“Sur, what happened to Lina?” Midwife Dewi asked when she saw her cousin, Dr. Surya, carrying Lina even though she had already refused. Dr. Surya still picked her up anyway.
Midwife Dewi followed her cousin into his examination room.
“Please check her stitches,” Dr. Surya requested.
Midwife Dewi immediately put on a pair of gloves before examining Lina’s wound. It appeared to be oozing pus.
“Oh my God, her stitches are oozing pus, Sur.”
“Clean the wound.”
Surya couldn’t just stand by. He put on a pair of gloves too, intending to take over from his cousin. Surya was an obstetrician, so he understood the situation better than his cousin did.
“I’m an obstetrician, so don’t worry.” Dr. Surya reassured Lina after seeing her expression.
Dr. Surya took over from Midwife Dewi, though she continued to assist him. He began cleaning the wound in the fold of Lina’s abdomen.
“Lina, you should rest for now. I understand what you’re going through, but your health comes first.”
Lina hadn’t even been out of surgery for two weeks, yet she was already doing strenuous work like this. Dr. Surya understood how difficult her situation was as the head of her household, even though she had a husband. He was only a husband in name.
“You should rest at home for a few days. I’ll give you some vitamins and medication later.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Lina said after the examination was finished.
“I’ll deliver the medicine to your house myself later,” Dr. Surya said. The medication he wanted to give her wasn’t available here, so he would have to buy it at a pharmacy.
“Lin, try to rest for now, okay? If your wound gets infected, it’ll be even more dangerous,” Midwife Dewi said as she helped Lina down and guided her into a chair.
“Yes, Mrs. Thank you. Oh, right, how much do I owe you?”
“You don’t have to pay,” Dr. Surya said. “Dewi, Lina is my patient now. If I’m not here, examine her according to the schedule, okay?”
“But, Doctor—”
“Use your money to take care of your child,” Dr. Surya said quickly. He obviously understood Lina’s situation.
Lina bit her lower lip, and her eyes began to fill with tears. Dr. Surya, sitting across from her, could see her expression.
“Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll be staying here for a month, so I’ll order catering from you for everything from breakfast to dinner. Maybe you should only take a few other orders at a time while you recover.”
“That’s a good idea, Sur. You can handle our orders for this month while she rests,” the midwife said.
Lina thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. She would follow the doctor’s advice for the sake of her health.
“Start delivering tomorrow. Rest today. If anyone else places an order, have them pick it up from your place. If you have a relapse on the road, it could be even more dangerous. Remember, there’s a little child always waiting for her mother to come home. You understand what I mean, right?” Dr. Surya said.
“Yes, Doctor, I understand. Thank you again.”
“That’s enough. In that case, I’ll take you home first. Oh, and this is for my catering order. I’ll pay the rest tomorrow.” Dr. Surya reached into his wallet and took out the money inside.
“You don’t have to, Doctor. You can pay later.”
“Take it. I’m paying upfront.” Dr. Surya insisted. He gave Lina about two million rupiahs. At least she could use this money for other necessities for now.
In the end, Lina reluctantly accepted the money. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“You’re welcome. Come on, I’ll take you home.”
Lina looked hesitant, afraid people would start gossiping. The women around here had especially sharp tongues.
“Don’t worry about them. Learn to ignore them.”
“Yes, Lin. My cousin is right. If you can’t stop people from talking, then just toughen up and let it go in one ear and out the other,” the midwife advised.
“That’s the right attitude for moving forward. Toughen up, prepare yourself mentally, and focus on what gives you strength. If you do that, you’ll definitely be able to stand tall,” Dr. Surya added, encouraging and advising Lina as well.
“Come on, get on. I’ll call the village head to take care of your motorcycle.”
“But, Doctor—”
“You’re a resident who needs help, and helping you is the village head’s duty.” Surya could have asked his driver, but he was afraid that would lead to gossip. At least, if the village head knew what had happened, he could help Lina explain things to the villagers.
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“Enough. Come on, get on quickly,” Dr. Surya said.
Though hesitant, Lina followed Dr. Surya’s instructions. Her abdomen was still hurting. The midwife also helped Lina onto the motorcycle.
“Just hold on, Lin, so you don’t fall.”
“It’s okay, Lin.”
Lina hesitantly wrapped her arms tightly around Dr. Surya’s jacket, though she still felt awkward. The motorcycle moved slowly, and Dr. Surya occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror to make sure Lina wasn’t being jolted too badly.
“Lin, remember this. Don’t hesitate to speak up if anything happens,” Dr. Surya said while keeping his eyes on the road.
“Y-yes, Doctor,” Lina replied softly.
Along the way, several neighbors who saw them whispered among themselves. Lina lowered her head, uncomfortable under their stares. But she remembered Midwife Dewi and Dr. Surya’s advice to ignore them.
After a few minutes, they arrived in front of Lina’s house. It was small and simple, but clean and well cared for. On the porch, Auntie Surti was holding a baby.
“Lina, what happened?” Auntie Surti immediately went over to Lina, whom Dr. Surya was helping walk.
“What happened, sir?” Auntie Surti asked. She didn’t yet know that the handsome, mature man was Dr. Surya, Midwife Dewi’s cousin and an important guest in the village.
Auntie Surti was extremely worried when she saw Lina. Dr. Surya helped Lina into their small living room, which connected to the kitchen where Lina ran her food business.
Dr. Surya looked around and noticed how clean Lina’s business was, judging by the way she had arranged everything.
“Auntie, this is Dr. Surya, Midwife Dewi’s cousin,” Lina told Auntie Surti.
“Doctor, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. Doctor, what actually happened to my niece?” Auntie Surti asked anxiously. Dr. Surya also noticed the red-faced baby sleeping in Auntie Surti’s arms. What a poor little thing. Dr. Surya had heard the story from the village head.
“Oh, Doctor, please sit down.”
Auntie Surti had been so worried about Lina that she’d forgotten to offer Dr. Surya a seat.
Dr. Surya sat down with a friendly smile. “Auntie, I’m an obstetrician. Midwife Dewi and I examined Lina earlier. It turns out her stitches are infected. She should have been resting after the surgery instead of doing strenuous work, especially since it hasn’t even been two weeks since her operation. I’ve already told Lina to come in for regular checkups. Don’t worry about the cost—I won’t charge her anything, including the medication. I’ll come back this afternoon and bring it to her,” Dr. Surya explained, laying out exactly what had happened.
“Lin, you need to stop selling for now.”
“No, Auntie. Then we won’t be able to pay off our debts or cover our living expenses.” Lina refused. Dr. Surya watched her. A woman who had just given birth should have received appreciation and affection from her husband.
“Dewi and I already came up with a solution. She and I will order catering from Lina. As for anything else, maybe you can sell only a little at a time or have your customers pick it up.”
“Lin, you don’t have to leave food with other people to sell anymore. Just sell from home in the morning, then rest afterward. But only until you’re feeling better.”
“That’s a good suggestion. You won’t have to exhaust yourself going around. If anyone wants fried snacks, they can just come here.”
“I’ll have Mr. Kardi build a display case for you.”
“I’ll provide the display case. Keep your spirits up, okay? Oh, and the village head is taking care of your motorcycle. I just sent him a message. In that case, I’ll be going now. I’ll come back this afternoon.” Dr. Surya rose from his seat.
“But, Doctor—” Lina felt uneasy.
“It’s fine. You don’t need to feel awkward.”
Dr. Surya also said goodbye to Auntie Surti.
“Auntie, I’ll be going now.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
Auntie Surti escorted Dr. Surya outside while Lina stayed inside. Dr. Surya didn’t allow Lina to come out with him.
“Doctor, thank you for your help,” Auntie Surti said again.
“You’re welcome, Auntie. We’re neighbors, so of course we help each other. All right, go back inside. The baby needs you,” Dr. Surya said sincerely.
Dr. Surya left Auntie Surti’s house on his motorcycle.
Meanwhile, Auntie Surti went back inside to Lina. “Lin, listen to Dr. Surya. You have to rest.” Auntie Surti reminded Lina of his advice.
“Where’s the ring money? Give it to me now.”
The voice startled both of them, and they instinctively turned around.
“Bayu.”