Chapter 6 - Endless Circle

After I was done washing my face and brushing my teeth, I immediately got out of bathroom. In between grumpy appearances from Agam, he stomped in.

I made my bed after praying. Once I had the cover stretched out, Agam merely pulled it and laid down after he went out of restroom.

I frowned while looking at him. "Why are you going back to sleep?"

"I'm still sleepy," he mumbled.

"Sleeping in the morning is not healthy, though."

"Noisy! I haven't had enough sleep yet." Agam drew the blanket around himself and curled up.

I took a deep breath.  He wasn't the only one who didn't get enough sleep.  I even experience it every night.  Still I wake up in the morning without leaving all of my obligation.

Not long after, Agam's snoring was heard.  Immediately he fell asleep. I was just amazed to see him.

"Metia Hamara! Why haven't you come down yet?"

Mother-in-law's voice made me gasp.  The reflex of my fingers touching the bottom of the neck.  I didn't know why my heart often beating like the galloping of a horse.  My breath was hunting.  Lately, this kind of anxiety often comes.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, then let it out through my mouth.

"Metia Hamara, did you hear or not? Come on, hurry up to the kitchen! Don't be a lazy daughter-in-law!"

"Yes, Ma!" I said while clenching my teeth together.

When I arrived a few minutes late, my mother in law scolded me and called me lazy daughter in law. It didn't matter how much I had obeyed her.

As soon as I entered the kitchen, the aroma of cooking spices hit my nose. Everyone looked busy with the cooking. They were Rangkem's family servants but they stayed in different building.

There was a special residence for the servants. The location was still around here. A kind of boarding house. So, they must arrive in the morning and depart well before night fall.

I didn't waste any time and walked directly to the pantry table. Foodstuffs of varying kinds, including beef, chicken, fish, shrimp, and crab, as well as vegetables that have been washed, peeled, and diced, were arranged in stainless bowls.

One of the cooks said, "Let us cook, Madam. You don't need to do anything."

"But it was Mama who asked me to cook, sis," I responded.

"Oh..." The woman who was wearing a veil continued to stir the large pot of jackfruit and chicken. She didn't say anymore words. She must be certainly understood that the orders given by my mother-in-law's simply could not be denied.

This residence was staffed with an abundant number of maids and chefts, as well as washers and dryers. However, my mother-in-law told me that I was responsible for both cooking and taking care of my husband on my own. Perhaps it was part of tradition of this respected family.

It was no big deal actualy. Housework was nothing new for me; I've been doing the chores since I was a kid.

I immediately took the beef cutlet on the table, then began to stir-fry it.  The chefs occasionally would check in with me to see if there was a preferred level of heat or would ask me how much spice they would like to add. The rest was only our hands working to prepare the entire party menu.

When I was done cooking, I grabbed the basket and went out into the backyard.

My feet feel comfortable when stepping on the green grass. I could smell the breeze carried with it the sweet scent of freshly strawberries.

Before having a kid, I enjoyed spending a lot of time in the garden. Only this part of the house could put my mind at ease for a moment. But that was if this backyard was counted as part of the house. Because it was fifty meters away from the main building.

I made my way over to the strawberry pots that were being displayed on the metal shelf. The fruits were about the size of an egg and have a bright red color that seemed delicious.I began to carefully select each one.

I went back to the kitchen once the basket was stuffed to capacity. After cleaning all of the strawberries, I mashed them in a bowl with some liquid milk. I just filled a glass with a delicious-looking smoothie, and I couldn't wait to try some of it.

"Good morning, my beautiful wife. Don't you have anything else to drink? I don't like sour taste the most." When I turned around, I was completely unaware that Agam had already moved to a position behind me.

The shaking in my hands caused me to squeeze my fists more tightly. Typically, Agam would not bring up the events of the previous night in the morning. He would carry on as if nothing had happened, as if he had amnesia. He would act as if nothing had happened, as if he were suffering from amnesia. I made an effort to behave in the same manner, particularly when I was among other people.

"It's not too sour at all. The strawberries that were grown in the rear garden were sweet and delicious. Just try it!" I gave him a glass of the thick juice.

"No. I don't like it. I would like to sip some of your coffee. Only my wife's coffee, out of all the other kinds I've had across all of Aceh, comes out on top as the greatest," Agam stated while showing his white teeth.

The sound of gasps and stifled laughter could be heard coming from the servants in the kitchen. Yes, it was how I continued to live with him for a few of years.  Every time he made a mistake, he would immediately apologize.  Again, he messed up, then he tried to act all kind. And so on, this continued like an endless circle.