Sharing Love: Puspita East & West
The Heart of Aminah
“Ami, please take care of the children,” order Amir before leaving. Aminah looked at him without blinking. His eyes seemed to want to say something, but did not come out. He can only be smitten when the kiss of Amir landed on his forehead, “Insyaallah we quickly go home.”
Anastasia had only been observing from on her horse since earlier. Before turning away, his eyes met with Aminah. Without a word said, they seemed to promise each other to dialogue post-expedition.
Aminah looked at the back of Amir who went away after saying goodbye. Unlike usual, Amir's trip this time was accompanied by a woman, a woman who seemed to come from another world and suddenly became his honey. With a thin smile that covered her jealousy, she ushered in the departure of her husband on the terrace of the residence Tumenggung Lake.
“Umma .. Umma ..” Syarif tugged at Aminah's tunic dress, seeking the attention of his pensive mother alone in the living room. Hanif stood beside her while carrying a billion thick books. They asked Aminah to read a story as if inviting her to be patient and persevering through the test of her love.
Aminah kissed her two sons on the forehead and invited them into the house. He began to read the story, while Hanif and Sharif laid their heads on his lap. Sometimes the two men ask. Sometimes their questions held the same meaning so Aminah had to repeat the explanation until they understood.
Aminah closed her book after finishing a story. He found Hanif and Sharif asleep. Their faces are very adorable and soothing when falling asleep so soundly, especially when smiling happily. Their existence is a great gift to the loving mother.
“Ami, pay attention and educate children well. God willing they can be godly and godly children with your affection and tenderness,” Aminah remembers the words of Amir at the beginning of his marriage. He also smiled bitterly. It turns out time passed very quickly.
He was 14 years old, the age at which he began to think about love and partner. As the daughter of a missionary who lives in a religious environment, of course she is very familiar with religious sharia. She understands how Islam protects and promotes women's rights. All the commands and prohibitions in the Shari'a are a protective veil. Its existence is like a fence that limits the end of the road between the steep ravines of life.
A girl …
When love came to say hello, invite him to a new world that he did not know, the girl became very curious, pounding, and happy. Just by hearing the name of the person he likes, the red blushing cheeks like a freshly bloomed young jasmine. But what if he is asked by someone he does not love? What if she did not know the man who would become her husband? Will the marriage be happy?
The feeling was mixed like a dark sky. Clouds of anxiety billowed on the head, thunderous terror rumbled on the chest, but the rainwater felt impatient to see the new earth. Parents always expect good for their children. So, the stoic girl also received a proposal with a chest of air.
A good woman for a good man. With that assurance, Aminah handed over all her decisions to Allah. Shaykh Jonah taught him well. Umm Ahmad, her mother did too. So they must have betrothed him to the best man who would lead him and his family to eternal happiness with Allah the Most Exalted.
Aminah smiled warmly as she recalled those thrilling ta'aruf times. Eyes closed. He leaned against the wall while stroking his two sweet sons. His lips twitched as if muttering something. In his heart, dhikr and salawat always echoed.
When he opened his eyes, Aminah looked back at his two hearts. His feet ached and tingled, but he could not bear to wake them. He also took a sigh of resignation. When his eyes were fixed on the book that had been held since when Sharif embraced, he remembered the first day of Anastasia's arrival.
That day, Aminah felt very hurt. The feeling of betrayal pierces his heart. Fruits seem to fall in front of him. He did not want to part with Amir, but he did not want to be cheated on.
Hanif and Sharif even reacted very hard. What an unexpected reaction. They snapped at the girl who came with her brother. The impact that not only thrilled the newcomer girl, but also her second mother.
Tears of Aminah suddenly dripped. He immediately remembered the deepest feeling of the day. A feeling that goes beyond the pain of the husband. A heart wound that is more heartbreaking than self-egoism to be the only one on the side of the lord of the heart, the feeling of failing a wife as well as a mother who is entrusted to educate devoted children.
“Umma,” Hanif's soft call draped in Aminah's ear. The elder woke up when his cheek was hit by the mother's tears. His sadness flows through the eyes, then penetrates into the heart. For some reason, Hanif felt pain. Her tiny hand gripped Sharif's wrist unconsciously. The youngest to wake up and find his brother fixated with tears that melted in the fertilizer.
Not a word said. Only sobs were heard. For a while, they continued to hug as if the interlude was bracing. The cries of Hanif and Sharif even wet Aminah's shoulders. When the umma is ready to pour out his heart, then they calm down.
“Hanif, Sharif,” call Aminah slowly. He still felt heavy to convey his heart. If she was a foolish woman who was only concerned about herself, she would not convey anything that was in her heart. He would definitely prefer to let his children harass Anastasia in order for the otherworldly girl to leave immediately. It was the easiest way he could do to expel Asya. However, she was not such an antagonistic woman.
“Godly umma children,” Aminah still has trouble expressing it. Umma's hand stroking her two sons' heads shook. He also forced himself a little more, “Umma wants you to be a dutiful child. Take care of heart, verbally, and deeds.”
It was the advice he had expressed often, not that which was the core of his outpouring of heart. Aminah's voice was still held back. He forced himself again, “Umma ..”
Aminah stopped again. His issues almost came back. He has to really beat his ego to deliver that. Her lips vibrate, “Umma is not alone anymore.”
“What ..?” hanif's words were stuck. He looked at his ummanya who returned to shed tears. Just by looking at it, he could understand that there were heavy things that his mother tried to convey.
“Umma is no longer alone. Now there is Aunt Asya beside abah,” finally Aminah can say it. He forced a smile on his face with tears. His message was still unfinished, but he seemed to have lost his power to speak again.
Hanif and Sharif looked furious as soon as they saw Aminah crying in distress. They can already know the cause and the perpetrator who made the umma suffer like this. There's only one person. Well, there is only one person who seizes the position of umma from the side of abah. Strangers who don't know themselves and take half their base. That person cannot be forgiven.
As the little hearts of the two boys were plotting, imagining evil plans to increase their intimidation and hegemony, Aminah embraced them again. The hug always left Hanif and Sharif shocked and confused. They will not be able to rebel if umma has made it so.
“Nak, please stop!” pinta Aminah accompanied by sobs, “Bibi Asya has become our family. Please don't bother him anymore. Son, umma don't want you guys to be bad boys. Please, don't be a bad boy.”
Hanif and Sharif were in the arms of Aminah. Their gaze pierced the sky as if still trying to digest the intent of the umma. Although they no longer see the mother's sorrow in the embrace, but their hearts now understand little by little. They finally realized that the real culprit who made the umma very sad was not Anastasia.
“Nak, your deeds, umma the responsibility. When the umma does not see, Allah is Seeing. Son, please help umma. Help umma be free from the wrath of God and the torment of hell,” Aminah tightens her arms. She recalled the first duty that Amir had given her, a very noble duty again full of honor as a godly wife who was devoted to her husband.
The short days of Aminah passed. Whenever he remembered Amir and Anastasia, he always included another memory to melt his jealousy. Her first memory is with her beloved husband. His heart also reverberated soul by saying, “I have to educate children well in order for them to fear.”
***
“Prince Anom, we are besieged,” said an aide escorting the Amirdiningrat expedition. Without even hearing the report, Amir already knew. He had even drawn his sword since then. So did the soldiers he brought. They were in a state of alert to face the bandits who were besieging around him.
“I really shouldn't have allowed him to come,” regrets Amir in heart. His eyes glanced at Anastasia for a moment. The girl had also drawn her sword on the horse. His ability is reliable. However, this situation still made Amir worried.
“Kumuning Raga! We got a big catch!” exclaimed a cucumber bandit. He grins creepily. His muscles are fat and fat. Despite the stockiness and ugliness, one scream can call upon the Kumuning bandits to scoop them forward.
