My madam, my poison

The price of honesty

I had just finished bathing Lyra and was intending to take her for a walk around our new residence. Just getting out of the room, I heard someone greet me so kindly.

"Mother new residents here huh?" tanyakanya.

"Yes, Ma'am. Just last night I rented a boarding room here" I replied.

The girl wearing the factory uniform nodded in understanding. 

"The grandpa is funny. What's name?" tanyanya while looking at my daughter's cheeks.

"My name is Lyra, auntie," I replied in a childlike voice.

"Name's good. Beautiful as her mother."

"Wouldn't you go to work?" my many.

"Yes, Mother. Introduce my name Rahma," he said as he extended his right hand toward me."

"Azzura," I replied as I shook his hand.

"By the way you're just alone living here?" ask again. 

"so. A few days ago our house burned down and it can't be occupied anymore."

"Then, where's Dek Lyra's dad? Is he sorry he died in that fire?" ask Rahma.

"Ehm-hm, …"

As I was puzzled to answer the question, there appeared a person who was wearing exactly the same uniform that Rahma was wearing.

"Rahma, let's go, we'll be late" he said.

"I'll excuse you, Ma'am. Assalamu'alaikum's chat. Dek Lyra drug," he said as he waved at Lyra. My little princess smiled as if she wanted to answer the greetings of our friendly new neighbor.

"Getishalight."

I walked out of the gate. As a new resident, of course I do not understand the area here. I'm going to find the nearest rice stall from this place. Meanwhile, all I can do is buy rice, because in my new residence there is no stove or rice cooker.

After walking for about fifty meters, I finally found a rice stall. "Food food Padang" more precisely. 

"Taste with vegetables and side dishes, ma'am," I told the shop owner."

"Wrapped or eaten here, Ma'am?" tanyakanya.

"Just stay here, ma'am."

"Please sit down first.

I also chose a seat not too far from the food storefront.

"It looks like I've never seen Ma'am" the shop owner said.

"I just rented a boarding house last night at the ehm…"

"Who's place, Ma'am?"

"That, Mom. The owner is white, his hair is flaky, and his eyes are narrow."

"Oh, her name is Ms. Leni."

"Oh."

"To my knowledge the boarding place is only for factory employees. Does Mommy work in a factory too?" 

"No, Ma. I was forced to rent a boarding room because a few days ago my house was on fire and we couldn't go anymore."

"Please."

A plate of warm rice with vegetables and fried tempeh served in front of me. I who was so hungry also quickly devoured the food until the plate was completely empty.

"How, Ma?" my many.

"Ten thousand, Ma'am."

I reached into my skirt pocket to take money from inside. But, I didn't find it. I was sure once before I came out of the boarding room, I had pocketed a piece of money in the hundred thousand denomination. Where's my money?

"Why, Mommy?" ask the shop owner with Padang language accent.

"My money's not in my pocket, ma'am."

"Maybe you forgot you haven't brought money."

"No, Ma. I'm sure as hell, I put a hundred thousand in my skirt bag."

"What's Mbak's skirt pocket torn?" 

Immediately I checked the pockets on the right and left of my skirt. Athaghfirullah! Right, the pouch on his right was torn. Maybe my money fell.

"Sorry, Mom. It looks like my money has fallen. I will try to follow the road I passed. I hope the money is still there."

I walked away from the stall and walked towards the road I had just walked on towards this stall. From a distance I could see a little boy taking something from the ground. He put it in his pants pocket.

"Sorry, Deck. Did Adek see the hundred thousand dollars that fell down this street?" my many.

"Ti-ti-no, ma'am," she replied. I can catch the fear on his face.

"How old are you?" ask again.

"Ten years."

"You're big enough. I must know if lying is a sin. I saw you take something from the ground and put it in your pants pocket. Did you find any money?"

Once again the boy shook his head.

"School teacher and teaching you must teach honesty, right?" ask again.

Despite the slight hesitation, the boy nodded his head.

"You need to know, honesty is the currency that applies anywhere," I said as I rubbed his hair gently.

"Yes, excuse me."

I just turned my body. But the boy suddenly called out to me.

"Wait, Mom. It's Mom's money. I'm sorry I lied to Mom. I want to buy a toy in the store over there, but my dad doesn't have any money."

I smiled, and I rubbed his hair again.

"You want to buy toys?" my many.

The boy nodded his head.

"How much do you want to buy?"

"Fifty thousand."

"Yes, you wait for Mom here. Mom to the stall for a minute to pay for food."

I took my money and walked back to the rice stall. After paying for the food, I went back to the boy.

"Let's go to the toy store" I said, holding his right hand. However, the boy did not flinch.

"Why is Mom still good to me? I lied to my mother."

"We should always be kind to others. It is not always the person who returns our kindness. But believe me, God will repay our kindness through the hands of others."

"I'm sorry, Mom." The boy grabbed my hand and put it on his forehead.

"No need to apologize. I'm glad you finally told me the truth..Oh yeah, what's your name?" 

"My name is Malik."

"Malik, let's go to the toy store" I said.

The bocsh agreed. I could see a twinkle in his eyes. 

"Thank you, Mom. He bought me a toy" said Malik.

"Be a good boy and always uphold honesty" I said.

Suddenly Malik's cry broke.

"I'm sorry, if there's any mother's words that offend you" I said.

"No, Ma. I cried because I suddenly thought of my late mother. My mother died while I was still sitting on the Kindergarten bench" Malik said.

Mother. Malik's words suddenly reminded me of my mother-in-law who I left when she fell into a coma. 

How's mom doing now? Can Mila take care of her mother sincerely? What if he treats her harshly? Yes Rabb. Was it wrong to leave her?

"Why does Mom look sad? Do you also remember someone?" ask Malik.

In addition to my mother-in-law, I also miss my real mother who is now going somewhere. Suddenly the clear circles began to spread in both balls of my eyes.

"Yes Rabb, find my servant again with my mother" I said.

Seriate…

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