Not the Story of Siti Nurbaya

A Hope

Syifa is awake. The night was silent. Mother fell asleep after pouring out all her feelings for Syifa. Although the girl did not understand the purpose of the mother's words.

The person who had earlier recited the holy verses of the Qur’an from inside Uwa's room was not heard. The sound of people chatting in the living room was already silent. The living room, which had been filled with children watching television since late afternoon, now left an unusual view. A sight he had never seen before.

A group of people sleeping on the floor, just carpeted rough. They are lined up not necessarily direction. Like a bunch of salted fish that are drying in the sun. Maybe they did not go to the room, because the only empty room in Uwa's house, already occupied Syifa and his family.

Occasionally there was a loud snoring sound, as if able to break the silence of the night. The sound of frog singing seemed to be earthy with the humming sound of crickets. Syifa took a long breath. Look at the tired faces lying under his feet. Of course they're tired of taking care of Uwa. And tired of crying for old women whose lives are on the verge of death.

Syifa went into the kitchen to get a drink. After wetting his throat, he returned to his room. Suddenly he stopped, when he saw the door of Uwa's room that was slightly open. Then he decided to close the door.

Again, he snags. When I saw Dad sitting on the bedside chair of Uwa. His eyes are tired and puffy. His eyes kept on the pale face before him. Both of his hands were unceasingly stroking the wrinkled hands that had once fed him. The hand that used to give her a soft caress.

I was surprised to see Syifa coming. Her small smile was bitter. It implies deep sadness.

“Dad not slept?” tegur Syifa.

“Dad can not sleep, and will not be able to sleep before Uwa healthy,” he said.

“But, yeah ..”

“Sstt! Already, you better go to sleep. Dad's okay. After all, when I sleep, I get worried, afraid Uwa wakes up and needs something, no one knows. While others have fallen asleep all.”

Syifa. He understood what Dad meant.

“Dad. For tomorrow's problems ..” the girl did not dare to continue her remarks.

“Do not think.”

A breath of fresh wind was blowing through Syifa's heart. She thought her wedding plans would be cancelled tomorrow. A smile also poked at the end of his lips.

“Everything has been arranged the same Encang Madih and Encang Sholeh,” said Dad successfully destroyed Syifa's smile. The fresh wind that Syifa felt immediately turned into a hot, arid desert wind. “makanya, now you sleep. So that tomorrow morning can wake up more fresh.”

Syifa immediately left, returning to her room.

Grandma or Uwa, a typical call for older people. Not all countries use the same language. But, that's the name that is often spoken in the hometown of Father. The woman, who is more than half a century old, has been sick for five years. Until he was hospitalized.

However, for this time Uwa refused to be taken to the hospital, with reasons arguably trivial. That is, he was worried that all his children and grandchildren could not accompany him freely. Different when treated at home. There are no barriers or binding rules. If he were to die, he would sincerely take his last breath in the midst of all his children and grandchildren.

As a result, with makeshift equipment the old woman lived the rest of her breath. Waiting for something long awaited. In silence he hoped to see before the angel of death completely uprooted his soul from the crown.

A little sleep makes Syifa's head a little dizzy. He felt he had just fallen asleep, but the night had already rushed to the morning. After waking up and performing all the morning rituals, do not forget the morning prayers. He went to the kitchen.

Uwa House is very crowded with all activities of mothers. Some are busy washing dishes, cooking fried rice, weeding vegetables, some are even busy feeding toddlers who suddenly pup. Not to mention the sound of scolding that feels deafening, adding to the crowd that exceeds the market.

Syifa grunted heavily. Strange sight. Suddenly he missed the morning atmosphere in his quiet home. Even though sometimes Mother's voice breaks, nagging like the sound of a new year's trumpet, because she woke up late in the morning.

“E-eh! The bride-to-be cannot enter the kitchen,” said Cang Rosyidah, wife of Cang Sholeh, when Syifa wants to help the working mothers.

“Why?” tanyanya.

“Later cooking enggak mateng-mateng,” sahut women fifty years more it.

Myths that are very trusted in the village of Father, when there is a bride to come to the kitchen, especially to touch the ingredients in the kitchen, are believed to interfere with the cooking process. Either be long mature, or even not mature alias still raw.

“Udah sono bride, sitting sweetly in front. Nungguin aja mateng cuisine,” timpal Cang Saroh, wife of Cang Madih.

Mother pushes the body of her daughter, who in a matter of hours will leave her teenage years. The woman's face looks pale without powder coating. But it looks tougher than last night. It seems he can already accept the reality.

Still fresh Syifa recalls how Mother refused her marriage. He was willing to argue with Dad to undo his intentions. Actually, he had objected to the princess's matchmaking plan from the beginning. But she was forced to agree because her marriage would take place after Syifa was ready to go to the household.

While at this time, let alone be ready to sail the household ark. Preparing mentally facing Syifa's graduation exam has been shattering, looking for a professional stand to help him absorb the material to be tested. Although he did not expect to get a perfect score, at least the submissive girl could

earned his graduation diploma this year because he was aware of his standardized abilities. Not very clever, but not stupid and idiotic as well.

Finally, the Mother's defensive wall collapsed and was willing to budge. Reasons that cannot be tolerated. The request of the person who is at the end of the sakaratul death, must be carried out in order to facilitate the path to nature there. Mother was crying so much. Weep for the fate of our beloved daughter. Although it was unfair to him, that was what he had to live with. Sooner or later, the girl will get married.

If only my age could go back to my childhood. Maybe I don't need to be this sad. sad to see the scenery covered with eternal blankets. Weep for the fate of the self who cannot choose between yes and no.

Mothers are busy with their tasks in the kitchen. The fathers also did not lose the trouble. Cleaning the house and rolling out the carpet in the room was done by Cang Madih, and Cang Idris, the other brother of Father. Every now and then they have to nag the boys not understanding anything, running around

disrupted work.

The wedding that is soon to be held, is only closed. Attended by close relatives and some neighbors. There are no fancy parties. Or a beautiful chair. Everything is simple and family self-help.

Cang sholeh went to tell the village amil who served as the ruler. Then pick him up

come to walimatul arusy's house.

A bride-to-be carrying her linen equipment entered Syifa's room, sitting the girl in a chair facing the mirror. After that the woman who is expert to change every face with her makeup tools like a witch. So good to use his combat tools like soldiers who are competing in

battlefield.

Syifa just fell silent enjoying every single brush stroke that swept her face with powder and other makeup. But deep down it felt like a knife incision that hurt every inch of his heart. It felt like he was screaming, yelling the heart of his helpless heart. But the tongue is too weak to speak, to pour out its heart to anyone. Only Nadya understood the most every sigh of her breath. Honey, now the curly-haired girl is not with him. He was far away there.

Syifa tightly grasped all her fingers to vent her endless heartache and uneasiness. In his heart he hoped that all this was just a dream. He would wake up and forget this nightmare. He took a long breath.

　

　

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