Akad Shackle

New Life

The scorching atmosphere felt stinging to the crowns, the, a woman in a wide headscarf was sitting in a park in front of a building that looked crowded with children passing by with books and tablets in her hands.

Rahma took a deep breath, the atmosphere felt cooler by sitting in the garden right under the shady tree. For the first time he left home after more than a month in Jakarta.

Not much has changed from his activities during this time in Jakarta, writing and becoming a tutor in online learning applications still Rahma did as usual. Her condition is young pregnant looks quite good, she does not feel the cravings or morning sickness like young pregnant women in general. It seems like the fetus understands the state of his mother very well. Currently he is in the middle of an appointment with the head of the Institution where he became a mentor to learn in a network that is based in Jakarta.

Anggara still likes to contact Rahm through a short message because if you call Rahma.had never raised him, under the pretext of asking the news of his ex-wife's content as a form of responsibility of a father to his son, with the responsibility of a father to his son, Rahma answered only as necessary. However she has to create her own boundaries not wanting to be a source of trouble in her ex-husband's family.

Anggara did not forget to send Rahma monthly money even twice as big as before, he had refused but Anggara insisted on doing it again under the pretext that it was all he did for the child in the womb Rahma which is his flesh and blood. Rahma to make a new account for it, let him accept what Anggara gave anyway for his son and he does not want to disturb him.

”Assalamu’alaikum, Mbak Rahma” a woman whose age is estimated to be more senior than Rahma comes approaching, her appearance is not much different from Rahma, loose thistles, wide veils only glazed eyes, and, that slightly differentiates his appearance from Rahma.

“Wa’alaikumsalam, Mbak Yuni” replied Rahma was friendly, they shook hands and embraced each other in their first meeting in the real world after previously they could only meet in cyberspace.

“Alhamdulillah, it's great to finally meet with Mbak Rahma directly. Thank you yes, have taken the time to come” said the woman called Mbak Yuni by Rahma.

Many things they discussed, ranging from work issues to personal problems by telling each other about his family. Mbak Yuni who has a supple and familiar nature makes Rahma comfortable chatting with him. In his heart he was grateful to be met with a good person like the woman before him in this stone place.

“I was once married and am currently on my own Mbak” replied Rahma with her head down when Mbak Yuni asked about her status.

“Ouh..sorry if my question makes Mbak Rahma uncomfortable” Mbak Yuni also clarified her question,

“It's okay Mbak” replied Rahma Back to look at the friend she just met in the real world with a smile, all this time they are quite well connected even though only through cyberspace.

“How so? Is my offer accepted?” their conversation returned to the main thing that became the reason for their meeting today.

When he found out that Rahma is now domiciled in Jakarta Mbak Yuni directly contacted him and offered to become a tutor at his tutoring institution directly.

“I can't decide yet Ma'am, I have to discuss it first with my brother and sister. Coincidentally in Jakarta I live hitchhiking at my sister's house" replied Rahma as it is,

“Alright, please discuss it first and I hope the decision Mbak Rahma took is to accept my offer. Since Mbak Rahma joined our learning institution, honestly more and more students entered and joined us. They gave a very good testimony about Mbak Rahma and I also agreed with them” praise Mbak Yuni with full hope Rahma would accept his offer to be an offline tutoring tutor because his institution really needs him.

“Insya Allah Ma'am, I will immediately inform you of his decision. But one more..” Rahma paused her speech, she seemed hesitant to say it, she said it,

“Why Mbak? Just say” said Mbak Yuni,

“I am currently pregnant. Would it be okay if I became a teacher at Mbak's place?” rahma said doubtfully,

Mbak Yuni was slightly stunned to hear the words of Rahma, because currently Rahma does not look like she is pregnant because of the loose clothes and wide hijab she wears. Ms. Yuni scanned Rahma from top to bottom, looking for justification from the information conveyed by Rahma, her gaze even focused for a long time towards Rahma's stomach.

“Iya Mbak, my gestational age is five months and I am worried if this will affect the Mbak Education institution if there are teachers who are pregnant like me” said Rahma,

“Not-no, for me it does not matter precisely I worry about the health of Mbak Rahma and her content is it okay if teaching?” Mbak Yuni asked back, the hope is very big if Rahma can join his institution but when she found out if Rahma was pregnant, concerns arose in her mind.

“Insya Allah my womb is fine Mbak” replied Rahma relieved, she also rubbed her stomach wrapped in hijab so that it is slightly visible if she is pregnant because her stomach looks bloated,

“Alhamdulillah if it's okay, I really hope Mbak Rahma can join us as soon as” Mbak Yuni happy, said,

Their conversation continues around pregnancy, Yuni is happy to share her pregnancy experience. The woman who has been blessed with 3 children, two daughters and one son told of the experience of conceiving her three children, Rahma was very happy that she learned a lot about pregnancy and childbirth from the woman whose full name was Yuniar Wijaya.

So fun to tell the story did not feel Ashar was reverberating everywhere and stopped their chatter. Mbak Yuni invites Rahma to enter his room to perform Ashar prayers.

Like the previous nights, the sisters who lived in one house always took time to gather after dinner in the family room, Rahma who was pregnant often asked about pregnancy to her sister-in-law, who was pregnant, and with pleasure the sister-in-law always answered Rahma's questions and was very attentive to the situation of her sister-in-law. Her experience of pregnant and giving birth to two children made her know a lot about what is felt and needed while pregnant. As an older brother, he was very attentive to his sister-in-law, including Yusuf who is currently also continuing his studies at one of the private universities in Jakarta.

"Sir, when will Aa come home? there's something I want to tell you, but I'll wait for Aa to let you guys" Rahma picked up the oranges that were on the plate at a small table located next to those who were sitting on the carpet in the living room. Joseph, who was playing with his two nephews, turned to hear Rahma speak like that.

"It's coming home soon" the sound of the roar of the car stopped her brother-in-law's words, it seemed like the person they were talking about had gone home. Yusuf had told me tonight that he would go home after dinner with his co-workers, and that he would not eat dinner at home because there were other activities outside his office.

"Well it looks like Aa's coming home" continued the sister-in-law after the sound of the car was heard stopping right in the garage of their house,

After cleaning himself and changing clothes Budi was joined by his wife, children and sisters, he was very happy when he knew Rahma and Yusuf were willing to live with him in Jakarta, besides because there will accompany his wife and child in a new place, Budi is also calmer because his sisters are now closer to him. Only her second sister Maya is far away, but she is calm because Maya is with her more entitled husband.

"Aa, Brother, Dek there's something I want to say" Rahma said, starting their serious conversation, he also told about his meeting with Mbak Yuniar from the beginning to meet online until his meeting last afternoon Rahma told me everything was not missed. The distance from her brother's house to the tutoring place was only about forty-five minutes by car.

"How are you, ready?" Back to asking his sister, he will not decide for himself everything depends on Rahma,

"I really want to." replied Rahma slowly, she glanced at her brother Yusuf who was still silently listening to what he said,

"Dec, if you think Big Brother is a good start to start your new life. As long as you are able and fine why not try, if comfortable continue if not stop do not hesitate" Brother-in-law Rahma also began to give input, if you are comfortable continue if you do not stop, she rejoined after putting her two children to bed in the room.

"Your life must go on properly, Dek. Do not stop your steps just because of the approaching storm, the storm is not to be enjoyed but to be passed. If you continue to be at this point instead of being able to be free, but even more lapsed into it. Remember that nothing in this world is eternal, nor is sorrow or suffering. Both can disappear if you can handle it, continue to live your life. If the current storm is not strong what about the next storms, did not God create life and death as a test for us?" Sister-in-law embraces Rahma's shoulder sitting right beside her,

"Make this matter as a teacher, who can teach you many things and still stand in any circumstance. Make this your enemy too, fight him if he fights you, do not become weak when the enemy wants you to fall." Brother-in-law is getting her embrace closer, though,

"So don't know your nights are always filled with tears, you know being you with your current position is not easy. But I assure you that if you're not alone Dek, there's us here who will always be there for you"

Rahma was already unable to hold back her tears, what her sister-in-law said was all true. As hard as he tried to toughen up and hide his sadness turned out he was unable. During this time his family knew what he was going through every night, only they chose to quietly appreciate Rahma's efforts to keep smiling and looking fine.