Episode 10:Why does this keep happening
1708 Words
Night had fallen.
The small house grew quiet, with only the soft ticking of the wall clock filling the silence. Suddenly, Rosma’s phone buzzed. A message came in.
Yadi:
“Mom, there’s a message on your phone.”
Rosma walked over to check her phone and saw the message. A gentle smile appeared on her face—it was from the man who had recently grown close to her.
Message content:
“Hi Rosma, it’s me. Did you get home safely?”
Rosma (in her heart):
“He still cares… Even making sure I got home safely.”
She calmly replied.
Rosma (typing):
“Yes, I’m home. Thank you for caring.”
After that, the man didn’t reply. But wherever he was, he smiled in relief. He stared at his phone screen peacefully.
The man (in his heart):
“Thank goodness… she’s safe. That alone is enough to make me feel at ease tonight.”
The man’s house was large and luxurious, with a shiny car parked in the yard.
He was the son of a wealthy family, running a successful oil business.
But his heart still felt empty… until he met Rosma.
Meanwhile, at Rosma’s house…
Rosma put down her phone and looked at her children.
Rosma:
“Kids, it’s already late… come on, time for bed. You have school tomorrow.”
Agung:
“Okay, Mom…”
Yadi was still finishing his dinner.
Rosma:
“Yadi, don’t forget to drink water, okay? Eat enough. You need energy for school tomorrow.”
Yadi:
“Okay, Mom. I just need the strength for tomorrow’s lessons.”
Morning came.
Sunlight peeked through the cracks in the bamboo window.
Rosma:
“Wake up, sweethearts… Yadi, Agung, go take your showers. It’s school today. I’ve already prepared your clothes.”
Yadi and Agung followed obediently. They got up and got ready. Rosma prepared breakfast while also getting her vegetables ready to sell.
Rosma walked her children to school. In front of the school gate…
Rosma:
“My boys, behave at school. Study well, don’t make Mama sad. Be good children.”
Yadi and Agung (together):
“Yes, Mom. We promise!”
Rosma smiled. Her heart felt warm.
After that, she went off to sell vegetables as usual. In the middle of her busy day, another message came from the man.
He still cared — constantly showing his affection through simple texts.
One day…
Message from the man:
“Rosma… I want to be serious. I want to build a life with you.”
Rosma went silent. Her hands trembled as she read the message. Her chest felt tight, old memories flashing through her mind.
Rosma (in her heart):
“Is it really possible for me to be happy again? Do I even deserve to be loved after everything that’s happened?”
But the man kept reassuring her.
The man:
“Rosma, I’m not like the men from your past. I don’t care about your money. I care about you. I can provide for you — I have a house, a business, everything. I just want you by my side.”
Rosma stayed silent. She was touched, but still hesitant.
Rosma:
“But I’m just an ordinary woman. A widow… with two kids. I’m scared…”
The man:
“If you allow me, I want to come to your house. To meet your mother. To ask for her blessing.”
Rosma looked down. Sadness filled her eyes.
Rosma:
“My father passed away when I was a child… My mother remarried. We’re not very close…”
The man:
“I’ll still come. I’ll prove to you that I’m serious.”
A week later…
The man came alone to Rosma’s village. He searched for her mother’s house. His heart pounded as he knocked on the door.
The door opened. An elderly woman appeared, looking at him with a puzzled expression.
Rosma’s Mother:
“Can I help you, son?”
The Man:
“I… would like to talk. May I come in, Ma’am?”
They sat in the living room. The man calmly and politely explained the purpose of his visit. Rosma’s mother listened. Her face showed surprise, but she didn’t reject him outright.
Rosma’s Mother:
“Ask Rosma directly. If she agrees, I won’t stand in the way.”
The man went back and informed Rosma. She gave him a small smile and nodded.
He nearly hugged her out of joy, but held himself back. Rosma was not his wife yet. He had to stay respectful.
The Man:
“Tomorrow, I want you to come with me to my house. I’ll introduce you to my parents.”
Rosma:
“I… I’m afraid they won’t accept me.”
The Man:
“I’ll convince them. I promise.”
The next day, the man picked up Rosma in a luxurious car. Rosma wore neat clothes. Her face looked beautiful, though anxiety clouded her heart.
They arrived at the grand house. Rosma walked slowly, filled with both awe and fear.
They sat in the living room. A few minutes later, the man’s mother came out of her room. At first, her face was warm and friendly. They had a long conversation.
But when she found out that Rosma was a widow with two children, her expression immediately changed. The smile disappeared. Her eyes turned sharp. She became cold and quiet.
The man quickly noticed.
The Man:
“Mom, why don’t you go rest for a bit? You must be tired.”
The mother went back to her room without saying much.
Rosma stayed silent. She recognized the signs of rejection.
Afterward, the man drove Rosma home.
As soon as he returned, his mother lashed out at him.
Mother:
“What were you thinking?! You’re a well-educated man from a respected family! And you want to marry a widow with two kids?! What will people say?! I don’t approve!”
The Man:
“Mom, I love her… I’ve loved her for a long time. I’m serious about this. I believe she’s a good woman.”
Mother:
“No! You will disgrace this family!”
But the man didn’t give up. He was determined to marry Rosma… even if the whole world stood against him.
The Next Day…
Rosma sat on the front porch, gazing at the cloudy sky. The afternoon breeze gently brushed her hair. She held her phone, but didn’t have the courage to open the last message from the man.
Rosma (whispering to herself):
“Did I hope too much? Did I believe too easily that this time… I could be happy?”
Yadi came out of the house, carrying two glasses of water.
Yadi:
“Mom, are you thirsty? I brought you some water.”
Rosma (smiling, holding back tears):
“Thank you, sweetheart… You’re always so thoughtful.”
Yadi (looking at his mother):
“Mom, why have you been daydreaming a lot lately? Are you sad?”
Rosma:
“No, I’m just tired. There’s a lot on my mind.”
Yadi:
“If you’re sad, just tell me. Let me be the one who takes care of you…”
Rosma (tears falling, hugging Yadi):
“Thank you, sweetheart… Having you is the greatest blessing in my life.”
At the same time, the man sat in silence on his balcony, watching the light rain fall. In his right hand, he held a letter he wrote for his mother — but never gave.
The Man (in his thoughts):
“Why is love always tested by status? Why must Rosma’s past become our obstacle? I just want a simple life with her and her children. Is that so wrong?”
His phone rang. Rosma was calling.
The Man:
“Hello… Rosma?”
Rosma:
“I’m sorry if I’m bothering you. I just… wanted to talk. Even if just for a bit.”
The Man:
“You’re not bothering me, Rosma. I’m happy you called.”
Rosma (softly):
“I just want to know… are you still sure about me, after all of this?”
The Man (firmly):
“I’m not a child, Rosma. I know what I want. I still believe in you — and I always will.”
Rosma:
“But your mother disapproves… I don’t want you to lose your family because of me.”
The Man:
“I’d rather lose everything… than lose you.”
Silence. Rosma said nothing, her breath heavy. On the other end, the man closed his eyes, trying to calm his troubled heart.
Rosma (voice trembling):
“I don’t want you to become an enemy to your own family… just because of me, a simple widow with two kids…”
The Man:
“You’re not ‘just a widow,’ Rosma. You are the strongest woman I’ve ever known. You deserve happiness. You deserve to be loved…”
Rosma burst into tears.
Rosma:
“I’m scared… truly scared. I’ve hoped before… and everything shattered.”
The Man:
“But this time, I promise I’ll hold you… even when everything is dark.”
A few days later…
The man’s mother called him for a talk.
Mother:
“I know you’re stubborn. But listen, you’ve never been married before. That woman… she comes with two children. That’s a heavy burden.”
The Man:
“But I’m ready to carry it, Mom. They’re not a burden — they’re family.”
Mother (holding back emotion):
“And what if they get sick? What if they’re hard to handle? What if they never accept you?”
The Man:
“I’ll try my best. I won’t back down just because I’m afraid of what might happen.”
She fell silent, offering no reply.
Meanwhile, Rosma spoke to her children that night.
Rosma:
“Kids, what if… one day someone wants to be part of our lives?”
Yadi (curious):
“You mean… getting married again?”
Rosma (softly):
“Yes…”
Yadi:
“If he can love you and Agung… and if he’s a good person… I’m okay with it, Mom.”
Agung (innocently joining in):
“As long as he likes your cakes!”
They laughed together.
Rosma (in her heart):
“Maybe… this isn’t just about me. It’s also about my children. If they’re ready… maybe I should be ready too.”
TO BE CONTINUED.......
- Writer
