Love Shielded Risue

Ummi Restu

Just got home. Bilal did not immediately discuss their conversation in the car. He gave a pause for Ummi to think.

I don't know which widow I mean. But it seems Ummi is thinking hard. As a single man married to a widow, it may be difficult for the mother to accept. Perhaps, choosing the girl is better because both are still learning. But according to Bilal, it is not an influence. Want a widow or a virgin girl, the point is one; she is righteous and willing to be educated.

In the evening, Ummi calls Bilal to his room. Ummi who was not wearing a hijab was sitting leaning on the bed. The woman in white, with her beautiful eyes fixed.

"Are you sure you want to marry a woman whose status is already a widow?" ask Isti slowly. Bilal just nodded. "What reason? Don't just kasian, the marriage is not directed out of pity. You don't know later, after marriage your outlook will be different."

"Bilal has been thinking about this for more than a year Ummi" Bilal replied straightforwardly, holding tightly to one of his mother's hands. "And right now, I'm sure. Not just pity, but Bilal is also aware of this soul that continues to be disturbed. As a result of feeling more admiration for him."

Isti's forehead is wrinkled. "What is she, that Chinese woman? The writer?"

Bilal stared into his mother's eyes. Because Ummi can guess it, even though he never showed it directly in front of anyone.

"really?" ask Ummi again, which then made Bilal finally nodded slowly.

"MashaAllah." Isti's lips smiled and hugged the child's body. "Ummi's son is an adult."

"Ummi agrees?" bilal asked a little surprised.

"Of course, why not?"

"Even if he has a history, who?"

"No problem, the important thing is that his heart is good," Isti cut.

Bilal who was still embraced by his mother smiled faintly. With lips mumbled softly said hamdalah. But at once he fell silent, because he himself did not know whether the woman wanted to be with him or not.

"Mi, I guess He will not, same Bilal?"

Isti let go of his embrace. "You're pessimistic?"

"Slightly, 'cause he's been a widow a long time, right? And he's not married. Is it possible that I like this can be accepted…?"

"Ikhtiar first, let Allah determine the outcome. Hasn't everything been recorded in Lauhulmahfuz? If it's yours, God must have moved his heart for you too."

Bilal widened his smile, then raised his mother's hand until it stuck to his lips.

"Request his blessing, Ummi. If you're a soul mate, I'll bring him here. Stay with us."

Isti patted his shoulder. "Yes...but don't force, if He is more at home, how?"

Bilal nodded. "The point is to pray first, Bilal can pick up Bilal's soul mate."

"Aamiin, Ummi always wishes you all the best."

***

Days change, even a week is missed.

Maryam sat opposite the Holy Ummi, speaking many things. After that the owner of the foundation cleared his throat while putting his glass.

"Merr, you've been alone for a long time why not get married, or maybe there's a candidate?"

Mary smiled faintly. "I have no candidates. But I don't want to get married yet."

"Why?"

"Ummi must understand why. I cannot be worthy of being made a wife by anyone. Isn't the purpose of a man marrying his woman for the sake of getting offspring?"

"A lot of people say that, Mi. Accept whatever my condition is. But, it must have been only at the beginning. For Merr, love is like clothes, at any time it can fade. And no matter how faded love, if there are children there must still be the strength to maintain the household. But if not? I am trapped in an unhealthy marriage. Mary is afraid, even though this heart still feels like it wants to be filled."

"Emmm, you might be right. And that is usually for ordinary men. It's different if the man understands religion."

"I don't think it's a matter of understanding his religion, but more personal. Because no matter how strong his faith may be, He may falter." Mary looked blankly, remembering something in her past.

The man once promised to make her happy but in fact? He fell into even deeper mud. He also remembered the difficulty of getting out of there, but already He was happy with his status of solitude.

I can no longer trust the promise of creatures.

"Merr..." The Holy Mother took his hand. "Try to open your heart a little, do not be deterred just because you have failed. Not all men like to hurt their partners. Open a little window of your eye. Because outside, not a few couples who remain happy even though they have no children?"

Maryam simply fell silent, appreciating the speech of the middle-aged woman before her.

"Let's be honest, Ummi can trust from Ms. Anisa. She wants to, ask you for her firstborn."

The deg! Maryam is getting stuck.

"Are you ready? If Habib Bilal wants to make you his wife."

"God.." he muttered. Maryam shook her head, "Mi, she's a bachelor. It is impossible to be with me who is a widow. He was especially young. I am thirty-five years old."

"But Habib Bilal doesn't mind. Even he himself asked his Ummi for permission to ask you."

Maryam shook her head while chuckling. Because it's impossible.

Surely he just wanted to try. I'm not a probationary woman just because I'm a widow.

"How's it?"

"Sorry, Mi. Maryam had no desire to remarry yet" she replied directly, and immediately shifted the conversation to another topic.

***

Maryam just sat down, staring at the computer screen that was on. With a blank sheet without a single word written.

His brain suddenly had a dead end, probably because the speech of the head of the home made him pause his work.

I just need to drink warm tea for a moment while listening to music according to the theme I will write.

Maryam moved, but at once the screen lit up. Because there's one DM coming in.

Probably from one of my readers. Then go ahead...

Maryam resumed her steps, then walked out of the room.

Meanwhile in a different place. Bilal who was sitting in his chair, after the end of the event stared at the screen.

Looking at the word Assalamualaikum.

Looks like if I DM he'll just be disrespectful. Did I talk to Mr. Ustadz Irsyad, huh? Let him be the intermediary.

His two fingers tapped on the top end of his phone. Feeling confused yourself. Bilal shook his head, then before finally exiting his social media app and switching to the contact menu contacted Ustadz Irsyad.

Faster, better... I thought Bilal then while waiting for his phone call to be connected.