Last Prayer

Aris's request

Four days I accompanied Aris in the hospital. That long I don't go to the office. Lucky there is Mira who deftly handle office affairs. So that this mind can focus more on taking care of Aris.

"Aris, you can go home this afternoon, yeah! But don't repeat it again. You can't be too tired. Much rest. That is, manyin lay down. Yes, Miss Wulan, yes! Can move, as long as you keep paying attention to the health aspect. Especially activities that affect breathing, should be reduced or even dismissed."

Doctor Iksan spoke with an alternating gaze towards Aris then I. Aris looks happy, hearing this good news. Her bright face, and mouth that was like holding a laugh on her lips, made me unable to help but smile. Her beautiful eyes seemed sparkling, while implying happiness for what was happening at this moment.

"Yes, doc! Well, Aris, listen to what the doctor said?"

Not speaking, Aris just nodded with her smile. The smile I always wanted to see at all times.

"Yes, Miss Wulan, I just checked Aris' condition before I actually went home. Thank God it is stable. Later the sisters will come here to remove the infusion hose. Excuse me, Assalamualaikum."

"Waalaikumsalam, thank you, doc!"

Doctor Iksan nodded and then passed away leaving the room. Nimblely, I cleaned up the items that were still scattered not housed. Cakes, bread, fruit and other foods that were still intact were untouched in each of the boxes that I had previously placed on the nightstand, I tidy it up for later to give to the workers who every morning and afternoon clean this room.

"Umi .." call Aris to me.

"Yes .." I turned my head, stopping for a moment the movement of my hand that was tidying up some boxes of cakes and bread.

"Tomorrow can you take me to Abi's grave? I miss, umi."

I took off the cake box I was holding, then stepped closer to it. I sat on the side of the bed, smiling at Aris's sad face.

"Navis ... Umi does not forbid you to pilgrimage to abi's tomb. Aris will hear what the doctor said. Umi is afraid that Aris will be exhausted. Umi does not want Aris why. During the week before the controls, Aris had to take a complete break. Can't go anywhere first. Later if Aris is completely healed, has recovered, Aris can go anywhere Aris wants. Aris wants to massage with umi?"

"Yes, umi. I'm natur. Through prayer I will pray for his ashes."

"Sholehnynya smart umi, don't be sad again dong! Want to go home to sad times? Smile, have to be excited! That God would not deprive Aris of the healthy favors he had given."

Aris smiled, "I love Umi!" he said, then hugged me.

"Umi moreover! I'm aaaaaaang at all Aris! Umi's affection for Aris, greater than the size of this world. Umi even willing if you have to leave the pleasure in this world, for the sake of Aris' happiness."

*****

The days after Aris returned home from the hospital showed progress on Aris' health. Even when the first, second, and third controls, doctors say that Aris is getting better. A sense of relief mixed with pleasure filled my heart at this moment.

"Wulan, tomorrow after 40 days of study, right?" my mom started the conversation when we had just finished dinner.

"Yes, ma'am." I said as I prepared the medicine for Aris.

"For the preparation of the catering message, the mother will take care of it. You just focus on the work at the office."

"Yes, thank you, ma'am. Sorry to bother."

"You are always apologizing for something that didn't go wrong. Heru, mother's son. It doesn't bother you to take care of it at all. I'm just happy."

"Grandmother, umi, I want to have a brother and sister" Aris said after swallowing the obay I announced.

Mom and I looked at each other. Aris's request was apparently not just a word that was spoken on his lips. This is the second time Aris has asked for it. He seemed to really want to have a brother and a foster sister. His face was so clear that he looked at us alternately, then looked down.

"Grandmother is fine. But all decisions are in your heart. Because in the future, umi you will take care of them."

"Aris seriously, you want to raise a child?" I said gently rubbing the cheek which I then lowered onto her split little chin, I raised her face so as not to duck down.

"Yes, umi will participate in Aris's request is very noble. Here, look at umi."

Raised his head, staring expectantly into both of my eyes. Her tiny lips were slightly interested, like holding back a smile.

"Umi sure, there is wisdom behind Aris's request on this one. Umi's son is a sholeh child. Hopefully after Umi lifted the child from the orphanage, this house will feel crowded and the main one, full of blessing. Aamiin." I said that I ended with a kiss of affection on his nose.

"Aamijin! Grandma must support whatever it is, while still in the good. After the completion of the 40-day study of Heru, we just went straight to the orphanage that has become a permanent recipient of donations from Heru's father, Aris' grandfather. Not far away."

"Thank you, umi, grandma!"

"Yes, honey. As long as Umi can obey what you want, you will definitely do. For umi, Aris' happiness is number one."

We smiled, even laughed together. Enjoy being together on a night that I think is very slow to turn. Time seemed to know with my heart, who wanted this happiness to continue playing around me.

*****

Arrival time for 40 days of study Heru will be held. Around 9am. I deliberately make time in the morning, to be finished before the dzuhur time arrives. Because after that, I want to visit the orphanage that the mother appointed, and intend to lift the child from the orphanage. At dawn, several domestic assistants were busy preparing various needs for the benefit of the event. No exception for me, who was busy helping to prepare it.

"Umi, it's dawn, why hasn't Umi prayed?"

"Umi's already, son. I'm sorry I didn't wait for Aris, yeah. Umi was in a hurry because she wanted to help others." I who was getting monthly guests was forced to lie to Aris.

"Yes already, umi. No papa, I pray first yes, umi."

"Yes, if Aris has rested again, yes. Don't be tired!"

Instead of going to pray, Aris approached me and then hugged me tightly. I gasped for Aris' sudden embrace.

"Umi, promise me! Whatever happens, Umi will continue to continue my request. I want umi and grandma to accompany me. I'm sorry, umi. Sorry me!"

My tears are dripping, somehow just coming out on this cracker. As I refused to let go, Aris' embrace seemed to be getting tighter. I gently rubbed his head.

"Navis ... Here, look at umi, baby."

Slowly our embrace slipped. Aris looked at me with tears already.

"Yes, umi promises to raise the child who will be Aris's brother and sister, of course, will also accompany Aris's days when Umi is busy in the office."

Aris did not answer, her eyes still let out a clear circle that made me tight when she looked at him. Gently wipe the tears that have flowed down the cheeks.

"Aris why, baby? Why even cry? He said he wanted to pray?"

"No papa, umi. Sorry me!"

"Yes, don't cry anymore, yeah. Now Aris prayed, praying that later he would get a good and sholeh brother and sister like Aris. Do you want umi to be with?"

"No need to, I'm alone."

"Yes already."

Aris stepped towards the special room where she prayed while unclaimed. It was also the room that he often spent time memorizing the verses of the Qur'an. I turned my body when Aris had entered the room to perform his morning prayers. I stepped out leaving him.

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