With a thunderous crash, Rudi slammed the plate down in frustration, clearly enraged by any mention of money by Dinda.
"Just like that, you're proud? Do you think I can't afford a meal such as this? If it's going to be like this, we better not have these family dinners anymore. Truly shameful, to be boasting over something so trivial – you're so petty, you ungrateful sister!" Rudi bellowed, his anger unsparing.
All eyes turned to Rudi as he scolded Dinda. Satria, as her husband and the man responsible for her, couldn't stand by while Rudi berated her so harshly. He replied to Rudi's words, but with a gentle and respectful tone.
"Rudi, let's not drag this out. Please, speak calmly without letting emotions take over. Dinda is your sister too," Satria attempted to soothe Rudi's fury.
"Who are you to order me around? You have no right to speak here. I won't recognize you as a brother-in-law. A simple street vendor, and you're proud?" Rudi's taunts scattered far and wide.
Father Karim, still a spectator to the clash between his son and son-in-law, knew all too well the nature of his offspring and their spouses.
"Let it be, Satria. Don't get involved; it's a sibling matter. As the elder siblings, we just want to guide Dinda so she won't be disrespectful or arrogant. Being proud is fine if her husband were wealthy or a director. But no, she's arrogant while her husband is just a dawdling vendor," declared Reno, joining the conversation.
Everyone at the dining table laughed out loud, except for Father Karim and Beni. Beni, Reno's husband, was a man of few words, typically unwilling to get involved with his in-laws' affairs.
"Enough! If you want to fight, take it outside Father's house. We're here to eat, not to argue. Rudi, Reno, sit down!" Father Karim finally spoke up.
"This is all because of Dinda. She flaunts over trivial food," Rudi complained bitterly.
"If you consider this meal trash, you're better off not eating," Father Karim wisely countered.
"Father, you can't treat us like that. No matter what, Rudi is our son. You can't just throw him out. Now, Rudi, better to eat and forget your father's words," Mother Rahayu defended Rudi.
They resumed their interrupted dinner. Once done, they all gathered in the living room for some light-hearted chat. Sarah and Sinta took on the task of washing the dishes and cookware, while Rena prepared tea and coffee to accompany their conversations.
Typically, these chores were Dinda's lone responsibility, with Satria occasionally lending a hand. However, thanks to Father Karim, Dinda was spared the duty for the evening.
As they chatted, a car sound came from the driveway. Mother Rahayu and Rena already knew the expected guest, expressly invited by them.
"Peace be upon you!" called a voice from outside.
"And upon you, peace," the group replied in unison. Now Rena, Sarah, and Sinta joined the men, sitting beside their respective spouses.
Meanwhile, Reno's children, Tiara and Gibran, were engrossed in the television. Rudi had a 15-year-old daughter in her first year of high school, while Reno was the father of a 12-year-old boy in grade six.
"Ah, young Tono, please come in. I thought you wouldn't make it," Mother Rahayu warmly welcomed the arrival, Tono.
"Yes, ma'am," Tono responded politely.
Tono entered and greeted everyone present. His glance held a mocking edge as he shook hands with Satria.
*Why is this fellow coming over? What business does he have with Mother? But what?* Dinda mused.
She recognized Tono; he was a senior from high school and once confessed his feelings to her, which she rejected.
"Do you all know Tono?" Mother Rahayu asked.
Her children nodded unanimously. Rudi and Reno knew Tono especially well – they worked at the same company but in different roles. Tono was now a manager, commanding a level of respect from the brothers despite their age difference.
"This is Tono, Dinda's high school friend. Now he's successful, a manager at a big company. Mother had hoped Dinda would marry someone like Tono, but instead she chose you, a penniless man," Mother Rahayu spoke with disdain.
"Ibu! Please respect Satria as her husband," protested Father Karim.
"Bah, Father always sides with Satria. What does this poor son-in-law give you?" Mother Rahayu shot back, irritated.
"It's fine, Father. Better you rest," Satria suggested, not wanting to prolong the matter, especially given Father Karim's frequent illnesses.
Father Karim nodded and excused himself from the increasingly unhealthy gathering. Satria had made a valid point; rest was needed. Father Karim trusted in Satria, a good son-in-law who brought happiness to Dinda.
"Here's your coffee, Tono," Rena said, placing a cup before him.
"Thank you, Sister Rena," Tono replied courteously.
"May I ask where you work?" inquired Satria, curious about Tono.
"I work at STR Group, where I've been for five years. For the past three months, they've entrusted me as the marketing manager. It pays well – up to 25 million, not counting incentives and bonuses. Would you like a job there too? Maybe as a janitor... It's better than peddling cendol," Tono boasted arrogantly.
Satria and Dinda shared a thin smile, unaware the owner of STR Group was right in front of them. Satria could dismiss them with a single phone call, but he chose to bide his time, wanting to toy with the small-time rats of his company first.
"Thanks, but I prefer selling cendol," said Satria.
"Idiot," Tono muttered, audible to Satria.
"If only you'd married Tono, Dinda. You'd be living comfortably now, not struggling with money issues," Mother Rahayu scorned her son-in-law.
"Happiness isn't measured by money, Mother. Satria and I lead a content life. Despite being a cendol vendor, he's responsible. I've never troubled my parents nor asked for loans, unlike those office workers who constantly borrow and burden others," Dinda hit back, her words cutting deep.
Rudi, Reno, and Rena clenched their fists, clearly insulted by Dinda's jab. But with Tono present, someone they respected, they suppressed their anger.
"Rena, I'll take the kids home. Gibran's sleepy," Beni chose to leave with his children rather than partake in a pointless debate.
"That's fine, dear," Rena accepted.
Beni left with his children on his motorcycle, leaving Rena to walk home – their house wasn't far anyway.
"Happiness needs money, Dinda," Sarah chimed in.
"That's right, Din. Salons, outings, it all costs money," added Sinta.
"That might apply to you, but not Dinda. What use is happiness and the ability to buy things with dubious money?" Dinda silenced her in-laws.
"What do you mean, Din?" Reno questioned.
Dinda just shrugged, curling her lip dismissively. Reno, Rudi, and Tono were offended by her cryptic but cutting remark.
"Satria, I want you to divorce Dinda so I can marry her off to Tono. Then I can boast about having Tono as my son-in-law," Mother Rahayu's words struck like lightning to both Dinda and Satria.
Mother Rahayu crossed a line, callously asking for a divorce to pair Dinda with Tono, judging people solely by wealth.
"Mother!" Dinda objected loudly.
"Aren't you afraid of sinning with such words? I never thought you'd be so narrow-minded. Remember this, Mother, Satria and I will never divorce! One day you'll all regret it, Tono included!" she declared emphatically.
"Raising your voice at your mother, Dinda? You're disrespectful! Remember, paradise lies at the feet of your mother," Mother Rahayu retorted.
"Sorry, but Mother, you've gone too far. Satria and I won't continue this conversation. We need rest, as he has to sell cendol tomorrow," Dinda stated, rising and pulling Satria away from the irrational congregation.
Satria followed Dinda, understanding her urge to cry yet holding back tears to not appear weak before her family. Once home, her tears flowed like torrential rain.
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