A WIFE'S TEARS BEHIND A CLOWN COSTUME
Chapter 47

Malik gasped in shock at the knock and a small voice calling to himself and his wife. Replex he stopped his activity. He and Hanifa smiled as they heard Arif's voice calling out. He quickly got up and put his clothes back on. The clothes that almost missed everything.

''Honey, quickly put your clothes back on.'' Malik told Hanifa. Hanifa nodded small. ''Mas, are you okay?'' tanya Hanifa felt uneasy.

''No Dear. Other nights 'we can continue again or we can think again later.'' Malik said with a mischievous smile. Although feeling a little disturbed by the sudden presence of Arif. But he loved his Son very much, he could not ignore Arif only because of his lust. As soon as Hanifa's clothes were perfectly worn, Malik walked towards the door. And ... Chequek! As soon as the door opened Malik saw Arif had been standing right in front of the door with both hands clutching a small roll and a character blanket, his face slightly pouted at Malik. Behind her Hamidah smiled awkwardly. ''Sorry to disturb Malik, Arif kekeh wants to sleep with you. Though Teteh has persuaded him repeatedly.'' said Hamidah who seemed to understand what is being done by the newlyweds.

''It's okay Tea. Arif let us sleep with us.'' Malik replied while aligning his body with Arif.

''Justify, Mom, what I said earlier, I did not bother Papa and Mommy.'' said Arif confidently with a cheerful face.

''Yes already, then go in and sleep immediately sweet child.'' Hamidah rubbed Arif's head.

''Yes, Mom. Good night.'' After Arif said that, Malik brought Arif into the room. Hanifa greeted her son with repeated kisses. Then the three of them lay together on a medium-sized bed with Arif in the middle. Hanifa read the fairy tale before going to bed for Arif, while Malik stroked her head. ''Go to sleep, son. So that Papa can immediately give a funny Brother to you.'' Malik's inner smile. Hanifa who saw the husband smiling herself felt something strange. Not long after that Arif had slept. Then slowly Malik woke up, he asked Hanifa to spread the floor mattress below. Once the mattress is in the span, Malik turns off the room lights. And after that ... They began to do that again, continuing the worship that had been delayed earlier slowly and carefully for fear of building Arif who was asleep.

***

Hamidah sits alone on the porch. It was late at night, but he had trouble sleeping. He stared at the flickering stars in the sky as he watched the prophet. Then he turned his eyes away as he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. From a distance of three meters he saw Abdillah walking towards him.

''Why are you still outside? The night wind is not good for health. Later you catch a cold said Abdillah who was surprised to see Hamidah sitting on the terrace.

''I can't sleep, Abdillah. I want to breathe some fresh air for a while.''

''Which arif? Didn't he sleep with you tonight?'' abdillah asked, and he sat down next to Hamidah.

''Arif doesn't want to sleep with me, I've persuaded him. But he still wants to sleep with Hanifa and Malik.'' explained Hamidah.

''Just disturb the child!'' Abdillah chuckled a little. Hamidah also followed.

''Did he finish his business?'' Ask Hamidah.

''Easy. Alhamdulillah.maybe the little rizki that I and Mr. Malik give can ease their burden and can advance this village.'' replied Abdillah.

''Amin.'' Hamidah replied.

Earlier, Abdillah prayed Isya congregated in Musholla with local residents. He also gave a lot of funds to the village head to build a musholla, repair damaged roads and to distribute to the poor and orphans. Malik also advised Abdillah to find people who can be trusted in the village to continue his good intentions, his plan was to build jobs in the form of oil and sugar factories. Yesterday as Malik toured the village with Abdillah, he saw palm trees and sugarcane flourishing quite a lot in the village where Hanifa was born. Malik was so interested to see that, he would make it easier for farmers to sell their crops.

''Yes, let's go in.'' take Abdillah gently.

''You go first, I still want to sit outside.'' declined Hamidah slowly.

''Then I will accompany you.''

''No need to bother.''

''Repot what. I'm glad to be able to accompany a beautiful woman like you.''

''Ih ... Apparently you can fight too.'' Hamidah turned his gaze towards Abdillah. Then smile knot.

''Can be.''

''Mm ... Hamidah, may I know where your family is?'' abdullah asked a little doubtfully. Because he was curious about the origin of a Hamidah.

''I have no family.'' replied Hamidah lethargic.

''Meaning?'' abdillah's frown was staring at Hamidah.

''Yes. From the baby I grew up in the parlor. My mother said I was found at the door in the morning. Someone like her has deliberately thrown me away. Maybe I'm not the kid I wanted. I don't have a family. My family is just a nursing home mom and other kids my age who were both raised in a home. But now that Mom's gone, she's dead when I just finished high school. After he died me and my age friends who were in the orphanage lived their lives. We parted ways and goals of each other's lives. I went to college because I got a scholarship, I majored in religion. Then after graduation I found a job, and got a job teaching Kindergarten and Paud near where I live, near Hanifa's house first. That's where I got to know Hanifa. Hanifa and Arif, I've looked like my own family. I love them very much, Hamidah explained. Abdillah mangosteen listened to him with a difficult feeling. He did not expect it turned out that Hamidah had to live tough days without being surrounded by parents and siblings. Abdillah was amazed by Hamidah's determination in living life.

''Thank you, yes, because during being Hanifa's neighbor you have helped a lot, paying attention to Hanifa and accompanying her in going through difficult times.''

After that they went into the house. They'll be asleep soon. Coinciding with that as well, Hanifa and Malik were sprawled on thin mattresses, they had finished working on their first worship as a married couple.

''Thank you, Honey.'' Malik kissed Hanifa. Hanifa lay on her husband's arm.

''Sama-sama Darling.'' reply Hanifa. Then they sleep hugging each other with clothes that have been re-worn.

***

The next morning, Hanifa's entourage was ready. They will return to Jakarta. They could not stay in the village any longer because Arif had to go to school, hanifa's must-open boutique and Malik and Abdillah's work as CEO and Assistant CEO have also been waiting. Abdillah has also found the right person to take care of the construction of the factory in the village.

''Be careful, yes.''

''May congratulations to the destination.''

The village chief and some residents let go of Hanifa and the entourage. They feel very happy and helped by Hanifa's return for only a short time. They hope that one day Hanifa and her entourage will visit the village again. The villagers were so busy talking about Hanifa, let alone Malik. They consider Hanifa very lucky to have a husband who is very handsome and rich like Malik. The names Hanifa, Malik, Abdillah, Hamidah and Arif have been trending topics in the village. Everyone is busy talking about them.

Before returning to Jakarta, Hanifa's entourage will visit Setya's parents' house for a while.

''Assalamu'allaikum.'' said Hanifa when they were at the door of Setya's parents' house. Not long after that the door opened.

''Walaikum'sallam.'' replied Siska. Siska looks shabby with a dull and tattered negligee. Her horse-tied hair looked a little messy.

''Siska, which mother?'' hanifa asked kindly with a warm smile.

''Mom is inside. Come on please come in.''

Once inside, Hanifa saw Hellen and his mother sitting in the living room chair watching television and eating snacks. As soon as they saw the arrival of Hanifa and the others, they were a bit of a whimper then smiled amiably.

''Eh ... There's Nak Abdillah and Hanifa apparently. Come sit down.'' said Setya's mother.

''Siska, you please make a drink, yes.'' Setya said in a loud voice.

''Yes, ma'am' replied Siska with a lethargic face looking tired.

''Don't bother Siska. Come sit here with us.'' said Hanifa. Siska misbehaved, she was like a confused person while looking at her in-laws.

''It's okay Siska. Let's sit down said Hanifa again. Somehow Hanifa felt sorry to see Siska. He felt something was wrong. Siska sat down to join Hanifa's entourage. As Siska was sitting right beside Hanifa, Hanifa slipped the envelope quietly into Siska's hand. Siska looked at Hanifa in surprise. ''Ssttt ... This is for you, for your grip.'' said Hanifa slowly. Siska nodded small, her eyes looking teary. Upon seeing Siska, Hanifa suddenly imagined that it was her first self. He felt sorry for seeing Siska's appearance. Not long after that Setya approached the group of Hanifa.

''We came here to give you this. It's to help if you guys want to make a birthday show for Dad.'' Abdillah gave Setya a thick white envelope.

''Thank you very much for your help, Setya replied with a big smile. His mother and Hellen were also smiling cheerfully. Setya looked towards Arif, Arif hiding behind Malik's strapping body. Setya felt sad to see the son who was still trying to avoid him.

''Yes. You're welcome.''

''Mas Abdillah will be returning to Jakarta soon?'' Hellen.

''Yes.''

''Why would he go home. Though I still want to see Mas Abdillah in this village.''

Abdillah did not answer again. And then they say goodbye. Abdillah did not want to talk much with Setya's family. He only did what felt obligatory.

Seriate.

It's not over, yeah.