The Toga Rahayu

Funeral

All the families have gathered at the residence of the mother of Reno including the big family Rahayu who immediately glided to Gersik that morning as well. Rows of bouquets have lined up so neatly along the road to Reno's house.

Since Reno's departure for good Rahayu is reluctant to leave her husband's side, Rahayu chooses to one car with her husband in her mother and father, while Reno's mother and father use different cars.

In contrast to their arrival a few days ago greeted with laughter and joy from all families, their return this time brought great grief and sorrow.

Everyone felt lost so suddenly, all sad and all crying when the motorcade that brought Reno into the yard of the house.

Rahayu was immediately greeted with her mother, when she entered the house. All the neighbors and relatives who have been present there this time did not say congratulations like last week, but condolences that flooded Rahayu.

Be ill.

Sad that's how it feels.

Throughout the preparation of the funeral Rahayu did not move at all from the side of her husband, with the chanting of verses from the Koran recited by guests who came, rahayu's eyes unceasingly looked at Reno's shady face that had rested so quietly. Rahayu whispered to Reno.

“How can it no longer hurt his hands and head?’.

Then Rahayu returned sobbing again.

After all the funeral preparations were completed Rahayu was allowed to kiss Reno's forehead for the last time. Rahayu took a deep breath and kissed her husband's forehead for so long. Rahayu also gently stroked Reno's head before the body was covered and taken to the cemetery.

“Darling if you are happy you will be very happy to meet God. If you are happy I am happy mas” too.

Rahayu again sobbed next to Reno and again it was her mother who calmed her down and hugged her so peacefully.

“Sabar yes son, please let Reno calm down there”.

“Ibu”.

Rahayu hugged her mother very tightly.

When Reno's body was about to be sent to the cemetery Rahayu so loyal to accompany but unfortunately his body was not able to stand upright.

It feels so floating and boneless. Although many forbid to go to the funeral because of Rahayu's condition that is not possible, but Rahayu still insisted on wanting to see her husband for the last time. With a swift family who was quick memapah and help Rahayu to walk.

All mourners who came were concerned to see Rahayu's condition.

“Kasian ya newlyweds already have to in stay her husband go forever’.

‘Kasian ya young, beautiful already dowager”. And there are many more words spoken by pilgrims who come.

Arriving at the funeral Rahayu crying again broke for the umpteenth time, Rahayu really regretted having wasted the time that was with Reno which was only a short time.

After the people who drove Reno to the final resting place Rahayu was still reluctant to go home. Rahayu fell back on the headstone of her husband.

“Mas wait for me there ya”.

Rahayu pointed to an empty spot next to Reno's tomb.

“Your calm is there, may Allah forgive all your sins. You are a good man. I testify it”.

“It's been yes son don't cry continue pity Reno, we go home ya’.

Mom grabs Rahayu's hand and returns to wash her to help walk and bring her home.

***

Arriving at Reno's house the extended family still gathered there including Rahayu's parents. Some other family members cook to prepare food to eat together because from here tonight since the news of Reno accident received by the family. No one's family has eaten at all.

Persuade Reno's father to his son-in-law who looks so exhausted not to sleep all night.

“Rahayu is here well, Rahayu is not ready to go to the room. Mas Reno's shadow is still so clearly drawn there’.

‘Alright then dad take the mother to rest first yes, it seems like mother is very tired tension also rose a lot of thoughts and shock.

Rahayu nodded her head.

Rahayu sat in the living room with her sisters accompanying her, not a word in her eyes, looking forward, but did not know what was the focus of her gaze. His sight was so hollow and languishing.

“Nak food is ready, eat first ya”.

Mother came patting Rahayu's back to disperse the daydream of her son who had gone everywhere.

Ibu Rahayu handed over a plate of rice with vegetable soup and fried chicken side dish complete with years and tempeh, do not forget bude deliver food also for mother Reno who is still in the room.

All the families gathered in the living room to enjoy the food, Rahayu glanced at the food her mother had prepared.

His eyes water again when he saw the vegetable soup. Rahayu recalled her ignorance of Reno a few days ago, intentionally adding a tablespoon of work on top of the soup bowl served to Reno. Not the anger you get, but the compliments you get.

“Taste this beautiful darling, let me who obscures like when I close your disgrace perfectly”.

“The bitter sacrifice on my tongue only felt when my beautiful wife did not feel the bitter that I felt”.

Tests

Rahayu's tears fell again when she remembered a piece of her memories along with Reno remembered every word she said perfectly.

“Lo why son? What cuisine is not tasty”.

Rahayu was unable to speak, only shaking her head.

“Why? Mommy bribe huh?”.

Mother grabbed the bowl in Rahayu's lap and fed her firstborn so patiently.

Rahayu's tears did not stop flowing when one mouthful landed in her mouth.

“Why mbak? In the first meal yes let not hurt”.

This time Rahayu's sister patted her back trying to strengthen.

“I remember Reno mas, some days ago I cooked soup and it tastes salty, I deliberately added a lot of garan in it”.

Rahayu was unable to continue her words as well as eat them, Rahayu could not swallow the soup.

The family who watched him cried for her. After a while, the whole family was done with the meal. Bude and Rahayu bulek tidied up all the remaining food while some others rested around the mat in the living room.

While Rahayu finally fell asleep curled up in front of the tv, the family members who saw her stared pityfully.

“One pity Rahayu with such a young age has become a widow”.

It did not feel both parents Rahayu who watched her son fall asleep curled up in the chair also shed tears.

Yes, Mr. Rahayu, a man who had tried hard with the departure of his first daughter-in-law, now his defense faltered when he saw his daughter. The corner of her eyes watering looking at the face of ayu Rahayu who was asleep curled up on the chair.