Mahabbah Love Khalisa

155

The rain was still pouring with lightning and strong winds. The sky wants to linger together with the earth through the intermediary of rain because the two are impossible to meet directly.

Just as the sky conveys longing through the rain, Azfan whispers longing in his heart hoping Khalisa hears it. Azfan said that he would come to save Khalisa anyway.

Somehow the rain always gives bad memories, the rain reminds Azfan as he leaves the house after a big fight with Khalisa. The rain seemed to support the sadness that Azfan experienced but nevertheless the rain was a sign of love from God. Let alone rain, the heat of hell fire is a form of God's love. Azfan tried to think positively in the midst of his worries about Khalisa.

This is where they stop. In a settlement that has long been abandoned by residents after the devastating eruption of Mount Merapi 10 years ago. Initially residents wanted to return but recently Merapi re-eruption so they had to give up most of the houses buried by volcanic ash.

The rain began to subside but the cloud still faithfully hangs into a decoration of the sky that blocks the sun.

The sticky ground hugged Azfan's feet which were only made of flip-flops so he was far behind by the police who were free to move despite the wet streets.

Azfan's eyes widened to see Khalisa's sandals were not far from where he stood. Azfan lifted his foot from the mud and took the sandal.

"Sir, these are my wife's slippers." Azfan chased after the policemen who walked first.

"You sure?"

"I'm sure, after all this looks new while the citizens have long left this area."

"That means your wife is around here."

They speed up the search movement in every house that still stands among other houses that have collapsed.

"Don't move!" A policeman in one of the houses. Azfan and several other policemen hurriedly followed.

Revan grinned at the sight of dozens of policemen in front of him, he was surrounded. He was wrong to think the police would not find him. But Revan did not lose his mind, he dragged Khalisa to rise. Khalisa's slow body could not stand up straight so Revan had to hold it.

"Mom!" Azfan was about to approach Khalisa but two police officers arrested him. "Detach Sir!" Shouted Azfan, he could not help himself when he saw Khalisa's shirt full of blood. Azfan must immediately protect Khalisa from the man.

Revan clenched Khalisa's neck and attached a gun to his temple. That left the police powerless because Revan could shoot Khalisa at any moment.

"You saw him holding a gun." Whisper one of the police on Azfan, he does not want Azfan to make the atmosphere worse.

Khalisa was relieved to see Azfan among the policemen, although he could not see it clearly but finally he heard the voice. Khalisa is helpless, he resigned if Revan pulls the trigger now. There's Azfan here anyway but what about Azka. Khalisa wanted to see Azka walking and running. Khalisa wants to take Azka to school for the first time.

You're gonna be Koko, baby.

That's what Khalisa said to Azka last night before they went to bed. Khalisa will change Azka's call with the name Koko so that when his sister is born later, Azka is used to it.

Umma will hold out for Abi and you dear.

The gun was cold to touch Khalisa's temple, he could not resist when Revan pushed the gun until his head tilted.

"Thank you, Khalisa is already present in the midst of the Alindra family, your existence makes our family united."

It was Renata when Khalisa was 3 years old that Khalisa still remembers today.

The shadow of Renata smiling as she rubbed Khalisa's hair flashed in memory.

Khalisa smiled, and now Renata is in front of him. Fresh blood melted from the corners of his lips as Khalisa's smile widened along with his flowing tears forming a tributary along his cheeks to his neck.

"Revan, drop the gun!" Shouted one of the police.

"You guys first." Revan smiled obliquely, he was not a gullible person let alone under these circumstances.

"okay." Three policemen in the front row put down their guns.

"The one in the back too." Revan pointed to the other three policemen who were still holding the gun.

All the cops put down their guns. Azfan's shoulder shook violently, he could not see Khalisa being treated like that. If only Azfan could replace Khalisa now.

Khalisa's previous trauma has not even healed, several times he still often nightmares about Revan then woke up and cried in the middle of the night. The wound has not fully healed but now Revan is creating bad memories that Khalisa may not be able to forget for life.

What is the worst thing about someone who has a strong memory? he could not forget any bad memories as big as his desire to bury them.

"Please let Khalisa go." Cops calling.

Revan laughed at that. The laughter made Khalisa tremble in fear.

Revan was planning to pull the trigger, he counted in his heart. After the count of three Revan will pull the trigger.

One...

Two...

Three..

"You know, I love you Khalisa."

The sound of a thunderous gun echoed throughout the room a second later Khalisa fell helplessly onto the floor. His gaze was completely dark, he was unable to open his eyes despite trying his hardest.

Revan fell along with Khalisa, blood spurting from his mouth and ears. Revan shot himself right at the temple.

Khalisa fell because Revan's grip on his body was released. He also lost consciousness afterwards.

"Mom!" Azfan ran towards Khalisa, he covered Khalisa's head with his own sacrifice. Azfan lifts Khalisa's body taking him out of there.

Police turned on sirens for emergencies as they had to take Khalisa to the hospital immediately.

******

Adhan isya' reverberated from all corners of the mosque. The rain had subsided after a day of soaking the earth, creating new life and destroying what was time gone. Nature is created with balance, there is drought and rain and life and death.

Azfan was crying in his prayer, his shoulders were shaking violently. Azfan had tried to hold him back but he was unable to. His cry still broke when facing prostrate to the Most Love. Azfan tried to give all that God had given to him and his family, even though it was very difficult.

If God chooses you through all of this then you are capable of doing it. God chose you not without purpose. Trial always matures and brings you one step closer to God.

"O Allah, strengthen my wife's heart to accept the destiny you have laid upon us." Azfan whispered in his prayer, between his sobs that night.

"Bi."

Azfan looked over at Khalisa's voice calling out to him. Azfan immediately moved from the top of the prayer mat and approached Khalisa.

"Darling, you're finally awake." Azfan rubbed Khalisa's head and clasped his hand.

Khalisa felt his whole body crumpled to the point of being unable to move. He grimaced as he tried to move his hand.

"Don't move much, I'm worried about Umma." Azfan kissed Khalisa's back and palm.

"Bi, our son is okay, right?" That was the first thing that came to Khalisa's mind.

Sorry Mr. Azfan, the fetus can not be saved, we will immediately do a curettage to remove the remains of the organs left behind.

"Umma must be sincere, our baby cannot be saved, God loves him more."

Khalisa closed his eyes along with his tears that melted through the temple and wet the pillow. Why did God take the child so quickly. Say hello to Khalisa who experienced all this? Khalisa forgot how to be sincere. He could not, he did not want to lose his second child.

"I'm sorry Bi." Khalisa held out a hand.

"No, it's me who should apologize for not being able to take good care of Umma." Azfan embraced Khalisa, he had promised Daniel before marriage to always take care of Khalisa. But Azfan failed, he let Khalisa override painful things like this. Azfan failed to be a good husband.

Khalisa's chest feels very tight, he only saw his baby once during the USG. Khalisa has not seen the development of his second child in the stomach. Khalisa hugged Azfan tightly, he could not take care of their baby well.

"Where are you going?" Khalisa held Azfan's hand that was about to move from there.

"I'm going to get a drink, Umma has to drink."

"Where?"

"Outside, I'm asking the hospital staff."

Khalisa shook his head, he better be thirsty than Azfan to leave him.

"Just for a minute."

"No, I don't want to." Khalisa.

"Yes already." Azfan sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed Khalisa. Azfan rubbed his wet cheek, he should look strong at least in front of Khalisa.

"Azka where's Bi?"

"Azka at home, tomorrow we can meet Azka ya." Azfan swiped along Khalisa's arm.

"Aah!" Khalisa grimaced, his arm hurt when Azfan rubbed it when it was a swab that he always liked. But his whole body feels pain and pain when held.

"Sorry, is it sick?"

Khalisa. He wanted to ask where Revan was but to call that name Khalisa could not do it. Khalisa was afraid, imagining Revan's figure alone made him break out in cold sweat.

"Umma rest again ya." Azfan lowered the position of Khalisa's bed in the head so that Khalisa could sleep in a more comfortable position.

"But Abi don't leave me."

"No, I'm here."

"I also want to say goodbye to his sister Azka."

So this means saying goodbye, Azfan saying goodbye before the prospective child in the stomach Khalisa left for good. The boy flew into the sky before looking at the world.