The Love Story of Haifa

59. Following To Sumedang

The day goes on, it is not felt that tomorrow Haifa must return to Jakarta. But Haifa is still reluctant to return to Jakarta. Haifa was forced to call her in-laws for permission to be allowed long time in Sumedangya.

“Assalamualaikum, Mah.” Haifa.

“Waalaikumsalam,” replied Ms. Deswita.

“Mah, can Haifa not stay longer in Sumedang?” ask Haifa.

“What do you want to do long time there?” ask Deswita's mother.

“Haifa still miss Haifa friends,” Haifa replied.

Though every day Haifa just stay at home or just just walk around in the city of Sumedang. He had not had time to contact his friends, because his friends were busy studying and working.

“Yes already, it's okay. But do not be too long later Mamah kangen the same Alifa,” said Ibu Deswita.

“Iya, Mah. A week is not possible, Mah? Later if you want to go home Haifa told Pak Tono to pick Haifa up to Sumedang,” said Haifa.

“Iya, can. Take care of yourself and do not forget the message Mamah,” replied Ibu Deswita.

“Iya, Mah. Thank you, Mah. Assalamualaikum,” says Haifa.

“Waalaikumsalam.”

Deswita's mother hung up the phone while sighing heavily.

“Why, Mah?” ask Mr. Broto.

“Haifa, ask to be extended again in Sumedangang. He said he still misses his friends,” replied Ms. Deswita.

“Allow only. Since becoming our daughter-in-law this time he asked to go home to Sumedang,” said Mr. Broto.

“But Pah, Mamah is afraid of anything happening if she is too long in Sumedang. She is a widow. Later many people will approach Haifa,” said Ms. Deswita.

“Yes, it's okay, Mah. It is natural that there are men approaching Haifa,” replied Mr. Broto.

“This is how, anyway? Later we will lose Alifa if Haifa remarries,” exclaimed Ms. Deswita.

“Papah think that if Haifa remarries he will definitely keep his cord with us,” replied Mr. Broto.

“Serah Papah, deh.”

Deswita's mother left the dining table and went to her room.

The hero just silently listened to the conversation of his parents.

Is Haifa still so upset with me that she still doesn't want to go home? ask the hero in your heart.

Do I have to go and she wants to go back to this house?

Why did this all happen when he had good intentions to go home.

The hero breathed a heavy sigh.

“Papah hope you have to take responsibility for the mistakes you have made,” said Mr. Broto.

The hero turned to Mr. Broto.

“Papah tau?” ask Wira.

“Then Haifa became the daughter-in-law in this house, she never asked permission to Vishnu to return to Sumedang. She knew her place as a wife was on her husband's side. Even Vishnu who likes to take him to Sumedang. Even after Vishnu died he remained here no word said he wanted to go to Sumedang. But yesterday he suddenly asked permission for Mamah to come with Bi Nani to Sumedang. Papah feels there is something between you,” replied Mr. Broto.

“Papah knows you have good intentions towards him. But the way you express it may be wrong, so he is afraid of you. Don't equate him with your girlfriends. If you mistreat him, he will receive a helping hand from another man whom he considers more comfortable,” Broto said.

“I mean Papah, Fahri his friend Vienna?” ask Wira.

“Not only Fahri, but many men out there will approach him,” replied Mr. Broto.

Hearing the words of his Father, Wira immediately kept silent. If only yesterday he had done nothing wrong, Haifa would still be in this house and nearby. But because of his actions Haifa is now away, even away from the sight of his eyes.

Suddenly his phone rang.

“Hallo,” says Wira.

*****

Haifa walked towards her house carrying plastic containing vegetables. He just got back from the market.

“From where, Neng?” greet the mothers who are talking on the side of the road.

“From market, Mom,” Haifa replied.

“Neng Haifa, Alifa has a new Papah candidate, yes?” ask Suryaman's mother.

Haifa frowned.

“What mother mean?” haifa did not understand.

“So I saw Alifa being carried by a man whose face resembled that of Neng Halifa's late husband. Kirain's mother is the new Papah candidate Alifa,” replied Ibu Suryaman.

Mas Wira, whispered Haifa in the heart.

“Oh no, Mom. That's his uncle Alifa,” Haifa said.

“So the candidate of Papah Alifa is also okay. Kan Neng Haifa has been a widow for a long time, so you can marry again,” said Madam Dadang.

“I haven't thought about getting married again. Let the mothers have lunch, I have to cook for lunch soon,” Haifa said goodbye to the mothers.

“Iya, Neng,” replied mothers.

Haifa hurried the way to her house. Haifa immediately sighed when she saw the Wira's car parked on the empty land near her house.

Haifa walked towards her house, she saw Wira standing in front of the house holding Alifa. Haifa took a deep breath just as she approached Wira.

“Assalamualaikum,” says Haifa.

“Waalaikumsalam,” Reply Wira.

“A long time ago Did you come?” haifa asked as she walked into her yard.

“Alifa sleep?” haifa asked while looking at Alifa who was being slammed by Wira.

“Iya. He was crying because he was hungry. Said Auntie, the stock of ASI in the refrigerator is up,” replied Wira.

“Shortly, Haifa wants to save the groceries and wash your hands first,” Haifa said then enter the house.

The hero followed Haifa from behind.

“Finally His Mom too. Alifa from earlier cry for mimi,” said Ms. Euis.

“Haifa wants to wash your hands first,” Haifa said as she put her groceries into the kitchen.

“You take a shower! Let's clean banging Alifa,” said Ms. Euis.

“Iya, Mah.”

Haifa picked up the towel and went straight into the bathroom. After finishing the bath Haifa felt refreshed. Then he approached Alifa who was still carried by Wira.

“Why not put in room?” haifa asked while taking Alifa from the hand of the Hero.

“Fear to wake up, later cry again,” replied Wira.

Haifa took Alifa to her room. Shortly after, Haifa came out of her room. Then he approached her in the kitchen.

“Mah, Sri where?” haifa asked Euis' mother.

“For Mamah to buy surabi,” replied Ibu Euis.

“You accompany Wira breakfast. Poor him not having breakfast. You also have not had breakfast,” said Ibu Euis.

“Iya, Mah.”

Haifa returned to the living room.

“Mas breakfast first, yuk. Haifa also has not had breakfast,” take Haifa.

The hero nodded then followed Haifa towards the dining table. Haifa brought rice for the hero.

“So here's enough, no?” Haifa showed the rice inside the dish.

“It's enough,” replied Wira.

“What do you eat?” ask Haifa.

The hero notices the food being served on the table. The dish is complete with side dishes and vegetables. It is cooked with conscious.

“Sama stew eggs, fried tempeh and vegetable lodeh,” replied Wira.

Haifa took a side dish and vegetables called by Wira and gave them to Wira.

“Her fertilizer, Mas,” Haifa is thrusting crackers jars to Wira.

The hero takes one cracker. Then the girl started eating.

Suddenly the door of the house opened Sri entered the house while carrying plastic groceries.

“Assalamualaikum,” says Sri.

“Waalaikumsalam,” Haifa replied.

“Can the surabinya, Sri?” ask Haifa.

“Can, Mom. Final section,” replied Sri.

“Put on two plates, which one plate put in the living room for Pak Wira,” Haifa said.

“Iya, Ma'am,” replied Sri.

He brought his plastic to the kitchen. Shortly after, Sri brought a plate of surabi and placed it on the living room table.

“Bu, Sri met earlier Mas-Mas who ride the motor,” said Sri.

Haifa frowned.

which “Mas-Mas?” haifa asked confusedly.

“It was loh, which I called Aa Sya...Sya...” said Sri who forgot her name again.

“Oh….Aa Syaiful,” says Haifa.

“Iya, Aa Syaiful,” says Sri.

The hero immediately put up his ears listening to the conversation between Haifa and Sri.

“He said what?” ask Haifa.

“She nanyain Mother. She answered me again to the market. Then he went to Alifa, Sri said the same. Keep him sending greetings to Mother,” said Sri.

“Waalalikumsalam,” Haifa replied.

“So he said, this afternoon want to go home. Want to meet mom,” said Sri again.

“Keep answering what?” ask Haifa.

“Sri do not answer anything, afraid of being wrong,” Sri replied.

“Ya already, it's okay,” Haifa said.

Then Sri went back to the kitchen and helped Mother Euis cook.

Hearing Haifa and Sri's conversation made Wira so no appetite.

“Why, Mas? The food is not good, huh?” ask Haifa.

“No, good,” replied Wira.

The hero tries to finish his food even though his appetite is gone. Haifa watched Wira, it seemed that Wira was upset to hear the conversation she had with Sri. How else would have been the hero listening to everything.