Trapped by My Husband's Destiny

Steadfast

Awfully, Nadia entered into a rather large house. After going through the front garden of the house is quite spacious, Nadia entered the living room from the main door.

The living room painted predominantly white is very neat and orderly. There are two sets of sofas in the living room. One set of sofas is gray and the other is pure white. On the white sofa - to the right of the living room - sat an aged woman, teaching. Women who are close to 70 years old still look fresh and healthy. The old woman who was still using her face, bowed down, read the book before her.

Nadia's heart was beating so violently when she saw one figure that she was inexplicably afraid of at the moment. Not afraid because it was scary, but afraid if he did wrong with his attitude and behavior when dealing with this woman.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Umi."

Arkan opened the word after entering the room.

"Wa'alaikum salutations."

The woman who was sitting and using glasses raised her head and looked towards the source of the sound. She's speechless. He focused his view. Perhaps his gaze did not recognize the figure that entered the living room.

"Umi.. This is Nadia, Arkan's friend who Arkan told Umi yesterday."

Arkan introduced Nadia who was standing next to him. They were already approaching the woman who was called Arkan by the name of umi.

The woman smiled.

"Assalamu'alaikum, ma'am...."

Nadia awkwardly had to call with what name. Mom, Umi or Grandma. The age of this woman is almost 2 times the age of her mother. He cheered the woman.

"Wa'alaikum salam. Sit down..," bargained the woman. He looks very friendly.

Nadia calmed down a little when she saw the smile of the woman who was still sitting on the white sofa.

"Sit down, Nad."

Arkan chose the sofa next to his mother while Nadia chose the sofa to the left of Arkan.

"Yes, Mas. Thank you." Thank you."

The girl who was wearing a brocade kebaya dress, sat down slowly.

"How are you, ma'am...?"

Nadia tried to open the conversation.

"Call Umi, Nad. Usually people call it Umi, "real Arkan.

"Oh, Yes... Mas."

"Where are you from, Nduk?" ask the woman to Nadia.

"I'm from Home, Umi. My house is in Serenan" replied Nadia. He's not awkward anymore.

"Away, yeah. What was your name?"

"Nadia, Umi. is far from Serenan to Solo. But.. I have been used to go back and forth to the city because I work in the hospital dr. MOEWARDI," explained Nadia again.

"Oh, doctor too."

"Yes, Umi...."

Suddenly a boy ran into the living room. The thin, white boy approached Arkan.

"Om, just got home?"

The boy hugged Arkan from behind. His thin hands, coiled around Arkan's neck. He stood on the back of the sofa. Looks spoiled.

Everyone in the room looked at him.

Arkan gave the order to the boy by pulling his hand in front of him.

The boy who had straight hair cut short and jigrak, moved according to Arkan's hand, then greeted Nadia.

"Call Mother yes, not Aunt," said Nadia. Nadia's face was a little surprised to see the movements of the boys who were still sitting on the SD bench who were very spoiled with Arkan.

"Who is he?"

The boy just nodded. He sits on Arkan's lap after greeting Nadia.

"This is my grandson. His mother, Arkan's first brother, is dead, so stay with us. We're the three of us living in this house. My other son, already married and already has his own home. His house is in a compound around here too."

The old woman spoke slowly and calmly. His teeth look clean and clean. Nadia knew that the woman was wearing dentures.

"How many people are Umi's children?"

"7. 4 men and 3 women. 2 are dead. Arkan's youngest brother died at the age of 10. At the time, Arkan was 12 years old. Isn't that right, kid?" ask the woman to Arkan.

Arkan nodded. He was holding onto the boy earlier, right now.

"Fandi's mother died 2 years ago. He's still in 1st grade SD. His father in Jakarta, has married again, so he does not want to be taken to Jakarta. It wants to be here near Arkan. From childhood, Fandi and his mother lived in this house. Her father used to sail, worked on PERTAMINA's ship, so indeed lived together Umi continued here after marriage."

"What's her mother hurt, Umi?"

Nadia asked and directed her eyes towards Fandi.

"Nad... You go in for a minute, right? Take Fandi to the room, "cut Arkan. He deliberately brought Fandi to enter the room because he did not want to hurt the feelings of the orphaned boy. Sometimes there are adult talk that will hurt the feelings of small children.

Nadia nodded.

"Just have a chat with Nadia..," asked Arkan. The man got up from his seat and guided Fandi out of the living room.

The old woman only saw Arkan move away from the sofa. Then he continued his story to the girl who was sitting nearly 10 feet away.

"Fandi spoiled with Arkan. Because even when his mother was alive, when Fandi was a child, he used to play with Arkan."

Nadia smiling.

Women who are aged but have a youthful parachute, tell stories with enthusiasm. She tells of her struggles with being abandoned by her husband and struggling to support their seven children.

Nadia shifted her seat closer to her Arkan mother. Now Nadia was sitting on the sofa occupied by Arkan earlier. He wanted to hear Arkan's mother's story clearly. The old woman who had a myriad of struggles and life experiences was happy with Nadia's response. They both fit perfectly in their current condition.

****

Nadia learned so much from her widowed mother Arkan from the age of 38. Arkan's mother told him about her struggle to take care of the children left by her husband. Struggling without any help from siblings even from his brother-in-law. The father of the man who was driving at this time, died when he was 4 years old.

It is not enough to be left with 7 orphans. Arkan's younger brother had a physical disability from a childhood polio attack. When he died at the age of 10, Arkan's younger brother could not walk at all. Paralyzed.

The struggle to educate his children by selling in the market, makes him more steadfast and steadfast in dealing with this life. Heartache, tears and sweat that poured had been felt by him to support his children. Without anyone's help, but God helped him because he sincerely took care of them.

At the moment, when he had reached 70 years old, he felt proud of his struggle. Nadia was able to catch the taste when she heard the stories of the old woman who still left the beauty lines on her face. He was proud to lecture his 3 sons. She is proud of her daughter who only finished high school, but also has an effort to help their husband. And he is proud to have finished his struggle to raise children who are all good, there has never been a problem made by his children.

Nadia also heard a story from a woman called Umi today, about the failed Arkan engagement, 2 years ago. Someone who is betrothed by the family, but because of a misunderstanding that makes the two families quarrel and cancel the marriage that is only 6 months away. Arkan never told me about it. Nadia only knows at this time about the engagement and the boy she takes care of.

Arkan, a few months known by Nadia, already looks the same character as her mother. The man who looked stoic and patient, was almost like his mother. The man who will be her husband. That's his hope. Hope is stronger when you meet a 70-year-old woman. The new woman was known but gave her so many lessons about the struggle of life. Life does need struggle and in between struggles there must be something to sacrifice.

Not noticeably, Nadia dropped a tear on the left cheek. He quickly wiped away the tears to make them invisible to Arkan. The man drove his car quickly, driving Nadia home on a dry night.

****