THE SNOW-COLD DUDA

MISS HANA'S PROPOSAL

Tonight the Ara family is having dinner together. Suddenly bi Asih called Ara because there are guests who want to meet him. Ara frowned as the sayup was heard the sound of a baby crying.

" Who is Ra's guest? Why does it seem like there's a baby crying?" Asked lady Aisyah looking at her daughter.

" I don't know Bun, or don't... " Ara paused her words.

" Re." Mumbled Ara instantly remembered Rere's cry.

" Bun, Dad, I'm ahead first." Ara. He immediately left the dining table.

Ara headed towards the living room and how surprised she was when she saw Madame Hana standing up while holding a crying Rere.

" Athaghfirullahal'adzim Aunty... Why did Auntie bring Rere here this night? Rere must be cold Auntie because of the night air. Oh, my God, I have so much pity on this beautiful son of Aunti." Ara. Spontaneously he took Rere from Madame Hana's sling.

" Aunty should how Ara? Rere was crying like this all the time. Auntie had no choice but to take her to see you. Aunty is sure Rere will be calm in your arms." Madame Hana said.

" Yes, baby, you miss Aunti? Aunti also misses you. Ust ust baby don't cry anymore, dear Aunti! Aunti is here with you." Said Ara kissing Rere's old cheek.

Miraculously...

Rere's cry stopped immediately, it made Madame Hana smile as well as the two Ara parents who saw her from a distance.

" Aunty does Rere not drink milk regularly? Why does it look like she's got a body that's thin." Ara said without looking at Madam Hana.

" How not skinny Ara, she kept crying looking for you. He doesn't want to drink milk well Ara. Look at! Since your departure she could only cry and continue to cry like this. Yoga had hired two babby sisters but they were unable to calm Rere down. Aunty sure Rere just wants you not someone else Ara." Madame Hana.

Ara looked at Madam Hana with guilt for rejecting her Yoga proposal.

" Ara Aunty is self-aware of who Yoga is and who you are. The comparison between you and Yoga is very clear. You are a beautiful girl, sholehah and smart, you can easily get a man like whatever you want. And Yoga? Yoga is only a widower who is lived dead by his wife. No one wants to marry her especially if they look at Rere. No woman wants to marry a widower." Said Madam Hana.

" But Ara, Rere really needs you to be his mother. Say if Auntie is selfish for just thinking about Rere without thinking about your future. But Auntie has her reasons. Auntie feels you are the right woman to be Rere's mother. You are a religious woman, you know how to love others. Aunty sure you can take care and love Rere as sincerely as you take care of your own child, other women can not necessarily do it Ara. Maybe if Aunty announces that Yoga is looking for a wife at this time will certainly be many women who register, but not necessarily there is one of them who sincerely accept Rere as his son. Aunt please Ara! Don't let Rere be in the wrong hands. Auntie beg Ara to accept Yoga's proposal and marry her. Be the wife and mother of the children Yoga later Ara! Aunt please!" Madam Hana clenched both hands in front of her chest.

" If you're here to instigate my daughter, you better get the hell out of this house." Mr. Alif walked up to them, followed by his wife from behind.

" Dad." Mumbled Ara.

" Good night sir, sorry I was forced to do all this for the sake of my grandson. Forgive me if I'm selfish sir! I'm just fighting for my grandson's happiness, and that happiness is with Ara. I beg you with all day Sir, please allow Ara to be my daughter-in-law." Madame Hana.

" I won't let Madam, my daughter will become a specialist instead of being a housewife who babysits and takes care of her husband at home. She will be a career woman and she will achieve success in her young age. Ask your son to propose to someone else." Said Mr. Alif.

Madam Hana sighed softly. He did not run out of sense to persuade Mr. Alif until Mr. Alif would accept Yoga as his son-in-law.

" Look at Mister!" Madam Hana pointed at Rere who was starting to fall asleep.

" My grandson wants Ara, only Ara Tuan. We tried to use the services of a babby sister but my granddaughter kept crying until she was thin like this. Please have mercy on my innocent grandson Sir! She needs a mother who sincerely loves her, she needs a mother who is ready to take care of her lovingly, and there is only one woman who can do that Master. That's your daughter Ara." Madame Hana.

" With all the humility that I have, please accept this proposal, sir. Me and Rere came here to ask your daughter in person. I beg you Sir! Accept my grandchild as your grandchild." Call madam Hana.

" It's better now that you leave here madam because up to any time I won't grant your wish. Don't waste our time!" Said Mr. Alif.

Ara approached her father, she would also try to persuade him.

Mr. Alif looked at Rere closely.

" He was in his mother's abode when he couldn't open his eyes yet, he didn't know how his mother's face was. He doesn't know his mother is dead. All he knows is that he needs a mother to take care of him with loving care. He needs calmness, peace and a little happiness for him to live a quiet life. Didn't Dad knock his heart out to let me take care of him?" Ask Ara. Mr. Alif silenced without saying anything.

" If I could adopt this baby, I would adopt Dad. But his family won't allow it. If Dad were in Aunt Hana's position, what would you do? What if when I give birth later I continue to die and Dad proposes to a girl to be the mother of my son but Dad's proposal is rejected? Aren't you going to be sick to see your granddaughter tormented like this?"

" As neighbors shouldn't we help each other? Aren't you going to help this poor baby?" Ara looked at her father.

Mr. Alif sighed slowly.

" I beg Dad! Make me the mother of this child, or I'll hate you forever." Threatening Ara made Mr. Alif surprised.

" I'm sorry Dad! I'm a little threatening to Dad because I don't want to lose Rere." Inner Ara.

" If Dad lets you marry him, are you sure he can make you happy?" Asked Mr. Alif to look at his daughter.

" God willing Dad, I will make sure that I live happily." Sahut Ara's.

" What about your mind that wants to be a specialist doctor all this time? Are you going to sacrifice your future just for someone else?" Ask Mr. Alif again.

" My sacrifice will not be in vain because God will replace it with Father's heaven." Sahut Ara's.

" You're so kind-hearted Ara, your heart is so soft. Maybe I was a little mistaken in educating you so you'd be the girl who couldn't see anyone else's suffering." Said Mr. Alif.

" Your education is very good Mr. Alif, not all parents can educate their children like you educate Ara. I'm so grateful to have met such good people like all of you." Madame Hana.

" So how's Dad? Did you accept Aunt Hana's proposal?" Ask Ara.

" Okay, I'm taking it." Mr. Alif's words made everyone smile happily.

" Thank you, sir, thank you very much." Madame Hana said happily.

" Please promise to make my daughter happy." Said Mr. Alif staring at Madame Hana.

" I promise to make Ara happy with our family. I will love her as much as I love my daughter. Once again thank you sir, may this marriage bring blessing to our family." Madame Hana.

" Amin."

" Make sure my daughter is okay and lives happily there. If I find my daughter injured, I'll take my daughter back." Threaten mr. Alif.

" Most certainly Sir." Sahut madam Hana.

" Thank you Dad." Ara hugged her father.

" O Lord, please accept my decision, may the three of us live happily ever after." Inner Ara.

Without them noticing Yoga standing in front of the door widened his smile. Either what makes her happy, either because of Ara or because Rere will have someone who will take care of her only Yoga knows.

TBC....