As Strong as the Mentari, as Soft as the Moon

Episodes 20. Kun Fayakun's...

Eight o'clock is ten minutes. I decided to move on with my life by opening a cake shop. Armed with the savings of my grandmother and I last time and the gift of Aunt Virna, my father and I finally managed to buy a two-story shophouse at the end of the road near the market. A place that is quite strategic. And today is the opening ceremony of the cake shop that I named KUN taken from Kun fayakun, so it will be. In the hope that everything that is desired will happen. All hope will be real. All of that after the grief and failure that plagued us, then this time our determination to be better and success is more and more undeniable. As the wise man said:

A successful person is one who is able to survive failure after failure until he reaches the door of success

Instead of the store opening all cakes are sold at promotional prices. And it's true that only two hours of shop opening visitors have filled the store. Me, Dad, Sherlly and Ferdy are so overwhelmed with buyers. This is all thanks to the power of social media. A month earlier I had been actively surfing on social media promoting various kinds of cakes and shops that would be operating. Even Mirza, Sherlly and Ferdy helped promote it to existing chat groups. "Need help...?" said sister Mirza while wiping the sweat that was dripping on my forehead and part of my face. The treatment had made boisterous shop visitors who saw it. And again Mirza just laughed got a response like that. "Rest...Let me take the place" he said, rubbing my head and wearing an apron. Once I refused, but the stubbornness of course made me again have to give up.

Twelve o'clock, four minutes. I wiped away the sweat that was flooding the body. I sipped a glass of mineral water to quench the thirst. Then I also perform dzuhur prayer when the adzan after reverberating. Declaring long and hopeful prayers. Fifteen minutes later I rested my body for a moment. After I thought enough, I went back to helping my dad who looked overwhelmed at the cashier table. "Rest, Dad...Fara's replacing" I said to dad. He nodded and sat down for a moment while watching me. He smiled and looked at me and raised both of his thumbs in the air.

Twelve o'clock and forty minutes. Visitors are not crowded anymore. Only one or two still came. Soon a beautiful-faced mother came and approached me. She ordered a chocolate tart for the birthday of her first grandchild. Also some kinds of cupcakes with various toppings. "It's Saturday afternoon. About one o'clock. Here's the address" he said, handing out his business card. "Mother Zanna Kirania." I said as I read the name. "Failure.." said the mother before passing. I cheered excitedly at the order making my father approach me and hug me tightly. "Congratulations, sweetheart. Everything will go well" he said. "Fara.." call brother Mirza while pointing to the shop door. I shriveled my heart as I looked at the figure of the middle-aged beautiful woman standing in the doorway.

"Mama Melissa.." I murmured softly. I hesitated a little to see her coming. I followed Mirza's steps that preceded me. "Ma.." I said as I grabbed his hand and kissed the back of his hand full of reverence. He also smiled. He looked at me from the tip of the foot to the head with teary eyes. He hugged me so tightly soon. "Mama's girl. Where the hell is that?" said sniffling. "Ma...Fara.." I said stalled as he covered my lips with his finger. "Mirza told me everything. Mama's sorry, honey. Mama can't take care of you" she said which stunned me. And once again we hugged.

"We just sit here...Because dad and the others I invite prayer and lunch" said Mirza while pulling three chairs to the back of the storefront near the cashier's desk. Mama Melissa was still smiling looking at me. Occasionally his hands gently rubbed the tops of my head. "The crazy woman was already behind bars. But her accomplices are still capable of hurting you" said Melissa's mother, clasping my hand tightly. "Mama feels so guilty, dear to everything that happened to you" said Mama again. "Mama don't have to apologize. Because mama is not guilty at all" I said with my head bowed.

Then at length we talked and sometimes laughter adorned our conversation until one hour past twenty minutes. I saw my dad enter the store. Apparently he had finished performing the dzuhur prayer at the nearest mosque. Dad stepped towards us as soon as he saw us. "Ma, introduce. Father Fara.." I said as he stood near us. The two of them shook hands and smiled.

"Calling will only make our lives more depressed while being grateful will always lead us on the path of ease"

The wise words that my father and I spoke were a reminder that we should not complain and should be grateful. It turns out these words are quite powerful as a reminder of our lives today.

Mama Melissa was smiling and looking at us. Occasionally he also wiped his cheeks that were also wet with a clear circle that had been in freefall since.

Four o'clock past twenty minutes. We passed by and left the store that was closed. In addition, it was late afternoon because the cake supply had run out. "Alhamdulillah." we said as we stared at the shop. We are grateful for His achievements today. Cuddling each other on the shoulders of the five of us, me, dad, Sherlly, Ferdy and of course Mirza's sister the handsome man who was able to reconcile the storm raging in my heart. And also a man who was able to build my confidence after what I experienced.

Four o'clock past fifty-five minutes. I put my head on the back of the sofa and closed my eyes for a moment. My breath feels so regular. "Darling.." said Mirza, opening my eyes slowly and looking at her. "So, your Mirza is working. So can't accompany you. And Sherlly, Ferry also goes to school. Who's gonna help you?" he said while sitting facing me. "Tonight Ms. Jiah and Ms. Mona are ready to be my employees. Tomorrow there are two new employees at the store" I said. "Em, when to make woro-woro employee acceptance?" said sister Mirza. "Onlines. Father made it" I said again which made Mirza's sister smile while nodding her head. "Thank you for helping" I said, staring at him. "Why should you thank me? I am your husband. It's only natural that the soul should be shoulder to shoulder" said his that made me round my eyes. "Prospective husband." I said. Mirza laughed as she patted her forehead. "Forgotten, yank." said he in his laughter. I finally laughed with him.

to be continued...