After the Rain

Grieved

Daniar's body seemed boneless when he heard the news brought by his mother. She did not expect that her brother-in-law would leave so soon. Without notice, tears had already dripped on both cheeks of Daniar.

"Ish, already, Brother ... don't cry, pity your baby" said Ms. Salma as she hugged her daughter.

Daniar did not answer. Only her sobs were heard more and more often.

"Already, Ni. Perhaps this is what is best for Khodijah. Allah is All-Knowing. Had Khodijah been given long life, pity should also have passed him in such a state of pain," continued Ms. Salma.

Daniar's body shook even more at his mother's words. Perhaps what his mother said had a point, too. Yeah, maybe this is what's best for her brother-in-law.

After all this, Sis will definitely not feel any pain anymore. Goodbye, brother. May God give you the best place for your brother, the inner Daniar.

"W-was that the call from Kang Yandri, Mom?" ask Daniar.

"Yes, son," replied Ms. Salma.

"Kang Yandri said what, Mom? Is he going home?" Daniar asked again on the sidelines sobs his cry.

"It looks like Yandri won't be coming home, Ni. Yandri said he had just undergone relaxation, so there was no way he could apply for leave again" Ms Salma said.

"But his brother, 'there will be dead, ma'am, '" Daniar said.

"Just the same, Ni. Yandri said, if it is not parents, spouses or nuclear families who can be calmed, leave permits are difficult to get out," said Ms. Salma.

"What kind of work!" daniar grumbled with great annoyance.

"Already, Ni. We will pray for your brother-in-law's late home. Wherever the place is, a good do'a will certainly arrive" said Ms. Salma.

"Yes, then let Niar go to serve, ma'am."

"Eh, Ni. Where are you going?"

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Miss Maryam could only be stunned when she heard the news of Khodijah's death. I don't think he wants to believe that news. However, when considering the last condition of Khodijah. Mom Maryam believed it.

"Where, Grandma? Does Nek Mar want to go with Agus?" asked Mr. Agus, shortly after delivering the news of Khodijah's death.

"Absolutely, would you like to come now, Gus?" ask Miss Maryam.

"Yes, Grandma. The plan, now also we and our family want to leave, so that they can follow the funeral of aunt Khodijah," replied Mr. Agus.

"Yes, then Grandma's coming with you. Let it be later, Grandma's children follow," said Miss Maryam.

"Alright, Grandma. Agus wanted to tell Nek Eutik first, maybe he also wanted to see Khodijah's aunt for the last time," continued Pak Agus.

"Yes, Gus. Please tell him. Grandma wants to change clothes first, all farewell to Ahmad's grandfather," replied Miss Maryam.

Agus sir nodded. Shortly afterwards, he resigned and swung a step towards the house of his other relatives

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Meanwhile, Aji's house is crowded by the neighbors who visit. Grief and loss are clearly visible on the face of a man who is almost half a century old.

Aji felt very lost. Naturally, his marriage age with Khodijah was long enough. Therefore Aji was very sad when he found out his wife was dead.

"When, only last night he was able to communicate, although not too smoothly," said Aji, telling his neighbors who were serving.

"really?" ask a neighbor.

"Patience to Mr. Aji, may the mother of Khodijah husnul khatimah," said neighbor Aji.

"Aamiinu. Thank you, ma'am," replied Aji.

One by one, the mourners arrived. Aji's house was filled with people who wanted to express their condolences. During his life, Khodijah was known to be very friendly to his neighbors. He does not hesitate to help the neighbor's difficulties as long as he is able to help him. Therefore, many citizens want to meet with Khodijah for the last time.

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Daniar continued to urge his mother to allow him to serve Khodijah. However, Ms. Salma firmly rejected Daniar's wishes.

"No, Ni! I don't want to take risks, yes. Moreover, you are not necessarily able to get permission from your husband."

"Yes, please help Daniar, yes. Please help Niar to persuade the Yandri kang, so that the Yandri kang will allow Niar to go to the Aji kang house to offer his condolences," Daniar said, pleading with his mother.

"Ish, Niar .. already, do not need a strange request. You yourself know that you have to bedrest for two weeks. I'm sure, Yandri also will not ngizinin you make go," replied Miss Salma.

"No way, Mom. Niar is sure, if Mother who talks and asks permission for Niar, kang Yandri will definitely be ngizinin," said Daniar.

"Astaghfirullah, Ni!" cry Miss Salma, "you want to make it hard for me too" he lamented.

"Are you having a hard time, Mom?"

"Yes, Ni. I will feel hard because I will worry about your situation. Yes, you look at Mom. Let's wait for your husband to come home first. Let him go to mourn. After all, whether now or later, it won't change things, son. Your brother-in-law is dead, and the person who died, will not be able to live again!" firmly Ms. Salma.

"Ish, Mommy ...."

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Grief enveloped Aji's family as Khodijah's funeral took place. Hana was crying incessantly. While Haikal, the youngest was just standing glued when he saw his mother's body inserted into the burrow.

Aji and Farhan were in the tomb to receive Khodijah's body. Slowly, they laid down Khodijah's body in a tilted position to the right and facing the qibla.

Farhan opened the leash of the shroud, so that Khodijah's right cheek and toe touched the ground. After being covered by wooden planks, Farhan sprinkled the ground three times from the direction of the head. After that, Khodijah's body was filled with land.

"Mother! Nah! Don't bury my mother! Stop it, Ical please, stop it! No!"

Suddenly Haikal screamed hysterically as the gravediggers began to hoard Khodijah's body.

"Ical, Honey. Calm yourself, son!" aji said, embracing her son.

"No, Father, please stop them. My mother can't be buried in the ground, pity mom. He's gonna be cold. I must be lonely in there, sir," raced Haikal. "Please stop them, sir. Ical please," he asked, parsing.

It feels like Aji's heart is broken hearing the chatter of his youngest child.

"Patience, Deck. Don't cry like this. Mother had calmed down by the Lord's side" Hana said between her sobs.

"What Kak Hana said is true, Dek. On God's side, you won't feel any more pain. You must be sincere, so that you can calm down and smile happily. All we have to do right now, is pray for mom. May the Lord forgive all the sins of the mother and put the mother in the best place" added Farhan, the eldest son of Aji and Khodijah.

"Will you go to heaven?" ask plain Haikal.

"God willing, son. Your mother is a very good person. He was always patient in the face of his tests and pain. Heaven misses people like that. That's why, your mother went to occupy it" Aji replied.

"Then Ical wants to be a good and patient boy too, sir. Let Ical later meet my mother in heaven," said Haikal.

Aji just smiled thinly. Thankfully, it seems Haikal has started to accept if this is an inevitable fate, inner Aji, re-hugging her child.

Hana and Farhan embrace Haikal and Aji. They are deeply saddened by the passing of Khodijah. But life goes on. Hope will not be separated, but behind that hope, there is one law of nature that when there is a meeting, there must be separation. Every life will meet death.