Husband Considered Poor

Episode 1

At 29, Satria led a modest life in a simple rented house. He lived in the same village as his in-laws and his wife's family. Having married the beautiful and unassuming Dinda Kusama two years prior, their life was humble and grounded. Dinda, who had once worked as a cashier at a mini-market, decided to quit her job after getting married.

"You fool! You should have married Alfin. He has a high-ranking office job, and here you are married to a poor man who sells cendol on the streets!" Rudi, Dinda's eldest brother, berated her.

The youngest sibling with three elder ones, Dinda had Rudi, Reno, and her sister Rena, all of whom had opposed her relationship with Satria from the start. However, she defended her love for Satria, leading to her siblings' eventual dismay when she accepted Satria's proposal. Only her father, Sir Karim, supported their union, unlike her mother, Ms.Rahayu.

"Look at your life now, Dinda. You lack so much, even God hasn't blessed you with a child because you're poor and can't afford one," Rena remarked bitterly.

"Match, provision, and death are God's secrets, sister. Don't associate not having children with our poverty. It's my household with Mr.Satria, why are you all fussing? In two years of marriage, I've never asked for your help once. Yet despite your good jobs and wealth, you always need money and bother Mom and Dad," Dinda replied defiantly.

She was tired of being humiliated and belittled by her siblings, with her husband as their frequent target.

"Enough, Din, don't make a scene. The neighbors might hear," Satria said, comforting his wife with a gentle caress.

Satria was accustomed to this treatment, with nothing but contempt from his in-laws, except his kind father-in-law.

"But, sir, they've gone too far," Dinda said softly, puzzled why her husband never fought back against his brothers-in-law.

"It's alright, I may be poor, but God willing, I can still make you happy," assured Satria gently.

It was Satria's patience and tenderness that deepened Dinda's love for him.

"Ha! Proud of being a mere cendol seller? How can you satisfy my daughter? You barely have enough," scoffed Ms.Rahayu disdainfully.

"Let's not talk like that. Satria is our son-in-law, and we should pray for his success. If he prospers, our daughter will benefit too," counseled Sir Karim to his wife.

However, Rahayu's siblings disliked their father's words, ashamed to have an in-law like Satria, never acknowledging him and ignoring him on the streets.

"Sir always favors Satria and Dinda. We just want Dinda to be happy and have a comfortable life. Can't you see our spouses have respectable jobs, especially Rena's husband?" Reno protested.

Every Saturday night, Sir Karim's children and their spouses gathered at his house for dinner, which always fell on Mbok Yem and Dinda to prepare as the sisters-in-law were uninterested in helping.

"Let's go home, Mr.Rudi, I'm tired of this unnecessary argument," said Sinta, weary Rudi's wife.

"Indeed, I'm sleepy too," echoed Sarah, Reno's wife.

Following the departure of her siblings and their spouses, Dinda and Satria stayed quiet in the living room, with Ms.Rahayu casting scornful glances at them.

"After clearing these teacups, you can go. You've had a good meal here, after all," directed Ms.Rahayu sharply before retiring to her room.

Dinda silently wept inside, not wishing to cry in front of her father, and she obediently tended to the tasks her mother assigned.

"Leave it, Din. Let Mbok Yem handle it; we're all tired, and you've prepared everything since the afternoon. Go home and rest, tomorrow you must help your husband with his stall," said Sir Karim kindly.

"But, Sir..." Dinda's protest was cut short as Sir Karim interjected.

"It's alright. If your mother is upset, I'll handle it," he assured her.

Dinda nodded, respecting her father's wishes, and with heartfelt gratitude, she and Satria took their leave, their home a mere 100 meters, or about five houses, away.

**********

"Off to sell, Din. Take care at home, and tell me if you go out," Satria said before leaving for his rounds.

Dinda flashed a sweet smile, as today she would assist at the village chief's wife's celebration for her child's graduation.

"Yes, Sir, I'll just be at Ibu RT's, nowhere else," laughed Dinda.

"Still, you should tell me," Satria responded playfully, pinching Dinda's cheek affectionately.

Their love and romance never faltered despite financial constraints. Satria was naturally kind, patient, and loving. In two years of marriage, he never once raised his voice at Dinda.

"Assalamualaikum," he called out as he left.

"Waalaikumsalam. Take care, Sir. May the sales be sweet today," Dinda wished hopefully.

"Aamiin," Satria responded as he mentally prepared, hoping for a successful day’s trade.

Satria usually stationed his cart outside a nearby school. Once school ended, he'd roam until four in the afternoon before heading back, regardless of unsold stock.