Not the Story of Siti Nurbaya

The Prayer (But) Accrued

Syifa was happy to see Mommy smiling to accompany Zikra's departure. After a storm of sadness that comes crashing down. But the look in his eyes changed sharply, when the clockwise direction had pointed to the number eleven nights past thirty minutes. The man who married her eighteen years ago has not yet returned. Worries also come. Afraid something bad might happen to her. In silence the beautiful woman prayed. Begging for safety for her husband who is far in the eye.

The roar of Dad's motorcycle rang out in front of the fence. The sound of the gate creaking opened, following the sound of a motorbike entering. Sontak anxiety Bunda vanished. In a hurry he opened the door. Welcomed warmly.

Syifa who was still awake in her room was happy. He did not come out to welcome Father. He did not move from his bed. Stay in the room wrapped in a thick blanket. Then fall asleep in the dream crib.

For the past few days, the car that Dad used to go to the office was never seen again in the garage of the house. Only Dad's butut duck motorcycle is left. While Mother's metic motorcycle was aged a month ago for Syifa school fees.

I don't know why the financial condition of the Syifa family seems to be on the tip of the horn. Since Uwa died Dad's work was fucked up. Mother suddenly opened a business at home collecting rupiah that was not worth the expectations.

Syifa often asked Mother, about the financial condition of the family that suddenly became chaotic. But Mother never took it clearly. Mother only gives analogics that must be solved to get answers. Then a conclusion can be solved. Dad got fired from his job.

There was nothing Syifa could do to overcome the family's financial difficulties. He could only limit his allowance independently. Sometimes he does the Sunnah fast Monday-Thursday. In addition to minimizing his finances, he also got the reward of having done the practice of sunna.

Occasionally Zikra comes to the house with a wet cake favorite of Father and Mother. Don't forget Ade's favorite vanilla ice cream. As for Syifa there is none. Because he knew the girl never liked what she was carrying. Although Syifa and Zikra were married, both lived in their own homes. The intensity of their meetings was very rare. Not to interfere with Syifa's school activities.

"Son Zikra, my father took Syifa" the man told his son-in-law on a clear afternoon.

The young man scrunched his eyebrows. Trying to reason every word that slides from his father-in-law.

"Nattle?"

"Yes. I believe in Nak Zikra being able to take good care of Syifa," the man's eyes looked wistful and wet. "if Father and Mother are not here protect him. He's a little stubborn but very fragile."

Zikra was silent at Dad's words.

Syifa secretly eavesdropped on the conversation between the father-in-law and the son-in-law from behind the bedroom door.

"Where are you going?" search Zikra curious.

"After Syifa's school graduation, Dad plans to work in Batam. It just so happens that my friend has a company there. And he asked Dad to work for his company" he explained.

Syifa was stunned to know of Dad's plan. He changed his body position. Then lean his back behind the door.

What's wrong with Dad? Why is talking like that the same?

Syifa grunted softly.

After dinner, Father asked all the family members; mother and Syifa. Ade Minus. Because the boy did not understand the direction of the adult's conversation. They gather in the family room. There's something important that Dad wants to say.

The hue of tension was clearly visible on Syifa's face. Especially after hearing Father and Zikra talk yesterday. There was a concern of its own haunting his mind. Unlike the Mother who looks more calm.

Syifa's guess was right. Father expressed his plans to stay in Batam. There is no such thing as a father if you live there. Simple reason. Syifa already has a life companion, Zikra.

"Didn't I promise you before Uwa died. If marriage isn't real, it's temporary, isn't it, Dad?" sugat Syifa.

"Yes. But on the fact that your marriage is real, and sharia according to Islamic law," explained Dad trying hard.

Syifa.

"Yes already. Then Cipa asked Zikra to divorce Cipa, "he said quickly.

"No, it can be Cipa. Because God hates him. And will close the gates of heaven for you. However, your marriage is sacred."

Syifa's body drooped weakly until it fell under the sofa. Then he knelt at Father's feet asking for mercy.

"Dad, plis ... don't stay in Cipa alone here," he said. Twisting his body, kneeling before his mother. "Mother please persuade Dad to bring Cipa along."

The woman just cried hearing her daughter's plea. There was nothing he could do, even if it was just to cheer him up.

Syifa cried all night. Until his eyes are puffy.

In the morning at school. All of Syifa's friends were astonished to see her slightly swollen eyes. His face looks very sad too. Like a cloud that will soon rain.

Nadya hugged Syifa tightly on the school park bench, after hearing all the stories from her. He could not provide a solution as usual. For now, the problems Syifa faces are very complicated.

"Gue always hoped, what I experienced was just a sleeping flower. When I wake up, everything will be normal as usual" said Syifa Parau while occasionally wiping her tears with her palms.

"But, the fact ..everything is like a nightmare turned into reality."

"Patiently Pa. I'm sure every problem has a silver lining."

"You're just talking easy, Nad. To make it hard."

Nadya was silent without speaking.

"Gue just hope, so that my UN results do not pass. And my SMPTN did not pass," he said coldly.

"Elo, how is that? Can't know. That is prayer."

"Yes I know. I think only then, I have a reason to come with my family to Batam."

"Oh my goodness Pa. Istigfar."

Syifa cried bitterly.

"Come dong, Pa. Don't despair like that. Sure enough to stay with the Elo family until anytime." Nadya's voice rang out to hold her cry. "gue sure elo can move on, just like when elo was heartbroken, because of the Angga's mischievous."

"That's different, Nad," he said on his sobs. "gue might be able to move on from the Angga, because he was just someone else. Just like I've been with me since I was a kid."

"But you have a husband. Hence bokap elo sincerely ninggalin elo with him."

Syifa's throat was blocked and unable to make a sound.

"Trust me, you're a good man. He'll be able to make life as comfortable as possible."

Syifa hugged Nadya again. She shed all her tears in the arms of her friend.

*

Graduation announcement day arrives. All XII students in each department gathered in the school field. The headmaster gave a speech about the graduation achieved by all his students. After that, students are welcome to open the white envelope that each student has been holding. Cheers of joy blaring. They graduate. Laughter and haru blend into one coloring day.

With the exception of Syifa. The girl drooped down on the court. He was crying so much. Wept over his graduation day.

Nadya held Syifa in her arms. Motivating to stay strong in facing reality. But the girl could not get up to accept the reality. It was as if all his hopes were dashed.

Syifa sat on the bench of the bus stop that was starting to sit down. His white shirt almost lost his identity, due to scribbles from the piloks spray from his friends as a graduation day celebration.

The girl's gaze was hollow. All his dreams achieve happiness with loved ones. One by one it was as if they were going away from him.

All this time he has painstakingly set the heart after being betrayed by Angga. Wishing that pain was the last. But it has not healed old wounds. Now comes new pain mixed with fear. Fear of heartbreaking solitude. He was truly afraid of losing his family's warm affection.

Not long ago. Zikra came on his motorcycle. After dropping off his motorcycle in a safe place. The young man sat beside Syifa.

"Why did you ask me to meet you all of a sudden?" toodong.

Syifa. Staring coldly.

"Gue asked us for a divorce" he said quickly.

Zikra frowned.

"Why?"

"Because I think only in this way, I can stay with my family" he replied. Wet eyes.

"But .. can't be that easy ..."

"Gue give me two days to think." Syifa inched from her seat after seeing the angkot stop in front of the stop. Without waiting for her husband to convey her thoughts, the girl left with her grief in her heart.

Zikra was at a loss for words to refute his wife's request. He was stunned staring at the angkot who was carrying his girl away. Only the sound of a long breath could come out of his nostrils.

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