SET DUSK

Part 48's

The funeral of Mak Halimah and several workers who also died with Mak Halimah were accompanied by tears. The sobs of those left behind accompanied the departure of mak Halimah. Mak Halimah, a gentle but firm woman, is a mother figure who protects all her workers. The departure of Mak Halimah gave them deep sorrow.

Ida was no longer able to cry, she just stared at the red earth mound in front of her. The drizzle that accompanied the funeral did not make Ida move from the cemetery area. He hoped that it was just a dream, a dream that always came to him these few days. He hoped that soon he would wake up and welcome the arrival of Mak Halimah.

A week after the accident, Ida began trying to accept reality. Those who have left will not return. Even with the existence of Burhan that is not yet clear, Ida does not want to build a hope that will destroy it.

"Sir, why haven't you come home yet?" Fatimah's eyes glazed over. The four-year-old girl was always waiting for her brother's return whenever his brother went to trade. It had been almost a week for Fatimah to wait at the door of her brother's return, but what was awaited did not come.

"There's still work, son. Can't go home yet." Ida was stifled when she said the words of comfort to Fatimah.

"Mom, I heard it said that my brother was drifting, now being sought by the police," said Laili, who was lying next to Fatimah.

"Who said that, Li?" Ida was surprised, it turns out that Laili had understood the circumstances that occurred.

"I heard the guy in the kitchen talking like that. How is your brother's fate, Mom? Can you come home with us?" Laili woke up from a sleeping position, staring at Ida's face in the dimness of the room.

"We pray you're safe, Li. I don't know what your brother's fate is either." Ida tried to hold back the tears that some days have begun to dry up. His throat was choked to hear Laili's words.

"Oh Allah, I beg you ... Give these children hope" Ida said in her heart.

Never in Ida's mind would she raise her children alone. Burhan's treatment that always spoiled him so far made him fall asleep, forgetting that Burhan also at times will leave him. But he never thought he would part so soon.

***

Days of weeks, weeks of months, months of years. There's no word from the loss of Burhan that Ida has received. Although Ida is getting used to her life without Burhan, her heart still misses Burhan. The question of children who ask when their brother comes home, always slices Ida's heart. He doesn't know what to give an answer. A speck of hope still does not want to go from her heart, hope will meet her husband who is still alive.

One afternoon, when Ida finished helping with cooking in the kitchen, Medah called Ida to her room.

"Da, next month I plan to move again to Payakumbuh. These two years suck my heart withstanding sorrow, always remembering amak." Midah's eyes began to wet, he rubbed his eyes with the tip of his shirt, "do you want to continue to stay here or follow me to Payakumbuh?" continued Madah after mastering himself.

"I'll also move, Uni. So much loss that I can't survive here anymore. Even if you really survived, he would know where to look for us" said Ida stuck, "but later I will go home to White Hole only. I haven't been able to return home in Payakumbuh. Too many memories of me with Mr. Burhan there, I'm afraid I can't control my heart." Ida's crying broke.

"How will you support your children, Da? You come with me."

"Later the Union also began a new life in Payakumbuh, I do not want to be a burden on the Union," Ida refused.

Since her husband died, Medah fought together with Mak Halimah to support her children Fikar and Dahlan. Ida does not want her life with children will increase the burden of her sister-in-law.

"We both started, Da."

"My resolve is unanimous, Uni. I'll just move to the village."

"Well if that's your decision, Da. I can't force either. But if you're in trouble, you come to my place. After all, your children have a blood relation with me."

***

The journey home felt so heavy because of the long distance they had to travel, and the whining of children who did not want to leave Kuantan Bay because his brother had not returned.

" Abak will come after us, if abak has returned, " comfort Ida.

The journey through Kelok Sembilan is no longer as beautiful as when he left Payakumbuh with Burhan three years ago for Ida. The atmosphere of the forest seemed to mock him with memories of when he left with Burhan. It held back the tightness that suddenly appeared.

"Sir, at least you should stop by my dream. Tell me what happened to you, sir" she said in her heart.

They arrived at Payakumbuh at dusk. The cool air of Payakumbuh welcomes their arrival. The wind blew, as if carrying every memory that Burhan had ever made in Ida's heart in the city. The feeling of tightness that had previously greeted him increasingly felt squeezed. Ida wiped her tears, not wanting the children to see her grieving.

Ida was forced to stay at Payakumbuh before continuing the trip to Bukittinggi, worried that the children were too tired to travel so long.

Ida's steps increasingly heavy when climbing the stairs of the house that he had occupied before moving to Kuantan Bay. The smell of the house, reminded him of Burhan's figure. The figure who always laughed crisply with dimples that trace deep on his left cheek. His sharp eyes seemed to sink into his eye sockets as he laughed. Longing is always stifling, but longing will be more painful if he who is missed does not know where.

"Amak, I miss abak." Laili's voice sounded hoarse.

"Yes, Son ...." Ida gently rubbed Laili's hair. He was unable to continue his words to comfort Laili. He also needed words to strengthen his heart. During this time, Burhan was always there when he slumped.

Ida inhaled deeply the scent of memories that the old house presented. Holding back the tightness that seemed to be jostling want to get out of his net.

The more he entered the house, the more tightness pressed his chest. After coaxing the children to sleep, Ida's cries broke. The feeling of tightness that had piled up earlier he shed with tears.

"Sir, where else would I complain. You've always been there when I've been down. Master took away half my soul," lamented Ida, "Lord, if You have written this from the beginning, why did You let me be dissolved by the momentary happiness You present."

Tired and sad that blend together, finally making Ida sleep. Not felt, the sun began to greet Payakumbuh with its soft rays, still not the power to penetrate the fog that always faithfully accompanied the morning of the city.

" Accliova .... " The sound of greeting accompanied by a knock on the glass door woke Ida.

"Waalaikum salam" said Medah still with a hoarse voice.

"Eeh, the Union of Madah is coming home. I thought Ida was coming home," said their guest who turned out to be Jum next door.

"There is, Jum. You come in." The mother who still looks sleepy invites Jum in.

"Ni Jum, sorry I just woke up. Sit down" said Ida.

"No, I'm just here to say hello for a minute, miss me with your kids. Still sleeping, are they?"

"Yes, still tired like them."

"I stay yes" said Madah, leaving Ida and Jum.

"Uni Yes. Sorry to interrupt early in the morning" said Jum.

"It's okay, we're the ones who woke up miserably," said Medah in passing.

"Your violence is in Kuantan Bay huh, Da? Even Burhan can't be seen coming home."

Hearing the name Burhan called, Ida's heart ached again.

"I'm sorry there's something wrong with my words?" Jum noticed Ida's face change.

"Master had an accident two years ago, Ni. The boat's upside down, Amak's a victim, too."

"Innalilahi ... I'm sorry, Da. I didn't mean to open the old wound." The awkward atmosphere began to feel.

"It's okay, Uni. We don't know Mr. Burhan's whereabouts either. After the accident, his body was not found. We're still a little hopeful, sir survived the accident." Ida bit her lips, holding her back so that no more tears would fall.

"So Burhan is unknown whereabouts, Da?"

"Yes, Ni. I still can't assume Mr. Burhan is dead, because I haven't seen his body."

"May Burhan be safe and reunited with you," entertain Jum trying to encourage Ida.

"Thank you Uni ...."

"I bring sala for the children, later if they wake up, take it to my house, Da."

"Yes, maybe later in the afternoon we will leave for Bukittinggi. I'll stay in the village after this."

"Why not just stay here, Da?" ask Jum curious.

"I haven't been able to answer the children's questions, Ni. They always wonder why his brother hasn't come home."

"Yes, that's right too. Indeed, children will find it difficult to accept this farewell...." Silence, "I'll say goodbye then, Da. May you be given the strength to live this all, yes. I could only pray," Jum continued.

"Uni Yes. Thank you," said Ida back choked.

***

The sun began to rise, when Ida and her children arrived at Payakumbuh station.

"It's okay if I don't drive, Da? I was also worried that I was carrying Fikar so fever," asked Madah as Ida was about to board the train carriage.

"Yes, it's okay Uni. May Fikar's fever come down quickly."

"Yes, later I will see you to the village if my condition here has improved huh."

"Yes, Uni. Li, Ima, Sal ... Let's say goodbye to mak tuo."

"We leave Makwo," said Laili kissing the hand of Medah. Alternate with Fatimah and Salma.

"Yes, okay same with you guys. Don't be naughty, help your rampage, yeah." Madah's eyes started to glaze over.

"Yes,"so they're in unison.

The old diesel slowly leaves Payakumbuh, the city of a thousand memories of Ida's love for the man she never expected to accompany her, the same man as this moment had already taken half his soul away. The city of Payakumbuh began to fade, along with the movement of the train that left the station and tears that pooled in his eyes. I don't know when he will return to the city with a smile on his lips.