Animal Sacrifice For Mother
21. Walking Without Legs
“When you return, Arif will try to find out where Diana was treated. Or it might just be able to meet his mother again in the market.”
Inaq. His mind was not yet strong enough to preach the truth about Diana to Brother Arif. Moreover, Arif will soon have to perform on the stage of the festival in the provincial city. In any case, brother Arif should focus on pursuing his dream.
“You ready to perform?”
Inaq tried to divert the conversation. Brother Arif nodded. Very ready. He also deliberately remixed the western song which became a mandatory requirement in the music festival. His intentions as a sign that he really wanted to encourage Diana who was struggling with her illness. Cold Play – Fix You's.
Although the music festival in the provincial city is classified as a big event, brother Arif looks as if without burden. For him, no matter how big or small an event, the most important thing is how to perform optimally. Win-lose business back. And all this time he has been and still does.
In between discussing Diana, also the readiness of Arif to perform on the stage of the music festival. A family car appeared to pull over right in front of the house. It was Rahman and Doni. At once they got out of the car, then approached Inaq and brother Arif.
As always and with the same habits. Rahman said hello while kissing Inaq's hand. Followed Doni. Do not forget the pleasantries to ask about the readiness of Arif before Inaq finally offers them to just enjoy a typical rural dish. Doni was most eager to respond to the offer. The others just laughed.
It was less than an hour since Rahman and Doni got out of the car. The typical rural dish is no longer left. Doni told Arif, also Inaq, that it was likely that Arif's turn tomorrow afternoon to perform at a music festival in the provincial city. Rahman nodded. Brother Arif understands. Inaq went to wrap cassava to be carried as a hand to be given to Doni and his family. So they set out together for the provincial city.
Unlike Rahman, Doni, or Inaq. Along the way, Arif always had time to pay attention to every corner of the intersection. At the first border, he saw dozens of people lined up peddling cassava. But what made him touched was when he saw two small children, women and men were also involved in peddling cassava. Today is not a school holiday.
Soon the wheels of this Japanese family car will cross the last border. That means, Doni's house is not far away anymore. Is this an urban area? No one is selling cassava. There are no small semi-permanent standing rooms filling the sidewalk. Here only high buildings that seem to close all the struggle behind there.
Brother Arif pensive. He remembered himself and Rahman as a child. He did not forget Inaq, who was now growing old, but still continued to fight for their survival. In fact, although despair never existed, it felt like every step of their struggle was too small to reach the top of tall buildings. It is like walking without feet.
“Welcome to home Doni.”
Doni down. She clenched her hands together as the women who used to stand up to welcome guests at the hotel. Rahman. He opened the car door for Inaq.
“Kak Arif, come down. We have arrived.”
Brother Arif looked over. Rahman shocked her from behind the car window. Brother Arif also came down carrying his favorite guitar which is still wrapped in a bag. Then following Doni, Rahman, and Inaq entered the family home Doni.
***
