CUTS

Mother's Tears...

The speeding car broke the city road into the next district. There is only the sound of toddlers who continue to babble is unclear while both parents choose silence. Along the way, Cut's mind was only on Iskandar while Rendra could only glance in silence. The car entered the pesantren area with a view of the expanse of yellowed rice fields ready for harvest.

Cut handed Anugrah to Rendra with a sour face. Rendra himself could only sigh harshly when he saw how his wife's new character looked. A manager greeted and invited them to meet with the ustad who accompanied Iskandar. The Ustad recounted how the changes had taken place to Iskandar during this year. Uncommanded, Cut sobbed happily. He did not expect his son to have been proud of him in his own way.

“He has memorized 30 juices and several books he has mastered. Right now, he was just starting to study the yellow book and some other books. For activities outside of studies, the santri sometimes help Abah go to the rice fields, soon the rice season and the children will help Abah cut rice. We will also hold a thanksgiving event in the form of good meals for them after the harvest. This is as a form of thanks to Abah to those who helped in the rice fields.”

Cut nodded in disrespect and then let them meet the son who was behind the cottage. Actually, Ustad was about to ask one of the students to call Iskandar to the office but Cut forbade it. He wanted to see for himself what Iskandar's current condition was. Cut walked after santri. He went down the path until he saw the figure of the son who had not met for a year.

Cut broke the tears again. Currently Iskandar is sitting with his roommates while joking and then pulling the rope to sound clattering in the rice field area. Instantly, the flocks of sparrows immediately flew high and they laughed again. One of their friends held a book, read it and then straddled it.

“Nak, briefly! That's what they're doing?” cut asked a passing santri.

“Oh, that's Rezki again read us and explain the meaning of the contents of the book. We used to do it here. They will take turns explaining the contents of the book to other friends to make it easier when we face Ustad, Buk.”

“Thank you, Nak.” Santri was gone.

Cut the worry between stepping there or not. He was afraid that his presence would make the son angry and return to what he used to be. Finally, Cut stepped in to find ustad to ask permission to visit his son's room. Rendra and Anugrah just saw what Cut did.

Cut opened the closet with Iskandar's name on the door. He included several new pieces of clothing, toiletries and prayer equipment. Cut put some boxes of food and snacks Iskandar's favorite. Cut looked at the paper and pen and he wrote a few sentences inside with tears in his eyes.

After placing all the letters, he immediately left the room. Anugrah who saw his mother and asked for a sling was not huddled. Cut went straight to the parking lot after trying to calm down while saying goodbye to the lodge manager.

“We've come this far, don't you want to say hello?”

Cut shook his head and took Anugrah in the arms of his husband. Rendra understood, he opened the car door for his wife and turned until both of them were in the car. “Before we go home, are you sure you don't want to say hello?”

Cut back shook his head then with a sigh of heaviness, Rendra again drove the car leaving the boarding school. It was already afternoon, Iandang azan began to be heard from the mosque hut toa. The children immediately ran towards their respective rooms in happy joking laughter.

When he was about to open the closet, Iskandar was surprised by the number of several boxes of food and snacks that he was very familiar with.

“Wah, we can be able to eat this good run out.” Ari cursed at his friends.

Compact all friends of Iskandar approached and gawk at the number of foods and snacks that are certainly appetizing. During their stay, there is nothing out of the pesantren area, while in the cottage there are only stalls that provide foods that make santri full and healthy such as boiled sweet potatoes, cassava, chips, and chips, crackers, and corn. The cottage does not sell factory food but does not prohibit if there are parents of students who bring it.

Simple living became the main purpose of the cottage. Those who are not accustomed to eating must inevitably eat to cover up hunger because there are no other food choices. Iskandar opened the lemar and saw a piece of book paper on his shirt.

“Assalamualaikum, Darling.

Son, forgive Mama for never coming to see you. Even when Mama came, Mama still couldn't see you. Mama can't watch you come back moody because of Mama's arrival. But, Mama was happy when she saw you laughing with your friends. Looks like they're good, huh, son? Mama misses you. Every night, I pray that you will be happy wherever you are. Sorry for leaving you here. Hopefully someday, you can accept the reason Mama brought you here. And you must admit, Mama does not regret leaving you here than you suffer and are depressed living next to Mama.

Again, forgive Mama for not being able to protect you. My mom is not worthy of being a mother. Just take care of you Mama is not smart how can Mama be a good mother? Sorry Mama. Only your forgiveness will make you able to survive these difficult times. Know, Son. What you feel also Mama feels only we are different in expressing that feeling.

Be happy while you are there! After seeing you happy, Mama will also try to be happy in your way. Don't think about anything else. Enjoy your childhood with them. Happiness is simple depending on how we enjoy it. Your friends must be good people. Spend time with them because when you grow up. You will remember the good times again.

Greetings to your handsome and wise son.

“Assalamualaikum.”

Iskandar stared inside with a feeling that was hard to decipher. “Mama you are good huh?”

Celutukan Ari who had peeked at the contents of the letter made Iskandar aware of his reverie.

“Come, soon congregational prayers!” exclaimed

Iskandar put the letter back in the closet. He picked up a towel and a new shirt that his mother bought and rushed to the bathroom. While at his residence, Rendra who had just arrived home before night was surprised by the presence of the mother who had been waiting for him.

“Where are you from anyway? Mama phone not answered.” Mother Yetti Protest.

Cut came down and kissed her mother-in-law's hand. Rendra watched the wife's face carefully while sighing heavily.

“Cut bedding Anugrah first yes, Ma.”

Cut left her mother-in-law with her husband. “Where are you from until these nights? Poor Anugrah so in the wind.”

“Ma, don't overdo it. We are also parents and know what to do for our children. Please give us that trust.” pinta Rendra with face after tired.

On the one hand, he had to face his mother and on the other hand had to face his wife. Rendra was in a dilemma facing both women.

“Why do you say that? Mama just advises what is wrong?”

“No, Ma. Our child is also. We will not let him catch a cold. We visited Iskandar.”

“What? My mom told me not to look first. He'll do it again if he finds out you're coming. Then how's it going there?”

“He's good, Ma. And very proud of us. He has managed to memorize juice 30 and several books he can already master.” Rendra was proud.

“Well, now what's wrong Mama told you to put it in the cottage? See for yourself how things are changing now. It is difficult to give advice to children now. Always feel the truest and the wrong parents for organizing your household. In fact, we first tasted the salt acid of life. Come on, Mama just go home.”

Yetti's mother left her son's house in a state of annoyance. He left regardless of the call of the son. While inside the house, Cut was guilty because of his mother-in-law's words earlier.

“Ma,”

***