Renjana Dusk Kala

Chapter 48. Bah Loen Peupah Hatee Nyo Dilee

Bah Loen Peupah Hatee Nyo Dilee

(Let me make sure this heart first - Aceh-language)

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Jakarta

Pocktail

He was folding his face after performing the prayer of the bakda maghrib. When the phone stored in the bag vibrates a sign there is an incoming call.

But he didn't lift it. Prefer to move to store mukena, which has been folded neatly into a storage cabinet.

He also had time to tidy up a number of other mucena stored carelessly. Not even folded at all. Stacked irregularly in the closet.

Before finally taking the phone. Even though you have to bother reaching for the contents of the bag. There is almost no empty space left. Because it has been filled with brown uniform folds. Unknowingly managed to lure a long sigh. Remembering the owner of the uniform.

1 new message

+62811211311: 'I am in the mosque.'

A long breath immediately escaped. And from where he now stands, behind the window of the mosque. His eyes began to browse the hallway, looking for the figure of Tama.

The atmosphere of this afternoon mosque is very crowded. Many people want to enter the mosque or go out. Including a number of children who cheerfully follow the steps of their parents. Also the manager of the mosque is busy arranging food to break the fast in one corner of the corridor.

He almost turned his eyes to the phone screen. Intended to reply to Tama's message, but urung when his eyes caught a flash of Tama's shadow in the crowd.

He was seen talking to some men. Two of them were in chocolate uniforms. Make him undo the intention to get close. Prefer to take a cell phone. Means to check the message sent to the mother's number, whether it has been read or not.

He immediately smiled when he found the writing of 2 new messages appearing on the phone screen.

Mamak: 'Be careful on the road.'

Earlier before taking the water, he had asked permission for mamak to go home late. Because there's business to be done.

His forehead suddenly frowned considering the reason he made himself. Hopefully not including lying.

Mamak: 'Mama, when to go home?'

The second message must be from Sasa. He smiled to himself as he typed in a reply message.

Pocut: 'In shaytah, Mak.'

Pocut: 'A little while more.'

Shortly thereafter, a message reply appeared.

Mamak: 'Strawberry milk tip yes, Ma.'

Mamak : 'Two.'

Mom : Me too, Mom. Moka's flavors.'

It must be Umay's writing.

Pocut. : 'Yes.'

Pocut.: 'What do you think grandma should do?'

He was waiting for a reply from Sasa and Umay. When the window glass on which his back rests is tapped several times.

He turned his head. It turned out that Tama was knocking on the window glass.

Tama's mouth komat kamit signaled the word, 'Udah?'

He nodded. Along with the vibration of the phone in the grasp.

Mamak: 'Abang sama granny is not tipped.'

In a hurry he took the time to type a reply.

Pocut. : 'Yes.'

Then hurriedly put the phone in the bag. Then move out. Meet Tama who has been waiting in the hallway.

"Eat first." Tama lifted two boxes of food with the logo of a leading fast food restaurant. The fast menu is provided for free at this mosque. As it looks stacked on one of the tables. Where all pilgrims are free to take it.

"Newly drink water the same as dates, right?" Tama added. Maybe because of the doubt on his face.

As soon as the azan maghrib reverberated, they rushed to the nearest mosque. It was only a few dozen meters ahead.

Some of the managers of the mosque, immediately invited them to take a certificate that had been prepared in the hall.

Two long tables, each near the entrance for the male and female pilgrims, seemed to be filled with various menus. He had seen bottled mineral water, tea in packs, dates wrapped per three seeds, compotes, and wet pastries.

He only had time to take a small bottle of mineral water and a packet of dates. Just to cancel the fast. Before performing the prayer maghrib.

Tama looked at him as he pulled out a box of food. "Or do you want to break the fast outside? We can select the menu. I know the place of mak ...."

His forehead is shrinking. And his hand immediately stretched out to take the box from Tama's hand.

Smiling looking at his behavior. He hurriedly turned his eyes in the other direction.

"Where do you eat?" Tama Gumam. Look at the whole corner of the crowded hallway. There is almost no comfortable place left. Just a little empty space in the middle of the hallway. It also scattered. Or join someone else.

"Whatever."

Tama looked towards him. Before stepping towards the middle of the corridor that has a fairly free area. It was quite a distance from the pair of young people on the right side. And a mother with her two sons on the left.

"Here?" Tama turned back.

But he didn't answer. Because he was sitting on the floor.

"Well, there's no drink yet" Tama muttered as she opened the box. Which turned out to only contain rice, chicken, and sachetan sauce.

"I'll take a minute."

But before moving on, Tama turned her head back towards him. "Mineral water or tea?"

"Mineral water" he answered quickly. Why should I ask for this? His complaints don't believe.

While waiting for Tama who was taking mineral water. He spread his gaze around the hallway.

On the right side was a pair of young men. Being engrossed in enjoying food from in colorful plastic containers brand name. Which he followed a few years ago. But at the ends, the container just ends up being a display. Stored neatly in the living room buffet.

"Please ...." The soft-faced girl who was about the same age as Anjani stuck a green box on her. "Maybe try."

He smiled looking at the box containing several pieces of risoles now stored in front of him.

"Thank you. But I already have food," he replied as he lifted Tama's feeding box.

"This is made by my wife" continued the young man. "More learning to cook. How do you know Aunt wants to be the judge."

"Oh, Aa ...." The soft-faced girl pushed the young man's shoulder slowly. "Don't tell dong, I'll be embarrassed."

He laughed at the behavior of both of them.

"New bride?" Guess it while smiling. Because there can be no pair of young people who have not been halal calling the name of wife, then both-duaan in the mosque.

But his heart was immediately choked. Just be right. He and Tama are also a pair of strangers who are not halal. But you can sit both in the hallway. No. gabe.

The pair of young people in front of him nodded in embarrassment.

"It's only a week before Ramadan" replied the polite young man.

"Well, congratulations." He smiled back. "May be a sakinah family, mawaddah, warahmah."

"Amale ...." Answer the young in unison. "Thank you."

"Please try." The young man before him again pushed the green-colored box towards him.

Just as Tama walked over while carrying two bottles of mineral water.

"Well, what's that?" Tama asked who was sitting next to her.

"Risoles, Um. My wife who is learning to cook. Please try," replied the young man kindly.

Tama could look at him. But he pretended to duck.

"You ... Are you dating at the mosque again?"

Tama's question surprised her.

"You've said risoles made by my wife?" Gerrutu. Didn't expect Tama to ask in a cornering style. They both are also ....

Tama chuckled, "Oh yeah, yeah."

Fortunately, the young people in front of them were not offended. The young man even laughed with Tama.

"I have a sister your age" Tama said as she turned to him. "Marriage is also."

The young man smiled.

The young man then mentioned the name of the same campus as Anjani.

"Well, same dong," cried Tama cheerfully. "My sister was there too. Take what?"

Tama and the young man began to engage in a quite exciting conversation. While he just threw each other a smile with the girl.

"May I try" said Tama while picking up a piece of risoles.

"Please, Om. Please ...." The young man invited.

"For two yes ... same MasterChef." Tama chuckled while cutting the risoles into two halves. Making stuffing in the form of boiled eggs, sausages, and smoked meat almost spilled. Tama's fingers and palms were filled with melted mayonnaise.

He immediately took a tissue from inside the bag. Pulling several sheets at once. Unknowingly rubbed it into the palm of Tama's hand affected by mayonnaise.

"A cook's aunt, Om?" Asked the young man regardless of his hassles to help clean Tama's fingers.

"Banget," Tama replied as she glanced at him.

He immediately gasped. I realized I was doing something ridiculous. Making him hurriedly release the tissue into Tama's palm. Pretending that nothing ever happened.

"All of his cooking is ...." Tama turned back to her. "Definitely delicious. It doesn't feel like it's either."

This was the first time he sneered in front of Tama.

"Well, then can you try, Om?" The happy young man.

He was still looking down pretending to keep a tissue in a bag. When without any warning, Tama feeds the risoles that have been cut into her mouth.

"Jn ...." He wanted to protest, but inevitably swallowed the risoles that were bribed by Tama.

"No boy?" Tama asked with a sinless face. While putting another piece of risoles into his own mouth.

He chews risoles with a cobbled heart.

"Lumayan," muttered Tama while chewing. "If you think?"

He must swallow the risoles that have been chewed first with a strangled neck. Before answering quietly, "Enak ...."

Although according to his tongue, risoles skin feels less soft. Maybe because the mixture of sago flour or maizenya less. Or it may be due to using too much egg whites.

The texture of the bread flour was also too rough. It is a bit annoying when chewed. It might be more delicious if you use soft-textured bread flour.

But for the size of people who are just learning to cook, these risoles include delicious.

"Enak said." Tama gave a thumbs up to the young people in front of them. Followed by the girl's shy smile and the young man's carefree laugh.

"Thank you, Om." The young man smiled happily.

"What was his name?" Ask Tama. Without permission to pull a piece of tissue from his hand. Then start rubbing the former risoles oil attached to the hand.

He could only sigh in disbelief seeing Tama's courage act so towards him.

"I'm Farras. If the wife ... Mumtaz," answered Farras, grabbing Mumtaz's shoulder, who blushed in embarrassment.

"Om the same aunt?" Farras continued unexpectedly. "The kids aren't invited?"

 ---------

He chewed rice and chicken while looking down. But from the corner of the eye know for sure if Tama is smiling amusedly see it.

Farras's question about the children immediately made him choke. Especially when Tama answered calmly, "Yes."

His neck is getting choked. Tissue in her grip almost fell down so much. While Tama with a sinless face was chuckling with Farras.

"Don't be angry" whispered Tama.

He looked at Tama in disbelief. But Tama smiled.

"I'm not lying, am I? The kids are at home with their grandmother."

"That's my kids" he said back down. "Not an ...." But not continuing the sentence. Because it feels bad to say.

"My son is also at home with his grandmother" Tama said. "Ult ...."

He looked at Tama. But hurriedly looked down. Try to finish the rice quickly.

"I've told Cakra," Tama's mutterings this time managed to surprise him.

"Died asking for your mother's blessing ...." Tama continued while looking at him. "Sori ... your mother-in-law ...."

He stopped the chaw. But I could only shut up without saying a word. Looking at Tama who was also staring at him.

"Isn't it too soon?" Restless while lowering his gaze. "We don't know each other yet."

"Nothing I'm hiding" Tama replied. "You've also met my son and ex, haven't you?"

He took a long breath. Then blow it slowly. Stare at the rice inside the half-remaining box.

"I'm just a villager" he said while remaining down.

"Never been to high school," he continued, recalling the series of degrees he had read while in the workspace Tama.

"I'm looking for a wife, not a private secretary" Tama said.

"My son is a lot. And there's a kid who doesn't like it when I'm approached by a guy."

Tama smiled. "My son is just one. But our relationship is bad. Surely he will not like .. if I am close to a woman other than his mother. Even though we're both separated."

He took a long breath. "My past was pretty dark ...."

Tama. "Everybody has a past. I have a past too."

"But my past is different from most people." He dared to look at Tama.

Look back at him. "About your deceased husband .. whose son is Hamzah Isaac?"

"I've heard the real story" Tama said quickly. "No problem with that."

He shook. "It's about .. my family."

Tama looks to wait.

And he had to take a deep breath first before saying, "My father and brother were shot for being considered spies ...."

"My second gate ...." He choked before continuing the sentence. "Choose to join GNM ... and ...."

"That's the past, Pocut .. the past ...." Tama smiled soothingly. "We live in a different era. Don't torture yourself by being tied to the past."

"But my past .. might complicate Mas's position as ...."

"Because I'm a country man, is that it?" Tama shook her head, "No. .. not difficult at all."

"There's nothing to worry about" Tama said quickly. "And I just want to ask for one thing."

He looked at Tama not understanding.

"Please open your heart to me." Tama smiled. "Don't avoid it anymore."

"That's it."

"Other business leave it to me. Let me finish."

"Because I've decided to move forward. And it won't turn around again."

"You just have to wait. Until I come ...."

"I'll definitely be here soon. As soon as."

"Can you do it?"

"For me?"

"I want to make sure of this. Before you meet your mother-in-law."

"Before meeting my son ... The design."

"And before meeting the most formidable of mama's guards ... Icad."

His heart melted many times hearing everything Tama said. While his ears hear the sounds of recitation of the Qur'an coming from Farras and Mumtaz. Also whining two boys who constantly ask his mother. And muttered the other congregation around the passage.

The eyes of the two of them were still clinging to each other. When Farras chanted a very touching verse.

"Faidza azamta fatawakkal 'allah .. innallaha yuhibbul mutawakkilin ...." ©

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Remarks :

©. : That is, : Then when you have resolved, trust in God. Indeed, Allah loves a man of trust (QS Ali Imran 159)