Animal Sacrifice For Mother
29. Two Heartbreaking Tidings
“Kak, I still have savings at home. Kak Arif can use it first rather than having to sell smartphones and guitars giving Rahman this.”
Brother Arif looked over. Doni's words seemed to put himself at the very back of the hope fighters.
If only Brother Arif did not remember the services of Doni to his family. If now brother Arif is not in the left seat of Doni's car, he certainly has left Doni. For brother Arif is not one who easily receives help from others even if it is his best friend. Especially Doni, his sister's friend. Sis Arif prefers to continue to fight despite the fact that forced him to give up.
“Everything has Inaq sacrificed for me and my sister, your best friend. So what is my reason for not sacrificing everything I have for Inaq?”
Doni was silent. He imagined how heavy the burden of life borne by his brother Arif, as well as his friend. Why is it so hard for Arif to accept a helping hand from someone else? I don't know. Doni sighed. Again, he turned to look at Arif's brother. Is this what is called a fighter, when it continues to advance in battle even without a shield in hand?
Ten minutes into the paved road, Doni steered the car to the edge of the sidewalk, just in front of the flea market. There was no doubt on Arif's face. Shortly after the car stopped, Arif calmly stepped out. He carries a guitar given by Rahman, also Rahman's smartphone is stored in his pocket. While Doni is still glued behind the steering wheel of his father's car.
“Don, come!”
“Oh, yes kak.”
Doni was a little surprised, but soon rose to sussel brother Arif. They also slowly entered the crowded flea market area. Expect what will be sold to get a suitable offer. Unfortunately, one by one traders are offered, one by one rejection becomes the answer.
***
“Inaq, wake up first. This Rahman has cooked instant noodles for Inaq.”
Rahman placed a bowl of instant noodles on the table near the bed. Again, he stroked Inaq's wrinkled cheeks. And trying to wake him up.
“Inaq, Inaq.”
Stay same. Inaq did not open his eyes. Let Inaq rest first. Rahman covered the instant noodles with an iron plate. He also covered the warm tea in the flower-patterned dark green cup. Then left Inaq's room.
Why is Arif so long? It's been almost two hours since he left home. Though the distance from home to the flea market is not more than fifteen minutes. Rahman took his mind. Sometimes I go out to see the road. But still did not see any cars parked in front of the house.
“Yes Allah, strengthen us.”
He said slowly. His head looked up at the sky. Eyes glazed. His breathing is getting heavier. So are the steps. Weight, gaining weight entering Inaq's room.
***
Two hours before Arif left with Doni, Inaq told Arif the truth about Diana. Arif was surprised, not believing. It's possible that the women found in traditional markets are leaving the world so soon. Didn't he look okay at the time? Brother Arif seems to forget that death can come at any time and to anyone.
That letter! Brother Arif is rising. Then he went to the room to pick up a piece of paper that was deliberately placed under the pile of clothes. He looked at the letter again, but it was not read. For he still remembers every word written in the letter. He simply stared inwardly at the folds of the paper while continuing to force his heart to believe. Until finally realized will one of the many divine secrets, death can indeed come anytime and to anyone. Well, why would Inaq lie about this anyway?
Brother Arif of course sad because he has been left behind by women who have not had time to meet him directly. But the sadness was nothing compared to the sadness of hearing another sentence coming out of Inaq's pale lips.
“It should be Inaq who is in charge of doing all this. But Inaq is happy because now Rahman can already have a new hape.”
Inaq smile. He looked at the face of his youngest son.
“Inaq, Inaq don't need to say that. Arif never bothered about this guitar given by whom? After all, without this new guitar Arif can still sing for Inaq.”
“Since long ago, Inaq always wanted to present something that could carve a smile on your face. But in fact Inaq is not capable.”
Falling was a grain of holy water from the corner of the eye that had been glazed. Those pale lips also seemed to tremble.
“Inaq, no..”
“To create Inaq's own keingainan Inaq was not able to. To be honest, Inaq has promised that someday Inaq will realize your wishes. Then Inaq will buy livestock. Inaq wants to sacrifice on Eid al-Adha Day later.” Inaq continued his words, without giving Arif a chance to strengthen him.
It is broken that the heart of Arif has heard the words of Inaq. His breath sounded so loud, heavy, getting heavier. He turned his head, turning his face towards Rahman who was sitting. Arif knew that his sister was crying. It instantly turned its face towards the old woman who had just expressed her pleasure and desire. And Doni cried as if he was facing the mental burden of his best friend's little family.
***
“Kak, the price of the smartphone is expensive. The guitar was also bought by Rahman for a high price. Why would brother Arif want to take it off at a cheap price?”
“Already, Don. The most important thing is that I can already buy this goat.”
Arif did not attach importance to how much of a loss to sell a smartphone, as well as the guitar given by his sister. He was more concerned with Inaq's noble desire to sacrifice.
“But, sis..”
“Don, my whole life up to this second. I never once thought about how much desire was accumulated in the heart of Inaq, my birth mother.”
Brother Arif looked over. He stared at Doni. Doni. No more commenting on expensive items sold cheaply.
“I only think of my own pleasure. I think what I've been doing all this time is enough to reduce the burden of Inaq. Turns out I was wrong. I was wrong, Don.
But now I realize, even though we already feel enough can help our parents to ease the burden they bear. Most of us forget that there are desires in their hearts. Did you ever use five seconds of your time to think about a wish your mother hadn't expressed? Or Your Dad?”
Brother Arif sighed. He didn't mean to yell, let alone patronize Doni. But that's how Arif is. He just wants Doni to be able to think about his parents' wishes even if they don't express them. Also, brother Arif does not want what he is experiencing at this time also experienced by Doni, his brother's best friend.
“Kak,..”
Just like a little boy who had not met his mother for years, Doni hugged Arif's body tightly. She cried. Touched by the words just spoken by the man who was also already considered as his own biological elder brother.
“Already, Don. Ii'm sorry. Now we better go home.”
Brother Arif holds both sides of Doni's shoulders. He nodded steadily. Trying to convince Doni that everything will be fine. Doni smile. He wiped his tears with his palm. A quick return home brought the male goat that had been bought with brother Arif.
***
