DUSK PAINTING

Chapter 4. Life Must Go On

Grief does not only belong to Rahma as the closest person, beloved, especially, the owner of the heart of the deceased Malik. But also felt by Nico the best friend. Forty days passed, but the heart still felt numb and wet because the sadness had not dried up. Indeed, every living thing will feel death. The condition of death does not have to be old, and wherever you are, death will get you even though hiding in a high fortress is strong.

Glittering pool water ripples were hit by the highlight 3 LED lights attached to the fort walls. Nico looks at the mobile gallery. The last time he was together with Malik when the inauguration of a new factory with higher production capacity and more employees. The two of them smiled widely while clashing hands in the air. The hard work he and Malik produce sweet results with increasing sales turnover.

Nico even still let the desk Malik who one room with him, not change it at all, still displayed a picture frame Rahma and baby Dika. Although the last 6 months have not been occupied by Malik because of the increasingly severe pain.

"They're both my moodboster."

Nico remembered Malik's words every friend of his looked at the picture of his wife's son with a happy twinkle in his eyes.

A gentle massage on the shoulder made Nico look up from his focus on looking at the photo together during the wedding of Malik Rahma in Aceh with a gokil abis freestyle. He did not realize the arrival of the wife who followed him to the back porch.

"It's late, I have to rest. I'm going to Jogja tomorrow, right?" Holy, the wife reminded him while incessantly massaging his shoulders. Makes Nico feel more relaxed.

"This one!" Nico pointed to his head asking Suci to switch massaging the head that felt heavy because a lot of burden that filled his brain which was usually divided by 2 with Malik now he had to carry himself.

"Mas, from now on you should have an assistant. Let's not be too cape." Suci caught the tired letter that lately was drawn on her husband's face.

"Yes. I'll be back from Jogja I'll be selecting." Nico enjoyed a gentle massage on his head with his eyes closed.

"Darling, will you go to Rahma's house tomorrow?"

"Yes. Manda also wants to play with Dika. Let the atmosphere of the house rame, let Rahma be entertained."

"You asked for Rahma's account number." Nico pulled Holy's hand to sit by his side. "There is Malik's right every month to be sent to Rahma's account. The company will also provide funds every month as long as Rahma is not married again"

Sacred nodded with a smile full of relief. "Alhamdulillah. The future is assured that way."

"Malik apartment for sale for medical expenses. All I know is that the remaining assets are houses, shophouses, vehicles, same company stock."

"Later if the sikon is fit, I will take care of the stock name in the name of Rahma."

Suci did not interrupt, choosing to be a good listener and agreeing to her husband's wise actions.

"Oh yes, this afternoon Rahma Ngabarin, there is a beautiful aunt coming."

Nico looked surprised to hear the name Saints mentioned. Beautiful Aunt first came to the funeral as all the family prepared to go home. Even rudely pushing Rahma while angry by calling Rahma a pesky carrier woman.

"He didn't do it?" Nico seemed reluctant to mention the name of Malik's birth mother. Although you should respect your parents. For him, beautiful aunt is an exception. Because middle-aged women are arrogant and selfish.

"Tsnte Indah wants to take Dika for a walk, he said."

"But his son did not want to. Even thrashing and blubbering."

Nico breathed a rough breath. "Little children already have a feeling, his grandmother's intention nyulik times."

"Ohhh. Can't suudzon." Suci shook his head in disapproval of Nico's comments which now lay his head on his lap.

****

Four months 10 days.

Including a flash when Malik peppered it, how the massage action turned into a joke full of laughter and plus-plus tipped. The wall of the room is like a cinema screen playing a movie. It seems clearly presented before the eyes. Making Rahma cry without a sound and beristigfar and send prayers for her late husband.

Fortunately, Father and Uma patiently helped him through the hard days. His parents always reminded him of qodo and qodar.

"Never reject destiny. It's the same with faith we're not perfect."

"Because believing in God's destiny is part of the pillars of faith."

Uma's words made her slowly learn to mengikhlaskan the departure of the husband. Learning to sincerely accept the decree if now she is a widow of one child.

He even complained to Uma one night.

"Ikhlas is hard, Uma. Moreover, the shadow of Brother is always present."

"Regardless. Humanely."

" It starts with getting used to and forcing yourself, will sincerely follow by itself."

"Take care of Allah's destiny because Allah knows best for His faithful servant."

Rahma looked at her reflection in the mirror. Today his idyllic days are over. During this time he did not do any activities outside the house. There is not even a passion for self-care because there is no longer anyone who will tease her when she looks beautiful and fragrant to welcome her husband home from work.

For the first time he again swept the thin powder on the face and polished his lips with soft color lipstick so that the overall look fresher no longer pale.

"Mom, today I want to check the store." Rahma bit the peanut butter sandwich as her morning breakfast. His slender body looked thinner because*****did eat less.

Uma and Dad looked at each other with sparkling faces. There were words of gratitude from the mouths of his parents.

"God has ordained the way of your life like this, Rahma."

"Be a strong and strong woman. Remember, you still have Mahardika who needs her mother's affection and attention."

"Don't constantly dissolve in sadness. You have to move on."

"Yes Dad." Rahma nodded in agreement with the advice of her father. Life must go on.

Rahma had not yet left her car. He was still silent behind the wheel while staring at the two-storey shophouse where his business was. Cuisine shop.

The cake shop was originally a joint venture of Suci, Rahma and Salma. But over time with a mutual agreement, the startup store in Jakarta became the property of Salma and Rahma opened an independent branch in Bandung. While Saints have shares in both.

Rahma had not set foot in her shop for a long time. Because he was in Jakarta accompanying Malik for treatment, plus during his iddance he did not come to the store at all, just monitoring via phone and email to check the reports sent by his trusted employees.

"Let's go, baby, get off." Rahma opened the left door to open her son's car seat. With a carefree face, the plain-looking boy waved his mother's hand leading him into the shop.

"Bak Rahma, how are you?"

His steps stopped in the doorway when someone who would come out of the store with a goodie bag with the Citarasa logo, greeted him kindly.