Episode 3

"Hi... What in the world have you been feeding my children?" Rena shouted, irritation clear in her voice.

Amidst enjoying their meal, Gibran and Tiara, along with Dinda and Satria, were taken aback when Rena burst into the kitchen without a greeting, incensed that her children were being fed nothing but water spinach and fried tempeh.

"Rena, could you at least greet people before storming into their house? Bursting in and shouting is quite rude," Dinda exclaimed, frustrated by the sudden confrontation which thankfully hadn't caused anyone to choke.

"You think you're so high and mighty!" Rena scoffed, pointing at her own children who cowered in fear. "Why are you feeding my kids this trash? This isn't what they're used to eating!"

Satria and Dinda were bewildered by their sister's arrogance and harshness in referring to their meal as 'trash'. After all, Rena’s children were regulars at their table every day.

"If you prefer that your children eat fried chicken or beef rendang, then by all means, take them home with you and give them 'proper' meals. There's no need to come here and complain when you can't even look after your own kids. I'm the one feeding them because they're starving. They eat here nearly every day, and you, as their mother, neglect your responsibilities; always out and about instead of cooking for your children," Dinda said angrily.

Satria gently caressed Dinda’s arm, attempting to calm her rising anger. Rena responded with a huff and a sneer.

"Tiara, Gibran... I'm sorry, darlings, but from tomorrow, you should stop eating here if all I have is 'trash' food. You’d better ask your mom for nicer, nutritious meals," said Dinda sweetly.

"But if we don't eat here, where will we eat, auntie? There's no food at home and we're hungry. We like your food; my brother and I enjoy your cooking," said Tiara, a first-grade student with a sorrowful expression.

"Tiara, Gibran, come home!" Rena shouted, clearly upset.

Without arguing, Tiara and Gibran stood up and left the house following their mother. They were still hungry, their meal unfinished, but they didn't dare to talk back. They departed with their heads hanging low and hearts heavy.

"If she weren't my sister, I’d give her a piece of my mind," muttered Dinda, still angry.

"Let's not let our emotions take over. Let's just continue with our meal," Satria said gently.

Dinda nodded slowly, sat back down, and tried to finish her meal, but her appetite had vanished. However, wasting food would be even worse.

After eating, Dinda cleaned up the meal and washed the dishes. Meanwhile, Satria had left to attend a neighborhood meeting at Mr. RT’s house.

*How long must my sisters treat us like this? They belittle me and Satria\, and even my own mother doesn't like him. I worry that Satria will feel pressured and alienated\, but thankfully he's patient and not easily offended\,* Dinda mused silently to herself.

**********

Rena arrived at her parent's home, eager to discuss Dinda and Satria. Her father wasn't home, as he was attending the neighborhood meeting as well.

"Do you also want to separate them?" inquired Rena curiously.

"Yes, you’re right. I don’t want to see Anisa suffering with Satria. What can we expect from a man whose only job is selling cendol? I want to matchmake Dinda with Mr. Sukar’s son, who owns a large electronics store and has a steady job with a good salary," expressed Mrs. Rahayu with conviction.

"Tono? The Tono who works at STR GROUP?" Rena asked, making sure her curiosity was addressed.

Mrs. Rahayu nodded confidently with a smile, affirming her belief that Dinda marrying Tono, a permanent employee with a decent salary, would be ideal.

A mother should be an example to her children, a source of comfort and a confidant — offering support, encouragement, and wise counsel. Instead, she was conspiring to end her daughter’s marriage in favour of a union with another man.

"But is Dinda willing, Mom? She seems deeply in love with Satria," Rena said, doubting her mother's plan.

"She must be willing; if not, we'll have to make it happen. Marrying Tono would bring us pride. Plus, he works in the same company as Rudy and Reno," Mrs. Rahayu replied.

Rena nodded, a sly smile forming. She agreed with Mrs. Rahayu, believing that Dinda’s marriage to Tono would enhance their family’s status.

"Mom, we need to arrange things so Dinda and Satria split up sooner rather than later. I'm fed up with having a brother-in-law like him: poor yet so prideful. It's a pity to see Dinda living this way," Rena added.

"You think I don't feel sorry for your sister? That’s why I'm finding her a new match. Let’s not mention this to your father, though. He'd be furious if he found out," Mrs. Rahayu suggested with a gleeful smile.

Just then, Rena complained about the 'trash' food that Dinda and Satria gave her children.

"Trash? What do you mean?" asked Mrs. Rahayu, confused.

"Rena's children were fed kangkung and tempeh, isn't that essentially garbage food?" Rena was indignant.

"If you took the time to cook, they wouldn't have to eat such things. Nonetheless, it's good that Dinda chooses to feed them. Before you leave the house next time, prepare meals for them. If Beni knew you're neglecting them, he’d be furious," Mrs. Rahayu advised.

"Why are you defending them? You should be outraged that they're feeding your grandchildren unsuitable food. And Beni won't find out; he comes home just once a week," Rena said confidently.