Dusk At the End Please

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"All is ready Boss, grand opening we will hold another week. God willing everything will be ready when the time comes" Ghifar concluded his report today by telephone.

Since Akhtar decided to resign from the company and foundation, Ghifar's best friend and assistant who is now a former decided to resign. But unfortunately his resignation letter was rejected by Mr. Furqan. He pleaded with Ghifar to help him run the company and the foundation after his son's death.

Mr. Furqan admitted losing Akhtar really made it very troublesome. Some investors even wanted to resign when they found out that Akhtar was no longer the leader of the company. But with Ghifar's help, investors were finally convinced that the company would be fine after Akhtar resigned.

However, as Ghifar's friend did not remain silent. He also continues to make sure that his best friend and former boss is okay and returns to living life well.

Ghifar was very happy when he heard from his best friend if he would build a new company in Garut. Armed with his expertise and experience Akhtar will try to take his luck by opening a business in the field of furniture.

Furniture business or in terms more familiar in everyday language more referred to as furniture is one of the business opportunities with capital that is not small but has a tremendous chance of success. With savings and some assets he has in Bandung that he sells, Akhtar was round to start a business in this field.

Indeed, with the development of time and times, selling a variety of furniture for home fixtures is a very extraordinary business opportunity. Moreover, supported by the increasingly dense population and the power of their progress are increasingly consumptive. This is a gap for Akhtar who began to glance at the Furniture business in Garut.

Akhtar has even found a strategic place to open his business. Enough capital and strategic place has become the initial capital to build his business. Not without reason Akhtar chose to build a business in this field. Starting from his meeting with Roni in Pameungpeuk, he is the son of his mother's best friend, Bu Muslimah. Roni as the eldest son is responsible for continuing the ideals of his late father with his mother to establish pesantren.

After its establishment, pesantren managed by the mother is now assisted by her two younger siblings who have just completed their education in one of the pesantren in East Java. While he was more focused on continuing the efforts of the late father, namely wood processing business. In addition to being a source of family income, the wood processing business was also a source of fulfillment of pesantren needs in addition to from donors.

One of the wood processing industries is the sawmill industry. The sawmill is a wood processing unit that uses dolok raw materials, the main tool of the saw blade, the machine as a driving force, and is equipped with various tools and auxiliary machines.

Roni usually sells the sawmill at building materials stores or consumers who come directly to his place. The sawed wood was mostly from family-owned timber plantations.

Seeing there is an opportunity in this wood business Akhtar's creative idea also appeared. He wants Roni to work together. If the current Roni company moves in the sawmill stage that produces wood that is semi-finished, then Akhtar thinks if he will open the wood processing business into finished goods.

With several artisans who have been tested by him on Roni's recommendation of course Akhtar began to process semi-finished wood ordered from Roni into finished goods that are ready to be sold at fantastic prices. Akhtar had bought a building like a warehouse and his land in downtown Garut which he used as a workshop. Akhtar designs his own various furniture models that are then ready to be executed by his exchange so as to produce items that suit his wishes.

The building that Akhtar bought for his business was quite spacious. He divided the building he bought into two rooms. The back of it is used as a furniture production workshop. While the front he uses to display furniture that is ready to sell. While the second floor he used for office, he, two bedrooms were used by him and Ghifar if he was in Garut and the room was deliberately left vacant and only contains one sofa and miniature display shelves of various furniture production. At least seven workers he empowered at this time.

Akhtar does not only market the production of furniture in his furniture. He also sells his merchandise through social media. Many are interested in furniture produced by Akhtar. Public relations that he has become his target market at this time. So that at the beginning of building his business Akhtar more often get orders online than directly.

All the efforts made by Akhtar are not for his own hard work. The success he achieved today is also thanks to the help of his best friend, Ghifar. He even asked Akhtar to allow him to return to be part of his new company. For Ghifar Akhtar not only as a friend but also a philanthropist who is difficult to help him and his family.

If not for Akhtar's help, maybe he will not be able to send his two sisters to finish college and now have worked in their respective fields. After the death of his parents Ghifar really became the backbone of the family and had to take care of his two younger sisters. And thanks to Akhtar's help he was finally able to realize his hope of seeing his younger siblings can be productive and live a happy life.

Now, while his best friend is struggling with his new venture and his new life, Ghifar wants to be the one who is always there for Akhtar. Thanks to their hard work in one month of furniture sales Akhtar counted quite fantastic as a beginner. He also added his employees to ten people and the plan after the night Akhtar will hold a lecture as well as thanksgiving with orphans before the official grand opening next week.

"OK, you make sure that everything goes smoothly" Akhtar received a report from his friend Ghifar who is currently monitoring the state of the workshop.

Because of his busy work in companies and foundations, Ghifar can only help Akhtar on weekends. Friday night he came to Garut, Saturday and Sunday he used to help his best friend from starting to keep an eye on the workers, doing marketing through social media, serving buyers in furniture and other activities at the workshop called Akhtar Future Design Furniture.

Many hopes Akhtar pinned when giving that name. One of them he hopes that all the beauty poured in each furniture design will be in harmony with the beauty of his future.

Because of the weekend there is Ghifar who replaces his duties in workshops and furniture. Akhtar also scheduled if every weekend he would see his mother and grandparents. Ms. Fatimah who chose to stay in Pameungpeuk directly helped the son by conditioning the needs of wood kang sent from Pameungpeuk.

As of now, he was lying on his mother's lap when Ghifar called him. For Akhtar, his friendship with his mother is an extraordinary thing that makes him calm and more determined in living life.

"So the inauguration is next week?" ms. Fatimah asked when she heard that Akhtar's conversation with Ghifar had ended.

"Yes Bu, God willing the invitation is about five hundred people including the local government. Ghifar said the Regent was willing to open it" Akhtar replied again continuing the game in his cave which had been interrupted because there was a call coming from Ghifar.

"If the same event orphans, so right? the mother had contacted the mother's friend who runs the orphanage in Garut" Bu Fatimah proposed that Akhtar hold a thanksgiving involving orphans.

"So dong Bu, God willing we will title Monday night huh. So Ghifar is still here, the plan is that he will return at dawn to Bandung" Akhtar replied by not distracting him from the screen.

"Yes, for the food how about we pesen to the mother's rice stall, can ya?" Ms. Fatimah gave advice and asked her son's consent hesitantly. He was afraid to offend the son with his proposal.

Akhtar stopped his game for a moment. He seemed to think, but then he made a sound.

"May ma'am, that pepes the fish and the chicken maknyoss it right?" Akhtar tried to answer as normally as possible. He didn't want his mother to think about it.

"Really?" Fatimah went back to making sure. He rubbed Akhtar's head with tenderness and affection that was still lying on his lap.

"Yes, ma'am .. why. Mommy spirit really asked?" akhtar's Goda to Fatimah

"Yes, I'm glad you allowed the mother to cater from the mother's rice stall" replied Ms. Fatimah honestly.

"Why should I not allow it? Akhtar again stormed Bu Fatimah with a slightly raised question to make Bu Fatimah immediately turn Akhtar's head so facing him.

"I-Mom is afraid you are disappointed with the choice of mother" replied Ms. Fatimah slightly stammered.

"Isn't there Shanum Bu?" goda Akhtar with his jaily smile teased the mother. He already knew that if his mother had met Shanum, Ahsan had already told him everything.

"Do you know that the owner of the shop is Shanummu?" asked Fatimah in wonder.

"Heumm" Akhtar only replied with deheman and a little nod of the head because of his position that was still lying on the lap of Bu Fatimah he was luring with a game in his goal.

"Are you okay?" Fatimah's mother turned her son's head to face him again, she looked Akhtar in the eyes looking for honesty if his son was okay talking about Shanum.

Akhtar understood the mother's uneasiness. He stopped playing and woke up from his sleep.

Ms. Fatimah just looked at the face of her only son with full of joy, in her heart she always prayed for the son to find his happiness soon.

"really?" asked Ms. Fatimah to make sure.

"Yes Ma'am, now I order the catering and tomorrow I will take it to Shanum's rice shop" Akhtar ended his speech by kissing both hands of Fatimah's mother in reverence.

"Really?" there was a happy and hesitant twinkle on Fatimah's face when she heard her son's words. But his smile grew even more when Akhtar replied with a steady nod of his head.

Sunday after carrying out his dzuhur duty Akhtar was preparing to return to Garut city, he helped carry the luggage of Bu Fatimah because he would stay there long enough. Ahead of the grand opening of Akhtar's furniture asked the mother to help with all the preparations.

The latest white Honda ZR-V car drove through the streets of Pemeungpeuk to Garut Kota.

Kumandang adzan Ashar was heard when the car driven by Akhtar arrived in the Cikajang area. The road is quite crowded during the weekend. He pulled over his car right in front of the Great Mosque of Cikajang to perform the Ashar prayer.

At exactly forty Akhtar and Bu Fatimah arrived in front of the mother's rice stall. Akhtar parked his car across the street because the shop yard looked full of parked cars and two-wheeled vehicles. Visitors to the mother's rice stalls on weekends are indeed more crowded than usual days.

This week Shanum accidentally opened the stall right at lunch because he and his team were busy preparing a catering order to be taken at eleven noon this was coupled with serving guests who came and continued by preparing one package order to be taken at five this afternoon. He had to evacuate Humairah to his aunt's house to be cared for by his other cousins.

Shanum's aunts and cousins who were not on the move due to the holiday were deliberately asked to help prepare a catering order that reached seven hundred and fifty boxes for the day. With the addition of enough energy, Shanum finally can fulfill customer orders according to the time set by still opening the stall and serving buyers who will eat there.

At forty-thirty Shanum was still struggling with his notes. Re-ensure the prepared order according to customer's request. He went back and forth from the cashier's desk to the living room and checked that all orders were ready because they would be taken at five this afternoon.

At the same time Bu Fatimah and Akhtar entered the mother's rice shop. Indri who served in the front row welcomed the arrival of Bu Fatimah and Akhtar with enthusiasm. He was even gobsmacked as the man behind Bu Fatimah walked in following the Mother. Ideal body with a beautiful face. His nose is a perfect place for a black glasses perch. His firm jaw and charismatic character make Indri really fascinated.

For a moment his gaze was locked staring at Akhtar who looked cool with a simple appearance but the impression of his charismatic appearance really appeared. The combination of plain t-shirts fitting on the body, jeans with matching colors as well as semi-formal loafers shoes make his appearance today perfect.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Neng Indri" said Bu Fatimah managed to divert the attention of Indri who had only focused on looking at Akhtar.

"Wa.wa'alaikumsalam, Ma'am" Indri replied with a blush of embarrassment because he was caught staring at the man behind Bu Fatimah. Ms. Fatimah just stumbled on a smile looking at the clumsy looking Indri.

"Welcome to Mom's rice shop" she continued as usual with a cheerful face welcoming every guest who came.

"Please sit down Mom, the order is still being prepared, Teh Zahra is doing checks and ricek Bu" Indri also guided Bu Fatimah and Akhtar to sit in a chair that is specifically reserved for waiting, and he also guided her to sit in a chair, in the center there is a small table provided to treat guests waiting for orders.

"So Mom, I'll get you a drink. What do you want to drink? tea or water? hot or cold?"

"Warm white water only" replied Ms. Fatimah with lips that did not stop smiling because she saw Indri's behavior that seemed wrong after meeting her son.

"If Aanya wants to drink what?" Indri turned to questioning Akhtar.

"Take it the same" Ahsan replied with a friendly smile making anyone who saw it melt it made.

"Well, just a second... Ma'am son of his handsome mother passed over" whispered Indri near the ear of Bu Fatimah while passing and Bu Fatimah was made laugh.

"Please drink Bu, A, the water is still warm" Indri save two glasses of warm water at the request of Ms. Fatimah accompanied by two jars of pastries as a snack.

"Thank you good and friendly Indri neng" Fatimah replied interspersed with praise for Indri while Akhtar only slightly nodded her head as Indri placed two glasses and two jars of snacks in front of her.

Akhtar circulated his gaze to every corner of the stall. Her gaze stopped when she caught the figure of a woman in peach hijab combined with a mint green tunic and a subordinate culott that matched the color of the hijab out of a door that read specifically employees. He followed where the steps of the woman who was none other than Shanum.

Shanum headed for a high-altitude table where he interacted with customers when customers came to confirm the order and pay for it. He sat on the chair behind the table. Shanum was focused on his work, without him noticing his pair of loyal eyes had been on him ever since.

"Well that Zahranya Tea is already there, please I can confirm the order to Teh Zahra" Indri stopped his conversation with Bu Fatimah while waiting for Shanum.

"Son, you are the one who confirmed the future yes" said Bu Fatimah who still seemed reluctant to end his conversation with Indri. Innate Indri who is fit in hanging out makes Bu Fatimah comfortable chatting with him for a long time.

Akhtar nodded to accept the mother's order to meet Shanum. To be honest his heart was currently beating faster than usual yet he was trying to hide his nervousness.

"Assalamu'alaikum" said Akhtar when he was in front of the table that read the cashier.

"Wa'alaikum ......" Shanum raised his head in response to the sudden halting greeting when he saw who the person who said the greeting was.

Their views met, for a moment looked at each other as if exploring each other's thoughts. Akhtar smiled sweetly as Shanum looked at him with a slightly paled face, not out of awe like Indri but in shock at finally meeting the person he had so hard to forget.

"A...." That's the only word that said from Shanum's lips, the rest of Akhtar who this time more talk.

"How are you, Num? I want to confirm the order that will be taken this afternoon at five "ask Akhtar casually, he tries to hide the lingering turmoil of taste. Appearing as normal as possible because they do not want if suddenly Shanum's husband comes and sees it raises suspicion.

When Akhtar asked Shanum was still unconscious from his daydream, so that Akhtar could enjoy the restless face freely for several minutes before Shanum realized.

"Oh yes, sorry" said Shanum nervously, he lowered his gaze at the notes and receipts he had prepared and handed them to Akhtar by keeping them on the table and making sure Akhtar took them.

"The order will be delivered to the front for a while I check first. Please sit down first" Shanum passed by and from Akhtar's presence he was really nervous, really nervous, do not know what to do when it has been confirmed he usually just call Ceu Imas to deliver the order to his customers without having to leave his seat.

Akhtar just nodded with a faint smile he looked at Shanum's back which disappeared behind the door that read in addition to the forbidden employees to enter. He could clearly see Shanum's nervousness as they clashed.

"At least I've kept my promise not to love anyone but you, it's nice to get to know you even though time slowly requires me to realize that this feeling I have to bury deeply. You are the best version of all the love that ever existed, Shanum Najua Azzahra" Akhtar monologued in his heart.