Canticles

8. Relieved

After the process of 'introducing Landung' was completed, Ustadz Adil and the santri left the Rusminah house. David was still there accompanied by Rex and Gama.

Rex knocked on the door of the grandmother's room.

" It's over, Grandma. Now Grandma and Brother Lian can come out." said Rex.

" Alhamdulillah., "sahut Rusminah then stepped out of the room followed by Lilian.

" What does it mean that Landung was rescued by Rex...?" ask Lilian.

" It was delivered to where it should be, it was more appropriate, ." said Rex correcting his brother's speech.

" Yes that. How did it work, didn't it...?" lillian asked a little annoyed.

" Thank God it worked." said Rex to make Lilian smile.

" Now our job is to make Tini aware that Landung has left" Rusminah said.

" Septia is also Mak.", said David quickly.

" Septia is nothing to worry about. He's a smart kid, he knows what's going on and what he has to do. It all started with Tini's attitude and Septia was just a victim. Septia was the first to be affected because she was ignored by Tini who continued to focus on lamenting Landung's departure." Rusminah said.

David nodded in affirming Rusminah's words.

" Let me try to help talk to him later. God willing he will understand" said Rusminah.

" Thank You Mak. I believe that Mamak who talked about Tini would want to hear. Tini was very reluctant and respectful to Mak.", said David with a sparkling face.

" Yes, yes, go home. Your family must be waiting. Remember, don't say anything to Tini. Let me talk to him later" said Rusminah, pushing the laughing David out of the house.

" Ready Mak. Kids, thank you. A.assalamualaikum...! " david said loudly as he pedaled his bike quickly.

" Alaikumsalam...! " say everyone at the same time.

Rex undoes his intention of closing the door of the house when he sees the figure of a teenage girl crossing the street. Rex felt that the girl was a little strange as she continued walking with her head down. Rusminah who saw Rex's reaction patted him on the shoulder.

" What does Rex look like...?" ask Rusminah.

" Mmm.., that girl over there is Nek..," Rex said as he pointed to the teenage girl who had passed by.

" Why are you so rich, is there anything strange...?" ask Rusminah.

" Slightly..," said Rex while grinning and then moving inside.

Rusminah smiled knowing her grandson had sensitivity to the environment.

" His name is Zada. He's two years younger than you. She lost her parents in a landslide in her village. Now she lives with her foster mother. Unfortunately Zada is difficult to manage and often makes problems. So his mother also let Zada do as he wanted because he was tired of taking care of it. So no wonder if he looks thin and shabby. He must not have come home after days of leaving" said Rusminah.

" Did he not go to school, Grandma...?" ask Rex.

" He doesn't like school. He always ran amok every time he was taken to school. Several schools have been attended and Zada has always acted the same. Therefore no school will accept Zada..," said Rusminah.

Rex was pensive to hear Rusminah's words. Somehow he felt sorry for Zada's fate. But Rex's daydream breaks when Gama calls him.

" Come on Rex get ready. Kan had already agreed with Mang Daud to pray together in the mosque...!" the Gama reminded.

" Oh...!" sahut Rex then rushed into the room.

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Today David intends to invite the teenager to visit the hot spring in Palimanan. Rusminah did not participate because she had to carry out her mission advising Tini. Septia chose to go with her father. In addition to being able to refrehing a little, the other goal was to be able to accompany Lilian later.

After releasing David away on the porch of the house, Tini rushed back into the house.

" They're gone, aren't they...?" ask Rusminah.

" Usah Mak..," said Tini with a smile.

" That's sitting here, Tin. Temenin I'm talking, '" said Rusminah as she patted the chair beside her.

" I finished the plate first, Mom. If the dining table is neat it is good to talk..," said Tini, who is called Rusminah.

After cleaning the dining table Tini also washed the dirty dishes used breakfast earlier. Rusminah turned her head as Tini stepped into the living room while carrying her two favorite glasses of milk coffee.

" Make a chat, Mak." said Tini, putting a glass of coffee in front of Rusminah.

" You know what I'm waiting for this daritadi. Thanks Tin.." said Rusminah with a smile.

" Both Mak..," said Tini.

" Look Tin. I'm sorry that two nights ago David came home late. That's because I asked him to come here. I miss him, '" said Rusminah.

" O gapapa Mak. I'm not afraid Mas Daud will come here. I am happy because it means dear Mak with my family..," said Tini quickly.

" Good for that. I do consider You and Your Husband to be like my own son. And whatever problems you're facing are also my problems including grief. You are sad because you lost Landung, I am also sad. And what makes me even sad is that you didn't say anything about Landung's passing" Rusminah said.

" I'm sorry Mak. Who said Landung died ?. Mamak must have heard wrong..," said Tini riled.

" I know from Landung..," said Rusminah to surprise Tini.

" What do you mean by mamak...?" tanya Tini doesn't understand.

" You know Tin. Landung's spirit shows itself in front of Rex, Lilian and Gama. Initially only Rex saw Landung pacing around inside the house. But a long time later Lilian and Gama also squirm Landung again play in the rice field next to the house. The words of Rex and Gama make me suspicious if something has happened to Landung. That is why I have called David here. David told me everything and I told him to seek help" said Rusminah.

" Help, for what and who is called Mas Daud...?" tanya Tini was curious.

" Dawud called Ustadz Adil. He said Landung could not leave because there was someone who was still mourning his departure in a unnatural way. And I know that guy is you. Your cry has made Landung lose Tin, kill him. Luckily Ustadz Adil and his students managed to drive Landung to where he should be. And Landung left happily, ." said Rusminah as she stared fixedly at Tini.

The words of Rusminah made Tini surprised. A moment later, Tini cried.

" I can't accept Landung died Mak. The hedge is still small. There are many hopes that I have with him. I hope Landung will accompany Me when I am old because he is a boy.", Tini said as she sobbed.

" From the beginning your intention was Tin's fault. That's why God is angry and takes Landung from you. It is only natural that God is angry that you chose Landung to be your life support. We know that the best support in our lives is God" said Rusminah, shaking her head.

" That's not what I mean Mak." argued Tini.

" But that's what you do Tin. Now Landung has gone to the Lord's Day. You do not need to worry, Landung became a resident of heaven because he died at a young age. When the day of the Hishab comes he will wait at the door of heaven and bring you in together. Unfortunately it is difficult to materialize if you keep holding it here with your lamentation..," said Rusminah while rubbing Tini's back gently to make Tini cry even harder.

" I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry..," Tini said softly.

" Take him Tini. Your prayers are all he needs now. Don't forget you still have Septia. He needs your attention too. Because you are so lost in grief, Septia has lost her mother's affection. Kasian Septia's. He's lost Landung, don't let him lose his mother, too. Love Septia like you love Landung. Can you just Tini...?" ask Rusminah carefully.

" Yes Mak. From now on I will focus on Septia..," said Tini steady.

Rusminah smiled and hugged Tini tightly and let her cry in her arms. Rusminah was relieved that her mission was going according to plan.

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