At the Crossroads of Love

61. Losing Ara pov

The world collapsed on me, Papa who was initially fine, even getting better in my opinion, after the scarlet hijab suddenly returned unconscious.

Three days Papa's been in a coma, and those three days I'm always by his side. When Papa had a seizure and the doctor came I thought Papa was aware, it turns out Papa prefers to catch up with Mama and Kak Arti, leaving Me alone. Suddenly my world became dark.

Turns out I'm a pin and long enough, either Pinsan is asleep. I realized I was in my room, there was Mommy, Ratih and Naina. They've been there for me ever since Papa got lost. Especially Mother, day and night always encourage me.

'' Ra, are you awake, son?'' Mother moved closer to me, and brought a glass of white water.'' This drink first, you must be thirsty.'' I received the water that Mother offered and drank it up to the toilet.

Why can I be in my room instead of I'm in the hospital. And... Papa?, the moment my tears escaped. I'm trying to get up to find Papa. Train approached me and held me tight, and cried even louder than I.

''Ra, you must be sincere, Ra. Allah will not test his servant beyond his means.'' said Ratih amid his tears.

''Ra.'' Naina joined me. I knew I had them both.

A man, not rather my husband went into my room, He whispered to Mother and then came out of my room.

My two friends let go of his embrace when Mother approached me.

''Ara sincere and strong huh?'' I nodded, and Mommy fell.'' Then Ara wash her face and change her clothes yes, meet Papa for the last time, Ara can not cry.'' Mother shook her head and rubbed my cheeks as my tears began to escape again. ''Ara can't cry. Ara would you take Papa to his final resting place?'' I just nodded.

I came down from my room with Mother and my three friends. From the stairs I saw my house was so crowded sitting on the floor, because the table, chairs and other furniture was somehow placed where, of course, the living room and the living room became spacious without furniture.

My father was stiff in the middle of a guest that most of my neighbor's mothers and baby mothers were teaching to Papa.

Last night Papa breathed his last in the hospital. And it turns out I was brought home first before Papa's body was brought home, which is why when I woke up I was already in my room.

Seeing Me still glued to the stairs, a baby mother approached me and stroked the top of my head. She is the wife of the father of the police who the other day witnessed my marriage.

''Patience, Son. Yuk! meet your father for the last one.'' take him

I opened Papa's covering cloth, looked at Papa's face so calm. No more pain like in the hospital. If Papa Liklas accepts this path of his destiny, why don't I? right, said Ratih, this is a trial for me. But it hurts so much to lose someone I love.

''Don't cry anymore, Ra. yang iklas ya, let Papa go quietly. Not the cry that your Papa needs right now, it will only hinder his path. Prayers of righteous children like Ara that Papa needs to stretch his path.'' said the advice from Mother.

''Ara let Papa go, Bun.'' I flow to Mother.

Father came from outside to approach Mother, I heard Him talking to Mother.

''Bun Pak Kyai has arrived and Randy's body will be sholated soon and ten o'clock there will be a ceremony of handing over the body from the family to the police for the official funeral.''

''Ara wants to come and solicit Papa, Father.'' asked me who heard Dad's words.

''Could we get ready.'' Mother took me back to the room to take Mukena.

Before being taken to the cemetery held a mortuary release ceremony from the family to the police for official burial. And again the man who had become my husband who symbolically handed over Papa's body of policing.

Papa is buried in the hero's cemetery. Me, Mommy, Ratih and Naina were in a car following behind the car.

Arriving at the funeral gate there were already my High School friends, the principal and the ranks of teachers. They're all there for me. Pah, there are still many who love Ara, Ara will not be alone, Papa take it easy, Ara will go through this ordeal. Ara will try to be strong and tough like Papa's teachings all along.

The sound of a selvoe shot almost made me goosebumps, thankfully there were hands and a burly body that were refuting me. He is the man who has the title of my husband. Stooped me up and swept me into the burrow where Papa was buried, after the funeral was over.

''Ra, eat yuk? Ara has not eaten yet you know.'' invite Mother shortly after we are at home.

''Ara is not a laper, Bun.'' lirihku, what I need right now is not to eat but to sleep in my soft bed room. But what are the guest power of mourners still keep coming back and forth.

''Mother bribe deh, because from last night Ara has not eaten. Mother get it?'' without me answering Mother had gone from next to me and returned again with two rice boxes.

''Ra, a... '' Mother really bribed me like she was feeding a child.

''We got a lot of boxed rice from Ratih's mother, Ra.'' Mother's fight was interrupted to bribe me. I'm no stranger to the taste, roasted honey chicken from his mother's caterer Ratih is indeed the most delicious.

'' Look at Ara's friends there they seem to like this box of rice as well.'' point your head at Ratih, Naina, Vano and Rega, who was enjoying a rice box harian his mother Ratih.

''Yes, Ibu Ratih's cooking is delicious, Bun. Ratih's mother also taught Ara to cook.'' from Junior High I knew Ratih and always hitchhiked eating at his house. I saw his mother who was always busy cooking and making cakes to order making me interested in learning.

''Oh that.'' Mother opened the other box of rice and fed herself. '' Uh, it's really good Ra, tender and the spice absorbs all the way to the dalem.''

''It's roasted honey chicken, Bun. Ara has tried several times to duplicate it but it never feels as good as made by her mother Ratih.'' my adu on Mommy.

I did not taste one honey chicken rice box I had spent, whether I was hungry or indeed a delicious roasted chicken. Mother smiled satisfied I spent my own rice box, yes after a few bribes fed Mother, I asked to eat alone.

Again my husband's bedecked man took an important role in my life. He receives Papa's tahlilan guest of study, and acts as the host. Seems very familiar with Mr. Kyai, our village elders and religious experts.

Is he good, Papa. The man you chose to be your son's husband.

*

*

*

*