Blue Berets

75. Father's Advice

“Ringan? Light weight from sir?”

“Ringan, if you live it with gratitude. Anything, no matter how small, is grateful. Alhamdulillah can still wake up this morning, can still look at the face of the wife, can still hear the sound of children. But his responsibilities must be borne for life. Not only worldly responsibilities but the hereafter as well. The marriage contract is not only I accept the marriage, but I accept the fat, I accept the name, I accept the blessing, until I accept the responsibility for his sins, too" said Mr. Aji.

“Yes it's heavy Sir.”

“But God loves us the power to fulfill that responsibility. As long as you keep asking. Pray, teach your wife too. Njai together, pray together. God willing that responsibility will feel light.”

“You yourself said that you chose Kirana because of the guidance of God. Then why now you doubt?” Galih. That's right Mr. Aji said. He should not doubt God's destiny.

“God is dear to His servant. God gives the test not to thwart your intentions, but to know how committed you are. Trust me, if you pass this exam there will be great happiness waiting for you in front there.”

“You have won Kirana's heart, if you can hold her hand, guaranteed she will not turn away from you no matter what,” continued Pak Aji.

“Now the business is not between you and Kirana, but you and yourself. Choosing to step back or go forward fighting for what is worth fighting for,” said Mr. Aji.

Galih became quieter. Mr. Aji had already returned to his room while Galih was still holding on to his seat. He continued to be there until he did not realize if he went back to sleep because his head was honestly still heavy. He only regained his senses when Ms Ratna tried to cover him who was sleeping while leaning against the wall.

“So wake up. Sorry yes, continue to sleep in the room there,” said Ms. Ratna.

“Mother wants to pray? Sorry, I overslept last night talking to you,” said Galih immediately re-assembled his consciousness and tried to get up. 

“You do not want to pray?”

“What time is Bu?”

“Almost half 6,” replied Mom.

“Astagfirullah, yes Ma'am. Follow prayer,” he said rather surprised.

After Salih prayers immediately prepare to go home. He didn't bring anything when he came here, but he had to lead the apple this morning. If he doesn't leave right away now he can get sprayed again. Luckily Pak Aji saw Galih looking hasty. He immediately held Galih to leave.

“Hey where are you going? You are sick again,” said Mr. Aji.

“Balik Sir, I led apple morning.”

“Liar Aksara. You rest first,” explained Mr. Aji.

“I truant sir,” said Galih.

“You forgot in your boss's office? You I have allowed. Wis, you're now ngaso. Rest at home,” said Mr. Aji.

“But Sir..,”

“In exchange you will shop later. You have to do business,” said Mr. Aji finally asserted by Galih.

“Galih, help Mom here,” call Bu Ratna.

“Iya Bu,” answers resigned.

Galih helps Mom stir the porridge in the pot while Mom is busy making her gravy. If you're at the dinner table chewing chicken and cutting celery. Galih already knows if Miss Ratna is a hobby of cooking. He also not infrequently ate the delicious cuisine of Bu Ratna according to him.

It didn't take long, Bu Ratna's chicken porridge was finished. Galih sat down with Bu Ratna and Pak Aji who are now starting to enjoy their old years together. In addition to Aksara being married and living in his own house, Nusa and his sister Tara Aksara are also studying outside the city. One in UI, another in ITB. So Father and Mother feel like newlyweds again now. The nickname that Galih often hears becomes increasingly attached to the image of these two figures.

“Nih, finished eating in drinking yes,” said Bu Ratna thrusting medicine.

“Ngeyelmu equals ki sara ki sama. If it hurts, continue to take medicine, rest, recover. Do not force, you lose a lot in the future later,” said Bu Ratna with her nagging.

“Wis to drink wae. Do not volunteer professors, wis lose knowledge lose experience sisan,” said Mr. Aji.

Galih just nodded. Again he just nodded without being able to make a rejection. After eating Galih brought his bowl and glass to the sink, cleaned it and asked permission from Father and Mother to go back to the room and sleep. It was true that Galih felt his head heavy and twitching. His body was also like shivering when he was quite sweaty. Ms. Ratna thrust out a change of shirt and shorts that seemed to belong to Aksara. He unceremoniously grabbed it. It's been more than a day last night he didn't change, his body started to itch.

“Bu, what time will you shop?”

“Build you.”

“Mother not taught?”

“No, because later in the afternoon want to go to Aksara place, you all between Mothers yes,” replied Bu Ratna.

“Bangunin aja Bu, what time is it. I kebo if not built,” ask Galih.

“Ya set your own alarm,” advice Bu Ratna.

“I don't bring hp ma'am. Died at the room table,” replied Galih while grinning.

“Now go to sleep first, then I wake up.”

“Siap. Ndan,” said Galih before he re-entered the room.

Around lunchtime Galih was woken up. She was given a loan of Aksara clothes and Ms Ratna asked him to take a bath first. The two shop at once for lunch before going to Aksara house.

“Where is the dizziness already lightening right?” mrs Ratna asked Galih who was eating with no energy.

“Alhamdulillah Ma'am, I'm not dizzy. Just still not feeling good,” said Galih.

“Do not hesitate to fight for what is worth fighting for. Just as Mother advised Aksara, you are also the son of Mother. That confidence comes from the heart, not from here,” Ratna said as she pointed her head.

“Bu, first what makes Mom sure to accept Mr?”

“Because you can always be a remedy for every pain you feel. You know that Mother has been killed several times, you also know that the character is not the firstborn of Mother. A woman wants to be hit like they will be strong. As long as there was one thing he stood for, he would not care how big the storm was. For Mothers, fighting for Fathers and children is everything. Whatever you will do even if you have to change your own life,” said Ms. Ratna.

“But Kirana hates the same people who sacrifice themselves for her sake. He once said such a person is a fool,” said Galih.

“If you? How do you think?”

“Actually I don't think it's a problem. I saw for myself the devastation Mama saw Papa's condition. Mama sacrificed her life just to be with Papa until she finally died without getting anything. Mama said, no matter what Papa does because Mama loves Papa, Mama will always be there with Papa. So I also consider the sacrifice reasonable,” said Galih.

“Now I asked, if you were in Raihan's position at that time. Your wife is in a coma, your daughter has not been able to do anything, even though you yourself are very sick. What are you going to do?”

“About it..,”

“You also doubt right? If you are on medication and then healed. If you even go first then how your children and wife,” said Ratna made Galih speechless. Once again he realized that he did not fully know and understand Kirana.

“Galih, in this world there are so many unexpected events that will befall our lives. Kirana had already felt it, it was only natural that she was traumatized. The child has also been weak since childhood. Died husband is different from the left girlfriend you know,” said Ratna again.

“What do I need to do, Mom? Can I understand Kirana? She is a woman of mystery. Every time I go through it brings new surprises. There is always a different taste to him every time. But I never get bored myself,” said Galih.

“All that goes back to you alone. I've been taught by you, if you are confused where you should ask, right. Just slow down Galih. Fall in love slowly and enjoy the process. Mommy guarantees you will not regret it whatever the ending later,” Ratna said.