Love for Zahra (END)

86. A Long Journey

"I love you," Rio whispered in Zakia's ear.

"I love you too" she replied.

Rio took off his embrace. Help Zakia to get back to bed. It was so pale and limp that the girl.

"Why did you get to be like this? We're going to the hospital, right?" bring Rio.

The girl shook her head. Refusing Rio's invitation.

"My company is here. Don't go, will you?" pinta Zakia's.

"Yes. I'm not going anywhere. I'm always next to you" Rio replied confidently.

The door of Zakia's room opened from the outside, there stood Miss Sarah who was none other than the mother of Zakia.

The middle-aged mother smiled with relief at Zakia who looked happy despite her pale face.

"Son Rio, you can rest in the next room. Surely you are tired after a trip away from Malang," said Ms. Sarah.

"Yes, Aunt, thank you. It seems like I can't stay the night," Rio replied politely.

"Why?" ask Zakia.

Rio smiled for a moment looking at Zakia's disappointed face. It was obvious that the girl expected the man sitting next to her to stay longer.

"Mama's home alone, Auntie. I can't stay here long. Actually my intention if allowed, I want Zakia to come back to Malang. But, it seems like her circumstances are not possible."

"Don't do it, son. For a while let Zakia settle down here. And I don't think it's safe for us there."

"That problem, I already know, Auntie. And I also cleaned it up. The people who terrorized Auntie and Kia's family had their punishment met."

"How come? Aren't they members of the council?" ask Miss Sarah not to believe it.

"Indeed it wasn't me completely, Auntie overcame it. My cousin-to-be takes care of that. I don't know what he did to them with his power."

"Is he Brother Ega?" ask Zakia.

"Yes, Yang. She's the one who helped me to take care of them so that they can be punished" Rio replied with a smile on his face.

"Wouldn't it cause you guys new problems, son?" ask Miss Sarah.

"We just pray for the best, Auntie."

"Hopefully. Yeah, well, Auntie lives first. Rest here for a minute, son. Don't forget to tell your mama, yes" said Ms. Sarah before leaving the two of them.

*****

"Assalamualaikum" said Zahra as he entered the magnificent house of Ega.

In the living room Uti Salma was waiting for his arrival. He immediately walked over to Zahra who was still standing in front of the entrance.

"My great-granddaughter" Uti Salma said to Zahra. He immediately hugged the girl channeling his longing.

"We go straight away, Uti can't wait until later," Uti Salma asked Zahra and Ega.

"All the equipment is ready? Which Uti luggage?" ask Ega.

"There, yours has your papa also has Uti prepared. Just put it in the car," explained Uti Salma.

Without answering Ega immediately took the items that had been prepared by the grandmother. After all was ready, they rushed up to the other Ega car that the family driver had prepared.

"Ready, Mistress. It seems I changed professions to be your driver" complained Ega.

The man sat alone in front. While Zahra asked Uti Salma to accompany him at the back.

"Later your father could sit in front. Ngunu ae kok bothered, (that's just kok bothered)," said Uti Salma.

Ten minutes into their trip they reached Papa Adnan's office, after he entered they continued their journey to the hospital outside the city where Keyla was treated.

The walk that took hours made Zahra look bored. The chat with Uti Salma occasionally came to a halt when the topics they discussed had no advanced.

Occasionally Papa Adnan mentions about the wedding day, Zahra still looks worried when the topic discussed is marriage.

Ega did not respond to see Zahra's response that looks not steady. To be honest he is waiting for his girl's ability to accept if their marriage is accelerated.

They stopped at the rest area for a short break and performed the Maghrib prayer service. After finishing with his worship, Papa Adnan invited them all to fill their stomachs at a restaurant near the rest area.

"Are you two in trouble?" uti Salma asked as they waited for the order.

"I mean Uti?" ask Ega.

"Let's watch from earlier you keep quiet and keep your distance."

"Only Uti's feelings are possible" Zahra replied smilingly by gently rubbing Uti Salma's shoulder sitting next to her.

"Hem. Is that really so? If you have any problems, solve them immediately. It's not good to let the problem drag on. Speak carefully, do not use emotions. Uti hope you've made up before you get to Keyla's place."

Zahra was only able to give a smile to Uti Salma and Papa Adnan who secretly showed. Indeed, Ega still silenced him because of misunderstanding yesterday.

Their ordered food came and paused the discussion of Uti Salma. They enjoyed each other's dishes in silence.

******

After the Maghrib prayer, Rio bid farewell to the Zakia family to return to Malang. With a heavy heart the girl let her lover back.

"After soon I will be here again mama to bed you," he said to Zakia. The girl nodded.

"Be careful, Rio boy," said Ms. Sarah.

"Auntie actually wants you to stay a day here. Even you just arrived this morning, son," he continued.

"Pity mom, Aunt. I had contacted Ms. Zahra to accompany my mother. But, it turns out that he was on his way to visit his fiancee's brother. So I don't want to have to go back, Auntie," Rio explained.

"Yes, Tente knows. Greetings to your mother. Please apologize Auntie for your mama."

"Yes, Aunt. I walk now yes," said the man. She greeted Sarah and Zakia, who led her to the yard.

Before leaving, he ventured to kiss the head of Zakia. Ma'am Sarah smiled at Rio's bravery.

"Be a good priest to my daughter one day, son," he slapped the man on the shoulder.

"Goddessa, Aunt. I say goodbye, Assalamualaikum," said Rio who was answered simultaneously by Zakia and her mother.

The man got into his car. Doing so slowly leaves Zakia and her mother still visible from the rearview mirror.

The heavy feeling of leaving her girl there was so great it felt. But he also could not stay there for long. If only the state of the girl allows him to travel, it is certain he will ask the girl's parents to return to Malang with him.

Along the way he kept noticing the white ring coiling on his ring finger. Finally his desire to wear the couple's ring was fulfilled. Just inaugurate it in front of all the family he thought.