The Love of the Widow

Chapter 38. The Day Of My Birthday

I have lived my life as a widow for three years.

Tomorrow my age will increase.

There's nothing special.

There never was, ever since they went into the divine lap.

I prefer to keep myself busy in various activities and try not to accept birthday wishes from anyone.

I don't know, it seems like the pain is back every birthday.

Still vividly remembered a few years ago, when Randy gave me a surprise birthday.

A tiny house and a set of jewels as my birthday gift.

Or just treat me and Ainara to eat out while buying a Little Tart cake for the three of us to celebrate.

My heart was so happy that day.

Tonight, I decided to stay at my own house.

Back to those happy times with my beloved little family.

"How are you guys there? Mama Miss Nara..!!!! Nara again is it Papa? Today is Mama Ulta..Nara and Papa forgot?? We should go eat today, right?? Papa's the deal!!" I said while hugging their photos.

I cried while lying on the bed.

"Rand... I'm on my birthday today.. I'm getting old. I should've gotten a gift from you. You still owe me one promise! Do you remember the promise to take me and Nara on a vacation around Java?? But all promises remain... I Miss... Miss your warm embrace. Everything now feels empty without you.!!" I said again while crying.

I kissed them repeatedly in the photo.

"Tomorrow Mama and Nara and Papa!!" my words are intending to go on their funeral pilgrimage tomorrow morning.

I ended up falling asleep in tears while hugging their photo.

***

Returning home from the pilgrimage of Randy and Ainara, I immediately cleaned the body and left for the Great Mosque of An-nur.

Aunt Rahmi was waiting for me in the mosque.

He sat right next to Umi Nafizah, Ustazah who will give today's study on Ikhlas and patiently in accordance with the theme that is the discussion today.

I listened to the advice for the advice expressed by Umi Nafizah.

My heart trembled for a moment.

I don't know, I suddenly felt so sad.

My chest was tight and tears were unstoppable by me.

I'm so lost in my crying

"Aina you why? " tanya aunt Rahmi surprised me.

"No why - why Kok nte. Go to the toilet first! " i answered while rushing to the toilet.

I cried sobbing in the toilet.

Memories with Randy and Ainara playing on my eyes.

"Astagfirulah... Have I not been sincere about their departure? Do I blame myself for everything that happened? or worse?! I blame GOD for this unjust fate?? Forgive Me, O ALLAH!! " whispers in my heart.

I immediately washed my face and rushed back into the mosque and then sat down next to Aunt Rahmi.

When the study is completed.

Umi Nafizah speaks quietly with aunt Rahmi.

He then revealed what he saw about me crying earlier while the study was going on.

I finally told him and let out all my complaints to him.

He admonished me lovingly.

Very sad advice.

Advice that gave me a new spirit.

My heart feels comfortable again.

We then walked out of the mosque towards the parking lot.

Right in front of the mosque was waiting for Kyai Ma'aruf husband Umi Nafizah.

He was having a warm conversation with a young man.

"Like it was Gege who again spoke to Kyai! " Aunty Rahmi told me.

"It seems so nte" I replied.

"Tazah Rahmi and Ainara knew Gege?" ask Umi Nafizah.

"Know Umi. He's a thafiz alumnus in our cottage first! still often also play to the cottage" replied aunt Rahmi.

"Owh.. He was one of the teaching teachers at our Darussalam cottage. And become our adopted son in the cottage. Kyai loves her very much. He's an amazing young man "Umi replied to us.

Me and Aunt Rahmi nodded.

"He is indeed an extraordinary young man" replied Aunt Rahmi

"When we say first Umi, we want to go to the motor park. send greetings to Mr. Kyai and Gege. Assalamualaikum" said Aunt Rahmi again.

"Waalaikumsalam.." replied Umi Nafizah also to us.

I glanced at Gege, He smiled at me.

I replied with a thin smile and a slow nod.