Back from Malaysia

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