The Ark of Love Nurmala

No Mudik

The sun was almost drowned when Aldi came home from Rizal's place. Rudi was already sitting in the living room chair.

"Just come home Aldi, have you started ngojek again? You have to rest a lot Al first, don't get too suspended!" Rudi leaned in with advice when Aldi entered the house.

"Okay mom-mom Lo Rud, I work at Rizal's place not to go!" papar Aldi

"It's true that if you quit the factory, is that Al?"

"Yes, I can't stand their care for employees anymore, I want to be independent like Rizal, more free to take a step forward"

"You're sure of your current financial situation, what about your promise to Nurmala, how sorry that she had to wait too long Aldi!"

"At this time I am not unemployed, but working and learning from the success of Rizal managing his business, Nurmala remains my priority, one more step I can ask Nurmala."

"His money??" Rudi doubted the amount of money Aldi had.

"I'm still collecting!" aldi replied relaxed. Rudi was still confused by Aldi's thought strategy, but eventually he gave up on introgating his rented friend. Rudi believes Aldi is capable.

The afternoon is approaching. Night creeping brings darkness. The street lights started. Nurmala and Nihaya chat in the living room while waiting for Isya's time'.

"Are you sure you didn't go back to Eid this time, Nur?" asked Nihaya while opening her prayer reading book. Nurmala just nodded.

"Aldi resigned, then when will he propose to you Nur? does Aldi know your mother's dedline to Hajj?" Nihaya asked again, Nurmala just shook her head, her mind wandering somewhere.

"I trust Kang Aldi Niha, I will wait!"

"But Aldi told you to read your mother's letter Nur!"

"Yes, wait for the right moment, I don't want Kang Aldi to get back in the dust and get sick like yesterday" Nurmala said. Nihaya smiled a sign approving of her cousin's thought.

For a moment they were silent to each other, then the Adhan Isha' reverberated from a distance, they performed their worship. After that, they got tired of taking a rest.

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Two months later, Nihaya prepares to return home. Nurmala left only a gift and a letter to her parents.

"Are you sure you're not going home?" once again Nihaya convinced Nurmala's decision not to go home during Lebaran. But Nurmala remained on his feet. Finally, Nihaya had to go home alone.

With his motorbike Rudi drove Nihaya to the terminal. Aldi went to Nurmala's contract. They sat talking on the rented porch.

"Are you all right alone in Nurmala's contract?" ask Aldi hawatir. Nurmala just said there was nothing to be afraid of.

"What about power outages?" Aldi reassured Nurmala's trauma.

"I'm ready, Kang Aldi's candle and flashlight!"

"Nur, I'm still worried about you being alone, I want to accompany you is also impossible because we are not married, how about you I leave Rizal's parents? The assistants are coming home, they will be happy if you help, there will not be lonely, Rizal's child is also funny Nur" Aldi persuaded.

For a moment Nurmala fell silent, then asked

"Did I not burden them?"

"I think they're just happy Nurmala!"

"All right, I want Kang!"

Nurmala packed her clothes in a bag. Over the bonfire Aldi Nurmala clutched his clothes bag. Aldi motor drove, the roar of his engine raced with a car on the streets of Bandung.

"Assynnya!" adi shouted at the door.

"Waalikum hail!" a woman carrying a child came out from behind the door.

"Oo Kang Aldi! let's go in Kang!" Leha, Rizal's wife, welcomes them.

"Sister Leha, this is Nurmala I told you about yesterday!" Nurmala nodded as Leha's gaze fell on her.

"Yes, Kang Aldi. Nurmala help me in this house yes, I'm alone pontang-panting, which should take care of children, parents, cook, clean-up alone!" leha.

"I don't bother you if I'm here, brother?" nurmala asked doubtfully and awkwardly.

"Of course not Nurmala, instead I'm happy to have a conversation partner!" Leha looked friendly and joyful, making Nurmala relieved. Leha escorted Nurmala to a room previously occupied by Leha's housemaid.

"I'm sorry Nurmala, only this room is empty!" leha.

"Yes, no problem, the important thing is there is a mattress, there is a lamp I can sleep!" nurmala was greeted by the laughter of Aldi and Leha. Some time talking Aldi pamit, Nurmala followed him from behind with a letter that he had stored in his pocket.

"Kang Aldi wait!" nirmala exclaimed as Aldi reached where he parked the motorbike.

"What's Nurmala?" Nurmala then handed over her mother's letter to Aldi.

"Sorry Kang, it was a letter from my mother two months ago, Nur only today dared to say, it has something to do with Kang Aldi!" Nurmala was a little shy. Aldi then opened it, at a glance there was no meaningful expression from Aldi's face.

"Yes, the letter I brought first yes, you do not have to worry too much about my condition Nur, God willing is strong and can solve all our problems" said Aldi calmed Nurmala, although in fact he was also confused.

"Okay, I worked for Nur, it's fine here!" Aldi pamit, Nurmala waved his hand and returned to the house to meet Leha and immediately worked.

On top of the motor, Aldi's brain counts and remembers the money he has collected. And still less than one million (ten million today). Not too much but Aldi had to think hard to find additional in time quickly, Lebaran should be able to get to the house Nurmala.

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Arriving at home, Nihaya immediately delivered a deposit to Nurmala's house.

"Why didn't Nurmala go home to Niha?" ask Samsudin.

"Nurmala wants to see Bandung city leafan Pak De" Nihaya gave an excuse.

"Hah, I don't believe Niha, this must have something to do with Aldi!" Samira guessing. Nihaya did not dare to say much, fearing lethargy.

"Anyway, if until the hajj Eid does not come, Nurmala I invite forcibly to marry someone else!" said Samira. Samsudin was just a whimper, feeling disapproved but unable to do anything about it.

"Pakde, bude, Niha say goodbye, the bike will be used by the father!" Nihaya hurried home.

Along the way he thought about Nurmala's fate. Niha stopped by the wartel (Telecommunication store), trying to call Rizal's house.

Wire.kring..kring!

"Assynnya!" Rizal picked up his home phone. Nihaya is looking for Aldi.

"Aldi, there's a phone!" rizal shouted to Aldi who was working. He ran to the phone plane located in Rizal's room.

"Yes Hello?" Nihaya later recounted the problems of Nurmala and her mother. Aldi just said "Yes, yes thanks for the information Niha!" their phone call ended.

"What's Al?" Rizal was astonished by Aldi's expression that looked unhappy. Aldi then issued a letter to Nurmala, and Aldi also told him about the call from Nihaya.