PLAYING WITH FIRE

After coming home from Arasy's house, Arista went straight home. She had to cook lunch. When she came home, her mother-in-law's car was not there. Ujang was not there either. Ujang is a driver and gardener at their house. His job is to pick up Deswita. And occasionally dropping Damian off, if Damian was out of town. Meanwhile, the children are Arista's responsibility. They also do not want to be escorted by Ujang.

Arista went straight to the kitchen and saw Mira tidying up the groceries that Arista ordered into the fridge. "Where is my mother in law, Mir?" asked Arista. "She said she took a walk to Puncak with her friends, ma'am. Then Ujang was ordered to take her. The Big Lady said, may be she was there for about 3 days."

"Oh. You prepare the ingredients for Sayur Asam. Just boil 7 eggs. Slice the tempeh. Cover the chicken first, then mix other spices."

" Don't forget, this is the rest of the shopping change, ma'am."

Arista nodded and immediately put the remaining money Mira gave her into her bag. This afternoon Arista wants to make Balado eggs, fried chicken and tempeh as well as Sayur Asem. Arista likes it the most when she cooks in the kitchen. She felt calm when she was in the kitchen like now. Even more calm, when she imagined that for 3 days her ears would be free from her mother-in-law's chatter.

"Ma'am, tonight at 7 o'clock, may I go out. Until 11 o'clock at night. A friend of mine from the village asked to meet her.

Arista turned her head and furrowed her brows.

"Friends from the village? Girls?"

"Yes, ma'am. She has only been working in Jakarta for 2 weeks. Yes, ma'am?" Arista thought for a moment. Tonight is the weekend. There's nothing wrong, if she gives a little time for Mira to have fun. Who knows, with her having friends, she can hang out and make new friends. Grateful if the man and she immediately proposed.

"Okay, you can go. No need to bring the key. You can call me when you get home. Remember, it's 11 o'clock at the latest. More than that, get ready to return it to the foundation. You hear?"

"Okay, ma'am. Thank you very much." Arista just answered with a nod and continued to cook. When all was done, she hurriedly grabbed her bag and went to pick up her children. First he picked up Dominic. Because Dominic's school is further away. After picking up Dominic, she picked up the twins and stopped at the Throne store to pick up the cakes she ordered. Arista's three children are of course happy when they see Arista buying a lot of cakes that they like. "Thanks mommy, I'm glad Mommy bought a lot of cakes," said Elena. Arista just smiled and nodded.

When she arrived home, Damian had just arrived. Their three children immediately rushed over and hugged their father happily.

"Wow, what are you bringing? Are you buying snacks?" asked Damian. Arista just nodded. "Calista wants a dessert box. I bought it all to stock up on their snacks. This is all buying macaroni schotel for Mom. But she even went to Puncak, she said 3 days," said Arista.

"She just called. She wanted to ask Ujang with her. Just leave it to Ris. Mother will occasionally go refreshing," Damian said.

"Then, when can I refresh?" said Riris. Damian frowned.

"If you go, who takes care of the house? Take care of the children? It's all kinds of things. Come on, don't be weird. If you want to pamper yourself, just go to a spa with a salon, or go shopping with the kids. The money I give is enough right?"

Damian casually stepped in front of Arista who was frozen for a while hearing her husband's answer. Is that all Arista deserves? Arista could only shake her head. Lazy to argue, Arista immediately told her three children to change clothes and immediately eat lunch.

"Ris, I might go to Bandung this afternoon. I need a client. I'll be home tomorrow. If you want to take the kids to Mami's house or go for a walk, maybe it's up to you," Damian said as he started eating.

"The plan really is that I want to take them to Mommy's house. At first, I wanted to take you too. But, never mind, I'll just be with the kids. Later in the afternoon I'll most like to take them to the Mall. Maybe watch and have dinner. Mira wants to Go with her friends too."

"Well, you just set it, I'll allow it. I'll transfer additional money," Damian said as he grabbed his cellphone and transferred some money to Arista's account. Arista was silent. When it comes to finances, Damian is never stingy. Every month Arista receives is always enough. Whether it's for household needs and children, also for Arista's personal needs.

But, actually Arista needs not only material. She also needs attention in other ways. But, again Arista could only sigh and pretend to smile happily. So that the children also feel happy.

"Yes, mom, we'll just watch Frozen tonight. My friends have watched it too. The king and queen are all right. May I, daddy?" asked Elena. Damian nodded. "Yes, daddy gave the money to mommy. You can watch, eat, buy whatever you want, okay. On the end of the new year holiday, we go to Phuket or to Singapore," said Damian.

"Yeaay, Daddy's the coolest," all three cheered happily.

Arista just smiled seeing her three children happy and cheerful. It doesn't matter if her heart is a little hurt, what matters to Arista is the happiness of her three children.

"Please get my clothes ready, honey. I'm leaving at three this afternoon."

"Don't go back to the office first?" asked Arista.

"No, Just go ahead, today is Saturday too. Saturday, you know I only want half a day. It's up to me if I go back and forth. After all, who wants to fire me? The office is mine." Damian replied a little arrogantly. Arista just smiled a little hearing that. After finishing lunch, Arista immediately told her children to take a nap in their room. Meanwhile she went straight to his room to prepare Damian's clothes.

"Are you sure you will come home tomorrow afternoon?" asked Arista. Damian nodded,

"Have I ever lingered when I went out of town. I couldn't be far from you," Damian teased. Arista squinted, she just pursed her lips.

"There must be a will," Arista shot, which was immediately greeted by Damian's laughter.

"Yes, before I go I want you first. I'll sleep alone tonight," Damian replied.

"Yes, that's why I and the children will come along. We can go for a walk while waiting for you to finish your business," said Arista.

"Next time, honey. It's a hassle if the kids come along anyway."

"Kids can be with Mommy. It's been a long time since we've been together."

"Just like teenagers. Come on, it's better now, hem..." Damian blinked one eye. Arista just sighed and followed Damian's will to make love during the day.