Two Ribs

It is also Bang Rahman

At Humaira's wedding I kept looking for where Ariyanti was. Without me realizing that Humaira's future husband was her older sister whom I was looking for.

When praying zuhur in the mosque, my eyes again looking for. Until I saw the cute puffer boy playing next to the mosque.

The boy smiled at me. I was stunned, as if I was hypnotized by those eyes. I'm approaching too. I saw Ummi walking closer with another little boy.

"Titip yes man. Ummi wants to pray first"

" Yes ummi"

" Hey, what's his name?"

"Say grandma assalamualaikum, not hi"

the little girl answered.

"Assalamualaikum pretty and handsome boy?"

"Said the mother was a son of Soleh and sholehah"

Back to the little girl who spoke.

I smiled again and reflexively stroked his head.

"ABBI?"

I'm reflexively looking at the boy.

"Can you call abi?"

I came back surprised.

"Don't de, you'll be angry"

"Abang wants to have an abi, sister"

Apparently they're brothers.

"Why call abi?"

I spontaneously asked that.

"Don't want to have an abi"

I re-perceived and again hypnotized with eyes that looked at me expectantly.

I spontaneously embraced him.

"Can. You can call abi, papah, daddy or om"

"No no no "

The boy shook his head

"Why?"

"Abang already has papah. I already have om. I don't have an abi"

I smile back. I don't know what they mean. I asked again when I heard someone calling the two boys who were holding my hands to the left and right.

I'm stunned. This is the woman I was looking for. Is this his son?

Ummi's voice came back and I heard and invited the girl to go.

The boy did not want to part with me even though the woman they called the mother insisted.

All the way from the mosque to the abi house I was stricken. If indeed they are Ariyanti's children. Could it be that Alloh had deliberately met me with his son to facilitate my business.

Azka. The boy who was always clingy with me was named Azka. Usually called brother because soon will have a sister. He's two years old. And the little girl named Azwa. They all called azwa with the call of brother. Azwa is seven years old.

When Ariyanti shook hands with ummi and ummi stroked Yanti's stomach, my heart churned. I felt like the one in elus ummi was my son. Azka continued to sit on my lap throughout the lunch. Even asked me to feed him.

"So, this kid's mother is your sister Lif?"

One more of my luck. Bang Rahim is best friends with his eldest brother Ariyanti, Kak Alif.

The universe has always been on my side.

Uh what does that mean? Did you pedekate lue man?

I listened well to the conversation of bang Rahim and Kak Alif. All looking for information about the woman who has disturbed my life.

"Yes, yanti my last sister. The only woman. He is the source of our happiness. Her husband's accident a few months ago made it all dark. Like a lamp in the house. The lamp went out without any dimmer first. Everything changed instantly".

Alif took a breath before returning to the story.

"Yanti's depression made our lives change drastically. I cry every night. No more jokes between Fian and Izal. Though I know, the two of them when they meet like tom and jerry who interfere with each other. Everything becomes bleak. I also feel like I failed to be the oldest child to take care of my sister"

"Abi Abdi came home. When I told him about Yanti. Abi asked the father to allow yanti to come with him at the school. The two children were taken care of us together. But often with Andi, my second brother"

"That's why yanti is now in this pesantren. I saw the abi family, especially Ira taking good care of and caring for yanti"

"We can also look back at the smile. Even though his eyes were not shining, he could smile. That smile is contagious. Transmitted to his father and all his older brothers".

Alif looked to wipe the edge of his eyes.

"I hope, someday yanti will get her soul mate again. Who loves Yanti and her three children".

"AMEN.  The way of life of someone we don't know yes Lif. We are too. I don't know what happens to us in five minutes"

"Because it's Him, I'm trying to give my four sisters the best. I wish I would leave them. They can be established and independent".

I, too, who was a listener, could only be silent. While praying in your heart, may yanti get her happiness back even if not with me.

########

When I got back with Azka with some toys and a little food. Yanti looked at me sharply. I know he's mad at me. She doesn't like to see my closeness to her children. Or whatever I do with her two children, she doesn't like it.

But anger is funny. I was happy to see her eyes looking at me sharply. With a sharp look at me, dismissing all the sadness that used to be seen in his eyes.

I always looked back at her eyes with a warm smile. May you understand that my heart is filled with her and her children.

#######

"If Rahman hasn't proposed to Sarah, you want Rahman to marry Yanti"

My steps stopped when I heard the voice.

"Rahim also bah. Kasian. Especially Azka. Stick with Rahman for missing her father".

"But everything happened. There's no way we're pulling that proposal back".

"Rahman has a story to Rahim. He had doubts about Sarah. At first Rahim thought because he was still afraid of getting married again. But Rahman felt there was something Sarah was hiding from him".

"Rahman has found out?"

"See, Rahim hasn't asked again".

I also returned to my room. And step back toward the abah and the womb humming so they know I am coming.

"Man, comehere!"

"Yes bah"

"How are your wedding preparations. How many weeks are left, right?"

"Rahman male, abah. Rahman just take the body"

"So we're having another reception?"

"I suppose this marriage is void. Would you be disappointed with Rahman?"

"Give me a clear reason. Insha Alloh abah will understand"

"You've been investigating Sarah man?"

Bang Rahim asked me.

I also nodded.

"At first Rahman did not care if Sarah used Rahman. But since meeting someone. Rahman's heart hesitated"

"Someone?"

Abah asked while looking at me.

"Rahman fell in love with yanti, abah"

"Who's in abi abdi's boarding school?"

Bang Rahim confirmed my explanation. And I nodded back.

"The first time Rahman saw Yanti when he told Rahman to deliver goods to the boarding school. Since then, Rahman has continued to think about yanti. Even always present in Rahman's dream"

"Where are you the spirit of time to bring to Humaira's wedding?"

I nodded back.

"Rahman wants to see it again. Even though Rahman knows yanti can't afford Rahman pinang"

"And miraculously Rahman even met with his son. Rahman falls in love with Azka's innocent eyes and Azwa's sweet smile. Rahman wanted to hold them both. Rahman wants to protect them".

"Then Sarah's story?"

"Sarah is in debt at the loan shark. His house is in a pawn. Promise them to pay when Sarah is Rahman's wife and has mastered Rahman's ATM"

"Have you asked Sarah?"

"Not yet, but Rahman has proof."

"What's your next plan?"

"Rahman will destroy their homes on the Rentenir. Think of it as a reward for Rahman's annulment of this marriage"

"Are you serious?"

"Money can be found, brother. But the comfort of living in a household would not have Rahman if we continued the marriage"

"You will support whatever your decision is"

"Thank you, brother. Pray for Rahman, may you accept Rahman after his son is born"

"Amen. Abah always prays best for his children"

##########

A week later all my intentions were fulfilled. I went to Sarah's house. Show all the evidence that has. Submitting her home certificate and ending all of our wedding plans.

I didn't ask for back the honest money I gave him. On one condition, Sarah no longer disturbed my life.

Sarah did not accept it at first. But after I came back to provide evidence of his affair with a councilman. Sarah hunchback. I left Sarah's house with relief. No matter what Sarah's parents do to their child.

My wish is now just one. Asking Allah to open his heart to me.