people find out, kang?" Sri Wati said, anxiety in her voice.

"We'll get married!"

Sri Wati smiled in relief.

Their affair eventually became public knowledge. All their neighbors were aware of it, yet they finally chose to turn a deaf ear, as if they hadn't heard anything about it. The widespread gossip, lasting several days, died down.

"Don't you worry, Suli knows nothing. She'll be back in two years!" assured Karto as he observed Sri Wati's apprehension.

Since their neighbors no longer cared about them, she dared stay in the same house with Karto.

"Don't be sad if emak doesn't come back," Karto told the children. "You've got another mom now!"

"Another emak, so we've got two?" asked Nini in an innocent tone.

"Another? Who?" Nono was confused.

"Mak Sri Wati! She's your new emak, she always loves us!" answered Karto.

Nono began to understand.

The children's amiable attitude added to Sri Wati's relief. They frequently asked her to accompany them when going to bed. She treated them tenderly and affectionately like her own children.

One day, Sri Wati's parents admonished her for not getting married to Karto. She was advised to be married even if only witnessed by a village religious chief.

Sri Wati, however, ignored her parents' warning. She even asserted that there were no special relationship between her and Karto. She said she stayed with him only out of pity for Suli's kids. She just wanted to help look after them so that they would not live without motherly love.

"Don't be eaten up by rumors!" Sri Wati cautioned her parents, who kept silent thereafter and never blamed her again later.

* * *

"Emaak! You needn't come back again, I've got a new mom!" Nini screamed, standing beside Nono while looking at the sky.

Karto and Sri Wati watched them from the porch, smiling with pleasure.

Sri Wati was wearing Suli's nightdress, and Karto seemed proud next to her.

That night, Karto was awakened from his sleep by a knock on the door. He hurried to open it, only to be shocked by the sight before him.

"You were sleeping, kang?" asked Suli while stepping inside. She walked straight to the bedroom, carrying her bags.

Suli was flabbergasted to see her two children on the same bed with Sri Wati. She exploded into a loud cry.

Sri Wati woke up.

"That's unbelievable of you, kang Karto!" exclaimed Suli through her tears. "You have the heart to cheat on me!"

Karto could only stand in panic.

Sri Wati turned pale in her shame, and chose to flee.

Nono and Nini got up, looking confused and worried.

Suli rolled on the floor, shrieking and wailing. She felt her heart torn to pieces.

For the next few days, she did nothing but stare into space, slowly losing her mind.

Translated by Aris Prawira

Notes: Emak or mak: Javanese term of address for a mother Kang: Javanese/Sundanese term of address for an older man