A Handful of Love for You
80. Postpones

Atep POV

A week has passed, but we have not received good news about Aras and Aris. The condition of Tea is also getting worse. Iyah tea was depressed and refused to breastfeed the twins she had just born.

Alena and I decided to postpone our marriage to a time limit we could not set. Everything is focused on Aras and Aris.

Today I visited Teh Iyah at her house. Alena is accompanying me.

“How's Tea Iyah, Len?”

“Still not improving, Tep. Tetah still rejects his babies and often mumbled. Try to meet and persuade Teh Iyah.”

I entered the room and saw Teh Iyah lying down with a blank look.

“Teh...” call me slowly.

There was no reaction.

I sit on the right side of the bed.

“Teh..Teh Iyah...” I tried calling again.

I saw tears running down her cheeks. Teh looks at me.

“Atep?”

“Iya, Tea. It's Atep.”

“Tep..” Suddenly Iyah Tea roared.

“Teteh.” I approached and hugged Teh Iyah. “Do not be afraid, Tea. There Atep.”

“Teteh fear, Tep. What you fear happens too. Aras and Aris.Aras and Aris. Tetuh is afraid if he can not meet again with them.”

“Teteh don't be afraid. We pray that Aras and Aris will be found soon. A Endra also did not remain silent. Every day Aa looking for Aras and Aris.”

“If only Teteh did not see him again. If only Teteh had not made up with him, Aras and Aris would not have been kidnapped. We'll live a quiet life of three without him. Tetuh regretted coming back again on him.” Teh Iyah said stammering from crying.

“Teteh can't talk like that. Atep sees happiness when Teteh along with A Endra.”

“I hate him. He's the one who made it all mess up. From the beginning of Teteh's meeting with him, nothing good happened. He always makes the sick. He used to hurt Teteh while cheating on her. Now it was the woman who kidnapped Aras and Aris. Because she loves him, Aras and Aris are victims. That crazy woman won't stop bothering. He was crazy and managed to drive Tetu crazy as well. Please Teteh, Tep!”

“Teh, Aa is also suffering like Tetangs. Now Aa is trying to find Aras and Aris.” Alena approached and hugged Teh Iyah.

“Lease!” yelling Teh Iyah surprised me and also Alena. “Your brother caused everything. I hate him. I'm sorry to meet him. Suppose he never comes into my life, I'll be fine.” Iyah tea thrashed away from Alena's embrace.

I gestured for Alena to release her embrace and go out.

Alena left us both in the room. Tea is back crying. I hugged her trying to ease her crying.

After a while, Teh Iyah calmed down again.

“Teteh rest first. Atep wait outside. If Teteh needs Atep, just call.”

Tea nodded its head.

I fixed the blankets and left Teh Iyah who had looked calm and seemed to be asleep from exhaustion crying.

“How, Tep?” alena asked after I closed the door.

“For a while, you don't see Tea first. I'm afraid your presence will trigger the anger of Teh Iyah.”

Alena started crying. “Why is this so? I don't understand why Teh Iyah blamed Aa. Did she not realize that Aa was also sad just like she was?”

“Teh Iyah is depressed, Len. We have to understand the situation now. She has just given birth and learns that Aras and Aris have been kidnapped.”

“Their love. His father did not give his name, his mother did not want to breastfeed them. They are not aqiqah either. I've prepared four goats for their aqiqah.”

“Why has A Endra not given a name yet? Is there a name mentioned? If there is already we can hold aqiqah for them.”

“A Endra once said his name was Upin and Ipin. Their names are Upin and Ipin?” cebik Alena's. Her funny face made me laugh a little. Laughter that was never present during this one week.

“Try your name to A Endra. Tell him that we will do aqiqah for them.”

“How?”

“Not lifted.”

“Try you send text message only.”

After waiting for more than two hours, Kagendra finally replied to Alena's message.

“What's the answer?” my many.

“Kata Aa, for a while just thought the name Ardana and Arkana.”

“Absolutely they did not prepare the name?”

“Don't know.”

“Ya is already for a while her name is Ardana and Arkana.” I said.

“Ardana Putra Nataprawira and Arkana Putra Nataprawira.” Alena's proposal.

“Name of Aras and Aris. Just add Son and surname.”

Hearing the name Aras and Aris makes the look of Alena's face again sad. Tears flowed down his cheeks.

“How are Cedars and Aris now? They must be scared. How ugly the man who kidnapped them.”

“We wish them all the best. A Endra is also deploying his team to search for them.”

“What not to report the police alone?”

“A Endra does not want.”

“Should report police alone who is more professional.”

“Tim A Endra is as professional as police.”

“I've also contacted our cousin. He was a policeman and promised to help. It's just that now he's on a mission. So can't help much yet,” said Alena.

Yes hopefully your cousin can help.”

“Hm..”

“So when is aqiqah event for Ardana and Arkana?” my many.

“Tonight too. Pas seven days of their birth.”

“You've prepared everything?”

“Not need luxury. The important thing is that our gratitude is with God and then we share our happiness with many people. Even now we are getting a disaster.”

The aqiqah event takes place in the afternoon after the ashar time. Ardana and Arkana's hair has been cut and their names have been printed on rice boxes that will be distributed to residents around. It seems Alena is doing this show well.

We both held Ardana and Arkana at a haircut. It seems we are fit to be parents. Abah and Ibu did not have time to come because they were focusing on Aras and Aris.

“Please nephew Aunt. Patience well dear Aunt.” Alena looked fondly at her two new nieces.

“Tep, their formula milk is exhausted. You can buy it, right?”

“What brand?”

Alena showed a can of used formula milk given to Ardana and Arkana.

“They just got a little taste of ASI. Poor them, Tep.” I saw tears streaming down Alena's cheeks.

I could only look at them and hope that this storm would pass soon.

*********

to be continued...