Not a Girl Again

Part 7's

"Ma."

Aji said while following his mother who is now sitting in the living room. One family then gathers with different faces and notices Mama Aji. The middle-aged woman was still trying to control her breath so as not to hunt.

"Why did you choose that woman, Ji? She's not a girl anymore! Even he's the same as Rea."

The voice of the middle-aged woman grew. No more hanging around. The two men before him lowered their heads preparing to listen to the lecture that might be able to make hearts pinch.

"He's the same as Rea. No different from a bitch out there!"

Aji could no longer remain silent. The man stroked his mother's back. Trying to calm the now angry middle-aged woman.

"Patience, Ma. Listen to Aji's explanation first!" Aji said with a pleading gaze.

"What's? What explanation? Why did you choose him?"

A second later Aji went to get some water. He gave a glass of water to his mother. A few minutes of silence. It seemed that the emotions that had been stirring up had begun to diminish.

"Listen to Aji first, Ma. Aji even just found out that Naswa is no longer a girl. Precisely because Naswa's courage reveals all his shortcomings, Aji is more determined to make him a son-in-law in this house."

Mama Aji widened her eyes. "You're crazy, Ji! Mama doesn't want to!"

"Naswa is different, Ma. It was different with Rea. It has been explained that Naswa lost his personality because of the crime of a man. It's not like Rea who gives her joy willingly out of love."

The guest room became quiet. Everyone is busy with their own thoughts. Without saying any more, Mama Aji went to her room. Inwardly, Aji prayed that her mother would accept everything that happened.

***

A third of the night is cold. The rain has poured into the city of Surabaya in the early hours of today. Coinciding with thunderbolts that struck each other, Naswa was struggling. The net has been wet with a clear grain that until now is still decorating.

Like a rose that has been snatched away by its crown. What to be proud of again. The spiny stalk and the parable are like the life of the Naswa.

She felt she had failed to be the woman who guarded her izz. There is no loophole to simply express a reason for a man to accept it. In fact, the shortcomings that are owned can not be tolerated.

In another room, a middle-aged woman was prostrating long. Mumbled prayers that shook the sky and the rest. Naswa's mother had asked that her son be happy.

That night, the sky was boisterous with two continuous prayers. Although without a loud voice, but with sincerity of heart, all the angels seemed to reassure. I don't know what surprises will be for tomorrow. Can God not give an unexpected scenario?

***

[Today I'd like to meet you at the cafe near your house.]

Not yet perfectly open netra Naswa, a line of messages sent by an unknown number can make him lose sleepiness. It is stated in the last line that the unknown number belongs to Mama Aji. The woman's heart raced trying to guess what would happen next. He is afraid to step up to face the reality that might hurt again.

Naswa remembers everything. The cynical look Mama Aji threw was obvious as she exposed all the flaws. However, the trace of that gaze was still within reasonable limits.

"Naswa let's fast at dawn prayers, son!"

His mother's voice made the dreamy event stop. Naswa steps towards the bathroom. He will return to asking for the best.

Including if God predestines Aji is not his soul mate. Perhaps Naswa will accept, although there is a sense of tightness that somehow begins to be present without a veil.

***

"Assalamualaikum, ma'am."

Naswa's greeting made the middle-aged woman look up. Now, it is clear that the old face that still leaves the beauty in his youth. Mama Aji is included in beautiful women, even though she is not young.

He muttered the greeting answer earlier. Meanwhile, awkwardness began to appear. Naswa stood up for fear of sitting down.

"Are you going to sit down for an hour?" ask Mama Aji.

Two women of different ages are now sitting across. Netra Mama Aji could not be separated from the face of Naswa who was reluctant to return her gaze. He tries to judge. Physically, the young woman could not be doubted, but the shortcomings revealed overnight became a consideration to elevate her as a daughter-in-law.

"So you're Aji's old friend?"

"Yes, Mom. I'm an old friend of Aji's."

"When did you know?"

Naswa remembered for a moment. Events that are still in his memory. Aji helped her for the first time.

At that time, Naswa was conducting the MOS period in Junior High. The girl was wearing a white skirt. He was not aware that he was having his period for the first time.

Naswa only knew that his stomach was hurting and wrapped around. He chose to sit in the classroom until the sound of the announcement made him rise. However, a hoarse voice was able to make him stop stepping.

"Eh. I guess I'm alone in class." Naswa said as she endured the pain that continued to twist.

"Wear this!"

Naswa. Why would this boy throw a jacket at him? Without thinking, he asked.

"For what?"

"You're leaking."

After that sentence, Aji left without introducing himself. Naswa was still confused and only understood when he arrived in front of Anti. From then on, fate always set unforeseen coincidences for the two.

"We've known since Junior High."

The middle-aged woman nodded. Both orders came. For a moment they were busy staying wordless and drinking each other's juices.

"Aji is my only son. As a parent, I wish my child the best. Likewise about the problem of choosing a wife.

"I don't know why the girl I chose to marry Aji betrayed her. One thing it adds up to is the problem of finding a replacement bride because the invitation is spread. However, why can you choose Aji from so many girls out there?"

The word of the girl spoken by Mama Aji was given emphasis just like that. Naswa's heart began to rebel to feel. The woman knew she was not a girl anymore.

"Especially when you were honest with your flaws last night. I don't know why the stupid impression is getting bigger. From the first look, I actually liked you, but it seems that your shortcomings were able to tear down the previously reasonable admiration.

"So, I just wanted to ask you two things. One, why do you choose to be honest about your shortcomings? Two, why did something bad happen to you?"

Naswa did not bow, although the net looked soft. The woman was still staring at Mama Aji's face which was a little friendlier than last night. For a moment, he was stunned and thought to find a suitable sentence to be the answer.

"I just want to get married on the basis of accepting each other's shortcomings. So I'd better be honest with the flaws."

"Stupid!"

Mama Aji glanced at Naswa and then threw her face back. The middle-aged woman did not understand the woman's line of thought before her. The remarks he was pointing at did not match the slowly tapped heart.

Inwardly, Mama Aji praised Naswa's courage to be honest. However, he did not dare to conclude and preferred to re-test the woman's stubbornness. Now, it looks Naswa who is still with his friendly face.

"What's the answer to the second question?"

"I don't know. Maybe the path of life that must be taken is like this. Although I cried, but still everything could not be changed. I'm not a girl anymore."

Now the two Naswa netra began to shed tears. Mama Aji threw away her face. He didn't know why his heart was starting to stir.

"alright. Up here our meeting."

"I'm saying goodbye, Mom."

Naswa said while kissing the back of Mama Aji's hand. The woman leaves the cafe with the shadows of the past still haunting. He could not forget every act Rehan had done.

***

"Dadji!" Mama Aji said as she looked at her only son.

"What's up, Ma?"

The craving that was lodging in the middle-aged woman's heart had yet to come out. Mama Aji is still busy fighting with her mind and ego. However, after sighing out came a sentence that made Aji flabbergasted.

"Mama blessed your marriage with Naswa."

A line of sentences earlier was able to make Aji fixated. He does not feel deaf. However, why could his mother change in such a way. Different from last night who had opposed his decision.

"Mama, why?" tanya Aji tried to hide her excitement.

"Mama bless. You don't need to know the reason. Later tonight we go to Naswa's house."

"Thank you, Ma!"

Aji exclaimed as she hugged the old body in front of her. Mama Aji smiled at the happiness of her son. The activity lasted a little longer.

"Mama blesses this marriage as long as ...."

TBCS!

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