Meeting Point

kak Khadija is pregnant

How many times did Aretha tell herself that she was okay, if she didn't miss the house and all the memories. In fact, he was unable to hold back his tears, when a mouthful of Umi's cooking soup came into his mouth. As it turns out, she still misses her home, she still wishes her family could get back together. But what can Aretha? He has no power whatsoever to restore his collapsed home.

As it turned out, one mouthful of home-cooked food, was able to tear down any defenses that Aretha had built up over the years. It turned out that he was nothing more than a child who missed his home as well as his family. That weak he turned out.

"Astagfirullah son, why? Umi's cooking doesn't taste good?" Umi looked at Aretha with a worried look. Several other family members, too, stared at Aretha with worried looks.

Immediately, Aretha wiped her tears. Then looked at Umi with a sweet smile, "not Umi, very good" he said, continuing his eating activities.

"Eating a lot?" Slowly, Khadijah rubbed Aretha's back.

"Yes my brother" replied Aretha.

Ibrahim, who was at the end of the table, looked at Aretha for a while, before finally shaking his head while continuing to eat. He did not know who Aretha was, because he was quite curious about the figure of the girl who looked very dear to his grandparents. Well, spending years in the land of Egypt, made him lose a lot of information related to his extended family.

"You're staying here, right?" Ask Umi.

Aretha shook her head, smiling politely at the middle-aged woman. "No Umi, tomorrow Are going to school. So I don't think I can" Aretha refused politely.

"Well,, even though my sister wants to talk to you a lot" with her disappointed face, Khadijah looked at Aretha. The woman felt very happy with Aretha's presence, she thought Aretha would stay for a few days in this boarding school. But it didn't, apparently,

"Will you have a holiday, brother? In Shayah Allah Are going to stay here"

"But next week my sister will be going home. It is very difficult to meet you" said Khadijah while bowing his head disappointed. It looks like the woman is shedding her tears.

After marriage, Khadijah was indeed taken by her husband to his family home. So, it is rare for Khadijah to be in this Pesantren. Today, it just so happens that the arrival of Aretha coincides with the schedule of Khadijah.

"If Azka were still there, you would definitely find yourself here" the monologue of Khadija's sister, but it could still be heard by everyone at the dinner table.

"Used!" Umi Sweats.

"But it's true, if there's Azka, you'll definitely find yourself here. You'll be home early in the morning and go to school from here"

"Astagfirullah baby, you don't say that, Istigfar! Sorry well Aretha, now brother Khadija is pregnant young, so the mood is difficult to control. Please be informed, huh?" very politely, Khadijah's husband apologized to Aretha. Before the two couples finally got out of their seats and left the kitchen area.

The fact that Khadijah was pregnant, certainly made Aretha surprised. He just found out that fact. During this time, he was too soluble in his sadness, so he did not pay too much attention to the surrounding conditions. Abi and Umi never once said the happy news.

"Sorry son Aretha, after pregnancy, Khadijah's mood condition always goes up and down"

"Khadija became pregnant after news of Azka's death. So, we were hesitant enough to tell you. Because at that time, we are all in mourning" Abi said as if answering Aretha's curiosity a few minutes ago.

"Yes Abi" replied Aretha.

"What are you going home for?" Ask Umi.

"It looks like Umi's online motorcycle taxi ride" replied Aretha politely.

"Astagfirullah this is already quite malem, son, afraid you are okay. Rama is busy or what? Instead of riding an ojek, mending you try to call your sister" said Umi worried.

Aretha glanced at the clock perched on its ladder, at 19:00 there. "No papa Umi, Are will not be okay. It is not good to also have to repotin brother Rama" refused Aretha.

According to the girl, it is not too late to go home using an online motorcycle taxi. Remember, Aretha also often return home at night, and thank God his condition is still fine until now. After Azka's departure, Aretha always tried to live independently, because she did not want to bother the surrounding people too much, nor did she want to rely too much on them. Because they're going to leave him. He used to rely too much on Azka, so after the young man's death, Aretha completely lost her way, and it was difficult to reorganize her life. Therefore, he did not want the incident to happen again.

Taking away the people we love is so hard. But even more difficult, adapting to circumstances that are not around us.

Ibrahim got up from his seat, then looked at his grandparents alternately "Ibrahim will go to town to buy fodder. If you don't mind, he can join the nebeng with Ibrahim" he offered himself.

Immediately Aretha shook her head "e-eh, no need brother. Thanks for the offer, but Are doesn't want to bother anyone".

"Here you go home with Ibrahim. Abi will feel very calm if you go home with someone Abi trusts" Abi ordered as he looked closely at Aretha.

"But abi...."

"Udah, follow your Abi yah? Umi and Abi will feel calm if you go home with Ibrahim" Umi persuaded while holding Aretha's hand tightly.

"Yes Umi, Abi" said Aretha surrendered.

"Wait outside, I'll get out of the car first"

After saying the order, Umi and Abi's grandchildren left the kitchen. After that, Umi asked Aretha to bring a large crackle containing vegetables and fruits. Despite having politely declined, Abi and Umi forced Aretha to take her. He said "we can't give you anything, even if it's not much, but please accept this"

There is no way Aretha insisted on rejecting the kindness of Umi and Abi, despite his arrival with empty hands, but his return actually brought many souvenirs that certainly made Aretha reluctant to accept it. The girl was not used to receiving the kindness of others, because to her, the law of reciprocity applied. So, he had not been able to get used to receiving kindness that did not expect a proper reply from him.

After shaking hands with Umi, also say hello to the two. Aretha got into the car driven by Ibrahim. But before that, he apologized first to Umi and Abi for the incident of not wearing that he had created when eating earlier. Because, brother Khadijah refused to meet Aretha. Well, it looks like he really should return to this pesantren as soon as possible. More precisely, before Khadijah's brother came home.