SECOND MAHLIGAI

Chapter 3 - The Memory of the Father

Aslan who does not really understand the problems and nature of adults choose to complete his work so that the mother can immediately clean up and rest.

After the water boiled and the mother went into the bathroom to clean herself. Aslan returns to her room to finish her schoolwork.

Before long sayup - sayup adzan maghrib heard in Aslan's ear. The little man, almost nine years old, put down his pencil and closed his book. He shifted the chair he was sitting on, reaching for his sarong and coffee to leave for a surau not far from his home.

“Mah, I go to the mosque first!” aslan shouted from the front door. Hurry up he grabbed his bike and pedaled slowly so as not to fall.

While Sasi who was in the room only raised her chin slightly to hear the cry of the child.

“Can't, don't scream. Habit!” exclaim Sasi while grunting.

Sasi who turned out to be the arrival of her monthly guests chose to cook directly for dinner. Sasi actually wants to be like friends - friends of other drivers who can work until night. Because if the night of food orders must be very crowded. But if he spends all his time working then how can he take care of the child. Sasi who did not want Aslan to feel indifferent to choose to find other sustenance, such as yesterday received an order of yellow rice and thank God the results are quite satisfactory.

“Assalamualaikum!” shouted Aslan.

“Waalaikumsalam!” reply the mother is no less excited.

Aslan who smelled the smell of the world's most delicious cuisine immediately rushed in without caring about his bike that was just loosened.

“Hum, really scented!” exclaiming Aslan who immediately got a sharp gaze from the mother.

“Surely the bike was put incorrectly.”

“Ngaktung if it smells Mama's cooking,” Aslan smiled widely and immediately hugged the mother did not forget the kiss on the right and left cheek was embedded so beautiful, making Sasi the mother laughed with carelessness.

“Already, ih. No shame, it's big, Lan.”

“Leave it, Mama Aslan herself. If it wasn't Aslan, who would kiss? ucup?”

“Yah kok ucup anyway, ucup will have his mother.”

Aslan laughed loudly while releasing his embrace on the body of the mother the little hand grabbed the chair and pulled it.

“But Aslan is sure, one day there must be someone who will kiss Mama besides me,”.

Sasi stared at the child's astonishment as he furrowed his eyebrows, “Who?”

“Stupid Mom, who else!” aslan.

Sasi who heard the words of the child was shocked. Why could Aslan think that way. All this time his favorite son never once talked about a soul mate or rather father connect for him.

“Indeed who wants?” sasi asked while spooning the rice onto Aslan's plate.

“Mama is beautiful, and the only one is the prettiest.”

Sasi who heard that laughed amusedly. Aslan who was cold towards women could say that to her. Whether the child has learned to be a teenager in general, thought Sasi.

“Since when, this cold Aslan smart seduce?” Sasi pinched Aslan's cheek.

The menu is made by the mother, Aslan greedy to toilet. Although only vegetable kale and tempe fried but for Aslan this simple food will continue to be a memory that the mother always takes care of it well using her own two hands. The absence of the father does not mean he does not feel lacking. However, because Sasi the mother can always meet the affection and almost overflow if it can be described.

After finishing eating. Aslan, as usual, helped the mother clean the dinner table and wash the dishes so that tomorrow could relax a little and can do other work.

Sasi always taught Aslan. That man can not only find money. However, homework should also be able to do everything well. And no less important, do not rely on fellow humans because only the wounds you get. The message that Sasi always echoed in Aslan's ears every day.

“Aslan,” gently call the mother.

Aslan who was about to put her back on her study chair turned her head towards the door of the room.

“Ya, Mah?”

“Starting tomorrow Mama will receive several more rice box orders. So can you take care of yourself, maybe before 6 am Mama is no longer home. Maybe the day after tomorrow Mama will start it, thank God earlier Madam Dewi said that the office where her friend worked needed rice boxes for the construction workers.”

“Why should a rice box, Mah. Mama can make more cake. It's lighter ‘kan?”

“But the goods already no Lan. Mama needs capital to buy equipment and tools - supporting tools,” he said. Aslan could only sigh seeing the mother grieve.

“Sorry yes, Mah. Because Aslan Mama had to lose a lot of things at the age of Mama who was young. Even to this day the title of bachelor Mama still can not Mama use.”

“Not used, Lan. But~~

“But because it was seized by Father ‘kan?”

Sasi fell silent. Why could Aslan say that, he thought.

“Not be so, dear. But it is Mama ~~

“Mama doesn't have to lie anymore. Aslan knows kok.”

Sasi sighed, “Where do you know?” ask the mother.

“Because in the file that Mama has there is not all that. Not even a mama's High School diploma is there, where else if not the father of the culprit. Last year when Grandpa and Grandma took me to Jakarta. Aslan overheard Grandpa say a lot about Mama. From there Aslan also knew if Dad ..”

“If it wasn't for your son cheating and having a child with Ranti, now Aslan would be with us. He was too stupid just because he seduced the matre woman he left Sasi who clearly gave a smart boy like him.”

The memory of his grandfather's words flashed back in his ears. It was as if the voice was echoing all over his body.

“Aslan!” call the mother who sees the child silent and down.

“You heard what?” ask Sasi to know.

Aslan pulled her head to look at the mother full of sadness. He did not understand why the father he was so proud of and loved could hurt his mother's heart and body like this. If a relationship starts with loving each other alone can hurt each other what if otherwise. Aslan really did not understand why the father who seemed to love the mother so much could do so.

Aslam pulled the mother's hand. He rubbed the back of the hand that felt a little rough on the contrary it was slowly.

"Aslan heard nothing, for Aslan it was useless. Not important. Because for Aslan, it's just Mama's smile that matters."