TWELVE DAYS OF LOVE

Mamak

"Assynnnya ... Assalamualaikum."

Arriving in front of the house, I shouted greetings. Maybe Mamak is in the kitchen, let him hear my voice.

At this hour my father must have gone to the rice fields and my sisters to school.

"Waalaikumsalam .. who comes this early in the morning?" Mama opened the door. "Fadeil? You coming, son?"

"Yes Mak." I kissed her hand immediately.

"Why don't you call first, huh? Suddenly you're home, is there something, son? Did ... you come to ask Daddy and Mamak to propose to your boyfriend?" Mamak immediately smiled while moving his index finger towards me.

"Can't Fadil go in first Mak?"

"Heh .. You're this."

Mom went into the house, I followed. In the middle of the room, a carpet lay facing a television. I immediately put my body there. I felt tired after this trip.

"Mamak make you some warm tea first."

"Mak's schoolgirls?" I shouted at him who was in the kitchen.

"Yes is it."

"Fadil misses them. It's not messy with them, Mommy?"

"Your sisters are all grown up. They miss their brother, too."

My mother was near me with a glass of warm tea. I closed a few sips, it felt so good. The tea made by Mamak is unsurpassed.

"Mr ... I'm tired Mak."

Mom smiled, I understand. Immediately his hands massaged my head which I had now shifted his focus to Mamak's thigh.

"What's Fadil? Tell me...."

My mom always knew. He's like a psychic or maybe an expression reader. My turmoil can be caught.

"Did Mom and Dad really want to have a ghost?"

"All parents must have that desire. Raising children, educating, providing independence, and then ushering toward his own ark. You are already quite an adult. Twenty-eight years. You already have the provision of independence, now is the time to make your own household boat. After that Mamak and Dad can already let you off to be taken care of by your companion."

Mama stopped for a moment. " Eh .. is this a true estimate of Mamak? You're going home to ask Mamak and Dad to ask your girlfriend in town?"

I shook my head slowly. Mamak looked at me pushyly, then went back to rubbing my hair and massaging my head.

"I'm sorry Fadil, Mak."

"Why Nak?"

"Fadil has not been able to fulfill the wishes of Mamak and Dad."

"He's not ready to be lured?"

I shook my head and said, "Fadil has lost, Mom."

"Losing?"

"Fadil lost to fate and fate."

Mama's breathing, soft. I felt a gust of wind from his nose as he blew it.

"Tell me ... Mama's listening."

"Actually ... Fadil had planned to propose to Naura, he wanted to. But ... Our marriage must be on condition."

"Condition?"

"Yes, Mom. Fadil should be able to provide the cost of the wedding as requested by Naura's parents to hold the wedding."

"Isn't that your duty, son?"

"Well?!"

"Fadil retreat."

"Made ...." Mama said slowly. "You're backing out?"

"Yes, their request is not negotiable. Fadil is incapable. Forgive Fadil who can't bring a son-in-law to Mamak and Dad."

"Do you love her?"

"Naura Fadil's first boyfriend, Mamak knows that."

"Why back off? You don't count on Mamak and Dad?"

"Mamak mean?"

"For the sake of the child's happiness, parents will definitely do anything."

"No! Don't say that, Mommy!"

"Why not?"

"Fadil won't bother Mamak and Dad. Really, Fadil will feel like a useless child if it costs parents to get married ."

"You disappointed, son? I'm sorry Mamak and Dad are just these farmers."

"Never apologize, Mother. Fadil is sad not to be paired with Naura. But, Fadil will be sadder if until Mamak, Father and sisters have to suffer because of Fadil."

Mamak. I felt a drop of water fall on my face.

"Brown crying?" many quick.

She shook her head.

"Momak isn't crying, Mamak is happy."

"happy?"

He came back to brush my hair.

"Fadil .. You don't lose, son."

"Mamak mean?"

"Truly, you have won. You are proud of me."

"Win? I failed Mak."

"You did fail to marry Naura, but you have won against the world."

"Against the world?" I turned my head to look at his old face.

"The world is filled with selfishness, thirst and hunger, lust, greed. You have overcome selfishness in yourself, blinding lust for love, greed for self-worth."

Mom was silent for a moment to breathe. I'm still listening.

"If selfishness, lust and greed are obeyed to force themselves beyond the limits of ability, that is the beginning of misery."

I nodded slowly, agreeing with his words. My heart's full. I understand the direction of the woman who gave birth to me.

"All men are born to fight, but never forget. Marriage is worship. The success of the marriage is that after the ocean of the household is sailed, there will be many waves and storms that hit. Strong or not depends on whether the boat is built. If the boat is built from selfishness, greed for self-esteem, lust, like making a magnificent boat but can not float well. Never mind being hit by a storm, even a small ripple can make it sink. You understand what Mamak means, son?"

I didn't answer a word. I grabbed Mamak's hand and kissed him. Just the first day I was home, I found a calmness. What I felt was slowly beginning to fade.

Mamak again stroked my hair and gently massaged my head until the drowsiness came back on me.

I slept in Mamak's lap.

***