The Ark of Love Nurmala

Father Son

The atmosphere of Eid was already seen wriggling in the house of Nurmala, he cleaned the house, tidied up the furniture, arranged the cake in a jar and then put it in a cupboard.

Two days at home, Nurmala just filled with activities to help her mother..

"Nurmala, please dry this on the terrace!" Samira gives one talam bamboo shrimp cracker. Nurmala carried him forward while taking a chair to help him climb onto the terrace.

"After that fry this Nur!" Samira asked Nurmala to fry flour-clad eggs. There was no other word in Nurmala's mouth than "Yes Buk!"

"Aldi's your boyfriend, isn't he?" samira's question made Nurmala's heart gasp, her cheeks flushed red.

"Hehe, you could say so buk!" answer Nurmala.

"If you choose a prospective husband should be careful, Nur, do not be careless, I worry you regret. Must know the weight, bebet and seedlings, especially in the overseas!" said Samira while stirring the beans in the basin.

"Kang Aldi is a good man!, the proof is that he asked Nur to wear a hijab!"

"Yes, but it can't be a guarantee that his family isn't in trouble. Ibuk actually wants to introduce you to the son of his mother's friend, he's Nur's college son, his family is obviously a good person!" samira said, Nurmala only fell silent listening to her mother's chatter while frying beans.

"Yet!! it's kettle!" call Samsudin from the back garden. Samira rushed to see her husband with a basket. Nurmala was silent with her thoughts, there was concern that her parents would not approve of her relationship with Aldi.

Nurmala continued to help her mother, frying beans, crackers, cassava chips until evening came. Lebaran is getting closer to make Samira and Nurmala can not relax anymore

Next morning.

"Nurmala!" call Samira when Nurmala's in her room. "Take it to the market!" the door was after Nurmala came out.

With the RC Jet collet 80, Nurmala hugs her mother to the market. The roar of his machine broke the silence, his body painted red curled between the cool and shady tea plantations.

Arriving at the market, Nurmala parked her motorcycle and followed her mother into the market while carrying a grocery bag. Vegetables are bought, Samira invites Nurmala to walk in the meat seller.

"Hi Samira, come here! how many kilos?" asked the seller, he looked familiar with Samira.

"Two kilos!'

"Ready! this is Nurmala? the more beautiful your son Samira is!" said the seller while weighing the chicken.

"Obviously, my son is beautiful! your son doesn't help you in Kang Kodir's market anymore?" samira asked, Nurmala just silently listened to the conversation of two adults in front of her.

"There, there he is, he opens his own stand so quickly have income, preparation for marriage, if his soul mate comes!" kodir said while pointing at a stand that was not far from its place.

"It!" Kodir handed Samira a package of meat. Kodir smiled faintly looking at Nurmala. There were no words coming out of the girl's mouth, she just nodded and walked after her mother on her way home.

"Kang Kodir was a friend of your father when Nur Junior High, successful with his chicken butcher!" said Samira. Nurmala just kept listening.

"Nurmala, did you hear me not talking?"

"Yes Buk, Nur listen!" nurmala replied while unlocking the handlebar of her motor.

Samira continued to chat about the young people in his village, ranging from Kang Kodir's son, Mpok Salma's son, Kang Solikin's son to Pak Carik's son. Nurmala just quietly listened without comment. His heart was agitated, it had been almost a week of parting with Aldi.

If you had a phone, if you could meet for a while Nurmala would be relieved. He was getting more agitated when his mother told him about many young men, the shadow of his mother's blessing seemed real.

Nurmala only hoped that Aldi would actually come after he gave her home address. And his parents will love Aldi after seeing his handsome face.

Samsudin's RC 80 continues to drive home. Shortly after, the motorbike turned to Nurmala's house.

"Your son was invited to speak with him, sir!" Samira nags at Samsudin who is ngaso on the front porch.

"Kok you don't understand, he is, irit talk!"

"Well, I'm tired, sir, to rest!" lamented Samira while entering the house carrying a grocery bag. Nurmala chose to sit next to her father.

"Blecky, Black!!" Nurmala called her cat who was playing in the yard. Hearing Nurmala's voice, the cat ran pampered towards its master. Nurmala elus-elus blecky in lap.

"What's up Neng? seems like something's bothering you?" samsudin asked who saw his daughter looked glum.

"No sir, I just don't like you to keep talking about the young people in this village!" nurmala said while pampering her cat.

"Do you miss Aldi?" samsudin's question made Nurmala's pupils dilate, his father always guessed his son's feelings. Nurmala smiled, "Either sir, it feels like I haven't seen Kang Aldi in a long time!"

Samsudin embraces Nurmala, his daughter who is now an adult. Since childhood Nurmala was closer to her father, if there was a problem, Nurmala would rather consult with her father than hear babbling from her mother.

"Are you afraid your mother doesn't like kang Aldi?" Samsudin asked again. Nurmala just nodded confirming her father's question.

"Wait for Kang Aldimu here Nur, you also want to get to know him first, you want to know what kind of young man who has stolen the heart of your son!" Samsudin stroked Nurmala's shoulder. There was no word Nurmala could say, she just wished Aldi would really come to her house.

"Nur... Nurmala!" Samira called from inside the house. Nurmala rushed to her mother.

"Clean the fish yes, ibuk want to rest first, ibuk head dizzy Nur!" Not much said Nurmala immediately brought the bag of groceries to the back and then did everything.

Tomorrow, Nurmala is busy helping her mother in the kitchen. Ketupat, chicken opor, and some of the side dishes they cook for the guests at the dining table.

"Alhamdulillah has matured all!" said Samira as she threw herself on the guest chair made of rattan wicker.

Samsudin and his three sons relax in front of the TV waiting for Maghrib time. Nurmala set the takjil on the dining table.

Ngiiiing, sirens from toa surau not far from his house rang. Everyone stormed the dining table.

Television has reported the isbath session, and the decision of the minister of religion. Tomorrow's lebaran. The sound of takbir immediately resounded in the mosque and musholla. Bed is paved with rhythmic. This is the most missed moment, the moment when you can get together with your family.

Meanwhile, Aldi looked pensive in his rented alone, Rudi had returned home. For him this was the saddest moment since the past six years. Aldi still always miss his mother's artificial jackfruit vegetables. He knew the family would still remember him but Aldi was still reluctant to go home or give word.

"So sir, Mak, Aldi will definitely be home!" inner Aldi. He stood up to take a motorbike, choosing to watch the takbir roving in the city square.