SET DUSK
The Part 62 (End)
Time just rolls around when someone is happy. So did Ida. It did not feel fifteen years he had been with his youngest son, Salma.
One afternoon, when Ida and Raya —the second son of Salma— was busy telling stories, they had a guest, who was none other than Burhan.
"Salma's house is far too, Da." commented Burhan when Ida was invited in.
"Yes, who told you the address of this house?" ida asked quite surprised by Burhan's sudden arrival. The last time he met five years ago was at the house of Madah.
"The language tells. He said you're famous for being a masseur here." Burhan chuckled trying to melt the atmosphere.
"Haha yes, to fill my free time. Salma's children are grown, not much attention anymore. Then, who is this that you brought?" Tanya Ida pointed to the little boy who according to her estimate was about ten years old.
"This is Yahya, Salma's sister. Son of my wife in Kuantan, "kekeh Burhan.
"Oh ... I thought your grandson." Ida chuckled, remembering that the child was younger than her grandchild.
"Haha ... Younger than Salma's son, yes." Burhan chuckled again.
It was the second time Burhan had visited Salma's house after her son was married. After divorcing Ana, Burhan chose not to return to Payakumbuh, spending his time starting a new life in Kuantan Bay. There he married a Javanese woman and had three children. The child Burhan brought was the firstborn of his marriage to the woman.
The way each person treats a wound is different. If Ida treats her loss by continuing to endure her loneliness, Burhan treats her by finding someone to accompany her old age.
"Salma hasn't come home yet?" burhan asked as he looked at the house there were only Ida and her two grandchildren, Asha and Raya.
"Maybe he'll be home soon, he'll usually be home by three."
"How's your life, Da?" ask Burhan later.
He looked at the face of the woman before him who had been eaten by age. His body had bent, his black hair had already thinned and turned white. The bead eyes that used to always turn their eyes every time they sat, now began to be gray covered with petals that began to loosen. One thing that has not changed from Ida, her laughter is still the same as when they were together. The roar of laughter that was able to bring out a warm feeling in his heart.
For nine years he had not met. However, no matter how many years passed, the corner of his heart still kept the first female figure who had ever made his world feel perfect before the accident happened.
"Alhamdulillah, my life really feels perfect" said Ida showing off her smile that had lost some teeth. The two dimples that always add to the charm of his smile are no longer visible, covered in wrinkles that adorn the entire skin of his face.
"I'm getting an award as a veteran, so it's like my payday guy now" Ida continued.
"Well, it's appropriate that you get the award" Burhan said.
"Didn't you get a similar award?" ask Ida, considering her husband had also been involved in military aggression.
"Make what, Da? There's not much I did in the war," he said.
"But yesterday I met some friends who also got an award, even though the task used to be just wrapping rice in a soup kitchen."
"Yes that's his sustenance, I'm still strong at work. I don't deserve it anyway."
Never thought by Ida would arrive at a time when she and Burhan exchanged stories about their lives as light as it was. Though his disappointment with Burhan made him think he would no longer be able to face his ex-husband.
Long before the accident happened, he had also hoped to live his old age with his husband, children, and grandchildren, but fate keeps them apart and reunited like two friends who have not met for a long time. I don't know where the feeling that once plagued his heart went.
"Accoland ...." The sound of greetings from the door stopped a piece of the story Burhan and Ida were sharing.
"Have you come home, Sal?" sapa Burhan looked longingly at her daughter's face.
"Eh, Abba ... Has it been a long time?" Salma salves Burhan.
"Not too long ago, I was going to come to your workplace, but I thought I'd better go to your house so I wouldn't interfere with your work time."
"Haha ... Yeah, well, when else would Abak know my house if he didn't come here."
Re-meeting after separation is indeed able to present many stories that can sometimes melt the atmosphere, but not infrequently stiffness is also created. That's how Salma felt when her brother visited. The awkward feeling was so clearly felt between the conversation of the boy and the father. The span of time that kept them apart made them two strangers who were only bound by blood ties.
****
Ida returns to face loss when she discovers that Burhan has passed away five years after their last encounter at Salma's house. The visit was the last time Burhan met Ida before he fell ill and breathed his last.
Sent by Salma, Ida attends Burhan's funeral. No longer were there tears as he let go of every departure in the past, not because his heart was dead, but he meant every departure only as a parting of the body. No matter where our loved ones are, if the heart is still attached, they still remain in the heart.
***
March 2007, the,
West Sumatra was hit by a severe earthquake. Ida who was in Bukittinggi felt the shock of the earth that morning. Not only the earth shook, Ida's heart felt a shock that was quite terrible when she got the news that Fatimah who was undergoing treatment at Sumedang—Jawa Barat— succumbed to her illness. Fatimah passed away at a young age, forty-three.
Forced to give up the departure of the baby without being able to watch his funeral, making the heart of any mother will feel crumpled. Especially seeing the condition of the youngest child Fatimah who was still sitting in the second grade of high school who was very hit, making Ida unable to arrange a heart that felt broken.
Since the departure of Fatimah, Ida's health condition is no longer as good as usual. Cataracts in the eyes made him fall several times, so that his old legs began to be unable to support his body.
Because of Ida's condition that began to depend on people around, Laili requested that Ida be moved to her home in Candung.
"Union, let me find the one who will take care of Amak, as long as amak is still with me," Salma pinta as Laili was about to take Ida to her house.
"Sal, the amak still has children who still have time to take care of it, why should it be left to others. Let the Union take care of Amak. You don't have to worry."
"But I have been with amak all this time, not until my heart releases amak in a state of pain to bring uni. I do not want to be considered as sweet as banished, when amak is old I let go with uni," isak Salma.
"Mom, I'm sorry. I wanted to stay with me, but I also felt bad about resisting uni's wishes" isak Salma said as she let go.
"You don't have to be sad, Sal. Later you can still visit amak as at the beginning of your work first," entertain Ida rubbed gently Salma hair.
***
A week after Lebaran, November 2008,
"Sir, Asha left for Jakarta, yes, Asha accepted work there," said Asha Ida's grandson, Salma's first child.
"Yes, Asha diligent work yes, so that later we can go to Mecca together," Ida's message.
Asha, the girl he used to carry a lot has grown up. In the past, when Asha was still living with him, they always strung together the ambition to go to Mecca together.
"Before Asha leaves, please massage grandma's back yes, no one can massage grandma's back as comfortable as Asha massaging," kekeh Ida.
"Haha ... Grandma is too much," chuckled Asha.
"No, grandma really misses when Asha massages grandma's back" Ida said in a quivering voice.
"Grandmother will pray Asha to be a successful person yes, so Asha can often go home to massage Grandma's back," said Asha held tight.
Grandma who has always been with him since he was a child, has not been able to be happy. In his heart, Ida's position was equal to that of Salma. Her grandmother who always patiently faced all her annoying behavior when she was a child. Muffled the anger of Salma—his mother— when Asha acted up. She scratched her hair when they had a relaxing time together.
Every night before going to bed, Asha always enthusiastically listened to the story of Ida's struggle first. This is not the first time Asha said to go out of the island, but this time Lebaran felt so heavy for him to say goodbye. Ida's body is no longer as strong as it used to be, her eyes are no longer able to see.
"Of course, grandma always pray for children and grandchildren all so successful people, not only the success of the world, but the hereafter. Asha must also remember, do not just pursue the success of the world, yes, the success of the afterlife must also be fought," Ida advised.
"Yes Nek, God willing Asha remembers always."
****
August 2009, the,
"Sir, Asha wants to introduce someone" Asha said on the other end of the phone.
"Your running mate, Sha?" ask Ida.
"Haha ... Just pray," chuckled Asha across, handing over the phone connection to a young man who greeted Ida with a heavy voice,
"Mr, I'm the Word ..." said the young man. There was a cheering tone that Ida caught from the tone of the young man at the other end of the phone.
"Yes, hello know ya. When do you propose to Grandma's grandchildren? Don't be long, hunt the granny away," shoot Ida.
"Haha ... Just pray that all are given fluency, Grandma," said the young man interspersed with clumsy laughter.
"Yes, of course. Grandma always prays for all grandchildren."
After a brief stale talk with the young man Asha introduced her to, their conversation ended.
"Sal, you try to visit your son. You saw how the young man was. But amak sure, the young man was a good man. Hopefully they are paired and smooth all their good intentions," hopes Ida.
No one thought. His conversation with Asha was the last with his granddaughter, before Ida finally turned a blind eye on the second day of Eid, a month after that.
***
September 2009, the,
Ida closed her eyes for good, leaving so many memories in her children. Leave many life lessons and various tips to encourage them. Ida taught her children not to give up on fate. Teach the meaning of faithfulness of strength and sincere love. Teach as bad as life treats you, never turn bad. Because a clean heart will lead you to the divine.
Ida is not a hero of independence whose name is recorded in the history books, even on the tombstone in the tomb of the hero. But he was a hero who risked his soul for the land, a hero for his children. The woman who always gives selflessly keeps a thousand sorrows behind a smile.
Now, under the foot of Mount Marapi. Ida rested quietly, welcoming eternity with a beautiful smile on her face.
**TAMAT
****
**Assalamualaikum readers,
Thank you for giving me support. Thank God I finished this writing too.
My story is inspired by my grandmother's life story. Indeed, not all I pour in this writing, but in outline, such is the struggle of grandmother's life first when taking care of her children.
To all names of pseudonyms. Only those who are really involved know who these characters are...
Finally, I say a lot of thanks to my mother and maktuo who has been my source when writing. Thanks for the support of all cousins. And thank you to the readers who have taken the time to read my writing.
Love, though,
HN**
