Distance to Heart

P a r t 13

Nurbaiti and I rushed to the cafeteria and ordered the food we wanted to eat. I ordered chicken soto while Nurbaiti ordered meatballs plus orange ice as his drink. Waiting for the order to come. The two of us resumed chatting while in the nursery.

"Nurbaiti, why are you here and what the child's illness is. Emm, I mean Razka?"

"Long Ma'am, the story. I've moved from my village to this city for two years. Since,"

The chatter came to a halt, when the food we ordered came and the waiter immediately placed the food in front of me and Nurbaiti.

"Thank you, Ma'am," my great-grandson.

After the waiter serves food and leaves. We both went back to the initial conversation.

"Take what, Nurbaiti. Say?" ask me to start our conversation that stopped.

"My husband has died of illness, ma'am" she said, holding her head down in tears.

I gasped at the sentence, and my hand rubbed Nurbaiti's arm spontaneously as a form of empathy. I really don't know what Nurbaiti and his family have been through? My communication with Nurbaiti was interrupted when I started to get busy with work and continued with S2. Nurbaiti continued his words.

"When Razka turned two, I was believed to be pregnant again. Of course the news makes me and my husband happy not to be upset, but our happiness did not last long, Mom. Because after that the husband was often sickly,"

"Your husband, sickly. What pain, is that what makes him?" my pedicabs.

"At first my husband refused to seek treatment, but I kept pushing him. Because honestly, I was curious, Mom. Why does the husband's illness not heal? After a few times we went to the hospital and did a series of medics. Doctors eventually diagnosed her with stage four bowel cancer and since then, my husband and I have been in the hospital. The husband is often treated and controlled for his illness. Although at that time, I was pregnant, "Nurbaiti explained while having a lot of fun.

"Then the cost problem. Where did you get it from?" I asked who shed tears.

"Alhamdulillah, in the midst of disaster there must be a way out to help me, ma'am. I believe that,"

"It was noon, when I was playing with Razka. Suddenly, came a man dressed very neatly and handsome. He deliberately went to the house and introduced himself by the name of Syailendra. The man says and recognizes himself as Razka's real father,"

"What, Andra came to Nurbaiti's house. Where'd he know that?" I murmured in my heart.

"So, you don't ask. Why would he know your home and what his purpose is?" my pedicabs.

"Yes, I must have asked, Mom. I don't want to persuade any seduction to deceive me. What else the arrival of Mr. Andra at that time, there is a connection with Razka. My husband and I loved that boy. Whatever my husband and I do. If it's about Razka, ma'am,"

Nurbaiti's explanation of Razka. It was like slapping very hard on my cheek. I am an example of a bad and failed mother. For abandoning his own son. While Nurbaiti and her husband are good and successful parents. Because whatever they're gonna do for Razka. Yes, Razka's my real son.

"Then what did Andra do after that meeting?"

"Since then our relationship has become familiar with Mr. Andra. She used to visit home at least once a month and gave all of Razka and my family's needs to be met every month. Mr. Andra even helped all the husband's treatment from A to Z. Everything that was said by the doctor who handled his illness was on the run. My husband died, Mom"

The conversation stopped because I told Nurbaiti to eat the food in front of her, afraid of the cold. Nurbaiti then ate the meat until it almost ran out and continued the conversation while sipping orange ice.

"Then what happens to your family next?"

"Me, kids, and sister. Was brought to this area by Mr. Andra. Apparently here, Mr. Andra has prepared all the needs for us. Starting from buying a house, preparing for school sister, to provide business capital for me to trade,"

"I opened a grocery store in front of the house from the capital given by Mr. Andra. From there, I can support myself, my children, and my sister, Mom, "

Hearing the story Nurbaiti revealed made my heart more sliced, the more I was guilty of Razka and Nurbaiti. Because it turns out that all this time, I was the one who ignored their existence and my responsibilities as a mother. Nurbait is the one who has contributed to me. For taking care of and raising my son Razka so well.

"Then why is Razka in this hospital, what pain is she?"

"Since a year ago, Razka was diagnosed with Hemophilia so he had to be diligent in control every month. Last night she complained of pain in her head and nosebleeds in her nose. That's why I called Mr. Andra and we took Razka to the hospital tonight,"

"If I bring Razka here. Where can I, Doctor? It's the most elite, luxurious hospital in the city,

"How old is your son, now?"

"His age is two years, her name is Siti Nurhaliza, Bu. You see, I get pregnant every day with her songs, Mom,"

Behind the sadness of hearing the story of Nurbaiti and Razka's life so far. It turns out there is also what makes me smile a little knot on the sidelines of the chat. When Nurbaiti told him why he gave his son's name as the name of the artist from the neighboring country?

"If the Doctor's own mother, is she married?"

"I just wanted to get there, but I don't know" I replied shyly.

"Oh, when? Same who?" cecar Nurbaiti's.

"God willing three months away, with a man named Erwin. He works at Andra's company,"

"Well, I can,"

"I don't know why that is? I only found out two days ago, too,

"It's a real shame, Mom,"

"Darling, I mean," I answered, frowning.

"Dear Mother Doctor and Mr. Andra are not matchmakers, but you are, if seen very harmonious, you know. Mr. Andra already has a partner while the Doctor's Mother will also be married soon," explained Nurbaiti while I who heard the remark just smiled faintly.

Nurbaiti and I continued our lunch. Tell me about each of our lives. After I handed Razka over and went back to Jakarta. While Nurbaiti tells of his grief at caring for Razka, her husband, and the child he gave birth to himself. The woman thanked me. Because after Razka's presence in her household.

He felt the happiness again, Nurbaiti finally could feel the beauty of being the mother he craved. Full of color and joy in his life. Despite all that, it didn't last long. Her husband was diagnosed with a deadly disease and eventually died. However, according to him, the medicine that makes him able to feel the rise again after falling after the death of his husband is his two children, Razka and Siti.

Satisfied with lunch while chatting, Nurbaiti and I returned to the inpatient room. I want to chat with my son Razka, I want to be close to her. Although I'm sure, this takes a long process. Seeing the closeness of Nurbaiti and Andra to Razka. Honestly it fosters envy, but it is a consequence I must accept for what I decided six years ago.

Seriate...

Good Saturday night, Sunday night. Don't forget to read this story. Hopefully useful, greetings from Yellow Bucket 💛