Two Ribs

#34

"Rahman is a widower. Divorced from his wife after eight years of marriage"

Brother Ira told me this morning as we were walking from the market. I often walk in the morning with Ira's sister. He said Ummi let the child in my stomach be healthy and strong.

"Real brother is lazy to tell. But because you're curious, yes forced sister story".

I pinched Ira's arm.

"Curious what? Kids love to play with it. Ade must know who he is. Fear of having children kidnapped".

Ira laughed a little.

"There is only you de. the alphahman is loving to children. Every child near him must be at home".

"His own son, right? Is it his ex-wife?"

"They are not gifted with children. That's why they're divorced".

"Who can't have children?"

"Either de, brother Ira does not know. His ex-wife is now married again. And already pregnant".

"Maybe they are impatient, brother. But if they wait patiently. Uh, but qadarallah yes brother. It's all that determines".

"Smart now is Ira. You know, everything that happened was with the permission of Allah. Suppose you get married again. That's also with the permission of Alloh. Though she refused to marry again in her heart".

I smile.

Right said Ira. Even if I refuse, if Allah wills, everything will happen. Uh, do I want to get married? Who wants a woman with three children?

We arrived at the pesantren's courtyard. And the first sight I saw was Azwa's brother playing with his new abi. While Azka sat sweetly with kakaf to be their audience. On the front porch looks Kak Alif and bang Rahim with their respective wives.

"Assynogaic"

Brother Ira saluted. Which was answered by all of them. Ira's brother went straight to the kakaf and kissed Kakaf's hand. While Kakaf, take over the groceries at the hands of Ira's brother.

"New bride directly to the market"

Brother Mira first rebuked us. I sat down at the kakaf seat while accompanying my son Azka.

"It's common, ladies and gentlemen, accompany the morning walk. Ummi said, let it be easy to give birth".

"Mother, sister can ride a bike"

Azwa's voice broke our conversation. All applauded giving applaus to Azwa.

"Come, all breakfast first."

Brother Mia came out calling all of us. I stood up with the help of Mia.

"Come, bang, same mamah uwa"

"Done with abi"

"Wow, mamah Uwa has already eliminated this"

I just silently looked at my son holding the hand of the man he called abi.

"Do you know why azka is like that?"

Brother Alif stood beside me while grabbing my shoulder.

"Ade think, the presence of laxatives can fill the absence of his father brother"

I just took a deep breath then followed Alif's steps to enter.

##########

This afternoon my entire family will be back home. Only Kakaf will be in the pesantren for a while before bringing Ira's brother to our house.

I braided my eldest daughter's hair while holding back tears. Either way, I'll go back to parting with them. The tightness in my chest came back every time they told me.

"Silver sister same mamah uwa yes son. Don't misbehave. Don't like fighting the same ade".

"Yes mom. Brother tau. My brother is already big".

I'm holding my daughter. His young age required him to part with his father as well as with his mother. Azka who from earlier was always on the side of Rahman bang whom he called abi. Crying hysterically when brother Andi took it from the hand of bang Rahman.

Persuade kak Andi not berpan in the ears of Azka. She kept crying. Until then bang Rahman returned to hold it then the cry subsided. I don't know where my son is now. Maybe bang Rahman was persuading him.

And it's true. When Azka again appeared in front of us all with a sweet smile along with two toys that were wrapped in his chest and one black plastic which was sealed by bang Rahman containing my son's favorite food.

"Sister, this is a toy for my sister. Abi bought it".

Azka approached her brother who was still beside me.

I looked intently at the man called my son Abi. He looked at me with a smile on his lips.

We haven't exchanged greetings or talks since we met yesterday. But my look at her every time she saw me made it clear that I didn't like what she was doing to my son.

But his eyes on me were always shady, even accompanied by a thin smile.

"Don't be angry, you mean good. To persuade the brother"

Kakaf stroked my shoulder. My brother understands my heart best. I took a deep breath to neutralize my emotions before I pulled the man's hair out of emotion.

My father and my whole family say goodbye to Abi Abdi and his family and also to the family of Rashid who he said would just come home tomorrow.

And I cried again in the arms of my father and brother.

"Go home with Izal ya de"

I just nodded without a sound.

"Ira'll bring him home later sir"

Ira's brother said to my father when he kissed his hand.

"Thank you for taking care of Ade all this time"

"That's Ira's job, sir. When Ira and Izal will return home. We'll bring ade".

He also thanked Abi Abdi.

"So my daughter too. Don't thank me excessively. We are now a family".

Abi Abdi hugged his father.

"We'll invite you all later at Rahman's wedding. Insha Allah next month".

Abah Rashid told his father when he said goodbye to him. I just nodded with a smile.

And to me, the notification from Rashid's brother as a reminder to myself that the man my son called Abi would already belong to someone else.

Uh, did we have a relationship all this time? 😁