Falling In The Hugs of the Earth

Chapter 1

"Prawnggg"

That voice sounds clear. I hurried to release the face I was wearing. Running into the kitchen to make sure that whatever happened, my mom was fine.

"What's up, Mom?" I rushed over to Mother who was crouching to sort out the fragments - whether it was a glass or a dish of detergent gifts, the colors were equally clear.

"Ah, Mom just accidentally dropped this. Sorry, Mother"

"Mother" I smiled gently. Come crouching, help clean up glass debris. "Rest. Mother, don't be too tired. Tell Fatimah what you need" I said as I led Mom to the kitchen sofa.

"Nothing, baby. I just want to make cake for you. Isn't my daughter on her birthday today?"

I smile. So sweet of my mother's treatment on this one. In addition to being awake for evening prayers, he took the time to the kitchen just for a cake. But that's not the important point, but rather his efforts to keep his daughter happy.

"Here you go, Mother" I grabbed her shoulder while sitting next to Mom. "Don't think about it. It should be, Mother who deserves the prize. Because exactly 17 years ago, there was a woman who was betting her life for a little cry from me"

"Eh uh uh. Whatisthis? What birthday does Fatimah get for Mom's present?" Mom's cock, made us laugh that night.

"Seriously, Mom"

"Can't you duarius?" Said Mother.

Makes us laugh at the same time.

"You know what, son? Fatimah is the greatest gift in my life. Not just for today. But every second for 17 years." Mother stroked my hand "Thank you" Slowly, almost whispering. But it's pretty clear in my ear.

I stared fixedly, Mother. Lookie! his love is everywhere. In the wrinkles of his skin, in the look of his eyes, in his rough hands, in his pure smile. Then what is this? He thanked me? My eyes are starting to heat up. How could? I never thanked the rice that was served, the clean clothes that I was wearing.

"But you may ask Fatimah for anything" My voice began to choke, holding back the cries from spilling.

"Enough thou be the best jewel of the world, son. Put yourself as the best woman"

My ears are heating up. I'm speechless. Desperate to hold back the crying. I want to feel like praying at his feet. Saying a thousand sorry and thank you. But I don't know why my knees feel weak. Not powerful. The bones seem to be out of place.

"Go back to your room, Fatimah. You are the one who should rest. Don't you have to go back to the boarding school?"

I'm nodding. Stand up and run to the room. I don't want you to see my cry.

***

"O Allah, O Rahman." My voice hangs, as my hands look up. My mouth is getting wet. The conversation with Mom earlier, made me not strong enough to hold back tears.

"Thank you, for the age you gave me, for the chance to improve myself, for the good days that have ever been, for such a wonderful Mother" I fell silent again. Occasionally rub the wet cheeks.

"Please forgive for all wrongs and mistakes. Please forgive me, Mother servant. Reply to Mother's many kindnesses, for the love I have received. Give him abundant happiness, age, health as well . Titip I Ya Rabbi." I sniffle. Remembering the mother who is having a mild stroke, and must live alone at home.

"Greetings to Your Apostle, as well as to Father Karim.."

Blank's mind. As if there were no words I could utter to my Lord. A flash of an aging Mother's face danced in the eye peluruk. Seeing Mother struggling to move her body even if only to cook or meet her own needs. Imagining it makes me not strong enough to keep saying. Let the tears speak of every taste. Haru's. Blissfully. Grief. Whatever it is.

***

"Fatimah, can you come in?"

"Please, Mom. The door's not locked"

Mom came in and sat next to me. While folding the robe and some khimar for me to bring in the afternoon, I looked at him.

"What's up, Mom?" I asked and packed my bag. It feels so lazy. After an argument with Mother, who remained adamant to ask me to return to the boarding school even though I refused. Choose to be at home, take care of Mom. Yeah, at least until Mom recovers from the receipt.

"There are guests out there. He wants to see you."

"Who" I said as I frowned

"Already, use your veil and let's meet together" Mother thrust a veil for me to wear.

Arriving in the living room, I stared. See who's coming to see you. Very clumsy, and confused as to how. I wanted to disappear at that moment.

"Come here, Fatimah" Mom pulled my arm so I could sit on the sofa next to Mom.

"You know him?"

I nodded slowly. "Of course I know because he is a man who has disturbed my heart" I muttered in my heart. "How does he know my house? How'd he come in here? What's the need? Wait up! What did Mom say? Any guests want to see me?" There are so many questions that fill my mind. But still my tongue is confused. I was just mute beside Mom. He looked down in shame and wondered why he was here.

"Fatimah" Mother clasped my hand "this is one of the sons of a close friend of Mother and Father" While stroking my hand, Mother paused for a moment what she was about to say.

"We were good friends, they were also good families. Good heart, good behavior, good he said." Mom looked at the man. A second later he smiled.

I don't know. I can't guess what that smile means. Is it because of a compliment? Or because of Mom's direction of conversation that is hard for me to understand.

"Don't forget it either..."

I turned my head, impatiently hearing what continued from Mom's sentence.

"Well apparently" Mother smiled in my eyes. As if he was saying "Look, my son is not just amazed at him". I blushed. Without the veil I was wearing, my red cheeks would be clearly visible. Yes, even though I lied for a thousand reasons, Mother still understood what I felt without at length explaining.

"Mother, you don't need to get acquainted because you already know, do you? Because this Sholeh youth is one of the young ustadz in the Fatimah pesantren. And Fatimah is the coordinator of santri putri, surely you guys have talked about teaching and learning activities there right?"

"Ear, Mother. Several times to align the curriculum and other important things"

I was more excited when I realized where the answer came from. Our eyes clashed for a moment as I reflexively turned towards him. A second! But enough to make all my blood rustle.

"Fatima.." Mom wiped my hand back. "Fadil came to propose to you. Are you willing to accept the proposal?"

"I'm..."