Solo Lasmini

For two years Lasmini has worked as a maid in Singapore. Recently she returned from her first holiday home in that time, a month with pay; ie. $450. One Sunday a month is free in her arrangement with her employer. That maids get better pay and conditions in Taiwan and Hong Kong Lasmini has heard; but she is in Singapore. Luckily conditions at her home away from home are good. Ma’am and Sir are kind. There are three young children and one old man, Ma’am's father. Ma’am's father is good too. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, minding the children—not difficult tasks. Lasmini misses her own two children. While she is away her mother and husband look after them. Sometimes Lasmini calls them three times a week. Fifteen cents a minute: not too expensive. 

         Lasmini is from a kampung three hours out of Solo, central Java. The bus to Jakarta an overnight trip. The kampung is large, with many houses and a mosque. Polygamy is not known there—the place is too poor. Girlfriends are known; not additional wives. Many of the Indonesian maids are ten and more years younger than Lasmini. Approaching her mid thirties, Lasmini is old. Usually Lasmini does not eat rice for lunch. Usually she has some bread only. A suspicion part of the reason is saving, though Lasmini does not say so and the question was not put. Monthly Lasmini sends two hundred dollars home.
         We laughed over the teh tarik. Lasmini laughed at the mispronunciation of the tea. At the eatery when Lasmini was asked what she wanted to drink, she replied politely: — Up to you.
         The teh was hotter than usual. Lasmini let it cool for a full quarter hour. Likely an iced drink would have been her preference.
         Lasmini taught some Indonesian. That made her laugh, she without schooling teaching a teacher. Among her own people back in the kampung, would Lasmini cover her mouth when she laughs so freely? Another question that could not be put.
         After the tea we jalan, jalan，walk, walk-ed. The heat had gone out of the day.