1 METER OF FOOT
A PLAN

"Eh-uh! Look at Shanum. It's a pity for his life."

"Yes! I have a husband who prefers other women!"

"about? What yes? Who made Imran divorce Shanum? Is it because Shanum is poor?"

"No! What I heard from my brother who was neighbors with Mas Imran. He said Shanum was barren and couldn't give a child to Imran."

That is how every day whispers Shanum hears from the mothers of his neighbors. Although there is something indirect, Shanum still uncomfortable and embarrassed to hear it all.

Living in the village is like our daily food. Not to escape the gossip. There was the latest gossip instantly becoming a byword for quite some time. And it all goes back to his own people. He likes to gossip or not.

"If I can be blessed, then my parents are the ones I have the most right to hire. Because only the two of them have the most right to give my kindness".

One of the salaf also said: "When it comes to you the words of your brother (in reproach) who hurt you, do not worry. If the word is true, then it is a punishment for you that is hastened (rather than being punished in the Hereafter). And if the words are not true, then it will be a reward for you without doing good."

"O you who believe, let not one group of men humble another group, may the one who is laughed at be better than them. And let not a group of women demean other groups, it may be that the denigrated is better. And do not like to reproach yourself and do not call with a title that contains ridicule. As bad as the vocation is (the call) that is bad after faith and whoever does not repent, then those are the wrongdoers." [QC. Al-Hujarat verse 11]

For weeks and months Shanum was divorced from Imran. And during that time Shanum also lived in solitude to organize a better life, while forgetting Imran which is still neatly stored in his heart.

"Yes Allah. Servants are not strong. Give the best way for me to step."

Every moment and every time Shanum prayed to the Giver of Life. He was willing to give her his complaints.

When morning comes. Shanum, who had been steady with his heart, tried to visit Laila's house.

By walking down the village and always cross paths with the neighbors who are still talking about it. Finally, Shanum arrived at his little friend's house.

"Eh! There's Nak Shanum! Come on-ayo let's go in. Must be looking for Laila, right?"

Shanum immediately greeted Laila's father's hand politely. "Yes Sir!"

"Come in and sit down first. Let me call you Laila. He's in the ko."

Shanum just smiled. He sat in the living room of Laila's house. While Laila's father had directly passed into the house to call Laila.

"Eh Shanum!" Laila was very happy to see Shanum visiting her house.

"Why not tell me if I want to visit here. 'And I can pick you up."

Shanum smiled. "How can I tell you. Cell phones don't have."

Laila directly patted her own forehead. "Oh yeah forgot."

Dyah and Malik really did not return Shanum's phone to him. So during those two months, Shanum lived without a cell phone.

Actually Shanum can afford to buy a cell phone again even if used. But he is very dear to his money. Because he doesn't have a job yet. So the savings and property gono gini given Imran. Shanum uses it to make ends meet until he gets a job.

"Just a second! I'll make you a drink first."

Shanum directly prevented. "Eh! No need for Laila."

"It's okay ko. Just a minute."

When Laila was about to move into the kitchen. Her steps were stopped when the mother had brought two glasses of mango juice for her and for Shanum.

"No need for Laila. Nih! I made you juice for both of you."

Shanum was flattered to be noticed by his best friend's mother. "Shanum is troubling Mother. Thank you, Mom."

Laila's mother smiled sweetly. "Either. You are also a mother's child. So don't hesitate if you want to ask for help from Mom."

Shanum's eyes glazed over. She missed a mother's love so much. "Thank you Mother."

"sama-sama Shanum. You guys talk first. I want to clean up in the back."

Shanum nodded his head. "Yes Bu," after that, Laila's mother passed away leaving Shanum and Laila.

"Laila Begini. I'm here to borrow your phone. Can I?"

"Of course it can be dong Shanum. A moment! I'll get the phone in the room first."

Shanum just nodded. Laila went into her room to get her phone. Once the phone was in her hands, Laila directly gave it to Shanum.

"Now! Wear it as you like."

"Thank you Laila. I just want to call Dyah."

"But before, I wanted to tell you, if I'm going to move out of town soon."

Laila was really very surprised to hear the words of her friend. "What! You want to get out of here Shanum!"

"But all of that can go away as Shanum's time goes on!" Laila was completely unwilling that Shanum would leave her.

"Yes! I-i know. But it still feels hard if I'm still here."

"Now I want to tell Dyah to come to my house. Because I wanted to tell him that I'm moving out of town soon."

"Where are you going to move Shanum? Don't you have any relatives out of town?" Laila was really sad.

"Eitherway. At least I stayed away from this harsh reality until my heart calmed down."

"Wait a minute! I'll let Dyah know first."

Laila was only able to nod. His mouth seemed locked hearing the friend was going away from him.

Not long Laila's phone connection was immediately picked up by Dyah.

"Hello! Assalamu'alaikum's chat. Who is this?"

"Wa'alaikumussalam Dyah's. This is Ms. Shanum. Is Mommy bothering you now?"

"No! Oh Ma'am Shanum! Who's cell phone? Have you bought new, right?" ask Dyah.

"Yet. Ma'am is now borrowing Laila's cell phone."

"Oh. Emm! Ma'am Shanum! There's happy news for you."

"What is Dyah?" Shanum was very curious.

"Dyah gave birth four days ago. Dyah Daughter Ma'am. It's so pretty. May he be a child like Shanum."

It sounded clear in Shanum's ears, if Dyah was currently feeling very happy. But hearing that, Shanum's tears dripped on their own. For Shanum had not the heart to tell him his departure.

"Congratulations Dyah! Ma'am very happy to hear that. And forgive Ma'am who hasn't been able to see him."

"Yes! Dyah understands ko Mbak. Later Dyah will visit Ma'am Shanum's house and introduce daughter Dyah to Mbak."

"Dyeah!"

"Yes, Shanum" replied Dyah.

"There's something you want Mbak to tell you" Shanum's voice sounded very serious. Until Laila who daritadi listened had shed her tears.

"What Ma'am? It looks like you're serious."

"Mbak called you. Because Mbak wants to tell you, if Mbak wants to move out of town to start a new life."

"What!" Dyah was really very surprised.

"Bak's kidding, right to Dyah?"

Though Dyah did not see. But Shanum reflexively shook his head. "No Dyah! It's very serious."

"When will Ma'am move out of town?"

"Front day. The sooner the better. And Ma'am's been preparing all of Mbak's stuff from now on."

"Then how's Shanum's house?"

"Let's empty. Will visit sometime if there is time to visit here."

Trying sincerely and not knowing what to do. Although sad, Dyah still wishes Shanum all the best.

"All right! Hopefully in a new place. Ms. Shanum's life could change for the better."

"Aamiin's." Shanum directly marries Dyah's words.

"And tomorrow. Dyah same mas Malik want to meet with Mbak Shanum before Mbak Shanum leave."

"Yes! Ma'am will be waiting for you both."

"That's all I want to tell you. Shut the phone first. Assalamu'alaikum."

He answered the greeting. And then, their connection was cut off.

Done contacting Dyah. Shanum immediately returned his phone to Laila. And Shanum also thanked the friend who was always there for him, both joy and sorrow.

...☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️...

...~TBC~...