Animal Sacrifice For Mother
9. Building a Palace in Heaven
“You must go to school. Let Inaq alone here. You remember the Amaq message? No matter what, you have to stay in school. Amaq doesn't want you guys to be like him. Amaq wants you to be a smart child, a successful child, so that what you feel now is not felt by your children in the future. And one more message delivered by Amaq almost every day. Never leave prayer!”
Brother Arif and Rahman were silent. It was hard to leave Inaq alone. They want to always be next to Amaq. Especially in the circumstances as now. Lying weak helpless. Even for breathing only, Amaq must use a tool.
Arif is nine years old, Rahman is seven. They were 3rd grade and 2nd grade Primary School respectively. Arif started school at the age of seven. While Rahman's brain intelligence is considered able to compete with other children who are one year old on it. That's why Rahman was accepted to start school at the age of six.
“Go home. You've not been to school for two days. Inaq is sure, if Amaq finds out, you will definitely get a reprimand.” Inaq continued his words while stroking the hair of his two children. Amaq is still closed. For two days Amaq was unconscious.
The next morning came to greet the village.
A bird flies out of the nest. The farmers turned to go to the fields. Two street boys hugging, not talking. They looked at each other, still not talking. How severe is Amaq's disease? How long will Amaq be destroyed? O Allah, please heal Amaq. Lift disease.
“Mothers Huniah.”
“Iya, right. I myself.”
The Puskesmas doctor stood up. Next to her was a young nurse. Womens. Younger than the Doctor.
“Bapak Amien should be referred to the hospital immediately.”
“Mean sir Doctor?”
“Now mom come to my room.”
The doctor smiled as he stepped out. Inaq nodded. The nurse hugged a large book. It may be a list of patient names, or it may be a record of Amaq's health development. Then he turned to lead Inaq to the doctor's office.
The distance between the room where Amaq was treated and the Doctor's room was not very far. Only twenty seconds away. But Inaq's steps felt so heavy. It felt like the floor along the Puskesmas aisle was like a field of thorns. Head's dizzy. His mind floated not because.The feeling was mixed. The nurse was shocked when she held Inaq's body, which was about to fall. The doctor entered the room.
***
“Yeeee....!”
Cheers filled every corner of the school building. Today the teachers will hold a monthly meeting. All students are allowed to go home early.
This should be good news if only Amaq was not being treated at Puskesmas. How not, every day the school holidays arrive, or when you come home early this way, brother Arif and Rahman always follow Amaq to the rice fields.
Race to catch grasshoppers, prank silent frogs, feed the fish in the pond, to bathe at times near the rice fields. Ah, there are many things they can do until they finally fall asleep in a saung deliberately made by Amaq on the edge of the pool. Today, like it or not, they are forced to postpone the pleasure until Amaq recovers. Hope so.
The atmosphere of the school still looks crowded. Students run to chase each other. Some just walk while occasionally showing off their tongue that changes color because of sucking Neon champ candy. One-two prank to a fellow friend.
None of the students at the school were happy to receive news of their teachers' monthly meetings. Even if necessary, meetings should not only be held once a month, but every day. Except for the two boys at the gate there. They stared at each other, completely unaffected by the pleasures of other friends. Between the two boys, the taller one was bowed.
“We go directly to Puskesmas only. Poor Inaq himself there.”
Rahman nodded. Agree with Arif's advice. Although Arif's brother is higher, but Rahman's body is fatter. Look how much they love each other. Brother Arif embraces Rahman, and always tries to strengthen. Arif doesn't want his sister to be sad. In fact, deep down, Arif also felt a very stifling sadness.
Half way to Puskesmas.
“Kak, Rahman haus.”
“Sabar well, soon we arrive.”
Arif's brother stroked his sister's head. Obtained. Rahman nodded. Fixing the position of the school hat that read Tut Wuri Handayani on his head. Really, Brother Arif did not intend to lie to Rahman. He just wants to strengthen. Because actually, the distance between the school and the Puskesmas is quite far. And they just walked halfway. Step, then step again.
“Kak, Rahman tired. Rahman wants a drink, haus.”
Rahman stop. Squatting moment. Brother Arif looked over. Sighs.
“Sini, big brother. So you don't get tired anymore.”
Brother Arif is crouching. Both of his hands tried to lift Rahman's body. Despite trying again, brother Arif still unable to lift his fat body.
Bismillah, brother Arif mustered all his strength. But it actually makes Rahman feel amused because of Arif's big hand like tickling his waist. Arif's brother is getting excited about judging his sister.
Rahman did not remain silent. He tickled Arif, but Arif immediately took off his embrace to avoid. Rahman's school hat was taken, then taken away. Rahman was chasing.
Lost is all tired. Lost the thirst. Because finally they can both laugh and continue the journey to Puskesmas.
***
“Please, Bu.”
“What does my husband hurt, Doctor sir?”
“Before I'm sorry. I know for myself, in this Puskesmas we do not have adequate equipment. I'm worried about having to hold my mother's husband back here for longer. We have tried as much as we can. But it should be.”.
The doctor cleared his throat, he held back his words.Inaq knew, sir Doctor kept the bad news. His body language conveys that.
“Mother's husband has a pretty severe illness. There's fluid clumping in his lungs. That is what causes it to be difficult to breathe and have not been conscious until now.
Again forgive us, ma'am. My advice, my husband's mother should be immediately referred to the hospital for surgery. Only it's the best alternative so that the mother's husband has a better hope.”
Inaq surprised. For the umpteenth time Inaq gulped. O Allah, is that the sickness of Amaq? If you have to operate, the cost must be expensive. Two days in Puskesmas alone is enough to drain savings. Inaq no longer had any money.
However, in addition to hospital fees, Inaq must also prepare transportation costs. The only hospital nearby is in the county town. It is quite far from the village. Inaq dizziness. His mind is divided. Half-head thinking about the state of beloved husband. The rest thought about the fate of their two hearts. Had Inaq gone, who would have looked after them? They can't come. Whatever happens, they have to stay in school.
“Good, sir Doctor.” Inaq.
Sickness and sobs brought Inaq to the room where Amaq was being treated. He stared at the stocky body lying on the bed of the Puskesmas. His right hand gently stroked Amaq's face.
Amaq did not move at all. It's still closed. However, Inaq saw a thread of water coming out of the corner of her husband's eye. Then it drips until it touches the white pillow that supports its head. Is it not a sign that Amaq can also feel the sadness felt by Inaq? Notice how strong the inner strength between them is. Even now, that power is not enough to awaken Amaq from his critical moment.
“Waalaikumsalam.”
Inaq rushed to wipe away his tears. He tried to smile to answer the greetings of his two hearts. And as fast as lightning, the laughter of the two boys disappeared. Change the sculpting, staring at each other.
Arif is trying to stay strong. He just wants to make sure that Amaq has managed to shape his character into a strong, firm, unyielding person, and not easy to cry. Unlike Rahman, he is not as strong as Arif. Seeing Inaq crying, he cried.
“Why Is Inaq crying? Has Amaq not opened his eyes yet?”
Inaq. His eyes are still wet. I don't know, which question Inaq answered by shaking his head. Silence moment. Only Rahman's cry was heard. Really a cornered morning.
Inaq has no other choice. The only treasure that can take him to the district city hospital is to sell the pond Karim sir gave. Heavy indeed, but that is all that can be sacrificed for the healing of his beloved husband, Amaq from both his children. After establishing his heart, Inaq rushed home, leaving Amaq and Rahman to brother Arif.
The day of maghrib. Inaq has not returned. Even so, brother Arif remained faithfully seated beside Amaq. Rahman's asleep. Two hours of prayer are not missed.
“Pak Doctor! Mr Doctor! Tolooong!”
Brother Arif suddenly shouted. He ran towards the door. Rahman woke up surprised. His two little hands held Amaq's. Amaq. Convulsions. Blood spattered out of his mouth.
“What's up?! O Allah. You check the hose. And you, please calm her children.”
The doctor panicked. Both hands are crossed. Keep trying to squeeze Amaq's chest. One female nurse checked the oxygen hose. Another one embraces brother Arif and Rahman. Inaq has not returned.
“Amaq!”
Collapse is the strength of Arif. His strength disappeared immediately. She cried. Not able to see the situation of Amaq. The more blood coming out of his mouth. Even dripping down to the bed sheet. Once. Twice. The doctor repeated his efforts to resuscitate Amaq.
Five seconds. Ten seconds.
Amaq's seizures stopped. A nurse's eyes look teary. The other nurse took off Arif and Rahman's legs from her arms. Then they grabbed Amaq's body while crying. Their tiny hands moved Amaq's body. I hope Amaq opens his eyes. Vain.
Inaq. He was standing in front of the door. The black crackle in his hand fell. He immediately ran to hug her husband, as well as their two hearts. At that instant, the room where Amaq was flooded with tears.
Be late. Although the fish pond had been sold, and all the necessities to go to the district city hospital had been prepared. But a true warrior begins his eternal life.
“Patience, son. Amaq went to build a palace in Heaven for us. Pray that we may be reunited later.”
***
“Sorry, Arif didn't mean to make Inaq sad. But to be honest, until any time Amaq will always be here!”
Arif pointed at his heart. Sighs. Inaq smiled as Arif's big hand turned to wipe away his tears.
The twilight has come.
Arif put his favorite guitar in his bag. Inaq. His face still looks sad. It seems that Inaq really misses the affection of Amaq. Just like Arif's brother, also Rahman. But they knew it would never happen.
Never mind. They went home, leaving the river with a deep longing. The more we move, the deeper.
***
