Love Shielded Risue

past times

The sky is still shining. The breeze looks cool to hit whatever is around it. Toying with Bilal's hair, as well as a large veil under the knee belonging to Ummi Isti.

Bilal's hand still held his mother tightly. Meniti footpath filled with grass is also a lot of Cambodian trees. On the right-hand side there are several neat and organized tomb blocks.

Then they get to one of them. The headstone is shaped like an open book. The name of Habib Uthman.

Bilal cleaned up a little of his grave. The long wild grass he pulled out one by one. Then he sat down and began to raise his hands together, leading the prayer.

***

Flashback...

A boy was silent with a confused mind. And then, everyone was crying. Some of them also hugged Ummi Isti who was pregnant with a third child while rubbing his shoulders.

His gaze shifted, towards the man who was pale and stiff but still did not fade his handsome aura with a beard that was not too thick on his chin. His lips revealed a thin smile, making Abi look more handsome.

at that time what was on the mind of a boy less than four years old was; why Abi slept there. What is that white cloth for?

Little Bilal watched in confusion. When his body began to be wrapped tightly using a white cloth by several adult men.

Abi, what's in the wrap? Is Abi cold?

Wondering in his innocent mind. Because usually Ummi will cover Abi's body when sick.

Yes ... he thought Abinya was still sick, because almost one month he was treated for liver disease.

Bilal is still observing people. His gaze swept here and there. Looking for the figure of the brother who was not seen from last night. Because Farah is currently being entrusted to the house of Uwa Huda.

The question arises again when the rigid body of the Man who always teaches kindness. Now it has been inserted into the burrow.

Still clearly in memory. Abi always took him to the mosque, in almost every time undergoing fardhu prayers. Maybe he understood, because there is still a small baby that must be cared for Ummi makes Abi often take him out.

Yes, the count helps Ummi keep Bilal away from his sister. Because of course little Bilal was still often jail to his sister first.

Bilal's small hand pulled his mother's robe, making Isti who was looking blankly turned his head slowly. His hand rubbed gently the slightly enlarged stomach because the age of the womb at that time had entered five months.

"Come, Mi– Abi kok inside."

Isti shed tears, unable to answer. Besides just hugging his body while kissing the head covered in white peci.

The days changed, Bilal still innocently asked Abi Uthman. Tell me when's Abinya gonna come home? When did her brother get out of his new bed?

Make Isti divert it with other things. Bilal will certainly be easily distracted but still, He will again ask the same thing repeatedly.

Until a month later...

Bilal wakes up, he searches for Ummi who is not in their room. Her tiny lips evaporated, her hands gently rubbing her still-unclear eyes.

"Miii–" exclaimed the boy. Before he finally got off his bed walked a little to the door. His tiptoed feet appreciate the door handle.

Ckla...

The door opened, along with the boy who was also coming out.

Prayer room not far from his room, Bilal heard the sound of a woman there. Make him come straight.

Stand with his hands slightly hugging the edge of the door. Bilal saw his mother covered in a cloth crying. His two hands crossed at the chest, his body slightly swinging back and forth. Calming himself who was at his current low, muttered nonstop Istighfar.

Maybe at that time Bilal did not understand, but the moaning of his mother's tears could make him also shed tears. Little Bilal wiped his tears slowly, then walked in to approach Ummi, pounding his mother's body from behind.

Ummi immediately turned his head, because Bilal's head was leaning on his shoulder.

"Dear, how do you wake up?" Ummi muffled his tears while rubbing Bilal's head.

"Ummi, don't cry. Bilal naughty, yes ... Ummi?"

"No, Bilal is not bad. Bilal is Soleh's son." Isti took his son to bring him into the lap.

Her tears were still flooding, but her lips were smiling. Ummi nodded weakly.

"If Ummi kangen, call Abi. Tell Abi to come home. Tell Abi, if Bilal wants to go to the mosque again with Abi."

Isti chuckles. "Abi's already settled in there. In a very large field, he said the place is good."

"Indeed Abi now does not want to stay with us anymore, yes ... Ummi?"

"No, Abi's place there is better. So after this it's not Abi who comes home to us, but we'll catch up with Abi."

Bilal did not understand, but he looked enthusiastic.

"let's take Abi, Ummi tomorrow, yeah..."

Isti smiled, wiping his tears.

"Now, but later. Someday."

"When will that be, Ummi?" Bilal asked again, so that makes no more answer to him other than giving an anxious kiss.

Bilal doesn't understand, where is the Abinya? all he knew was that if he had gone far away, he would have gone home. And not only bring the body, but the souvenirs as well.

"Ummi, means later if we follow Abi we must bring rich souvenirs of Abi if you always bring home snacks for Bilal."

"Obviously dong. Except this..." Isti held both of Bilal's wrists, facing the small palm upwards. Bilal's head turned back for a moment, then stared at the focus in his own hands. "A'a must be a righteous child, and pray. That ... Abi loved it when he prayed with Bilal."

His smile was still, even his teeth were visible. "Did Bilal pray?"

"Yes, pray for Abi. Abi happy..."

"How's prayer?"

"Look... Robbi firli waliwalidayya warhamhuma kama robbayani soghiro."

"Bilal memorized, Abi often taught it."

"Well, pinter son of Ummi. Every time you pray read it, yeah."

Bilal nodded excitedly.

"One more... Remember Abi's message, right? Do not be lazy to memorize the Qur'an. Even though there is no Abi, Bilal still has to deposit his memorization to Ummi, yes."

"Yes Ummi."

Isti kissed his son's cheek with anxiety. His heart probably rumbled at that moment. But her inner voice still murmured a promise to her late husband, to continue his struggle, which prioritizes the religious education of his children. As he expected before his condition got worse and comatose.

"Now sleep again, yuk."

"But Bilal wants to make milk, yes ... Ummi."

"Yes, Ummi made it up." Isti releases his face, folds, after which holds his firstborn out, while rubbing his pulsating stomach due to the movement of the baby in the womb.

Flashback.

***

Bilal rubbed his face, then spread one hand over his mother's shoulder.

Isti's eyes narrowed, he smiled. Not to mention when his son's hand rubbed the corners of his wet eyes.

"overrated, huh? still Ummi likes to cry." said Isti while chuckling, while Bilal's hand rubbed his mother's shoulder gently while smiling.

I want a wife like Ummi. The woman of Solehah, who loved and was even loyal to Abi. Abi is no longer living in the world.

Bilal kissed his mother's head. After that move while holding Ummi's hand.