Tidying Up Asa, Inviting Hidayah

17. This is my life.

🍁Do not judge something only from the visible, often sweet durian precisely the skin there is a squirrel eaten. Conversely, kedondong fruit whose skin is smooth turns out the inner seeds are stringy and sour.🍁

Hara's.

In life, I only live the obvious. Although there are many plans that I have written, but all are only plans about work. Not about my personal life. I hardly ever think about my own future, outside the context of work of course. For me to have a home, money and to be able to live my life the way I want is enough.

Other people saw me as almost perfect, flawless. But they don't know what I've been through so I can be what I am today. Nor do they know why I chose this way of life.

Why do I never think about my own future.? Especially when it comes to getting married and having children, I have never had any thoughts.

When tonight I was sitting three with mbok Jum and mang Saeb, then I realized, that my future was worrying. Tends grimly.

“Mas Hara is approaching the head 3, it's time to get married ...,” mbok Jum gazing at the night sky of the yellowish-emergent metropolitan city. Bias from fluorescent city lights.

“Iya, Den. While we are still healthy, we would love to see Aden happy,” mang Saeb patted my shoulder.

The three of us were sitting on a rattan chair on the back porch of the house. Accompanied by a plate of artificial sponge cake mbok Jum, the fragrant aroma of coffee emanates from the cup that still evaporates hot steam. The metropolitan city air is always sultry, tonight it becomes a little cool. Maybe because of the dry season.

“It is enough for Hara to think about others, it is time to think about herself, the future of Hara herself. Didn't want to get married and have children like friends mas Hara?” from looking at the night sky, Mbok Jum turned to look at me. His wrinkled face looked tired, complete with slightly shady eyes.

“Not thought, Mbok. Still comfortable like this, I do not want to be restricted.” I answered after smoking a cigarette and then exhaled the smoke into the air.

“Moreover all that mas Hara is waiting for?” I heard mbok Jum sighed deeply, “two symbok children are married, living happily with their families. both of them already have their own homes because of Mas Hara. Now Soleh has also got a good job.”

“Iya, Mbok. But Soleh does not know himself, already hitchhiking here, instead want to shift my place.”

Mbok Jum and Mang Saeb laughed. I just smiled wryly. This middle-aged couple who looked older than his age included important people in my life. Those who took care of me, changed the position of my parents who had left.

“Mang ...,” call me. Mang Saeb scrunched up the cigarette that stayed as good as possible, then focused on looking at me.

“Can I ask?”

“About what, Den? Since when does Aden want to ask for permission? Since returning from Jogja, mamang taste so little changed. His speech is more polite and more understanding with others. Mamang becomes suspicious.”

I shook my head in disagreement, “nothing has changed, Mang. I have been like this from the beginning until now.” Of course I don't feel like anything has changed in my attitude and nature. Except now that I often imagine the face of Nabila and Naufal, there is no way that it affects my attitude and behavior, right?

“Aden want to ask about what?”

I flicked my finger to throw ash at the tip of the cigarette, straightened out the Saeb mang and Jum mbok. Remembering the curiosity I held for a long time. Only stored in the heart, has not been spoken. Now I have to finish, while I have a chance.

“Mamang, right, it's been working here for a long time. Longer than mbok Jum, so mamang must know what life papa and my mama used to be.”

Mang Saeb looked frowning, probably remembering about the past. I kept quiet, waiting for his answer.

“Wah! If told all, a week can not be finished, Den. The story of father and mother is very long ...”

“Mamang knows, how mom and dad can get married?”

Mang Saeb smiled, but a moment later he let out a long breath. I know Mang Saeb is a living witness to the journey of love mama and papa. Because he's been working here, since before papa and mama got married.

“Pak Yohan and bu Widuri office friends. Mamang do not know for sure they are one part or not. Mamang just remember, used to be often told by mr. nganterin bu Widuri to go back to his rented house.”

Jum and I were both silent, no one wanted to interrupt Saeb's story. I deliberately grind cigarettes, but still half a stick left. Just to pay close attention to Saeb's story about papa and mama.

“The only woman who was invited home by Mr. Yohan, yes, only mother. There has never been another woman close to Mr. Yohan other than Mr. Widuri. Aden should know, their journey to get married is not easy. Because they both do not get the blessing either from the family of Mr. Yohan or the family of the mother.”

It's an interesting story, because I never knew how mom and dad got married. With the status of a mother who is not a single girl.

“That time papa knew not about mama status?”

“Of course know, Den. Aden's mother never hid her status. Even my father once drove my mother home to Jogja. Father himself who said same mother husband, about their relationship.”

“Mang Saeb knew at that time Pak Wawan said what?”

“Den .. aden do not assume the mother is not a good woman who is easily tempted by other men when away from the husband. Mother was a good man, Den.”

I smiled lightly, everyone said my mama was a good person. Including mbak Nabila and Pak Wawan. What kind of good woman would leave her husband and child for another man? Is it because papa is richer and more handsome than Pak Wawan?

“Mas Hara! Love comes without being prevented, because it is the gift of God. Maybe that's what happened to Mama and papa mas Hara first. Complicated relationship that must sacrifice many parties to unite.” mbok Jum patted my back slowly, I know he does not want me to think badly about mama and papa.

“What is clear, mother never forgets her children, Den. Mothers regularly send money monthly to them, mothers also sometimes visit them. Therefore, when they heard the news of the mother's death, they immediately came and brought home the body of the mother to be buried in a Muslim manner. Like the religion that my mother professed during life.”

“Mama and papa married in what religion, Mang?”

Mang Saeb chuckled, then patted my shoulder. He looked at me full of probes, “why suddenly aden asked like this? What did you do in Jogja? Hem?”

“During in Jogja, I stayed at the home of Wawan, Mang. Pak Wawan and mbak Nabila take care of mama's grave well, even though mama has hurt them.”

Mang Saeb shook his head in disapproval, “that's the true sincere form, Den. Sincerely without sincere words, but done with sincere deeds without expecting rewards.”

“Pak Wawan is a good person, the proof is he wants to accept aden stay at his home. It's worth changing aden, so it's more human.” Mang Saeb ended his sentence with a laugh.

“Mamang thought all this time I was inhuman?”

“Slight, Den. Just a little, aden very difficult to get along with others, sih.”

I shrugged my shoulders. Prefer to take one cigarette, then ignite it. If this is the case, Mang Saeb usually does not want to extend the story. Even though I still want to hear it. When I was a kid, Mang Saeb and mbok Jum often told me about mama and papa, but only a small part. There's still so much I want to know, there's still so much that I'm curious about.

“If Aden wants to know how his mom and dad got married, then just look at their photos. There's a photo album, right?”

I just remembered that there's a photo album that holds memories of our past. Mom, papa and me as kids. I also just remembered that there is a photo of mama and papa in the frame, attached to the wall of the living room. Big photo when mom and dad get married.

“Mamang is there, Den. When mama and papa aden say sacred promises, at the time of the blessing of marriage ...”

I know now, that mom and dad are married nasrani. So mama ….

“So mama changed religion again after marriage, Mang?”

Mang Saeb nodded, “every year Mr. Yohan participated in celebrating Eid al-Fitr, bu Widuri also prepared the house for Christmas and Easter celebrations. They are happy, despite living differently.”

“But, Mas. Symbok advice, if Mas Hara wants to marry, look for the same faith as Mas Hara. Differences of belief cannot always be put together, Mas.”

“I told you not to think of marriage, Mbok.”

“Ya, if there is a target, you should take it home, Den. Recognize us. Yeah, right, Mbok?”

“Ha ha ha. Mamang same symbok can faint if I bring home a woman.”

“Simbok do’akan, hopefully mas Hara married before even head three.”

Although I disagree, but still I guarantee the speech mbok Jum. Does God have a plan for every creature? Whether do’a which is granted, we only have to accept destiny.

That night we talked about a lot of things. It feels like I haven't sat together with mbok Jum and mang Saeb like this. Like when I was a kid. When they accompanied me on schoolwork. Or when they were with me watching a television show.

Tonight I take the opportunity, before tomorrow I go for how long. I don't know when else I can talk to them, when else I have the chance to sit with them. Two people I consider my own parents. They were there when I lost grip, those who propped up, when I fell and almost lost hope of life.

“As long as I go, does Cecilia ever come home, Mbok?”

“No, Mas.” mbok Jum shook his head, “only a few times call symbok tanya mas Hara home or not.”

“Stay clean his room, yes, Mbok. Who knows when he'll be home.”

“Beres, Mas.”

“Aden this, very dear same Non Cecilia.”

“If it wasn't me who noticed him, who else, Mang? Her mother just doesn't care about her.”

The night was getting late, but none of us wanted to end the conversation. There was just a topic of conversation, finished one replace the other. It's fun, I feel like I'm being with them.

***

Yogyakarta.

The plane I was on just landed at Yogyakarta International Airport. I came first to this city, deliberately ahead of Reyfan and Aneesha who just left tomorrow afternoon. Because I have a lot to take care of.

My first destination was, the apartment where Cecilia lived.

My cousin's sister gave me a warm hug as she greeted me on her unit doorstep. I've got her hair messed up, she must have just woken up.

“Shooting until midnight, just sleeping by morning.” Knock it while wriggling my arm, into the apartment, “kakakak want to drink coffee? Or breakfast?”

“It's noon, breakfast is too late,” I sit on the sofa, while Cecilia is busy at the mini bar. He grimaced, showing his teeth white and neat.

“Kakak here, kok, ngabarin?”

“The agent knows what you are doing, until rarely go home.”

“Busy, Brother. Full schedule,” Cecilia walked over with a cup of coffee that still emits hot steam, then put it on the table.

“Kakak not just returned to Jakarta, huh? How, have you been to Jogja again?”

“Iya. No business.” I wiped the head of my beloved cousin's sister, “you how are you, Ci?” My dear call to him.

“Good, Brother. Very good ... Ci kangen, deh, same sister.” As usual Cecilia rested her head with spoiled on my shoulder. Just like a little boy meeting his father, "we'll walk, huh, sister?"

“Can't, Ci. Brother can not be here long, brother must have reached Magelang afternoon. So we only have a minute, sorry, yeah."

Cecilia showed a face full of disappointment, but a moment later she smirked. Like finding a brilliant idea.

“We party here only, Brother. I pesenin food the same drink, how?”

“OK!”

The rest of the afternoon I spent partying with Cecilia. Our ala party is to spend a lot of food and beer while karaoke ria. Although with a discordant voice is not clear, but successfully release the fatigue and burden of life.

This is my life.

If others see my life as perfect, it is true. I don't have to think about the future if I'm happy with my life now. I can also make the people around me happy, why do I think about things that are still gray?

As for the future, I still refuse to think about it. Because for me getting married will only limit my movement, having a wife and children will only trouble me.

About getting married .. I might think about it later, if I had time to spare. Right now I just want to enjoy life as I want, live as I want ....

.

.

.

Seriate....

Hi friends ....

Insyaalloh the next chapter will be up every 3 days, pray faster😁

So can dong I ask for a gift😁