Mystery of Small Shoes

14

Sandi's back in town. He promised to visit Sarah and Fabio often when he had time to spare.

"Dad go home first, baby," Sandi told Fabio.

"But dad didn't leave for long, huh? I brought my grandmother here, so I can stay here with Bio," Sandi nodded while glancing at Sarah. Sarah pretended not to hear and looked the other way.

"Sar, brother go home first, huh? Brother will try to often see you here. Keep Bio for me, okay?" Sarah nodded and drove Sandi to her car.

Fabio waved his hand to let go of Sandi. Sarah took a deep breath as if she had been freed from a crush. He knows how Sandi feels and cares for him and Fabio, but he can never feel that special feeling for Sandi. Repeatedly rejecting the man made him become more and more convinced to immediately leave the house he had been in. He no longer wants to be a burden on Sandi and Ms. Sani.

****

Sarah is back in the work. With the increase in money he got increased also the work he had to complete. Sarah lived it with pleasure.

"Sar, you have an idea not to write charity-themed? We are all required to write one for a charitable mission" Leni said.

"Oh yeah? I know now" said Sarah.

*And we've announced weekly briefing times. Lo kemane aje, Mpok?" Vina. Sarah bengong while remembering the briefing at that time

"Oh yeah, I just remembered. Waduh, my mind is filled with problems moving house to the point of forgetting about the writing of the charity mission" said Sarah.

Sarah remembered Aisyah's mother, who had been instrumental in raising her with other orphans in the orphanage she managed.

"I haven't been to a home for a long time. I haven't seen or contacted Aisyah's mother in a long time" Sarah muttered.

It was in his mind to lift Aisyah's mother's home into his writing. He wanted the home that had been the place of the shelter known to many people, so that Mother Aisyah did not bother and dizzy to find donors for their home.

****

That morning Sarah and Fabio were already in front of a parlour.

"What place is this, Ma?" ask Fabio.

"This is called an orphanage. This is a home for children who have no parents. Mama used to live here, too" Sarah explained as she led Fabio into the courtyard.

"Assalamualaikum," Sarah gave her greeting in the doorway.

"Wa'alaikumsalam," heard a woman from inside the parlour.

"Whoo! Oh God, son, you are coming" said the woman holding Sarah while shedding tears.

"Yes, Mother. Sarah came home," Sarah kissed the hand of the woman she called the mother.

That's the mother of Aisyah, a woman in her 50s

"It's been a long time since you've been here, son. Mother misses you once."

"Sarah is also kangen, Mother."

"Who is this handsome boy?" ask mother Aisyah.

"My name is Bio." Fabio thrust out his hand and kissed Aisyah's mother's hand.

"God, clever. Your son, Sar?"

"Yes, Bun. Name's Fabio".

"Sar, Rizal..?" ask mother Aisyah. Sarah understood the meaning of Mother Aisyah's question.

"Mas Rizal left Sarah while Fabio was in the womb, Mother. He has chosen the woman of his family's choice. Maybe this is Sarah's way of life. Sarah has already let it go."

"Patience, Son. God must have a more beautiful plan for you."

"I'm sorry, Bun. Sarah just got to be happy. Sarah's too busy putting Sarah's life back together. Insha Allah Sarah will come here more often," Sarah tried to divert the conversation.

"Sar, Rizal came here a few times. He's looking for you, but he doesn't talk about your problems. Actually Mommy is suspicious, there must be nothing with you until you leave. Mommy knows you can't do that if Rizal doesn't do something. When mom said you weren't here she couldn't believe it. He's waiting here till late." Sarah was silent to hear the story of Aisha's mother.

"Rizal just said there was something he had to explain to you. Maybe he'll explain his decision to leave you."

"Maybe, Bun. Because Rizal never talked about his plans with Sarah. Sarah knew Rizal was married again because Sarah was there when Rizal mas uttered the qabul ijab with the woman. Sarah knows herself, too, Bun. The woman is indeed more worthy to be Rizal's wife than Sarah. That's why Sarah took it."

"But your son..?" ask mother Aisyah.

"It's okay, Bun. Insha Allah Sarah was able to raise her," Sarah replied.

Hearing this, Mother Aisyah shed tears and hugged Sarah tightly.

"Mother knows Sarah must be strong. Sarah the daughter of the righteous mother. God is always with you, son. Mother will always pray for you and your child" whispered Mother Aisyah.

Sarah couldn't hold back her tears, she was crying in her arms.

He wiped his tears. Sarah did not want to dissolve in sadness that should not have made herself shed tears. Her tears were too precious to cry for the man who had left her.

"Mother, Sarah's office assigned her writing team to write a charity, can Sarah write about this home?" ask Sarah.

"Of course, hon. You can write it, after all you are part of this home, so you know what to write without having to interview mom. Aye, right?"

"Yes, Bun. But maybe later there are some things that Sarah should ask mother as well."

"You can ask me if I'm with you, son."

Sarah saw Fabio was very cheerful playing with the children of the orphanage, but because it was late afternoon, Sarah said goodbye to go home with Fabio.

"Frequently come here, huh? Poor old mother."

"Mother never gets old for Sarah, Mother is always Sarah's mother as before. Stay healthy yes, Bun," Sarah hugged, kissed the cheek and hand of Mother Aisyah.

"Great granddaughter, take care of her mom, baby? Obey the same mother," Aisyah's mother's message to Fabio who answered her with a nod.

"Sarah go home first, Bun? Assalamualaikum."

"Wa'alaikumsalam," replied Aisyah's mother and the children of the orphanage.

"Bio Drugs. Play here again, yes." said the orphanage children as they waved their hands.

************

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