The Love Story of Haifa

61. Last Greetings.

After driving Haifa home Wira immediately paid to find the hotel where she was staying.

“Sleep here only in Dodi's room. Wira sleeps in bed, Dodi sleeps under the bed,” said Euis' mother.

“Poor Dodi should sleep under,” replied Wira.

“It's okay. Dodi is used to sleeping under if many guests stay here,” said Ms. Euis.

Actually Wira wanted to reject the offer of Mother Euis, but because Mother Euis continued to force so the Hero was forced to accept the offer of Mother Euis to stay at Haifa's house. It's an opportunity for Wira to get close to Haifa before she goes to Bangkok.

“Alright Aunt, if it is not a hassle Wira will stay here,” replied Wira.

“Later to Haifa who will clean her room,” said Ms. Euis.

In the afternoon when Wira was smoking on the porch of the house, Syaiful came looking for Haifa.

“Assalamualaikum,” says Syaiful.

“Waalaikumsalam,” Reply Wira.

“Haifa is there, Sir?” ask Syaiful.

“There. I'll call you a minute.”

The hero put out his cigarette in the ashtray and went into the house to call Haifa. Shortly after, Haifa left the house.

“What's up, A?” ask Haifa.

“We go for a walk, yuk. Invite Alifa,” said Syaiful.

“Sorry A, Haifa can't have any more guests,” Haifa replied.

“These fathers were?” ask Syaiful.

“Iya. He is his uncle Alifa,” Haifa replied.

“Then how tomorrow? Can not?” ask Syaiful.

“Tomorrow also can not. Haifa has to go back to Jakarta. Poor Mamah Deswita was lonely because Mas Wira had to return to Bangkok,” Haifa replied.

“Yeah, so when can dong Aa go for a ride with Haifa?” asked Syaiful disappointedly.

“Haifa also does not know. Haifa now lives in Jakarta with Haifa in-laws, not here anymore,” Haifa replied.

“You don't want to see your parents?” ask Syaiful.

“Mama and Father often to Jakarta. Haifa likes to tell Mr. Tono to pick up Mamah and Mr.” Haifa replied.

“Yes, already if you can not. But if you go to Sumedang again tell Aa, yes,” said Syaiful.

“Iya, A,” Haifa replied.

“Aa go home first, yes. Assalamualaikum,” Syaiful.

Syaiful left the house of Haifa.

“Waalaikumsalam,” Haifa replied.

Haifapun went into the house. Inside the house Wira was talking to Mr. Yayat while holding Alifa. While Mother Euis prepared dinner. Haifa helped Mother Euis prepare dinner.

“You what Syaiful to here?” ask Euis' mother.

Then Haifa told me everything.

“Why don't you reject him firmly if you don't want to be with Syaiful. Poor he still keeps expecting you,” said Mother Euis.

“From the first time Haifa has rejected him. He is the only one who keeps trying to get close to Haifa,” Haifa replied.

“Mamah hope you can take good care of yourself. Let no one underestimate you just because you are a widow,” said Mother Euis.

“Iya, Mah,” Haifa replied.

******

The next day Wira and Haifa returned to Jakarta after the dawn prayers. Throughout the journey the hero is more silent and says nothing. He focused on driving the car. Occasionally Haifa glanced at the Hero. I don't know why it doesn't feel good to see Wira shut up.

Is he angry with me? haifa asked in her heart.

They arrived at Mr. Broto's house at ten in the morning. After Wira put her car into the yard of the house, Wira immediately got out of the car and threw her car keys to Mr. Tono.

“Pak, please bring down the items,” said Wira.

“Good, Den,” replied Mr. Tono.

The hero approached his Mom who was waiting on the porch of the house, after kissing the hand of Mama Wira directly into the house.

Deswita's mother approached Haifa.

“Assalamualaikum,” said Haifa then kissed the hand of Mother Deswita.

“Waalaikumsalam,” replied Ms. Deswita.

“How are you? Healthy?” ask Deswita's mother.

“Alhamdullilah Haifa is healthy, Mah,” Haifa replied.

“Kunny Uti how are you?” mother Deswita asked while looking at Alfa who was sleeping in Haifa's arms.

“Alhamdullilah Alifa is also healthy,” Haifa replied.

“Mamah kangen once on Alifa,” says Ibu Deswita.

“Mah, Haifa sleepin Alifa first,” says Haifa.

“Iya,” replied Ms. Deswita.

Haifa walked towards her room. But when he just arrived at the door of the room he saw Wira coming out of his room using a suit with a tie hanging around his neck.

Quickly change her clothes, Haifa said inwardly.

The hero approaches Haifa.

“I go to work first,” say goodbye Wira.

“Iya, Mas,” Haifa replied.

“Assalamualaikum,” said Wira then walked to the bottom floor.

“Waalaikumsalam,” Haifa replied.

Haifa went into her room.

At night when the grave time was night, Wira still did not come home from the office.

“He was busy but still had time to go to Sumedang. Mamah said Mr. Tono picked up Haifa. But he insistent on wanting to pick up Alifa,” said Ms. Deswita.

“Leave it, Mah. Maybe he already misses Alifa,” replied Mr. Broto.

“If miss with Alifa why go to Bangkok?” mother Deswita asked in annoyance.

“Have let it go, later also he came home again,” said Mr. Broto.

“Iya. But when, Pah? If he chooses to marry a Thai and settle there how?” ask Deswita's mother.

“Yes, it's okay. As long as his future wife is Muslim,” replied Mr. Broto.

Haifa just silently listened to the conversation of Mother Deswita and Mr. Broto. Haifa felt guilty for causing the hero to leave the house.

At nine o'clock in the night Haifa came out of her room to get some drinking water. When he was about to return to his room Haifa listened to the sound of a guitar from the balcony. Haifa peeked out from behind the wall. The hero was sitting on the balcony playing the guitar.

I'll give myself up tonight

Meeting you 'to the umpteenth time

Don't you be afraid

There's no use talking

I want to look at you my goddess

And now I realize

How long has this been

You're pouring

Love to me

Merely

'To raise the spirit of my sale

Without a speck of love

You opened my eyes

You're leading me

Start a new life

Stay away from temptation

The empty stuff

I did it all for you

Slowly I tried to get up again

Looking hard at the bright future

Sincerely my heart I thank you, dear

I'm sorry I misjudged

You opened my eyes

You're leading me

Start a new life

Yeah!

Stay away from temptation

The empty stuff

I did it all for you

Accept my greetings

The last time

'I will go far away

I'm trying to understand you

And I promise

Step in his path

My dear

(Last Greeting: Ikang Fawzi)

Haifa listened to Wira sing to the end, after which Haifa reentered her room. Haifa threw herself down next to Alifa and hugged Alifa.

“Mamah should how?” haifa asked Alifa.

*****

In the morning when Haifa had just finished bathing Alifa, Sri suddenly entered her room in a hurry.

“Mother. Sir Wira is leaving, Mom. Sri saw Mr. Wira saying goodbye to Ms. Deswita and Mr. Broto. Mr. Wira brought a big suitcase once,” said Sri with a chat.

Haifa was shocked to hear that.

“Sri, titip Alifa,” says Haifa.

“Iya, Ma'am,” replied Sri.

Haifa hurriedly walked out of her room, heading downstairs. Haifa saw Deswita's mother crying.

“Mah Pah, Where's Mas Wira?” ask Haifa.

“Already gone. Wira is gone,” replied Ibu Deswita while crying.

Haifa ran out of the house.

“Mas Wira,” call Haifa.

But it was too late the car carrying Wira had left the residence of Mr. Broto. Haifa ran into the street not using footwear.

“MAS HERO!!!!"

Haifa shouted in the street calling for Wira and hoping for the car that brought Wira back again. But in vain the car was getting away. Haifa immediately squatted in the middle of the road and lowered her head. Haifapun crying.