Last Prayer

Surgical procedure

I am still fixated, sitting with my body straight, and leaning my head against the wall. I felt the eye bags begin to swell. My eyes were closed, trying to hold back the tears that were relentlessly dripping. Instantly, Aris' voice at that time came back present and deafened.

--

"Name ... Abi used to ask me to be a good boy. I don't know what Sholeh is. All I know, abi always said that the children of Sholeh should be diligent in praying, and should not make parents cry because of us. Those are the words I always remember. Why are you crying now? I just fell off the bike, Umi. Only my knee was injured. Am I not a son of Sholeh? Because I made you cry? I'm sorry, umi. I promise I won't fall again."

--

My crying instead of stopping, it was getting sobbing. Since childhood, Aris has indeed been instilled sholeh and wise attitude by Heru mas. Aris is a very smart boy. He was able to make me and Heru learn a lot from his attitude. Children who always understand the circumstances of their parents. He never bothered too much for what he wanted. Just this little prayer mat, he had been endlessly whining for a long time.

I had intended to buy it at that time, but it was always used by other urgent needs. Understandably, I connected my family's life by going around peddling my neighbor's merchandise cake. If it runs out, the wages from the sale, I buy rice and everything else. But if it doesn't run out, I'm forced to owe it again at the stall next to my house.

"Mother Wulan ..."

Doctor Iksan's voice broke my daydream. I quickly stood facing him who was standing in front of the operating room door.

"Yes, doc! How's the operation, doc? How's Aris doing?"

"Alhamdulillah the operation went well."

"Goddessa ..."

I rubbed my face with my palms, a sign of my gratitude to Him. Feelings of anxiety that had spread, slowly disappeared.

"But, ma'am .." Iksan's doctor did not continue, he actually took a breath which then exhaled heavily.

"But what, doc?" much worry.

"Calm down, Miss Wulan. Events like this happen a lot. Aris is still very small. The strength and power of his body is very weak."

I really don't understand what Doctor Iksan said. His statement made me even more angry.

"Why Aris, doc? How can I calm down, while the doctor gives a statement that makes me anxious."

"Mother Wulan. Aris's condition is currently unconscious. Supposedly, usually after post-surgery observation, Aris was conscious. But Ms. Wulan is calm, we will continue to monitor Aris' recovery. Until Aris siuman, then we immediately moved him to the inpatient room again. In order to avoid something bad that could happen."

"But Aris will be fine right, doc? Aris isn't okay, doc?"

"InshaAllah, Aris is fine. It's just that, his postoperative recovery took a longer time."

"Can I see Aris, doc?"

"Can't yet, ma'am. Aris is still in the observation room. Can't meet yet. I can wait here, later on when Aris gets moved, we'll tell Wulan's mom."

"Yes already, doc. Just do your best for Aris."

"Good, mom. Excuse me."

I nodded slowly. Walk in gontai steps. I threw my body back into the chair I was sitting in. Still tucked anxiety in this heart. Anxiety about the state of Aris who is still unconscious. My eyes were pointing at the wall clock hanging just above the elevator. At 9:15, my stomach was hungry, but this body was not tasteful for breakfast. I let this hunger wander.

'I'm sure my son is strong. Aris strong! Aris can afford all lewatin. Umi's prayers are always for Aris, son. Survive darling. Awake, son.'

Instantly implied in my heart to pray Aris through my bow, as my eyes stopped at the door at the end of this hallway. A signposted arrow stuck on the wall pointing towards the door.

'Alhamdulillah, there is a mushola that is still one hallway with this operating room'

Not wasting any time, my steps quickly followed the direction of my eyes. The Mushola in this hallway was very quiet, there was not even a single person I saw inside. Naturally, because it is possible that this mosque is provided specifically for the family of patients who want to pray for one of their families who are in surgery specifically.

After ablution and ready with the mukena I wear. I saw Aris' smiling face looking at me. I began my prayers with such solemn intentions. At the last moment, I put my face on the prayer mat. Lamaaaaa. As if I didn't want to get out of my sudd. The tears that suddenly came out soaked the prayer mat, making my body sway from the slightest cry. Again Aris's face was so real in my eyes. The prayers were incessant and I continued to pray in my prostration.

*****

I sat back in the waiting chair. With eyes fixed on the iron door on my side. Feeling anxious and hopeful, the doctor quickly came out from behind the door. My heart was more stirring when the door that had not been separated from my view was open. I hurriedly approached this tall, white-clothed figure who appeared from behind the door.

"Doctor Iksan. What about Aris, doc?" manyworry.

"Alhamdulillah, Aris has been awakened and can be moved to his room. Although his condition is not stable. Aris is still very weak. Looking at a very risky operation, which he just went through. But Wulan's mother doesn't have to worry too much. Because later with intensive care, it will slowly improve."

"Alhamdulillah ... Oh, God ..."

I, who was very grateful for the state of Aris, immediately shed the tears that I had been holding since waiting after finishing praying. This happy cry I can't hold. Aris, my son, successfully passed this very risky operation.

"Suster is preparing Aris needs to be transferred immediately to the inpatient room, mother just wait yes, I stay inside, because there is still a lot I have to do."

"Yes, doc. Thank you very much, Doctor Iksan."

Doctor Iksan passed by with a nod and a smile that incised onto me. His figure was getting farther away and invisible. Vanished inedible wall bulkhead in the operating room aisle junction.

Before long, I saw the nurse and another officer pushing the patient's bed where Aris was lying. Aris smiled to see me. It was obvious that his body was still weak.

"Umi .." said Aris who sounded very slow.

"Yes, kid. Umi's always here with Aris. Don't talk too much, son. Aris is still limp."

"I'm not drowning, umi. I've been cured. It doesn't hurt anymore. Tuh, look. My hands are easy once I move." said Aris by moving his hands up.

I knew Aris was lying, just so I wouldn't cry and worry about her. But his words, it makes me teary-eyed. I sobbed in front of Aris with footsteps following the pace of the bed pushed by the nurse and the officer.

"Name ... How do you cry again? I told you, I'm cured, umi. Umi don't cry. I want to be a sholeh child like Abi wants. Umi don't cry."

I quickly wiped away my tears that were relentlessly dripping. I don't want to make Aris sadder to see me cry. I had to smile in front of him, encouraging him to stay strong. I'm sure Aris will recover and get back to health like all the other kids.

"That's okay, son. Umi cries because it is too happy to see Aris is healthy again. Aris is already a sholeh umi kid, son. I am proud of Aris! Aris strong!" I said that smiling reassured Aris.

Aris's face, which had been riled up from seeing me cry, was now painted with happiness.

"Aris is a smart kid. Umi would have loved to have a sholeh child like Aris. Sister is proud of Aris!"

"Thank you, sister" said Aris with a smile.

The sister who had only listened to us, then joined the voice encouraging Aris. Aris's face added sumringah. Post-operative pain, not felt. I am grateful to have a child like Aris. He was very different from a child his age. Aris is my little angel. It's my reason for surviving the tiredness of the world. He was still very small, but his heart was very big.

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