"Yes ... yes, Ma'am. What should Irma do now?" asked Irma who a moment later yawned in front of her mother.
As fast as lightning, Mrs. Laila's hand skillfully pinched her daughter's arm. Seeing the sharp glances from her mother, made Irma grin indistinctly.
"It hurts, Mom," Irma said while holding the arm that had a pinch mark from her mother.
"Hush, wash your face first!" asked Mrs. Laila while pointing her sharp object towards the toilet which was located next to the kitchen.
Feeling so lazy, Irma then obeyed her mother's orders. She walked casually towards the bathroom which was not too wide. Immediately wash her wrinkled face with water and soap.
In less than ten minutes, Irma's figure reappeared from behind the bathroom door.
That's right, his face at that time already looks radiant. Not wrinkled or smelly of the pillow she wore to sleep.
"What should I do, ma'am?" Irma said suddenly which certainly made Mrs. Laila a little surprised. To the extent, he stroked his chest for a moment. Re-breath for a moment.
"You are!" cried Mrs. Laila who was busy frying tofu.
"Irma's feelings have been wrong all along," protested Irma with a resigned look.
Even though Irma was not fasting, her body felt very tired. Lazy to do something as ingrained in his life.
"Yes, it's wrong," said Mrs. Laila who was still busy frying.
That afternoon, Mrs. Laila cooked more food than usual. Because tonight is the 29th night of Ramadan. Where the residents will hold a kind of celebration that is a village tradition every time they carry out the Ramadan fast.
There are so many types of dishes that Mrs. Laila will make. So she asked his daughter for help.
"After this, just fry this food, okay?" asked Mrs. Laila while pointing at the food slices that had been smeared with salt water.
At that time, Mrs. Laila thought that it was impossible to tell Irma to make spices. Maybe, the food she will make is not cooked, but destroyed, not knowing which way it tastes.
Irma then nodded her head in understanding. She immediately moved closer to the frying pan. Between a little afraid of getting hit by the splash of oil that seems to be hot.
"Girls don't have to be afraid of oil!" cried Bu Laila, who had been glancing at her daughter for a long time.
She was a little surprised by Irma's behavior. The reason is, outside of kitchen matters, she is very brave to challenge someone. However, when she entered the kitchen, she was like an Anggora cat who was afraid to be splashed with water.
"Yes, ma'am!" said Irma loudly.
She felt sneered at the words that came out of her mother's lips earlier. However, in reality she was afraid that the stairs would get splashed with oil. In fact, she could slowly add the food from the edge of the frying pan. So that ... the oil is not splashed everywhere.
It was a very memorable afternoon for Irma. Finally, she felt tired of cooking various kinds of dishes alone. It's also hard to remember the spices for cooking that he has to memorize.
"Finally, Irma was able to help Mother without making one of Mother's food that was destroyed because Irma helped," said Irma very happily. The wrinkled face that had been bent earlier had now turned into a smile.
Mrs. Laila then smiled seeing her daughter feel happy like that. After all, Mrs. Laila should have taught her daughter how to cook properly. Just in case, if she is sick, there is still someone she can rely on to cook.
"Just arrange it right, ma'am?" Irma asked while bringing several containers to fill with rice and the side dishes that she had made with her mother.
"That's right, Dear. After Maghrib later, father will also be brought," said Mrs. Laila, who had been preparing iftar dishes for her husband.
She deliberately let Irma take care of the dishes for the 29th night's event. She was sure Irma had understood. Remembering, she also often saw his mother preparing such things.
Even though they did not participate in fasting that day, Mrs. Laila and Irma would still accompany Mr. Hartono to eat the iftar meal. Because, they understand, surely Mr. Hartono will feel empty and lonely if they don't accompany him.
It only took about ten minutes for Irma to complete her task. And as it turned out, she was indeed able to prepare dishes like what Mrs. Laila used to make. In fact, this time he was not helped by his mother at all.
"Apparently you can, yes, you," said Mrs. Laila while rubbing Irma's head which was not covered by the hijab.
Irma then raised her head for a moment. Staring seriously at the beautiful face of the woman who has been instrumental in his life.
"This is ugly, Irma can do it too, Mom," said Irma defending herself.
Mrs. Laila laughed at her daughter instantly.
Feeling that they had finished everything well, Irma and Mrs. Laila immediately headed to the dining room which was next to the kitchen. It seems, their stomachs have screamed to be filled with delicious food as served on the dining table.
"Who's cooking, Mom?" Mr. Hartono's baritone voice then made Irma glare at him.
He expected his father to mock him right then and there. Then, he had already prepared the answers in his head. The answer to all the mockery was actually a joke from Mr. Hartono.
"This father likes to tease Irma all the time. In fact, Irma also took part in preparing today's menu," said Irma confidently.
Mr. Hartono frowned for a moment. He was between believing and not believing his daughter's words just now. Even if it was true, he would of course be very happy because Irma finally wanted to deal with everything related to the kitchen.
"Yes, sir. It was Irma who also prepared it," said Mrs. Laila while directing her eyes and index finger to a food that Irma had prepared earlier.
Mr. Hartono then smiled broadly. Although a little surprised by the attitude of his son who suddenly wanted to help his mother.
"Ah, what?! I saw that you were still lying in the room. I just got a new cell phone," said Mr. Hartono, who intended to irritate his favorite daughter.
Irma then stood up from her seat to approach Mr. Hartono. He so skillfully tickled his father who couldn't help but tickle him.
"Heh! Already, Irma!" shouted Mr. Hartono, giggling because he was holding back his amusement.
Irma, who was happy to see her father like that, was even more excited to tickle Mr. Hartono.
"So, don't like to tease Irma all the time!" Irma whispered in Mr. Hartono's right ear.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Laila was so happy to see the rare sight between her daughter and her husband. She then cracked a smile that was so wide at that time.
The atmosphere before breaking the fast became very exciting and fun. To the extent that Mr. Hartono does not feel that he is fasting. Irma—her daughter—is very capable when asked to joke and entertain people around her.
'Father is proud of you, Dear,' Mr. Hartono thought as he looked at his daughter.
To be continued ....