DUSK PAINTING

Chapters 13. Single Mom

Tired, tired and sticky. That's how Rahma's body feels right now. He had just returned home at 9 pm using an online taxi because his car was deliberately taken first when his father picked up Dika. The warm water from the shower managed to refresh his body and deplete his tired mind.

He set himself in front of the mirror with a towel still wrapped around his body and hair wrapped in a small towel. Tyrannical cheeks and deep basins in the neck indicate his weight has not returned to normal aka still thin. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath from his nose, exhaled slowly from his mouth. He tried to build strength, self-motivation to be able to go through a long way forward. Be a single mom.

Being a single mom is a strong person. As soon as he concluded reading from an article on the online page this afternoon while in the store. They need strength and mental and physical health. And he started building it.

Tumben Dika is bobo. Usually wait for me to come home.

He smiled at the sight on the bed that was soothing to his heart. Fucked the forehead of the baby who slept with his mouth slightly open.

Rahma came out of the room wearing a plain brown negligee with floral embroidery on the chest. His lips curled the lata 'wow'w with a cheerful twinkle looking at the plate of warm fried rice at the dinner table that had been confirmed for him. He chose to eat while joining the father and uma who were watching television.

"Hm. It's delicious fried rice. Kayak made a restaurant." He commented on the taste of sea food fried rice that filled the mouth. Either the effect of his body is now fresh or because of hunger causes him to become greedy to eat quickly as if afraid of rations taken people.

Uma winks at Dad with a dikulum smile watching the voracious action of her only child.

"Alhamdulillah.harmath." Rahma kept empty glasses and slippery dishes side by side on the table.

"The man was from the restaurant. Same time you're eating out." Uma just commented after Rahma wiped her lips with a piece of tissue.

Rahma bought her eyes with a big smile at her mother's answer. "That's it, dating outside. Bagus." Continue while lifting his two thumbs.

"So coming home from the store stopped by the square, the ashar prayer there. Keep meeting Dad, chat until not feel like magrib. All magribs are there."

"When he plays too. Mingle with other children in the field of grass."

"Abis pray temen father maksa ngajak eat together. Yes.rejeki can not be refused. We're going to TSM."

"That must also be brought home. Uma inget your favorite, fried seafood rice."

"Add eating abis, continue playing on play ground. Uh, he's not coming home. Just got home at 8 o'clock."

Uma's explanation makes Rahma mangosteen. "Pantesan Dika cepet bobo, cape yes," he continued chuckling at the behavior of his active son.

"Which father's victory is it?" Rahma looked at father with a curious look. "Great dad. Just a year living in Bandung has a lot of friends."

"Study victory." Dad replied briefly without taking his eyes off the television news.

Rahma returned to her room. He stared at the black-coated diary he had taken from his closet drawer. Not wanting to continue to dissolve in sadness, for the sake of trying to be a single mom, he strengthened his heart to continue reading the handwriting of Malik, the owner of his heart.

April 14, 20xx

Rahma my dear wife, my,

Brother does not want to continue in pretense. Strong in front of you, when the heart is broken. Honestly, my brother has not sincerely accepted the fate of the disease that befell, not sincere if the possibility of the age of my brother will not be long.

Lucky Nico invites Brother to meet an ustad. His advice is in the heart. Alhamdulillah return from there, the turning point of Abang became a trusted person.

Rahma rubbed the corner of her teary eyes. There was a flashback when Malik was so relaxed and calm to face the test of the disease. Unlike her who often cries in secret.

April 19, 20xx

After a long time off, you really can touch you again last night. It's just like starving people, hehe....

Blushes. Rahma's face blushed reading this passage. His blood rippled at the thought of that night. The greedy Malik touched it, dissolving it in endless pleasures. He holds a diary with all his heart. Imagining Malik who was being hugged to release the longing who suddenly sipped his chest.

Today I started my second chemotherapy. Brother is ready to walk with spirit. For the sake of being able to continue to accompany you and our children.

Again. He had to be teary to read the continuation of the handwriting of the husband is very neat.

Tonight is enough. He closed the black-covered diary. And promised to continue reading it in the following nights as a bedtime story.

He recites the prayer before going to bed and never misses always sending the best prayer for the deceased.

****

In the days leading up to Dika's second birthday, Rahma was preoccupied with many orders every day. He could not prevent Father who helped become a driver who drove 300 box snacks to one of the SOE banks that today celebrated birthdays. He and Uma also intervened in the pantry with the help of 2 employees who looked dexterous and excited. To pursue the target of completing 250 box snacks to be taken this afternoon.

Thank God for your fortune, son.

Rahma switched control to the packaging room while kissing Dika's cheek which helped nimbrung form the packaging box. Instead of helping to make dus dents.

"Today Mother of love dispensai deh, the important thing is that you take her." With anxiety Rahma rubbed her nose on Dika's armpit.

"Ih Nda ihh..." Dika laughs with the body shriveled because of amused.he also raised a protest because the mother had disrupted her activities.

"Bak Rahma, there's a guest." Fitri lengthened his neck in the doorway because he could not long leave the cashier table.

"Who, Fit?"

"Beautiful Mom."

Rahma was quite surprised to hear that name. The last in-law came to the house at 40 days Malik to take Dika for a walk. But Dika did not want to, instead crying. What do you want this time?

"Rahmas. How you doing, son?" Mama Indah with a smile unfolded, stood up to welcome Rahma to her desk with a hug and kissed both of her cheeks.

Wait-wait. Not this wrong.

"Thank God be good, Ma." Reply with a little frown on the forehead because he was surprised by the change in 180° attitude of his in-laws. Usually mama Indah will look away when she kisses her hand.

"Mom's sorry for your attitude all along." Mama Indah put on a face full of regret with her hands holding both hands Rahma in the middle of the table.

"Mama is aware that she is being selfish. Please, forget the past. From now on we're family."

Rahma, between happiness and doubt blends in the heart. No wind no rain, suddenly beautiful mama turned nice and friendly. Is mama really sincere?!

"Do you apologize, Mama?!"

Rahma looked at the brown-haired woman's eyes sitting in front of her. As if trying to extract honesty from the glazed eyes.

"Yes, Ma."

Long enough they talked even Dika approached and wrestled spoiled in Rahma's arm. The child shook his head strongly as the grandmother asked to switch to sitting on her lap.

"This is Oma bring gifts for Dika. It's birthday, baby." Mama Indah handed over a large goodie bag to the front of her granddaughter.

"Tomorrow Oma will go to Singapore. So the card is now."

"So a great kid, baby." Mama Indah kissed both cheeks of her grandson. "You look a lot like your father when you were a kid."

Rahma was carried away when she saw the beautiful mama glazed over. Maybe her parents-in-law has changed. May this be part of the blessing at the age of 2 years.

"Thank you Oma, baby." Rahma reminded Dika who was peeking at the contents in the blue goodie bag.

"Maacih, Oma."

****

No diary has been opened for the last two nights. Because of the busyness in the store that makes Rahma tired and quickly sleep when she arrives home.

This Sunday morning study did not go to the pesantren because it coincided with the child's milad. He promised to take Dika to his father's place. Then there will be a gathering at home. Salma and Candra have come from Jakarta to bring the twins and stay at the Holy House. There are no party events, only play events along with inviting clowns to play magic to entertain children.

The atmosphere of the cemetery complex on Sunday is certainly inversely proportional to the atmosphere of a free day car that is very crowded visitors. It's deserted here. Only a handful of people walked in front of the entrance gate of the complex, some were scavenging used plastic bottles.

Rahma led her baby down a small road to the navel of Johan Al Malik which looked decorated with green grass, uniform with other pusara.

He sat down, followed by Dika who was crouching by his side. One basket full of red rose petals was stored on the left side. A line of prayer with his hands looking straight said. Aamiins. He has finished his prayer.

Brother, I came with Dika.

Our son is 2 years old now. It is getting bigger and more active. Cherry fruit too. I took the cape to serve his babble.

Rahma smiled as she sprinkled fresh rose petals over the navel.

"Well, this is Dad's house." Rahma swallows saliva when she has to introduce the presence of Malik to her child who also sprinkles flowers. Even though from home he has strengthened his heart so that it can be strong and not cry.

"Say, Daddy's Assalamualaikum."

"Salami, Dad." Dika exclaimed cheerfully saying hello following the mother.

"Where's dad, Nda?" Dika turned to look towards his mother with a curious look.

"Daddy again bobo inside. I can't meet Dad. I can only see his house."

"She, atu mo peyuk daddy."

Bobol has been a tear dam that has been strengthened, he held. Dika's plain words with a sulking look in her eyes really sliced her heart.

Please, how do I explain it again.