After the Rain

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Aji, who initially only wanted to visit Khodijah, immediately changed his mind when he learned of the plans of his sister-in-law and in-law.

Miris once, when there are family members who need support from other family members, they actually make this disaster just to seek their own benefits.

Huh, what kind of family? aji's inner, furious.

"Dadji! Waitaminute! Where are you going?"

Maryam's mother shouted back to her daughter-in-law. Half-running, she caught up with Aji who was about to enter her room. Before Aji passed through the door, Miss Maryam quickened her pace to get ahead of Aji. Arriving in front of the room, he stood upright while racking his waist.

"So your limits, Aji! Act like a guest. I will not let you take Khodijah away from this house. Understand you!" firmly Ms. Maryam.

"I'm sorry Aji if Aji's attitude is disrespectful according to Mom. But Aji will not let the pain of Khodijah be taken advantage of by irresponsible people. Please don't stop Aji, ma'am. After all, Khodijah is Aji's wife, and Aji has the right to take Khodijah away wherever Aji likes!" Aji answered the words of the in-laws no less firmly.

"But he's Mom's son!" shouted Miss Maryam loudly.

"The son I gave to Aji! So Aji is more entitled to Khodijah than Mother. Did you forget that Khodijah is still Aji's wife?"

"Ka–"

"A-ji!"

Ms. Maryam's sentence was cut off when she heard her son's shrill voice from inside the room.

"Alright, Khodijah is indeed your wife, but she is also Mother's son. Let's see who Khodijah will choose. Come inside!" Challenge Miss Maryam while opening the door.

Aji could only take a deep breath when she had to see the selfishness still lingering within her mother-in-law. Not wanting to bother with all the stubbornness of the in-laws, Aji stepped into the room, where Khodijah was being treated.

"Astaghfirullah!" pekik Aji when he saw the condition of Khodijah.

Hair that is still disheveled and looks dreadlocks, wet sarong cloth up to the waist. Khodijah looks like he hasn't had a bath. His body is getting thinner too. It was very much different from Khodijah who Aji first delivered to his mother's house.

"Mother!"

Haikal and Hana are moving towards Khodijah. Without feeling disgusted, the two children hugged their mother very tightly.

Khodijah was unable to contain the tears. The longing for his two children had so heightened. He could only cry to express his longing.

Aji approached Khodijah. His mouth wanted to blame the mother-in-law for what Khodijah was going through. However, Aji was still sane. He wouldn't provoke a commotion in someone else's house. Aji can only surrender and surrender to the Almighty.

"That's enough, son. Let me bathe your mother first. After the mother comes home, you can hug the mother as much as you like," Aji said as he touched the shoulders of his two children.

Hana and Haikal let go of her embrace. Haikal's tiny hands wiped away the tears streaming down his mother's cheeks.

"Mother, don't cry anymore. After home later, Ical will accompany Bobo's mother while reading a storybook. I want to, 'Will we go home?" ask Haikal.

"Eh, it's delicious! The little boy knows what? Udah deh .. do not need to be pretentious to interfere in adult affairs. Better, you learn diligently, so as to be a successful person. To get a decent job, not like your father. Just a cheap tailor!" jeered Miss Maryam.

Aji no longer cared about the ridicule that Miss Maryam made. Aji's focus is only one, bringing Khodijah home from her mother-in-law's house.

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Daniar was still sitting staring in bed. Every now and then, he stared at his cell phone lying on the nightstand. Hope the flat object will sound, a sign there is a message or phone coming in. However, until this moment, in fact the smart object is still silent.

Ms. Salma who came to the room to bring her Daniar lunch, could only sigh at her son's attitude. Since childhood, Daniar has always been like this. Shut up and just sit still if you haven't been able to solve the problem. He could even forget to eat while his mind was still in a state of turmoil.

Ms. Salma put a tray on the dresser. After that, he took Daniar's phone from the top of the nightstand and presented it to Daniar.

"Take and call your husband, son. Send him a message. Tell him to call you in his spare time immediately," said Ms. Salma.

Daniar looked at his mother. However, when he saw the mother's nod, he also took the flat object from his mother's hand.

Well, please contact Mommy if there is free time. It's so important! Type Daniar on the phone screen. A few seconds later, Daniar sent the message.

Miss Salma smiled. "Give me the phone!"

Daniar reached out to hand his phone to Ms. Salma. After that, Ms. Salma returned the phone to its original place. He then took out a tray containing his daughter's lunch.

"Eat, Ni. It is not good to empty your stomach when you are two-bodied" said Bu Salma while scooping rice and feeding Daniar.

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Aji ignored the words of Miss Maryam who continued to crackle like firecrackers. He rolled up his shirt arm. Aji swiftly lifted Khodijah's thin body and took her to the bathroom.

"Hana, please prepare clothes for Mom!" aji orders shortly before taking Khodijah out of the room.

Miss Maryam still faithfully followed her daughter-in-law while continuing to speak. "Wait, Aji! This is Mom's house. You can't act as good as you can at Mom's!"

However, Aji did not comment on the words of Miss Maryam. Stupid time with norms, ethics and adab meeting, he thought. Aji just wants to get his wife out of here. People who never genuinely loved him.

While shedding tears, Aji flushed the thin body of Khodijah who only lives bone wrapped in skin. Her chest is getting tighter. Instead of getting better, the condition of Khodijah even looks alarming.

"Oh my God, Deck. Had Akang not allowed you to go back to your mother's house, you would not have been like this" Aji murmured, regretting his decision.

It's not your fault, Kang. It's wrong to be colonized yourself. Sejah beg .. don't cry, Khodijah's mind, staring at her husband.

After bathing Khodijah, Aji brought Khodijah back to the room. Miss Maryam still greeted Aji with a myriad of scolding. However, Aji still ignored the existence of Miss Maryam. He had already closed both his ears to the old woman's chatter.

"Enough Aji!" You can't force your wife to come with you. She herself decided to go back to Mom," cried Miss Maryam, still shaking her waist.

"Aji doesn't care, Mom. Khodijah is Aji's wife, and she has to follow Aji wherever Aji goes!" reply Aji, start raising his voice.

"Huh, you selfish husband! All right, let it be fair .. now let Khodijah choose. I'm sure if he's not comfortable living with you, that's why he came home," said Miss Maryam, furious.

"There won't be any choice, ma'am. Like it not like it, ridho is not ridho, Aji will still bring Khodijah home. Point!" Aji firmly.

"Huh, don't be so pretentious of you, Kang Aji. Give Kak Dijah the right to choose. Is not as a human being, Kak Dijah also has the right to choose the comfort of residence?" tukas Habibah chimed in on the talk of his mother and sister-in-law.

Aji silence. He was reluctant to respond to remarks from his wife's family.

It felt like Khodijah wanted to scream to mediate their debate. However, he was unable to speak. Khodijah could only look at the three people who were debating his existence.

"Pu-pu-lang ... Ka-kang!"