Father's Choice of Sort

The Hidden Secret

" Where are you ?" Ask Sandra gladly. He finally met his mother. Ms. Lastri was wearing all-white clothes and she looked very healthy and clean.

Miss Lastri simply replied with a smile.

" Mother.....Sandra's afraid, don't go again ma'am......" Pinta Sandra whining.

" Mom doesn't go baby, mother is always in Sandra's heart .." Miss Lastri smiled as she stroked Sandra's head.

" When you leave, ask Sandra to come with you, ma'am ?" Sandra asked sadly.

" norris .. Don't be sad, just continue living.... I hope you find happiness soon. Patience, we will meet again. I have to go......." Said Miss Lastri....

" No mom, no, don't leave Sandra !!" Shouted Sandra who then woke up from her sleep.

Hearing Sandra who shouted Alfian immediately approached her.

" Sandra ..., why are you ?" Ask Alfian worriedly.

" Mom mas, Sandra met mom....Huhuhuhoo...." Isaac Sandra.

Alfian hugged and stroked his wife to calm down.

" You're just dreaming of Sandra... I'm calm in a new place.." Alfian.

" Dreams ? So .... Mothers....Mother ...huhuhuhuhu....." Sandra was crying again. Did he just dream ? But why does it feel so real ? Sandra thought confused.

Alfian brought Sandra some water. Sandra drank it to make it quieter.

Nurul and Bibi Nani come into the room to see Sandra's condition.

" Sandra.....?" Sapa Nurul's.

" Rul, I just met Rul's mom.... But Mas Al said I was just dreaming...." Sandra said.

" Sandra, don't be weak like this, you have to be strong San. We all love you.... What your husband said was right... You're just dreaming.... Much istighfar nak.... Remember to the Almighty, may your mother be given a beautiful place by His side." Said Aunt Nani softly.

" Yes San... Don't keep this up. You're not the Sandra I know. You are not weak San.., you are a strong girl and not easily desperate, I am sure you can rise and have the spirit of life again. Your parents want the same thing. Do not be too late in grief, all those who are created by God will eventually die. Everything that happens is destiny." Imbuh Nurul is concerned about Sandra's condition.

" Fate ? Not... It's all because of her lover !" Show Sandra angrily to Alfian.

" Rena's not my girlfriend Sandra !" Reply Alfian who did not accept the accusation.

" But that's what he told my mom ! You're evil you're both outrageous ! You caused my mother's death !" Shouted Sandra.

Nurul immediately hugged Sandra to calm her down.

" It's just a misunderstanding... Rena's been lying about our relationship." Alfian said sadly.

" I don't want to know about your relationship. It must be you who caused my mother like that !" Sandra screams out of control. Losing his mother would have left half his soul dead.

" Mister Al, please get out of here. " Nurul's orders while preventing Sandra from rebelling from his embrace.

" Come on, Mister, let's go first. Let Sandra calm down first." Take Aunt Nani.

Alfian relented, he could understand very well why Sandra was so angry with him that it was like that. Explained this time is also free because the condition of the new Sandra is not stable.

" I'm sorry your wife, sir... Please understand his situation. Sandra must still be very shocked to lose her mother. Her mother was everything to her, because since childhood Sandra was closest to her mother. Not to mention the departure of his father also still leaves sadness in his heart, plus now his mother followed him away." Said Aunt Nani in tears.

Alfian and Aunt Nani are now sitting in the living room. The house is now empty. Mr. Wijaya has to go to the office while Arkha and Neta also have to go to college and school. While Dias, he replaces Alfian's duties in the office and also takes care of Sandra's college permit.

" Not to mention Sandra, whose son, I, who was just her neighbor, was devastated by the departure of Madam Lastri." Said Aunt Nani continuing her story.

Alfian looked sad. Things are getting complicated now. Intention to make a surprise so that Sandra was happy just disaster came to them. Plus the problem of Rena who now makes Sandra angry and hate him even more.

" I didn't expect any of this to happen bi. I also don't know if Rena will come to see mom." Alfian.

" Mom understand.., do not be too thought and blame yourself, later there will be time alone to explain the misunderstanding. Now be patient first. Aunty can only wish you both the best."

Alfian nodded small.

" There's a secret I want to tell you right now. Maybe this will reduce your guilt. Aunt herself also felt guilty for keeping this a secret from Sandra." Aunt Nani.

" What secret is bi ?" Ask Alfian.

" The secret to the truth about Sandra's mother's illness.... Yes, Ms. Lastri. But she did not tell Sandra about her illness. Aunty also not long ago, initially Madam Lastri often complained of headaches and often fell unconscious. One day he collapsed after returning home from a vegetable tour. At that time the aunt told Sandra to go find her father who was pulling a rickshaw.Not to know Mas Imam arrived at the house shortly after Sandra went to look for him. Then the aunt took Mbak Lastri for treatment, the three with Mas Imam. From there the aunt knew if Pastri suffered from severe meningitis and secretly underwent outpatient treatment at the regional hospital. But at that time Madam Lastri told her aunt to promise not to tell Sandra about her true illness, and if Sandra asked. Mbak Lastri and Mr. Imam agreed to keep it a secret so that Sandra is not sad and worried. The deteriorating state of Mas Imam and Mbak Lastri made them sad.... Then came Mr. Wijaya, who then helped finance the treatment of Mas Imam. But for the treatment of Pastri they use the savings they collect for Sandra's tuition fees that are not known by her. They insist on not wanting Sandra to know about her mother's illness, and they don't want to bother Mr. Wijaya anymore." Aunt Nani told me the truth she knew all along.

Alfian was still listening and digesting it well.

" After graduation Sandra High School did not continue college. He could understand the condition of his parents and never forced his will. But she did not give up, Sandra still wanted to continue her schooling to university. Then Sandra worked at the master's restaurant in place of my first daughter. The plan is he will look for money a year or two first, if the money has been collected then he will continue college while still working. Her ideals are not grandiose, Sandra just wants to make her parents happy with her achievements. But fate who knows, after agreeing to betroth his daughter with Pak Wijaya's son, Mas Imam died even when you have not done ijab qobul. And now.... Pastri followed him away." Imbuh aunt Nani while wiping the tears that came out of her eyes.

Alfian could not help his sadness at hearing the story from Aunt Nani. He doesn't believe Sandra's parents kept such a big secret. Alfian also did not expect so many things he did not know about Sandra, about his own wife. All this time he accused Sandra and her parents of only using her family for treasure. Now that he was so embarrassed to ever have such bad thoughts, Alfian closed both his hands to his face to cover the tears that came out of the corner of his eyes.

" But back again, we as humans can only plan. God determines everything. As if he already had a hunch, Mas Imam agreed to the matchmaking that Pak Wijaya offered. Only one goal Mas Imam...., when he left, he wanted his only daughter already there is a life companion who will always take care and love him more than himself. Especially with the situation of Pastri who increasingly often fainted made both of them worried about Sandra. They're afraid to leave Sandra alone if they don't."

Pause. Aunt Nani set her breath to calm down. He wiped away the tears that flowed. While Alfian felt his heart cut, he felt very guilty right now. All this time he had always treated Sandra badly. From the beginning of their meeting, he had always been unkind. Though Sandra's parents were so sure to hand her daughter over to him. Even without knowing him first. Alfian felt claustrophobic and cursed his stupidity.

Without them noticing, Sandra listened to their conversation from behind the door. Nurul holds Sandra's shoulder to strengthen her best friend. As a child Sandra felt very useless. His mother was sick and he never realized it. During this time he thought that his mother often fainted just because of fatigue. She did not expect her mother to suffer from a serious illness. And now he also knows the reason why his parents insist on forcing him to marry as soon as possible. Sandra's body is back. Fortunately, Nurul was behind him.

" Sandra, let me help you get back to the room." Nurul took Sandra by surprise.

When she got to her room, Sandra cried again. Nurul got confused how else to stop Sandra crying.

" There's one more thing, sir ...." Imbuh Aunt Nani in the living room.

" Sandra has congenital asthma. He was not strong with the cold air and also the AC that lit up was too cold. He is also allergic to dust. If the coldness can recur. And if he accidentally inhales excessive dust he will cough and then asphyxiate. Right now, only you her husband can continue beside her. That's why aunt reminds you. Please take good care of our Sandra." Said Aunt Nani.

Alfian nodded obediently. In her heart she promised from now on she would take good care of Sandra.

It's only fitting that Sandra always sleeps wearing a mask if she turns on the AC room with a very cold temperature. Alfian felt guilty again.