The Pawned Marriage

Bereft

“Nafi, later afternoon play in the river, yok,” exclaimed Dian, Nafi's best friend while riding to his mother's motorbike.

“OK, but after my Bundaku finished eating and bathing, yes,” reply Nafi no less excited with sparkling eyes.

Miss Romlah, Dian's mother turned her head and asked in a concerned tone.

“How is the condition of your Bunda, Nak?”

“Alhamdulillah, Aunt, after chemo two days ago, Mother does not limp as usual. But me and Dad keep it tight. Mother can not be tired.”

“Hopefully your mother's cancer is quickly resolved even gone. You have to be strong, yes. Call Aunt if you need help,” said Mrs Romlah sincerely, looking at the beautiful face of Nafi with rosy cheeks.

“Aamiin. Thank you for praying, Auntie. Nafi go home first, yeah. Assalamualaykum ..”

“We together.” Dian asked her mother's approval.

“Astaghfirullah, Aunty until forget to want all the food anther for your mother. No what, right, threesome?”

Nafi and Dian throw each other a smile.

“Nothing, Aunt. Makasi already masakin for Mother and Nafi to be able to go home.”

Romlah carefully drove his motorbike down the village road to Nafi's house which is quite far from the musala where children learn to teach after school.

Nafi and Dian were busy telling me about the incident at school. Beating the sound of an old motor and the breeze that hit the face. Romlah smiled to himself listening to the chattering of two nine-year-old children, short length gossiping about their teachers and friends.

Before long, the three arrived in front of Nafi's cool and beautiful house. Nafi and Dian were still joking while getting off the bollard when Romlah exclaimed, “Astaghfirullah, Jamila!”

Nafi was stunned to hear her mother's name being called.

“Mother!” He saw a woman lying face down on the porch of the house.

“Nafi please your Mother. Dian, help Nafi, I want to call the doctor at puskesmas.”

“Mother ...Mother!” Shouted Nafi who was trying to flip the body of his Mother.

“Dian, call Dad. Please, use my hose.” Nafi held out a hape with trembling hands.

Jamila's face looked pale, her lips turning blue. Nafi rubbed her mother's face.

“Mother ... wake up Mother, plis. Breathe is here.”

Tears poured out and fell on her mother's face. Nafisa kept patting the woman who gave birth to her, her little lips kept calling out.

Suddenly, Jamila blinked and opened her eyes.

“Alhamdulillah, Mother .. This Mother is Nafi. We move to room, yuk.”

Jamila smiled weakly as she looked at the beautiful face that was teary-eyed. His hand touched Nafisa's cheek and rubbed it gently.

Lirih Jamila told her only daughter, “Sayang, sorry Mother has not been strong nemenin Mbak Nafi. Prayers, Ma'am. Be a strong and kind child. Watch dad. Mother very dear to you both.”

“Then Mother cannot leave. Mother ... Mother must be healed. We'll keep it together. Mother, Nafi beg.”

Romlah run closer. He saw Jamila's helpless face.

“Jamila ..” Call her slowly.

Nafisa's hand continued to stroke her mother's face, both of them fixedly staring at each other.

With the back of Jamila's finger dried the tears from Nafisa's face. Her lips singed the most beautiful smile before saying, “Laa ilaaha illallah ..”

Then his eyes closed, forever.

***

“Mbak Nafi, go home, yuk,” take Yusuf while embracing his daughter's shoulders.

“Nafi, go home yuk. We will all nemenin you tonight,” said Dian who crouched beside Nafisa greeted with a nod of peers.

“I'm still looking for Mother.” Nafisa wiped away the tears.

“You remember your Mother's message? Must toughen. Yuk hold my hand,” persuade Dian again.

Nafisa rubbed her face rough, drying up the tears that kept flowing even though she had promised not to cry.

Joseph grabbed a small grieving body. Nafisa was crying on her father's chest.

Netra Yusuf stared at the pus into the red earth mound with a sprinkling of flowers on it. His heart was broken but he had to be strong for the sake of Nafisa.

“Mother is no longer in pain now, Ma'am. But Mommy will be sad if Mbak Nafi kayak gini. We have to be strong,” he said in a vibrating voice.

One firm hand of Joseph stroked the veiled head of Nafisa while the other hand hugged tightly.

“Come home, the sky is already very cloudy,” take him again.

The heavy heart of Nafisa looked at the navel of her mother.

“Mother, Nafi go home first. Do not worry, Nafi will be diligent in praying and praying Mother. Nafi is also trying to toughen up and be a good person like the message of Mother.”

Nafisa's small hand stroked the headstone in front of her. It is sad because it has not been able to give the name written there.

Finally, with heavy steps, Nafisa accompanied by Joseph went to leave the woman they loved so much.

Accompanied by the rain, mourners gradually left the burial area to the funeral home for tahlilan.

***

Walking days. Now almost three months Nafisa lost her mother. Every day after school, accompanied by Dian, Nafisa always visited the tomb. Not infrequently Dian had to force Nafisa to want to go home before the sun went down.

Daydream brings Nafisa to the back two years as Jamila begins battling ovarian cancer. Because his father, Yusuf, was a TKI who worked in the Middle East, so Nafisa who always accompanied Jamila to seek treatment.

Sometimes accompanied by his uncle or aunt, but more often Nafisa herself because her relatives also have responsibilities in where they work.

Not infrequently, the little girl's nights knocked on the neighbor's house because her mother was bleeding. Luckily they have neighbors who are very understanding and immediately work hand in hand to help Nafisa and her mother.

Every night, his father made a video call with his wife and son, then they jokingly let go of longing.

When the cancer spread, his father decided to go home. Earnings during work abroad are good enough to pay for treatment.

Nafisa saw how painfully her father took care of her mother. Nafisa could feel how much her parents loved each other. Sometimes he heard his mother feel guilty and apologized for being sick, but Joseph always calmed and hugged Jamila, kissing a beautiful face that often hid the pain.

Sometimes Nafisa saw her mother blush when carried to the bathroom or her father who always looked at Jamila with a twinkle of love. The two also bestowed enormous affection on Nafisa.

The days are filled with happiness to enjoy togetherness that is not until when.

At the last chemotherapy, Jamila did not feel dizzy or nauseous. It even looks fresh and radiant. He even started to walk slowly. Cancer does make Jamila difficult to move the legs especially to step.

Nafisa's daydream was scrapped when she heard her father's motor entering the yard.

Gegas Nafisa prepares coffee and fried banana snacks that have been made as taught by her mother.

Joseph entered the house with Nafisa, who kissed the back of his hand. The man smiled at the cup of coffee and the fried banana was ready at the dinner table. Just like when Jamila was alive.

“Assalamualaykum, Dad.”

“Waalaykumussalam, Mbak Nafi.”

“Dad want to take a shower? The water in the tub is already Nafi filled. Her clothes were on the bed. Hunting bath after that we eat fried banana.”

Joseph smiled, remembering that Jamila had always prepared everything. Even if he came home from abroad but had to go for a short time, Jamila was always welcomed with hot coffee and snacks.

Nafisa continued to look at her father who was even pensive.

“Yeah, haloooo, Nafisa to Dad ..”

“Eh yes, Dear. Thank ye. Dad shower first we will eat fried bananas together.”

“OK, boss!” Nafisa with joy.

Joseph stepped into the room he was most afraid of. Room with Jamila. So many memories are left there. But seeing Nafisa who was trying to be strong, Joseph also strengthened his heart.

After taking a bath and wearing the clothes prepared by Nafisa, Joseph went out of the room. Nafisa is studying at the dinner table.

“Finally Dad is done too, come on, Nafi is hungry.”

“Iiih .. Mbak Nafi why not eat first?”

“Mother's word must wait for Father.” Nafisa's voice trembled but was hidden with a silly smile to her father.

Joseph turned his face away, not wanting to be seen that he was still very sad. He hurriedly sat down and sipped coffee.

“Maa shaa Allah, Daddy's son has pinter made coffee.”

“Makasi. Let's try the banana.”

Joseph smiled and took a banana and reached out to Nafisa.

“Nih, I take it for Ma'am. Looks good yes, legit.”

“Enak, was Nafi who chose bananas himself and then fried using the same recipe as Mommy.” Nafisa's pull was choked.

Joseph looked at the small child who was trying hard while slowly nibbling the legit fried banana in his hand.

“Mba Nafi, Dad also miss Mother.”

Nafisa stopped for a while and then went back to eating fried bananas, not wanting to show sadness.

“Mother Nafi's message must be a strong and kind child. Nafi also miss Mother, but do not want to cry, afraid Mother sad there.”

Joseph smiled forcedly and took a fried banana and ate it with great voracity.

Shaking off the sadness, Yusuf took a bite of a fried banana and said, “Enak, I love.”

Nafisa just nodded while trying hard so that her tears would not spill.

***

At night, Joseph lay in bed staring at the pillow where his wife used to lay her head.

“How are you, dear? If only I can see you smile for me for the very last time.”

Joseph cursed himself who left Jamila that day to take medicine.

His hand grabbed Jamila's pillow and held her tightly.

“I miss you so much, Mil. Although we are often far apart but I know you will always be there for me. You don't exist now, Mil.“

From behind the door, Nafisa listened to her father. He wiped the tears that escaped.

“No crying, I have to toughen up. Strong, Nafisa!”

Nafisa then stepped into the bathroom to fetch the ablution water and perform the evening prayer.

Omit he berbunagat, “Allah, please take care of Mother there. Please strengthen servant and Father.”

***