Seikhlas Clouds Accompany Rain

Memories on the climbing path

It was a sunny Sunday, when the sunlight began to warm the earth. Qonni was in the garden in front of his house. Caring for a plant that is now his friend alone.

After watering it with water, the woman with the black instant hijab shears the yellowed leaves.

"Sir, it's getting hot outside." Aida exclaimed from the doorway of the room to sew it. Since then, Qonni has not moved from his place.

"Yes, Mom. A little more, really," said Qonni without looking. His hands still continued to cut one by one dry leaves with a slow movement.

"Say, Miss Nyai Nur wants to pick you up. Mending get ready, gih."

"Ummi here he finished Dzuhur, ma'am."

"Oh, no matter now. Yes, I ate gih. You haven't had breakfast, you know."

The woman who did not look back did not answer. Now he was daydreaming for a time, when he and Aaron climbed Mount Semeru even though it did not reach the top and only reached Ranu Kumbolo.

# The flashback

The journey that the couple had apparently dreamed of finally came. With physical preparation for more than a month, and also luggage, they are ready to climb through the path of Ranu Pani, Tumpang.

There, they're not just the two of you. But there were about ten people, three of whom were women. Yes, so there were three married couples including Aaron and Qonni. They are encouraged to use a jeeb vehicle until they get to Ranu Pani at half-time at seven in the morning. Keep in mind, the group had indeed arrived in Malang the previous day.

They deliberately stayed at the inn first, because the climbing path closed at 4 pm. At once, rest for the sake of increasing stamina after a trip away from Jakarta.

After getting a briefing on the situation and tips for preparing mentally as a climber who will conquer Mahameru. At the same time check the goods, they also rest for a while while enjoying snacks such as instant noodles in cups, bread, fried foods and so forth.

"Well, you're ready, right?" Aaron asked, handing over the torn bread he had opened for Qonni.

"Russia, dong. Look, I'm really excited. Anyway, it's gotta get to the top."

Aaron smiled. "Until the peak of Semeru is not easy."

"Yes, is it?" He asked as he pointed the bread with both hands near Aaron's lips, which the man immediately bit him before nodding.

"We just climb as we can. Especially, we-we're the ones who brought the couple."

"Emang as heavy as that path?"

"Brach, Bii." Aaron rubbed Qonni's lips with his thumb.

"I certainly, can. I try not to bother A'a." The woman grinned, before putting the last piece into her husband's mouth. Because everything on the list of his entourage has started to stand.

"Ngerepotin is also not papa. I'm at risk of bringing you here." Aaron moved from his seat, then reached out to his wife. "So, I must take full responsibility for your condition."

The woman with the milk-brown hijab smiled widely, while appreciating Aaron's swift hand grasping it tightly while pulling him up.

"Let's go, if you're tired, say yes."

"Yes, By."

Their footsteps began to swing. The group's climbing starting point is Ranu Pani, Tumpang, passing through the residents' plantation by paved road to the final gate at the foot of Mount Semeru about 500 meters ahead.

As their final gate passed, the previously paved road changed into a paving block. Adrenaline Qonni started racing at that time. Leisurely without the slightest rush they enjoyed the time during the climb.

"Where, still okay?" Aaron asked with a laugh looking at Qonni who was starting to fret.

"Okay!" the answer is raspy with the thumb and and index finger forming a circle.

"Eagerness, Honey. It's still a long way off. There's not half of it yet."

The total distance from Ranu Pani to Landengan Dowo is 3.5 KM. Or on average it takes 1.5 to 2 hours for a relaxing climb. Relax, they stopped many times to rest.

From Landengan Dowo to Watu Rejeng, the hiking trail has begun to enter the forest. It took the same time to arrive at Watu Rejeng. Although it had begun to feel the atmosphere of the forest, the path could still be categorized as an easy path. Aaron with digital prayer beads on the right finger incessantly read dhikr while rubbing his wife's hand that he held using the left hand.

Here the cold temperature has begun to feel even though it has not made their bodies shiver. Along this path, they will also pass ‘Cinta’ Bridge, a small bridge over a river or river.

"Bii, you're cold, aren't you?"

Qonni nodded. He really felt tired. But it's still safe. His smile is still visible. It also signifies that everything is fine. Aaron felt calm.

After a total climb of Mount Semeru for approximately 4 hours, or 2 hours from Watu Rejeng, their group arrived at Ranu Kumbolo. Ranu Kumbolo itself has been very popular beauty, even abroad though.

Many fellow climbers at that time who only climbed Mount Semeru to visit Ranu Kumbolo, did not get to the peak of Mahameru.

So too with Aaron's company. Which was intended to climb only to reach the lake.

Right now they were resting for a while before building a tent like the others on the edge of a beautiful and calm lake.

Aaron laid his body on the green grass with his breath still up and down. As for Qonni did not want to sleep like her husband because many men in that place.

"We're at the top?" Qonni asked innocently which made Aaron laugh while closing his eyes. "Kok laugh anyway?"

"The peak is still good, Bii." The man pulled his wife's hand and kissed her once.

"Well! So far not to the top?"

"Yay–" he replied before getting up to sit down. "There is such a rich mountain peak, Bii. But for a beginner like you, up here is cool, really. You're great!" Aaron appreciates.

"Yeeeaaay, Alhamdulillah ..." Qonni clapped his hands without a voice so pleased. Until getting a gentle swab at the top of his head from Aaron. "Keep, will we stay here tonight?"

"Yes" he answered. "Sok morning, we're just down."

"Roads again?"

"Yes, when did you ride the rickshaw?"

"Could you, kali?"

"O Allah, carry you to the bottom, can get gout at a young age I admit," led by Aaron who creates laughter between the two.

Qonni put his head on Aaron's shoulder. While looking at the lake that is really beautiful, while behind them there are two hills that people call the climb of love which is the path to the top. Why call it love? Because the two positions of the hill next to it form a symbol of love.

# Flashback Off

Kraaaa! Qonni breaks the stem of a dried rose. Until the flower fell to the ground filled with Japanese grass.

"Snake!" Call Aida again.

"Yes, Mom." Qonni sighed, where his tears began to flow because he remembered the beautiful experience at Ranu Kumbolo that he really wanted to come again with Aaron.

Along with that, a motorbike stopped right in front of the gate that was always open. Qonni's eyes lifted slowly, glancing at who should come.

His hands then squeezed the plant scissors he was holding in front of his chest when he saw Ilyas politely walking through the gate.

"Assalamualaikum–" he said slowly. Ilyas's eyes were fixed on Qonni's enlarged stomach for a while. There his guilt sparks back on fire.

"Walaikumsalam warahmatullah," he replied. He did not know what the purpose of this man was. However, I don't want to be so bad. Maybe there was one thing he wanted to do, whatever it was. What is clear is that her arrival has made the pregnant woman freeze in her place. Confused between him having to enter just like that or pleasantries first let the single man into his house.