Dusk At the End Please

Reception (2)

"Congratulations Bro" Ahsan said as he shook hands with Haqi

"Thanks, Bro.and sorry I tikung lo in the third of the night" whispered softly in Ahsan's ear with a joking tone and ended the ruckus, but it could still be heard clearly by Shanum.

"Yes, congratulations on your engagement with Suraya. Sorry at that time I could not come" continued Haqi.

Shanum was more and more astonished, what exactly was the relationship between them. Ahsan only replied with a smile, he patted Haqi on the shoulder and turned to greet Shanum.

"Thank you Brother, you are present" Shanum said slowly.

He cupped his hands together in front of his chest and only glimpsed Ahsan, then immediately lowered his gaze back.

"Congratulations" only that word came from his lips.

"Thank you, Brother and congratulations on your engagement with Kak Suraya. Hopefully immediately join in the guarantee "his words are sincere.

Ahsan did not reply he was still at home staring at Shanum, but he realized the woman before him had now become someone else's. Ahsan passed from before Shanum wordlessly ignoring the congratulations and do'a Shanum said to him.

This was truly the most painful thing that Ahsan had ever experienced in his life. Seeing the woman he loved so much, he fought for a short time and almost married, now with his own friend.

Ahsan breezed towards the exit of the courtyard of Shanum's house which had been transformed into a magnificent party venue, he even ignored the call of his friends who were gathering to enjoy the party dishes. Shanum's direction of vision followed Ahsan's steps and it was true that he came out without turning back even once.

"I'm sorry, brother, this is the path we must take. I just try to follow the flow of my life well, enjoy every process and thank you all as a favor from God for me. I believe you will find your own happiness." Shanum whispered in his heart.

All of Shanum and Ahsan's interactions as she sings on stage, meet at the seleaminan and Shanum's gaze that follows where Ahsan's footsteps can not be separated from the eyes of a pair of eyes of someone who is none other than Liani. The best friend and person who knows how Ahsan fought for Shanum.

Liani becomes the most worried person when she learns of Ahsan's presence at Shanum's wedding reception. He thought it was neat enough to keep news of Shanum's marriage from the foundation's people. Deliberately not telling them for fear that the news reached Ahsan and Akhtar, let them know later that Shanum is officially married.

Ahsan's current presence made him unable to let his guard down. He was worried that Ahsan was doing a no-no which would mess up Shanum's wedding reception. Liani knew very well how much Ahsan loved Shanum, but until Ahsan left the reception venue none of her worries came true.

Just now Liani breathed a sigh of relief from Ahsan's departure without leaving a trace. He was already startled again by the presence of someone beyond his prediction. According to the latest information that Liani received Akhtar was abroad. He did not know if Akhtar's return had accelerated, and today he came to Bogor for receiving information from his younger brother Fauzan Shanum.

Liani re-attached her eyes, wary of Akhtar's presence. He actually becomes a standby best friend who will protect his best friend from various distractions.

Akhtar's arrival not only attracted Liani's attention. Shanum who was in the pelaminan can see clearly the arrival of Akhtar. His gaze followed where Akhtar stepped, and without Shanum realizing it Akhtar was now right in front of him.

Haqi received the congratulations from Akhtar with joy. He doesn't know if Akhtar is part of Shanum's past that he should be wary of.

Akhtar merely extended his hand without a word, he received Haqi's embrace with an expression that was hard to decipher.

"Thank you, Boss. I thought you weren't coming. I'm sorry I didn't hand over the invitation directly to you, I heard you were overseas. So I had my secretary hand it over to your secretary" Haqi explained at length.

Shanum was just a listener, since he was busy conditioning his heart to stay on the straight path without moving back.

"Yes?" ask Akhtar. He had no idea if Haqi had invited him. After returning from abroad due to business affairs, Akhtar did not return to the office. He went straight to the foundation's office for almost a week he left. And his return from abroad, a day ahead of schedule, should coincide with the news that his idol is married to someone else.

Akhtar was further shocked that it turned out that the man who married Shanum was his own business partner.

Akhtar turned to face Shanum, his gaze soft. Sadness and regret were clearly visible in his eyes. Shanum realized that, he tried to calm down and smiled at Akhtar. He hopes to give Akhtar peace of mind, that he will be fine and hopes Akhtar will too.

Without a word, Akhtar passed from the undercover and seemed to be looking for someone. Shanum only glanced at him. The queue of invited guests snaking back kept him busy and lost track of Akhtar.

Liani simply shook her head looking at all the scenes that were before her. He had just slipped out of the shackles of worry that bound him. Akhtar was worried about doing the unexpected. But back to that was only his concern.

Liani saw Akhtar with Fauzan, they both left the location of the wedding reception somewhere. After the two of them disappeared from his sight, Liani turned to look at Shanum who seemed to be looking for someone, Liani was sure Shanum must be looking for Akhtar.

When their sight meets Liani giving a code that Akhtar is gone and Shanum is breathing a sigh of relief, he smiles and nods his head towards Liani.

"Who would have thought behind his calm, there was a rumble that was trying to be muted. Who would have thought behind his smile, there was sadness that was trying to be wiped. As powerful as he can be, cool as my best friend", Liani talked to herself in the middle of Shanum's wedding reception party which was getting crowded because of the more guests arriving.

The reception ended with the reverberation of the Ashar Adhan. The invited guests have receded, there are only a few close family people who are still seen passing by.

Shanum pampit to perform the Ashar prayer first because Haqi was still chatting with his friend who came to the afternoon.

"Tea!" Fauzan called Shanum along with the sound of the door he knocked on.

Shanum, who had just finished the Ashar prayer, went from the prostration to the door of his room.

"Yes, Deck...What's up?" tanya Shanum is still wrapped in mucena after the Ashar prayer.

"Can I come in?" asked Fauzan, his tumbens he asked permission to enter Shanum's room. Shanum smiled, forgetting that he was married now and Fauzan must have realized his limits.

"Come in, Dek" Shanum replied with a smile on his lips.

Fauzan sat in the chair Shanum used to do his chores.

"What's up, Deck?" Shanum who saw the gloomy face of the younger brother became worried.

"I was with Brother Akhtar, he was frustrated to see Teteh married", replied Fauzan lethargic.

Suddenly something pinched Shanum's heart.

"Already the Deck, it's no longer a matter of Teteh", Shanum said softly in a slightly raucous voice. He said it with a lowered gaze, like covering something to make it invisible to Fauzan.

Fauzan let out a long sigh, he knew what his brother was feeling. He can not do anything, Akhtar has told all the problems that hamper the relationship between himself and his brother. Everything was so complicated, he could only be a good listener to Akhtar.

"I just want to convey this trust" Fauzan reached into his shirt pocket, he handed Shanum a letter.

Shanum stared at the letter that was still in Fauzan's grasp. He was reluctant to accept and read the letter he had been convinced of from Akhtar. Shanum realized his current position, he had become the wife of people of course all the movements of his steps must be based on the pleasure of the husband in order to be a blessing of the afterlife. But the intent of the contents of the letter turned out to be more domineering.

"Receive Tea, I know Teteh must be curious about the contents of this letter?" fauzan said as if he could read the doubt on Shanum's face.

"Sir..." Shanum paused his speech.

"It seems like Bang Haqi was still talking to his friends for a long time, there were other friends who had just arrived. They are now in the mushala" Fauzan explained, unraveling Shanum's doubts and concerns.

Slowly Shanum's hand reached out to retrieve the letter. Fauzan got up from his seat, he gave space to Shanum. Fauzan also wanted to make sure that Haqi was still with his friends and did not know about the letter.

After the death of his brother Shanum tightly grasped a letter he had just received. There is still a little doubt about opening it. But his solitude at this time did not want him to waste, slowly Shanum also opened the adhesive amplof the letter and took out its contents.

Bismillah

To: Shanum Najua Azzahra

Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullah, wabarakatuh,

Shanum's...

If the end point of our destiny is separation, then I will strive to honor that.

I will bury everything that has ever been a hope, so that there will be no future.

For the good of the world and our hereafter.

Live well!

My prayer for you is now only one, may happiness always be in your arms wherever and with whoever it may be.

With anyone!

From: Akhtar Farzan Wijaya

Shanum took a deep breath, he let oxygen fill every gap of his lungs. Reading the letter from Akhtar made his breath choked, a sense of tightness surging into his chest. Tears were unstoppable, flowing just like wetting the face that was still faithfully wrapped his body.