Sharing Love: Puspita East & West

Chapter 026: Loneliness

When Anastasia was alone, she missed the house she used to live in. Not a house in the Western Continent far away, but a house in Malacca where he once joked comfortably and freely with his brother and father. It was a wonderful memory before he got a new family in this country.

Anastasia smiled too. No matter what happens, he should be grateful. Although there were some bad things that had happened to him, the good things had covered up all the bad so that he did not remember it anymore. It was a great gift for him.

At dusk, Maimunah came to see him. The old woman brought enough raw materials for Anastasia's daily life. Before leaving again, the woman said, "From today on, I will probably rarely see you. Aminah is getting bigger. She needs to rest more for her child to be born healthy. You too, take care of your health."

"Well, Opah," Anastasia replied with a smile on her face, "May Kak Ami always be healthy. I'd be so happy to see her son later."

Anastasia stared at Maimunah's back until it disappeared from sight. He also went back into his house. Feels lonely. Today, his noisy stepchildren did not come to visit. They must have done some fun things with their father and their birth mother.

Smoke billowing. Anastasia looked at the rice she cooked. The portion of rice was enough to eat two people, even though he was alone. In that solitude, he muttered, "Am I expecting his arrival, huh?"

"It's weird" Anastasia thought. In the past, he was very afraid and hated Amir. The man was the one who finished off his military entourage. However, he could not blame the young commander. Basically, all her husband did was an attempt at self-protection.

"Ah, I've become greedy now, too," Anastasia stunned herself. Previously, he never thought that he loved the man to this depth, even asking for the "right" he deserved as a wife.

Well, as a wife. In the past, Anastasia thought that she might be made as a lowly concubine. He thought that he was just a prisoner of war who might be harassed at any time. But it turns out that didn't happen. His father was guaranteed to live. Unfortunately …

"Son ...," Anastasia muttered as soon as she remembered her brother who was making trouble. He also breathed slowly. His face looked down at the dinner that was already in session.

After eating, Anastasia stared outside for a while, hoping for a figure to come there. Ah, that's not possible. Today, her husband must be in the main house. After all, didn't he just enjoy a beautiful night yesterday? That's how he thought.

Anastasia bit her lips slowly, trying to muffle the greedy guts that were stirring in her heart. He closed the door and locked it. After making sure all the windows, doors, and jugs were tightly shut, he stepped into his room.

The dark slowly crashing. Even the twilight light was completely gone. Anastasia soon fell asleep in her sleep. He hoped to return to visit Aminah's house the next day.

The morning came quickly. Mentari climbed high from his contest. Anastasia hurriedly completed all her tasks. He wanted to meet Aminah soon.

"Come in, Asha," said Aminah as soon as she saw Anastasia visiting her. The woman smiled wryly, showing her hospitality, "What do you want to learn today? Please choose one."

Anastasia stared at the row of books neatly arranged filling the shelves. The books are so thick. The contents also vary, but there is no one that Asya can read.

"Well, are you finally interested in learning Tawheed Science?" aminah asked enthusiastically as soon as Anastasia touched on a book bearing the script of Jawi.

"The book" said Aminah who then told her, "It is the Book of Tawhid. The Book in which speaks of the oneness of Almighty God."

"The Oneness?" Anastasia doesn't understand that much.

"Yes, you will learn many amazing things there," Aminah picked up the book and opened it, "Do you want to hear it?"

"Hm," Anastasia gave a small nod. He had heard stories of great people before. Aminah read and explained it well. He was also interested in hearing others. "All right."

"Let's read the introduction first," invited Aminah who then began to read the original text. The book is in Arabic. So, after Aminah has finished reading a paragraph or a certain sentence, she will stop to read the meaning.

The day passed quickly. When Sharif and Hanif returned home from their education, they seemed astonished by Anastasia's presence. However, it was only for a moment because they immediately rushed to Aminah and embraced her affectionately.

"They are like pearls" Anastasia murmured softly. In the depths of his deepest tribe, he began to expect the presence of a baby. It was as if he was longing, even though he had never met.

"The salim used to be with Mama Asya," said Aminah taught ethics and ethics to her two sons. 

"Aunt Asya," Sharif replied spontaneously. Hanif nodded, then said the same call. The two of them have been close to each other for a long time.

"Sharif, Hanif, call Ma-ma A-sha," Aminah kept trying to lead, but Sharif and Hanif shook their heads and replied, "Auntie. Asya."

"Sharif, Hanif ..," Aminah began to intend to reprimand, but Anastasia immediately refused. 

"What's wrong, sister," said Asya legawa, "Let them call as they please as long as it's polite."

"Hm" Aminah nodded slowly, "Alright."

Asya was silent. Actually, he had hoped that the two boys would call him mother, mother, or umma just like Aminah. But he did not want to force it. After all, he would also soon have children. 

"Yes, right?" anastasia asked in her heart. It was a sign of how much hope he had. He will never be able to deny it.