CURTAINS OF THE PAST

LONELINESS

Toni woke up as the adhan shubuh looked on, heard from the mosque which was not too far from her home. He felt his right hand and forehead as if he were carrying a burden. His left hand was trying to reach what was on his forehead at that moment.

Damp?.~ His murmur while lifting the handkerchief that Iffah used last night to compress his forehead. Wh-what's this?~ Toni was a little surprised to see the handkerchief she grabbed from her forehead.

Toni tried to get up, but she realized her right hand still felt so heavy at that time.

“Iffah...” He cried in a whispering voice because he found Iffah still asleep there with his arms.

From here, I began to understand the true meaning of loneliness.~ Toni is about to caress the head of Iffah who is still asleep in her seat next to Toni. However, Toni immediately paused her intention of returning for it.

I don't know what look he had for Iffah. He smiled, but also shed tears. Toni slowly pulled his arm from the head of his wife. Toni raised the body of Iffah who was still asleep in her deep sleep.

Did I really bother you last night? You look tired now.~ Her slender fingers go down the head of Iffah which is still gently covered in hijab.

Although you are close, but my heart still feels longing. Is this the meaning of loneliness? Fear if you are far away. Or could it be a sign that I am so greedy?~ All presumptions become

the consideration in his mind. However, he would still not be able to answer them until the two of them opened up to each other and revealed the contents of each other's hearts.

*****

Iffah woke up, she got up immediately when she found herself already on the bed again. Iffah turned to the sofa to look for Toni's whereabouts, but the sofa was empty.

Antoni where?~ His murmur as he got down and walked closer to the sofa to ensure his eyesight.

Oh my goodness, it's already half-eight. Maybe Antoni has gone to the office? But the heat last night was so high. Is she okay?~ Various questions disturbed Iffah's mind at that time.

Yes, since he knew Iffah more closely, Toni knew the time off Iffah prayer. And he knew that Iffah was on holiday, so he let his wife rest because Iffah's face was so clear

tiredness.

“Good morning, dear.” Sapa Chellin began to show her smile that morning when she saw Iffah coming out of her son's room.

“Already, darling. He was very early in the morning leaving, he said there was a meeting with a client at eight o'clock.” Chellin explained so confidently to Iffah that it still seemed confused.

“Is Antoni okay, Bi?.” Iffah looks anxious because she remembers last night her husband had a high fever.

“He looks good, Iffah. Why is it, son?” Chellin's frown tracing Iffah's anxious face.

“Actually last night Antoni had a high fever, Bi. He had been delirious a few times. Iffah was worried that her fever was getting.” Iffah explained Toni's condition the last time she came to her senses and accompanied her husband last night.

“What is it, son? Mama saw Toni was fine. Even better than before. And that's the thing that makes Mama happy today.” Chellin said while flanking the two cheeks Iffah is still confused. “You don't need to worry, Toni is fine kok.” Chellin looked at Iffah while giving confidence to her daughter-in-law through her shady and warm gaze.

“Iya, Bi.”

“Mama...” Cut Chellin fast, as if asking.

“Oh, hmm Ma.” Although not used to it, but Iffah still tried it so that her husband's adoptive mother was not disappointed. Chellin smiled at Iffah's call which he thought was so sweet for her.

“Ya already, dear. You have breakfast there. Toni also sent a message to Mama, saying you don't have to

go to the office first. And don't ask me why, because my mom doesn't know the answer either. Ask your own husband, baby.” Chellin left Iffah who was forced to understand him.

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