The Substitute

The departure of father

Ozan and Ameera have arrived at the father's treatment room. Ameera looked at her father who was still filled with medical equipment with a sad face. In the room there was Hasan, Zarima, along with a ruler who will be the guardian of marriage and also there are two people who will be witnesses of marriage.

Ozan sat in front of the ruler. Prior to the marriage contract, the pengulu gave his advice to Ozan. Wejangan in the form of an explanation of the rights and obligations of Ozan as a husband. That after this Ameera will be his wife, meaning that Ameera is fully the responsibility of Ozan. And it was Ozan's duty to give birth to a bathin to Ameera.

While Ameera sat in the back with Zarima, who was holding Ameera's hand, trying to strengthen Ameera. Zarima Tau Ameera was devastated by this situation.

"I accept his marriage, Ameera Malika Hutomo bint Rudianto Hutomo with the dowry paid in cash. "sounding Ozan's loud voice saying ijab qabul.

"Well" some people are heard saying the word legitimately, then simultaneously reciting the prayer.

Ameera closed her eyes for a moment, sighing. Then he kissed Ozan by kissing the back of his hand. Replied with Ozan's warm kiss on Ameera's forehead.

In front of the open door Rangga stood listening to the procession of ijab qabul. He looked at Ameera with a sad face. Rangga closed his eyes for a moment. Releasing Ameera was indeed something very heavy for Rangga.

Finally today I really lost you, Ameera. You belong to Ozan from now on. I don't even have the right to wipe your tears. I hate my situation, which cannot fight to get you. So I have to be willing to have you in someone else's possession.

Ameera and Ozan turned towards Rangga who was standing parallel to Ameera and Ozan's sitting position. Ameera looked back. While Ozan saw the sorrow in Rangga's eyes. But Rangga tried to show his smile even though his heart was hurt.

Ozan and Ameera greet their parents. When they finished, they left the room leaving Ameera and Ozan who were still inside accompanying Rudianto.

When Ameera kissed the back of her father's hand, her tears fell even as she tried to hold him back.

"Dad, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. Rest in peace, Father. "wiping away her tears. Ameera then walked out of the room. Trying to strengthen himself.

Now that only Ozan had money in the room, he kissed the back of his in-laws hand. Then whisper something in his ear.

"Dad, I've fulfilled my father's wish to marry Ameera. Next I will take care of Ameera with my life. I promise you, I'll give you anything that makes Ameera happy." Said Ozan who whispered softly in Rudianto's ear.

Rudianto moved his finger, which was in Ozan's grasp, hinting he heard what Ozan said. Ozan noticed Rudianto's finger movements, whispering something again.

"Daddy's job is done, I can rest in peace." this time Ozan can no longer stem his tears. After all, since childhood Rudianto was the one who took care of him. In fact he was closer to Rudianto than to his own father.

Tttiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttt

an electrocardiogram device reads for a long time, which signals Rudianto's heartbeat to stop. Ozan yells for the doctor. Everyone in front of the room panicked. Ameera was silent.

Doctors swiftly handle Rudianto assisted by several nurses. Outside the room Ozan was embracing Ameera. Rangga who sat at the end of the long chair was only able to stare sadly at Ameera.

I should have hugged Ameera and strengthened her. I'm sorry Ameera.

Shortly after, the doctor came out of the room with a sad face. Everyone looked tense, Hasan and Zarima standing up from their seats to the doctor. Ameera was not strong enough to stand.

"We did our best. But fate says something else "as if the sacred sentence that doctors often say in movies has become an explanation that indicates that a patient did not survive.

Never cry, never show your weakness in front of others

The sentence was echoed in Ameera's ear, when her father forbade her to cry. As if he wanted to show his father that he was strong, Ameera tried her hardest not to cry.

Rudianto's departure right after the marriage contract seemed to explain that the reason persisted only because waiting for the marriage of his son.

Ameera entered the room accompanied by Ozan. His father was lying stiff. All medical devices attached to his body have been removed by the doctor.

Ameera kissed her father's feet, apologizing for all the wrongs she had done to her father. Then he switched to kissing his father's hands and forehead in turn.

"Rest in peace, Father! Forgive all my mistakes that often make you angry." Leaning against his father's chest. Still with a blank look without tears.

***

Hasan and Zarima were preparing everything for Rudianto's funeral, while Ramon accompanied Rangga to complete the hospital administration.

Rudianto's body will be brought to his house first to be bathed. Ameera and Ozan boarded the car right behind the ambulance. The sound of ambulance sirens that rang during the trip was very heartbreaking for Ameera. She refused to cry in front of her husband.

In the funeral home, there were already many relatives who came after learning of Rudianto's death. When he got out of the car, Bu Yani appeared to approach Ameera and hug her. He tried to strengthen Ameera who looked very grim. For Bu Yani Ameera was like her own child, because Bu Yani was the one who had taken care of her since childhood.

Zarima and Ozan were beside Ameera who was sitting on her father's bedside. Hasan was greeting the relatives who had arrived. While Ramon and Rangga are in the cemetery preparing everything.

***

On the afternoon, the funeral procession was completed, Ameera with black dress and matching colored pashmina on her head, still sitting on the side of her father's grave. Ozan and Zarima were never far from Ameera. They kept him company and gave him support. Until it did not feel almost dark, Ameera had not moved from her seat. He kept looking at the mound of earth that had been sprinkled with flowers, the final resting place of his father. Sometimes staring at the tomb next to him which is the tomb of his mother.

Rangga and his mother Aliyah came to Ameera. Aliyah hugged ameera, and rubbed her back. While Rangga clasped Ameera's hand, occasionally trying to strengthen her by saying many things like she used to do when Ameera was sad. Rangga knew Ameera never cried in front of anyone but her father and herself. Even if Ameera was married, she would not cry in front of Ozan.

Ameera rests her head on Rangga's boat. Instantly Rangga glanced at Ozan who was standing in front of him like he was about to ask for permission. Ozan is now Ameera's husband. Ozan nods his head at Rangga, knowing that Ameera is in need of Rangga beside him.

It didn't feel like it was getting dark but Ameera was still sitting there.

"Let's go Ameera, let's go home." Ozan embraces Ameera's shoulder.

"I want to go home to my father" said Ameera in a flat voice.

"We've been to Dad's house."

Zarima and Hasan accompanied Ameera back to her home. They did not leave Ameera alone in the current state of mourning.