A Ghost To Mak

Ragu

Long ago Laila thought of a proposal from Paul. From the grapevine she heard if her future husband is the dream of the girls in her village, good looks and persistence in work make her pursued by parents who want her to be a daughter-in-law. Plus Paul's polite attitude, also always prioritizing worship.

Laila harbored a long unpleasant feeling. Especially at the beginning he had just entered the neighborhood in his in-laws' house. Especially often left alone at home, making him often hear the neighbors gossip about the incompatibility of her being Paul's wife.

The close distance of the house, plus the walls of the house made only of wood, make the ventilation wide open and make the rumors spread so quickly.

"What's Laila really supposed to be, anyway? Just a teacher. Retired child anyway. Why Paul did not choose Fitri, who was clearly the daughter of a rich merchant, plus his parents who had just returned from Umrah worship." Once the grapevine of news is always heard, it really makes it uncomfortable. Plus several times he caught Paul being with Fitri, jealousy almost covered in wrath. As much as possible, as long as Paul hasn't explained his case, Laila doesn't have to take a second thought. He will try to be wise, no matter what happens.

Six months passed without notice, since Laila showed her picture with Fitri, Paul has not given an answer. Laila tries to forget the events of yesterday, plus Paul's attitude does not change one bit. Still love her and treat her gently and affectionately. Also Mak Nur who is very loving and understanding. For him it is enough, let all the rumors slanted outside will only be mere gossip.

**

"Laila thinks what?" Mak Nur touched Laila's hand, he himself did not realize the presence of Mak Nur who had suddenly sat in front of him. For a moment Laila stared at the shady face of the in-laws.

"Laila's okay, Mom." Laila was lying again.

"Thinking, what?"

"It's okay."

"Oh yes. How Abi is. Healthy?" ask Mak Nur. A week ago Paul invited Laila to visit Abi's house, while Mak Nur could not come because there was a need elsewhere.

"Be healthy."

"Oh yes, Mama. What's dinner to cook for?" ask Laila. It's been a week that she's run out of menu ideas to cook.

"What Laila cooks, Mak will eat."

"Yes already. Laila cook it up first." Laila stood up and took some ingredients from the refrigerator she was going to cook. Mak Nur passed from the kitchen and went inside his room. His age is old, makes him tired faster, and easy back pain.

Mobile phone from inside the vibrating game pocket, the name 'apal branch called.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Brother."

'waalaikumsalam. Laila's cooking, huh?' Paul can already guess Laila's habits. Usually if you go home teaching, you will cook.

'Don't cook today, yeah. Brother wants to take Laila and Mak out to eat.'

"Yes, Bang."

The phone is cut off, Paul immediately finishes the rest of the shipment and hopes to get home soon. He can't wait to give a surprise to Laila.

"Mr ...." Laila knocked on her in-laws room door. The door opened and he told her that Paul would take her out to eat.

Laila tidied up the ingredients and put them in the refrigerator. After tidying up the kitchen, he went into the room. When he was about to turn on the laptop, there was a sound of the front door being knocked. Laila went out of the room and saw who the guests were.

"Fitr ...!" laila exclaimed with a bit of surprise. His heart just felt a little relieved because it had been the last two weeks he was no longer seen sticking with Paul, but today for what else he came. Long Laila stood at the door, not letting the woman in.

"Who, Laila?" mak asked his daydream, which suddenly appeared behind him. With a smile Mak Nur invited Fitri in, then told her to sit inside. Unasked, Laila passed to the kitchen preparing a drink. The pain and tingling that had been healed had now come back to the surface.

Laila served two drinks, and left the two who were busy chatting and went into the room. Laila leaned her back behind the door, trying to restrain herself from crying, even though her heart ached like it was being sliced by an indignation. What else to make his eyes moist, it will be a question for Mak Nur and Paul.

Turn back on the laptop and try to focus on the task of recording grades and missing students in school. Laila really focused on the task before her until she forgot the time, until the sound of the Maghrib's azan reverberated.

Hurrying, Laila moved outside the room. There are no Fitri and Mak in the living room. Also the glasses drink both. Mak Nur looked outside from inside his room, already neatly wearing a mukena. Mak Nur smiled and pulled Laila's wrist slowly, asking her to pray Maghrib together. With pleasure, Laila took the water and stood behind the Mak.

After the prayer, Mak Nur prayed. The prayers offered are so melodious, shahdu and sounding soft. To make anyone who hears it melt and shed tears.

Laila kissed the back of Mak ta'zim's hand, then tightly hugged his old body. Mak Nur stared fixedly at Netra Laila, his hand still holding the hand of his favorite son-in-law.

"Laila .. dear child, Mommy?" A strange question that made Laila's forehead wrinkle. He quickly nodded his head.

"Laila loves you, brother. Dear inner born."

"Not only asking, Laila continues to believe whatever Mak's children do. It must be for Laila's sake. Not just my brother's wish."

Again Mak Nur's statement made Laila confused. But the words of the in-laws have a point, if maintaining trust it must be.

"Yes, Mom. Laila always believed whatever you did."

"Whatever happens, don't leave brother, yes." Laila nodded.

"Thank you, Laila." Mak Nur gently rubbed Laila's cheeks, then stood up to release her face and entered her room.

**

This is the third time Paul has broken his promise. Again, the man in glasses did not come home until the time was late. Fortunately, Laila cooked instant noodles for Mak, just in case the man did not take her out to eat.

Laila pushed the green button, tried to call Paul. But a man's cell phone number is out of reach. Where he was until his cell phone number was hard to reach.

Anxiety enveloped Laila's heart and mind. By midnight, Paul could not be seen with his nose. Repeatedly Laila looked towards the terrace, hoping that the bespectacled man would come home. But he didn't find it there. Tired ... Laila leaned her back on the chair, so that she did not feel drowsiness and fell asleep.

The sound of Paul's motorbike entering the garage. Laila wakes up and rushes to open the door for Paul. Laila kissed the back of her husband's hand, she felt guilty to Laila for this umpteenth time of breaking the promise.

"City ... Dear." Paul blocks Laila's arm from moving into the kitchen. The steps stopped and looked towards Paul.

"Yes ... Why, Bang?" ask Laila wonder.

"Laila, aren't you angry?"

"Why?"

"Disjure the promise again."

"Laila has no right to be angry. I am tired of working for my future." Laila hugged Paul's body. But his sense of smell caught another scent from his shirt. It was no longer the perfume her husband used to wear.

Laila raised her face, looking in surprise at Paul, "Who's wearing perfume? How different? Rich perfume chick?"