Mom's Not a Prostitute

The Earth is Suddenly Dark

In the end, each person must be heartened to face the destiny that has been outlined for him.

---

WELCOME TO WATAMPONE CITY

BUMI ARUNG PALAKKA CITY

Tiara looked outside to read the sentence on the gate built on the border of Watampone City. Smile them. In the past, he had the intention in his mind to not return to this city forever. Won't see any more of the recca*'s square-modeled archway.

Tiara took a deep breath as the car she was riding in began to enter the Bajoe Village area, letting the distinctive aroma of the hometown fill her chest cavity. He began to think of the first sentence he would say to Mom later. Should she cry and run to the woman? Or just being mediocre? He was suddenly agitated.

The last passenger to be delivered to the destination. Other passengers had already disembarked one by one before. The car, which now only contained him and the driver, stopped in front of the Nurul Huda Mosque. Beside the mosque was a path. At the end of the road is the rented house he once occupied with Mother. Tiara glanced at the circular watch on her left wrist. Time shows at two o'clock in the afternoon. He did plan to arrive at this hour, when most people in the village are still busy with their respective work or are sound in their naps. So not too many people will highlight his arrival. Sure enough, all the way down. There were only a few kids on the side of the road who were busy playing, a world that only they could understand.

Tiara's steps stopped in the courtyard of a tenement house that looked unkempt and seemed seedy. The walls are still bare, showing an array of bricks without a layer of cement and paint or anything else. Dry leaves and plastic waste. What's wrong with Mom? Why can't I take care of a house like this?

Tiara continued her steps, taking her to the terrace and preparing to knock on the door. Suddenly something clenched his chest after the first knock and the greeting sentence was spoken. For a long time, no answer. He repeated it again after his eyeballs spun for a moment observing the ceiling of the porch filled with cobwebs. Still no answer heard. Tiara peeked through the half-worn window with the color fading. There was no sign of my mother inside. Then he remembered with Aunt Siska, a co-worker of fellow female midwives. The woman who likes to dye her hair also contracted a patch of house right next to their house. He could have told me of Mom's whereabouts. Tiara hurried to the house next door. Upon arrival, he found something similar. Aunt Siska's house is also empty. Or are they having a day job?

"Austria ...?" Someone greeted with a half-abused expression as Tiara was about to repeat knocking on the door of the house once an expression.

Tiara turned her head and found a face she was very familiar with. The middle-aged woman who likes to masturbate is Bu Hasna, the owner of a grocery store that is only seven houses away from her home. In the past, Tiara often shop for daily necessities there.

"You're right, Tiara, right?" The thick-bodied woman's gaze was still spitting out question marks.

Tiara nodded with a smile. Then he approached to shake Bu Hasna's hand, brushing over the astonished ripples on her face that began to wrinkle it.

"Where have you been? Why did you come home so long?"

"Lecture in Makassar, Mom."

Ms. Hasna was long-term, although she was sure the answer was not the real reason. After all, he knew Mom very well. He understands the red thread that runs through the middle of the mother-daughter relationship. Often he witnessed firsthand the difficult days that Mother had to go through after being left behind by running away the child.

"We*see my mother?"

Suddenly, Bu Hasna's face changed.

"It's been a few weeks your mother's been seriously ill. He's in the hospital."

"Huh? It hurt?" The utterance made the rumble on Tiara's chest more chaotic than before. His eyes glazed over later. He was really confused as to how it should be now. "Which hospital, Mom?"

"Tenriawaru General Hospital. You better get there!"

"C*name*. Directma* to there, Mom!"

"Just keep it at home. Let's take it with Imran."

At a glance, Tiara recalled her past with Imran. The youngest son of Bu Hasna had once openly expressed his feelings. But Tiara refused politely. The reason was that at that time, he was reluctant to date a neighbor who had been very good to him, even felt like a brother. Even so, they remained good friends afterwards. Imran youth is kind, obedient worship and very obedient to parents. He is an alumnus of State High School 1 Watampone, the best high school in the city.

Tiara is waiting for Imran to get ready. He sat in front of a stall, under a stilt house that had been transformed into a place to make a living. Ms. Hasna just took over and brought her things inside. He was enjoying a bottle of cold drink when Imran was ready and was coming down the stairs. The young man, probably still kept a piece of flavor that had once been very heavily clenched at his chest. It shouldn't have to be that ugly. Tiara had to stand up and say hello first. Tiara was not surprised, her neighbor was indeed a bit shy.

"How are you?" Tiara reached out her hand.

Tiara just nodded. Imran set out to prepare a vehicle, a red matic motor that has accompanied his daily life since SMA.

***

In the hospital corridor, Tiara and Imran cross paths with Aunt Siska. He was with several nurses who were carrying patients on wheeled beds. They panicked and looked rushed.

"Tante Siska, where's mauki going?" tiara Hadang.

"Tiara?" Aunty Siska's hasty steps were suddenly locked to ensure that someone had just grabbed her hand.

"Tante, where's my mak?"

Aunt Siska's lips shook violently, unable to make a sound. He just pointed towards the nurse who had been away. Tiara understood, Mother's condition must be worrying. They quickly caught up with the nurses. Tiara ran to see Mother lying weakly on the wheeled bed. So his tears poured out after seeing the body that was once strong filled, now so weak and frail.

"Mr ...!" call Tiara in between the more intense cries. He really hopes your eyes can open even for a second to see his return. But those eyes seemed to be getting closer. Tiara only stopped calling after a nurse held her back and asked her to wait outside. Mom will be handled in the ICU room. His body slumped in the waiting chair. He held his head with both hands. Her tears continued to fall, soaking the hospital floor with clean white tiles.

Aunt Siska's hand landed on Tiara's back. Gagging, calming. Tiara turned to leaning, sharing her timelessness with her mother's comrade-in-arms. Actually Imran was quite confused to see the scene, but he chose silence.

"Why do you have to leave your mother?"

Tiara was so full of hearing that question.

"Whatever he does, all for the sake of seeing you happy. To the extent that he forgot to sort out the right and wrong ways."

I don't know what Tiara should say. It just keeps getting as excited.

A doctor came out of the ICU. Directly welcomed by Tiara and Aunt Siska. Both are standing up.

"Doctor, how's my mom doing?" tiara's stern voice was barely audible.

"I hope you can be strong. We've done our best, but God first sets the will."

The deg!

Tiara's heart stopped. His head suddenly felt heavy. Thousands of firefly-like specks of light instantly messed up his vision, before everything turned dark and his body collapsed. Fainted.

***

Foot note:

*Peci special Bugis.

*The meaning of the word 'us' in the language of the Makassar people melted into 'You' (sopan).

*yes.

*The end of 'ma' works in place of the word "me".

[Connected]