Tough Widow

Another disaster

The small birthday party went well. Hanan was so happy to get a gift from Ayu and Ninik. It is not an expensive item, but it means a lot to him. I am grateful for what my mom gave me. 

"I can play on the field, Ma?" hanan said with a mouth filled with cake. 

Ayu nodded immediately. He knew that the location was so close from his place that he did not worry. 

"Don't be naughty, yeah. Mama doesn't like it when Hanan makes trouble with friends," Ayu said seriously. 

It is often advised to do good before Hanan leaves the house.

Hanan nodded in understanding, he couldn't possibly forget Ayu's words. 

Ninik who accompanied Alifa and Adiba envied seeing Ayu's small family. Despite not having a husband, the fact is that the woman looks happy. In fact, all the problems that hit are no longer an obstacle. 

Ayu tidied the table. Keep a few pieces of cake in the refrigerator. It is quite edible later than discarded, while Ninik did not want to bring it. 

"I'm going, Ma." Hanan shouted while leading the bicycle towards the courtyard. 

Unanswered, the boy had paddled his iron horse towards the nearest field. 

Ninik smiled as Hanan's back began to drift away. "He's smart, Yu." I'm sure he'll be successful."

Ayu can only agree. Although at this time can not be ascertained, he still tried fully to make his children become successful people. Hope there's a bright spot soon.

''How is your husband?'' Ninik diverted the conversation. 

Ayu stopped his activities. Looking at Ninik from a far distance. From the bottom of his heart he no longer wants to think about Ikram, and wants to throw away his name. Neither himself nor his children. 

"That's it, Mom. I don't care about her business, because what matters now is the kids."

Ayu went back, avoiding questions from Ninik. Reluctant to discuss the Kram which has now forgotten his own children. 

Not long after, there was a sound of crying from the front. 

The finished one came back to the front. Hanan's bike was parked in the yard. The sound of crying sounded from the side. 

''It looks like Hanan's voice?'' Ninik stood up from his seat following Ayu who had arrived behind the door. 

It turned out to be true, Hanan cried while sitting embracing both knees. His eyes were not shuffled from the bicycle parked nearby. 

''You why, baby?'' Ayu approached and grabbed the tiny body of the son. Not usually Hanan cried as much as he could, even his eyes looked red with his nose starting to come out snot. 

Not answering, Hanan just pointed at his bike. 

Ayu looked up following Hanan's finger. His eyes focused on the part of the tire that looked fine. 

''Why the bike, son?'' ask Ayu enthusiastically. 

''The chain broke, Ma, '' said Hanan faltering. Both of his hands wiped the tears that were still left on his cheeks. 

Ayu mangut-mangut understood.

"Just calm down, mama will bring her bike in the workshop.'' Ayu kissed the tip of Hanan's head, calming the boy not to be sad anymore. 

Ayu entrusts Alifa and Adiba to Ninik. Then, he led the bike to the workshop, while Hanan followed behind. 

Along the way, many pairs of eyes were staring at him with cynical gazes. But Ayu did not care, and considered them a living statue. 

"Yesterday I also saw him cuddling with a foreign man at the cake shop. Looks like sugar daddy." One of the residents deliberately said loudly when Ayu passed by. 

"Maybe that man is his date" another timpal said. 

"What's up, son?" ask Ayu in a soft voice. Even though his chest was rumbling, he still looked relaxed. Pretend not to listen to them.

"Who do they mean, Ma?" Hanan pointed at the few people who were watching him. 

Ayu just glanced. Let go of her steering wheel and grabbed Hanan's tiny hand. 

"People out there. Hanan can't listen to the words of anyone other than mama."

Hanan nodded. Ayu's answer was convincing.

The atmosphere of the workshop was very crowded, many men were sitting in that place. There are three motors operated, among which are newly held by one of the mechanics. Everyone seems to be busy with their tasks.

"Excuse me, sir." Ayu ventured to greet the owner. Not afraid, because he was worried that it would cost a lot, while the money is currently thinning. 

"Yes, Mom. Can I help you?" The man who only wore sleeveless clothes stared at Ayu's appearance from top to bottom. Switch to the bike behind it. 

"My son's bike is broken, can you fix it?" 

Ayu explains that Hanan's bike chain was cut off. Then ask about the costs to be paid. 

After inspected. The man approached Ayu. "It doesn't seem like it's just the chain breaking, ma'am. But there are some parts also need to be repaired, fearing that it will be damaged sooner."

Ayu drowned for a moment, but she could do nothing but comply with the request. 

"alright, Sir. Its alright. What matters is that it can be used again."

Ayu and Hanan sat in alignment. They choose to be outside rather than having to wrestle with unknown people. Moreover, they are all men.

Again, just one reason Ayu. He did not want to be considered seducing the men.

Almost an hour waiting, finally Hanan's bicycle is finished being repaired. 

"How, Sir?" ask Ayu while reaching into the wallet from her gamis pocket. 

The man handed Ayu a small piece of paper. That is the breakdown of the fee to be paid. 

Five hundred thousand. 

Both of Ayu's eyeballs popped. He wants to protest with the note which he thinks is very expensive, but does not want to fuss in the place of people. 

Ayu reached into the money in the wallet. It turned out that the money was only four hundred thousand, which meant that it was not enough to pay the cost. 

"My money is less than a hundred thousand, sir." Ayu thrust the money in front of the workshop owner. 

The man just looked on without accepting it. 

"Not here to owe, ma'am. I have to pay some officers. So it must be paid off," the man choked until some visitors turned to Ayu. 

Ayu twisted her brain. Trying to find a way out of the problems faced now. 

How do I get Hanan out of here?

"alright. Instead, I will do anything, but I beg you to let Hanan take his bike home" Ayu pleaded. 

Rather than lose, the workshop owner finally agreed to Ayu's offer. Most importantly, he received equal rewards. 

"You clean that oil. Pointing to some black tin cans. 

Ayu did not argue, he immediately did it after Hanan left. Afraid of the eldest seeing his very miserable sacrifice.