Bakoh Shoulder

Chapter 57. Brief Togetherness

Theo smiled remembering what he had just done with the widow of one child who was his girlfriend. The activity of linking the lips between himself and Vera has become a routine every time they meet. Her boyfriend is mature, beautiful, and very spoiled for her. But it's okay, Theo likes it.

"I go home first yank.." Theo kissed Vera's forehead.

"Tomorrow here again mas.." Vera becomes more and more spoiled for Theo.

"Why? Am I just doing this..? Don't make me not have the heart to leave you yank.. You whine like this has made my feet mager do not want to go anywhere." Theo hugged Vera.

Both of them are like a young couple who have been drunk for the first time. So friendly at every opportunity.

Leaving the couple of acute bucins up there, that morning Ayu was almost at her school. Departing early every day, Ayu does have other activities besides his goal so as not to be late to school later.

Ayu entered the old hut that was a few meters away from her school area. Inside there was an old grandmother sitting smiling at her arrival. With a stick in hand, the grandmother walked over to Ayu.

"Now did you get here in the morning? Don't ride your bike.. Fear of falling later." Now the grandmother was in front of Ayu.

"Ndak nothing mbah. Mbah, let's have breakfast first. Later on break as usual Ayu must be here again huh..." Ayu had opened the rice wrap she brought, she fed it to the old grandmother in front of her.

"Yu.. Nduks.. There will be guests later in the day,"

"Who's mbah? The altar boy in Jakarta came home?" Ayu patiently served the grandmother to eat.

"Maybe.. Yu, mbah pesen same you ya nduk.. Be a devoted child to your parents. Remember, no matter how successful you are later on, all of that is the result of your parents' hard work. Their prayers, their prostrations, and their sweat.. Don't forget it's nduk..."

In front of Ayu, there was an old grandmother whose vision ability had been greatly decreased. Everyday he sells cassava and boiled yam that he planted himself in the empty land next to his hut. Just for info, the land planted with cassava and yam is also not his. The owner is kind enough to let the land be used to grow crops.

Not infrequently what he did not sell at all even though he had been selling all day. In today's times, cassava and boiled yam are rare or may not have any fans. Many other foods are more eye-catching with the variety of flavors offered.

Ayu knew the Mbah in front of him when he was selling in front of his school area. No one glanced at the merchandise of the Mbah, from the morning he sold until the hour of school home none of his merchandise was sold. There Ayu felt pity. With a potluck allowance he bought boiled cassava that was wrapped in clear plastic. And starting that day, Ayu routinely brought breakfast to the Mbah who she herself did not know what her name was until now. Ayu simply called him Mbah without asking what his name was.

"Mother.. Tomorrow do not need to come here again yo cah ayu," said the Mbah lirih as Ayu moved from her seat.

"Why mbah? Do not forbid Ayu to play here Mbah, I'm not angry.. It is precisely the father who asked Ayu to bring breakfast every day."

"Your father is a good man.. If only the son of an altar like your father.the old age would not be what it is today.." Sadness sounded from his tone.

Ayu longed to linger with the Mbah, but time blocked her intentions. The bell of the lesson began to be heard until the house of the Mbah. After saying goodbye, Ayu hurried to leave the house. There is no heart, but how else.. He also could not continue to accompany the Mbah in his home.

A call shocked Ayu. The teacher in the class called him to go ahead in front of the class, although initially excited but by looking at the information on the blackboard, Ayu knew what to do afterwards.

The waiting break hour arrives. Public Junior High student 1 Grobogan was made excited by the news of the death of an old grandmother selling boiled cassava at his home. Ayu who listened to the news from one of her friends immediately ran to the house of the Mbah. In his house he was full of neighbors who were lying. Of the many people, Ayu's eyes were fixed on the figure of a man who cried wailing lamenting the departure of the Mbah.

Ayu could not hold back her tears, in the same place.. This morning he was feeding the woman. He with a smile forbade Ayu not to come to his house again tomorrow, he calmly said maybe his son will come, and only a few hours Ayu left the house.. Ayu understood why the mbah forbade her to visit her house again, Ayu also understood when the mbah said.

Ayu crying.. He lost that figure. He is patient and strong at the same time. Not complaining about the situation, even though the body is no longer young, walking is assisted by a stick as his third leg.. But he never complained about everything. You don't have to have blood ties to be a family.. Ayu and the cassava seller proved it. Their brief encounter was able to etch lasting memories in the heart.

"Maaaaa.. Oh Allah mak.. This is Yanto come mak.. Mak's.. Sorry Yanto!! Maaac.. Yanto regrets mak.." The man kept shouting like a possessed man. Although repeatedly the neighbors calm him so sincere but the man's cry became more and more.

**

As a drop of morning dew

As bright as the sun

When I look at your face, mother

There is warmth in my heart

Wudhu water always wet you

The holy word is always recited

A soft voice full of moodyness and grimness

Pray for his daughter's son

Oh my mother, you are a woman

The one I loved all my life

Forgive your son if something goes wrong

Your sacrifice without recompense

**