I'm Not a Wild Grass

Death of Oma Ruth (POV Laila)

Back to Arline's engagement. The event was only attended by two nuclear families of both partners. With my addition as a plus-plus witness engagement.

I'm happy for Arline. I think of her as my own bestie now. Regardless of mya's status as my master, or her as Erlan's sister, my lover.

You could say even me and Arline is like twin brothers different father and mother. Because we have similarities to many things. One of them is we are very happy to tease Erlan. Haha.

After the engagement ended at nine o'clock, I stayed there again. Erlan didn't come back to her apartment either. We both chatted late into the night, after I delivered Oma Ruth to sleep in her room.

The next morning, I did not expect that I would be awakened by a news that shocked all the inhabitants of the house.

As always, every morning there was a waiter who woke up and bathed Oma Ruth. However, this morning I was suddenly awakened by a door blow that was apparently done by a waiter who used to bathe Oma.

With a panicked face, the maid said, "Mrs Oma is not breathing! Madam Oma is not breathing, non Laila!" The waiter exclaimed in a panic.

My room is right next to Oma's. It was my intention that I could be faster and closer to serving Oma Ruth.

But this morning, I immediately froze like a statue when I heard the servant's words. I immediately ran into Oma's room. And there I saw Oma lying motionless. Her body is so cold.

As soon as I checked, it turned out to be true, Oma was no longer sparring.

Then I touched Oma's pulse, and the subsequent reality further strengthened my worst guess. Oma's pulse is no longer beating. A sign that Oma Ruth is gone..

That day, the cloud covered the atmosphere of the mansion where I worked for half a year. Oma's sudden departure surprised us all. Moreover, we just held his Arline fight event last night.

Suddenly I remembered my conversation with Oma Ruth one afternoon.

Back flash.

"Oma misses Opung, Laila. Last night Oma dreamed of Opung again. Oma is afraid, Oma can't see Arline getting married. Moreover, Oma was also afraid of not being able to see you and Erlan get married." said Oma with a wrinkled face.

We were in the park at the time. The weather was quite shady that afternoon, with a reddish tinge of the sun that began to spread in the sky there.

Oma looked into the distance at the sun that was about to dissolve itself in the shadow of the night. While I was busy observing the reflection of daffodils on the edge of a small pond in this park.

Hearing Oma's worries, I tried to comfort her.

"Oma don't be so pessimistic! Laila believes Oma can still be a witness to Arline's marriage. If it's about Erlan and Laila anyway. depending on Erlan as well anyway, Oma," said I hang.

"Hh.. Can Oma ask you a favor, Laila?" Please Oma suddenly.

I said, "please what, Oma?"

"Please tell Arline later, just in case Oma's time is up.."

"Oh. oma. don't say that ah!" I started to feel dislike for our conversation.

"Please Oma, Laila. Please tell Arline. If Oma loves Arline. Oma always wanted Arline to smile and happily stare at the days in front of her. It was his promise that he had to keep all his life. In accordance with the meaning of his name, Arline, which means pledge/promise."

I heard Oma's words carefully. I assume Oma must be wanting to talk a lot so she starts bouncing her talk everywhere.

"And to Erlan.. Oma wanted to leave it to you, Laila. but Oma saw, your heart is still filled with the shadows of another figure. Because his Oma will only tell you and also Erlan.."

"Go where your heart takes you away. Stay where you are while you cannot move forward. Be patient for opportunities that will surely come back. And, accept whatever destiny has prepared for you. For it is an opportunity to the happy path that God has prepared for you. No complaining. Always be grateful."

Flashback..

The burial of Oma's body was completed at 3 pm.

I took Oma to her final resting place. The tomb of Oma is located next to the tomb of Opung in the backyard of Erlan's mansion.

During the burial procession, Arline cried loudly. And with Mama Ilmaya. I myself cannot cry. Not because I don't feel sad. But more because my mind is still too surprised by the sudden departure of Oma.

The big house was finally back crowded due to the arrival of guests who intended to visit. I accompanied Arline who continued her crying in the room.

I tried to cheer Arline up as best I could. I forced my memory to repeat the words of consolation that Nunik had once said to one of our neighbors who was crying over her mother's departure.

"Lin, said my friend, his name is Nunik. He is religious, his people. I've heard of him. If weeping for the dead can make the deceased/almarhumah get adzab loh in the grave.."

Instantly, Arline stopped crying and looked at me with a surprised look.

"Really, La?!"

"Yes, but if you cry while talking about a corpse anyway. If it's not wrong, it's called niyahah. That's illegal."

"Niyahuh?"

"Yes Niyahah. That is crying over a corpse while saying the sentences in the heart with a loud voice," said I explained.

"So, that roaring cry can't it?" Asked Arline with eyes still puffy.

"Can't. Haram. Sins. Pity that the body will be tormented in the grave."

"If I cry it's not tight, La. so can it? You see, I'm very dear to Oma.. huaaa..!" Arline was crying again.

"Tuh. just now you've been crying. That can't be, Lin. Poor Oma later. Although the cry you are not too tight, but you still say a sentence about your sadness right. Cry can, but in silence.."

Arline looked at me sadly. It's still as much fun as once in a while.

"So I can still cry, right, La?" Ask Arline to me.

"Can. but in silence, Lin. don't say anything about your sadness. Okay, Lin?"

Arline nodded. And continued her crying back in silence. My clothes got all wet on her shoulders, because of the tears that spilled from her eyes Arline.

Its okay. Let us still cry over Oma's departure. But as Oma had asked before her departure to Arline. If we will look back to the days ahead with a new smile and spirit again.

***