Two Ribs

#31

YANTI POVS

Today is seven months of my life. I was discharged from a psychiatric hospital when I was three months old. Since then I have been taken care of by my new wife. My mental health, which often goes up and down, makes my young grandmother the object of my anger.

Throws, mockings, I would often throw at him. But with patience, the young grandmother took care of me.

Look at Yanti, do you deserve to hate her?

Both my children are in the care of Mia. Their kasian, had to part with their mother who became a patient of ODGJ. Losing bang Handi ruined me. Thankfully, I have a family that cares about me. The family I left behind went because of my selfishness.

One night I had a dream. Bang Handi came to me. Sniffing my distended stomach. What scares me and shakes me in my sleep is the presence of another figure beside bang Handi. I don't know what all those dreams mean. I believe that dreams are sleeping flowers are no longer his followers. I thought about that dream for days.

Until we got guests from out of town. One of my father's friends at a young age. He came with his family. His wife, a daughter and two grandchildren. My father told him about my situation.

I still remember his wife's affectionate look at me while gently stroking my head.

"When I was a kid, Yanti used to play at ummi's house. Yanti remember? I used to love being invited by my father before Abi and Ummi moved to Cairo."

I just shook weakly.

"Forgot?"

I nodded

"Want to stay with Ummi in the pesantren? There'll be a lot of friends there."

"I'm pregnant ummi" I finally opened my mouth.

"Ummi knows, there will be ummi as well as older sister in the boarding school who will take care of Yanti. Later Yanti can teach, tell anything to Ustadzah there. Humaira's brother is also an ustadzah at the cottage".

Ummi pointed to his daughter who covered her face with a veil. Because there is a Father, Humaira's brother did not open his veil. Brother Humaira approached me. Slipping my hand.

"Let's stay with my sister. Ade needs a new atmosphere. At the cottage later, Ade can help sister teach. Many santri santri there."

"So shy" brother"

"What is so bad?

"Ade's pregnant. What they said later."

"Are you pregnant out of wedlock? No right? This kid has a father. Even though his father has gone before us all. But there's still her father, right?"

I just nodded back.

"There's no need to think about what other people say. All SWT know which is best for ade. Now you just have to learn. For that ade need someone who guides ade. Come with brother. God willing, God will guide us all".

I looked at Father, Young Grandma and Kakaf who were sitting not far from me, ummi and Brother Humaira.

"Mr?" I asked father.

"Mr is up to ade. If you feel calmer come with ummi. Mr supportive".

"Children?"

"Don't think of our children, they are also our children. They will be safe with us. What matters is, you're healthy first." This time Kakaf answered my question

"Pesantren is not far, is it? It can be a three hour road trip. Children can come to visit later with the father and others."

You strengthen me again.

And here I am now. The Pesantren belongs to the Ustad Abdi family whom I call Abi. I have been in this boarding school for four months. Once every two weeks my father, my young grandmother and my son and my older brother come to visit.

My health is getting better. I have a lot of lessons here. Abi Abdi also prepared a psychiatrist for me who is his nephew. I was wrought with religious lessons to strengthen my faith. All I run with patience because the word ummi patience is the main thing.

And Kakaf's patience for seven years even today adjusts the sweet results. One month ago I proposed to Kak Humaira for Kakaf.

A little bit cheating indeed, I told kakaf how big sister Humaira's face was behind her veil. I who sleep every night with Brother Humaira also become a matchmaker for Kakaf. And today the jab kabul will be done.

"How are you de?"

Brother Andi hugged me followed by Brother Alif, and Brother Fian and my sister-in-law.

"Which son is my brother?" I looked behind my sister.

"Still on sleeping in the car. Let them sleep first, and accompany Izal in the car".

"Acf not down yet?"

"Bring him up".

Brother Andi and Brother Fian laughed together.

Brother Fani stroked my stomach gently.

"It's getting harder to sleep, brother"

"The crafter check up, right de?"

"Yes, my sister-in-law's new sister-in-law took me to the doctor".

"Alhamdulillah. We're all happy, Izal interrupted Humaira. He's kind and loving".

"May Izal be happy this time".

"All of us who are happy are not just Izal". Brother Alif hugged me.

"You must also be happy. Our prayers are always with you".

"Amiiinn"

All answered the prayer of Alif.

"Hey, why are you crying?"

Brother Alif wiped the tears that suddenly fell from both my eyes.

"Thank you, you're always there for the ade. Forgive ade"

"The family should always be there for each other. Don't cry".

When I sniffled in Alif's arms. There were the screams of two children.

"Ibuuuuuuuu"

I took off Alif's arms and crouched down, stretching out both hands to welcome my two children.

"Slow down baby, it'll fall"

I heard the voice of the young grandmother walking behind them.

I hugged both my hearts. Let go of all my longing for the two of them. My tears are back.

"Heart is the same stomach as you de"

The father who walked along with Kakaf broke our arms and lifted me to stand.

My father kissed my forehead and just hugged my head because both of my children were still hugging my belly.

"Sehat de?"

I just answered my father's question. My eyes are on Kakaf. I took over both my children.

"Ade sister who has been so good, why cry? Not happy to see her brother getting married?"

"Why are you today?"

" Didn't my brother hit it off?"

"Yes?" I shook my head in the arms of the kakaf.

" Well, what a beautiful child, healthy right?"

Kakaf stroked my stomach which the results of kmren ultrasound showed the female gender.

"Don't look like kaf, I'll think this is my son again."

" Let's just say, Ade was crying in the arms of the kakaf also in the thought that people were crying because her husband remarried today."

"I'm sorry!"

I took off my arms at the kakaf.

"Come, we're going to the mosque now".

The father took us all to the mosque where the kakaf and kak Humaira marriage contract will be held.

I walk with my two children on my left and right. Throughout the journey they were busy telling stories. Even in the mosque, they still tell stories. I enjoyed this moment. The moment when I came back could hug them.

Bang Handi, can you see us now? I promise to be happy.