The Primadona Malam

Pamite

Hearing her husband's answer, Halimah could only nod. He did not want to impose his will anymore. Getting such an answer, Halimah was already very grateful. That means, there is little hope for Niram to get a work permit from his father.

"Yes, now I'm resting. I want to help Niram fold his clothes" Halimah said.

"Please tell Niram, so he doesn't work late at night, ma'am, "Hanafi's message.

"Just take it, Dad. Therefore I want to help Niram so that his work is finished quickly" said Halimah.

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Next day. As usual, after dawn Niram traveled around the village to offer washing services. Not to forget, he also brought clothes belonging to his neighbors who had been ironed neatly, last night.

"This is your reward!" said a middle-aged mother who always looks fashionable.

"Thank you, ma'am" replied Niram.

"The clothes are safe, right? No one gets smudged?" ask the mother.

"God doesn't exist, Mom. I separated the white clothes from the other colored clothes" replied Niram.

"Hmm, good then. Just be careful if my clothes get smudged. I'll report your negligence to the police later!" threaten the mother.

"God willing, safe Ma'am. Then, excuse me. Assalamu'alaikum!" pamit Niram's.

Hearing the name of the police being carried around, Niram began to feel uncomfortable. He immediately bothered to avoid the ravings of his neighbor.

"Hmm, wa'alaikumsalam."

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After touring the village and getting some laundry, Niram finally returned home.

"Assalamu'alaikum!" Niram said his greetings as soon as he arrived at his doorstep.

"Wa'alaikumsalam," replied Halima who was still busy inserting thread into the needle burrow.

"Let Niram help, Mom." Niram offered to help when he saw his mother having trouble inserting a thread. "Here, ma'am," said Niram, handing over the needle that had now been filled with thread.

"Thank you, son," replied Halimah.

"Together, ma'am," replied Niram. "Then Niram went back, Mom. To wash these clothes" Niram gave his mother permission.

"Wait, Ram!" prevent Hanafi who is already standing behind Niram.

"Dad? Why did you get out of bed?" tanya Niram approached Hanafi.

A second later, Niram led Hanafi to sit on the weathered rattan chair.

"Sit, Son!" hanafi's orders shortly after he sat down, "there's something I want to say to you" he continued.

Without saying or asking, Niram obeyed Hanafi's orders. He sat in a rattan chair facing his father.

"Look, Ram. You know, wasn't it about the job offer from your uncle the other day?"

"Tempo the day Dad refused the proposal, because I thought, here you can still get a job. But, Dad was wrong. I feel too selfish to refuse raw without offering first to you. It would be unfair to refuse without asking first whether you want to work in the city or not?" hanafi.

For a moment, the old man took a deep breath to gather strength.

"So, now I want to ask you a question, son. Do you have any intention, or desire to try to accept your uncle's offer?" ask Hanafi.

Niram just lowered his head. Really, this was a very difficult question for him to answer. On the one hand, Niram is eager to work like everyone else. Have enough money and can meet the needs of the family.

Niram realized, the work in his village was not too qualified to meet the economic needs of his family. Therefore, Niram wanted more. The only way is to work in the city.

However, on the other hand Niram felt unbearable to leave his parents who had aged. I don't know who's gonna help her mom make a living after she's gone. I don't know who helped his mother take care of his father after he worked in the city.

Niram really could not bear if his mother had to work alone. Niram could not bear if his father lived alone in the house when the mother tandur or join the harvest in the rice fields people. I don't know, he's so in a dilemma that he can't give an answer.

"Say your wish, son. Don't take everything from us. After all, your happiness is our happiness as well. After all, we realized that we could never give you a decent life like girls your age. I know, you must have high dreams, noble ideals, and limitless expectations. However, forgive us .. we can never materially support all your hopes, dreams and ideals," said Halimah whose eyes were already glazed.

"Mother ...."

Niram moved out of his chair. A moment later, he approached Halimah and hugged her tightly. For a few minutes, the two women of different generations shed tears.

"If you really want to work in the city, I'm sincere. Never assume that we are a burden until you decide to stay and take care of us. Believe, Son ... Your mom and dad are still willing to take care of themselves. Go then! Achieve your goals as high as possible. Just one message Dad, never leave prayers, as busy as your job will be." Hanafi spoke his heart to Niram.

The long haired girl broke her embrace. He looked back at Father. His vision grew even more faint due to the tears that kept breaking. However, his chest was a little relieved because the father had allowed him to work.

Niram came back to his father.

"I'm sorry Niram, Dad. However, Niram himself could not deny Niram's wishes. Sorry ... Niram wanted to go to the city not to play around or be curious about the situation there. Niram went to the city just intending to improve the state of our family's economy. Niram wants me healed. Niram wants Mom to just stay home and take care of Dad, without being burdened by the laundry of the people or by the kebaya cloth that I have to sequin in day and night. Let Niram alone work, let Niram alone who seek money for our needs, Well, Mom," replied Niram at length.

Hanafi could only tear up hearing his son's intention to work. While Halimah, her tears are increasingly pouring profusely when she knows the glory of the princess's heart alone.

"Go, Son. I'm willing to let you work in the city."

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Halim tidied her clothes into the backpack. The permission his employer gave him to search for employees has expired. Therefore, Halim must immediately return to work.

Halim's wide smile unceasingly adorned the face. The decision given by the brother yesterday afternoon, made Halim feel happy.at least, with the decision he considered appropriate, slowly his brother's economic situation will be better.

Finished getting her clothes done, Halim then left the house. He locked his parents' house tightly. Shortly after, Halim goes to her brother's house to pick up Niram.

"Niram go first, Dad. Take good care of Dad. Don't forget, always drink warm water in the morning and at night, yes," Niram said as he said goodbye to his father.

"Yes, Son. Go then! Hopefully, you will become a successful person." Hanafi Prayer.

"Niram go first, Mother. Don't be too tired to wash. Later, after Niram's payday, Niram will send it to Mother, "the promise of Niram to the mother.

"Yes, Son. Be careful in the area. Keep your attitude and say. May you be there, yes" replied Halimah.

Niram nodded back. The three of them hugged each other to strengthen each other. This was their first farewell, and it felt so hard.

"Come Niram! We'll miss the bus."