SET DUSK
The Part 58
No one is able to guess fate, Ida again must be faced with a life that still has not been in her favor. Living life in Bukittinggi is just as hard when he went through difficult days in Siantar. Moreover, Salma, he also experienced hard times adapting to his new environment. Salma, who grew up in Batak land, makes his dialect and language feel foreign to his new friends. He felt like he was not welcome at school. Almost every day Salma experienced bullying, making Fatimah who always take care of Salma, with a rather temperamental nature often quarrel with those who like to bully.
Not infrequently, when defending Salma, Fatimah made friends Salma injured, as a result Ida to have to bear the treatment for friends Salma.
"I know you're good at defending your sister, but you remember the rampage, son. If you continue to make other people's children hurt, it could be that the amak money is only used up to finance the treatment of others, it's up for our lives" Ida said.
"I'm sorry Mak ..." said Fatimah.
"There's just something I have to deal with, God. Strengthen me to be able to survive this situation, "sigh Ida.
***
Traders in the lower market began to pack their wares because the sun had been leaning to the West, as well as Ida, when Madah came to visit the stall where he held his wares.
"Will you go home, Da?" sapana.
"Eh Union ... Uni today not to feed Padang Luar?" sahut Ida was surprised to find Madah visiting him.
"I just got home, there was Fikar coming along. So I'm here."
Finished packing his wares, they walked hand in hand to Ida's residence. Medah was flabbergasted to see the state of the house occupied by Ida. A room three times the size of three, which is attached to the side of the wall of the house that rents it. The walls were made of woven bamboo that looked very old.
The door creaked as if screaming as Ida opened it. Instantly the stale air came out as soon as they entered the room which could hardly be said to be a house. There was no other room, other than one with a pile of cookware on the left side of the door, which also seemed to function as a kitchen. In the corner of the room there is a thin mattress that is just spread out on the floor made of bamboo.
"Why are you even living in a place like this, Da? The house in the village you left empty. You even live in an unworthy place like this" insisted Madah.
"I still can not be indifferent to the words of people in the village, Uni. Besides, it's also difficult for me if every day you have to go back and forth to sell to Bukittinggi from there."
"You stay with me, Da. Can't bear my heart seeing you like this."
"I can't stand Ana's mouth either. Though I have asked you to make divorce papers for me so that his young wife does not get inflamed every time I visit Uni. But you still haven't taken care of it."
"Actually Burhan can't stand Ana, Da. You don't see Burhan changing now, it's like a walking corpse. It's not as happy as it used to be. I was also wrong, why did I accept Ana came to the house to take care of Burhan who was sick again" recalls Medah.
"No need to regret Uni, rice has become porridge. Let's just go with what's been outlined."
A speck of pain Ida felt when she heard the story from Madah. How fate has turned everything on them. Although there is still a little care in his heart for Burhan, but remember the words of the man who once said it was hard to let Ana off because he felt indebted, because he felt indebted, he prefers to spend the day with his children.
***
Three years living life in Bukittinggi, Fatimah finally found a man who was able to bind his heart.
Like Laili, Ida chose to let Fatimah live a married life with her husband. He did not want to stay with Fatimah. Stay with Ida Salma. Their usual residence is always crowded with Salma and Fatimah babble began to feel lonely.
***
"Mom, I graduated!" shouted Salma who ran a small approach to the field where Ida was selling in the market under Bukittinggi.
A sheet of paper was shown to Ida. Ida's cry broke, she thanked him many times and prostrated herself after reading the writing on the paper. Salma graduated with very satisfactory grades. He knew, Salma's struggle was not easy to complete his education. I don't know how many times Salma was threatened to be expelled from school for being late to pay tuition. In the end, it is always Medina who intervenes to help.
While his brother—Burhan — could not help their finances at all. Ana is in complete control of their family finances. Ana also often does not allow her children to meet Burhan. Ida felt grateful that her children had not allowed her brother to return with them. If she was back with her ex-husband, of course Ana would be her worst nightmare.
"Alhamdulillah, Son. Hopefully after this you can get a job as you wish, yes," hope Ida.
"I ask for your blessing, Mom. I'm going to Padang to find work. It's still a bit of a difficult job here" Salma pinta.
"Amak can only pray, Sal. Where will you stay in Padang? How's your living expenses?" ask Ida to worry.
"No need to worry. Vivi took me to live at her grandmother's house in Indarung."
Vivi, a friend of Salma since she was in high school, family children are located in the village is also located at the foot of Mount Marapi. Their faces were similar, many thought they were brothers. Vivi often helps Salma when she is in financial trouble, while Salma often helps Vivi in terms of lessons.
"Wouldn't it trouble Sal? It's not good to live with other people," asked Ida worriedly. He did not want his son to feel the pain of depending on life with others.
"God does not, Mother. His grandmother also asked me to stay there."
"G ... Yeah, you're good at taking yourself in people's places huh. When are you leaving?"
"This jiang. I'm saying yes now." Salma salves her rampage.
"You be careful, Sal. If you can't go home yet, let's get some good news with a letter yes" pint Ida.
"Yes, Mom. I'll walk first." Salma walked back in haste leaving Ida's stall.
Leaving his fists glued to Salma's distant back. Leave a touch of taste that makes Ida's eyes heat up. Until then he will stay alone, releasing his children one by one to welcome their future. The series of struggles when raising children immediately appeared, remembering how he had once given up hope with his life and children.
"Neneek," cried the voice of the plump-cheeked little girl running towards the field, breaking Ida's daydream.
"Secret, be careful of the muddle!" Fatimah shouted behind the little girl. The first child of Fatimah, a round-eyed girl with plump cheeks. Makes Ida remember the face of Fatimah when she was a child.
The sadness that had once been erased just like that when Sesil his grandson came to his place. Time really just runs. Still fresh in his memory when he saw Fatimah running around with her brother first, now she has become a mother.
Gratitude is again said in his heart. Although he has not been able to deliver his children into a successful person at least he can release his children to find his new life.
He hopes that Salma will also achieve his goals. Somehow God will manifest. Ida is only able to pray that the path of her children is always better than her life before.
