BECOMING HONEY'S SISTER
Melting the Ice Mountain

The effect of the quarrel between me and Iqbal resulted in the silence of the children. So now the atmosphere of our new home becomes quiet. No more sounds of laughter and jokes of children, even just they are auctioned in the house. Everything turned quiet and very calm, ranging from small to large. We both became uncomfortable.

I felt bad myself, I realized that I had made them hurt even though the words I spoke were the truth. But I shouldn't have told you everything because they're children, and they're not responsible for their mother's actions.

At the dinner table we all gathered together, as before, though all were present but not a hint of babbling was heard, including from Ibed's small mouth. It is like knowing this discomfort. It was like taking responsibility for what his mother had done.

"Iqbal" I said, as we were eating. Everyone fell silent, immediately stopped eating, they stole a glance at me timidly. "After eating Umi wants to talk" I said. Then go back to eating. At a glance, with the tip of my eyes I saw Hana and Asad looking at his brother. They throw signals at each other. Maybe I was afraid to get angry again, but did not dare to say anything because at this time their condition was completely under my control.

***

Me and Iqbal. Just the two of us, in the simple living room of our house. The other children, I believe, are now trying to steal our conversation secretly because one of them was seen by me. But I let it go. What we're about to talk about is not a secret, nor do I intend to be angry with this child.

"I'll enroll you in Singapore High School." I said. Iqbal was startled, he immediately raised his head which had been bowed. "So prepare everything well, yes. Including your exams. If your grades are bad then I have to register at the cottage." I said.

"Why is that so?" ask Iqbal in a soft voice. "I want High School here."

"No, it's a decision."

"But .... Iyu," he was silent. "You hate me?" ask her, so it makes me look at her. "Yes, I know I'm too much, so you're punishing me by throwing me out of the country or into boarding school, right?"

"What does that mean?"

"You enrolled me in high school away from home and family so you wouldn't see me, would you?"

"Why think that?"

"You must be tired of facing me."

I chuckled, while he looked at me in wonder. "You didn't forget, did you. What deal did you make with Umi Ayu? Didn't you ask very well to continue at Singapore International High School so that you can explore the world of robots that you really like. And if your value is bad, you can not enter there then you yourself say you want to enter the boarding school. You want to be an ustad. Don't forget, do you? Your goals are still the same, right?"

Brucks. Suddenly the fifteen-year-old boy burst into my arms. Within seconds I heard her crying break. I'm really shocked and confused, what's wrong with this kid. Did I make a mistake? Feelings no. I'm just continuing what the mother and son agreed to. I'm just trying to do everything well. In accordance with the expectations of Mbak Ayu.

"Umiii .. umiiii ... Umiiii." call him. "You umm me, right? Right, guys? You want to be my Umi? Replacing our dead umi." cried Iqbal.

Before long, without command, Iqbal's brothers ran, scattered in my arms, including Yumna who seemed not to know what happened, he only followed his brothers.

"I really didn't expect that Umi knew about the school plan that I talked about to Umi Ayu." Iqbal said, apparently he felt moved to the touch of his heart. That is why he who had felt guilty was increasingly touched by his heart. "I'm not a good boy, but I promise you, if Umi gives me a chance I want to be a good boy. I want to be devoted to umi. "Iqbal promises.

"Of course, son, of course Umi will give you a chance. For umi, even though you weren't born from umi, you're all Umi's children!" I said, gently rubbing one by one their heads.

"Pardon us too, umi" said Asad and Hana who were followed by her other sisters.

I nodded, smiling. It felt so bad when the iceberg melted. Now I'm no longer just their father's second wife who destroyed their parents' household. But I am their mother. Who love and are loved by them sincerely.

The burden that was once imprinted as a second wife is gone. I feel really relieved because now I can have my children. Yumna, Iqbal, Asad, Hana, Sabrina and Ibed. They are my children. I will be responsible to them until the state of Ilham as the head of our family improves again.

***

"Umi, can I talk?" Iqbal sat in the chair in front of me.

I who was busy counting the sales today immediately ended my work. To hear my firstborn first.

"Speak son," I said.

"May Iqbal High School be here?" Ask.

"Why? Not that being a scientist is your goal. You want to be a robot maker, too, right?"

"Yes mi, but Iqbal also can not leave the Umi and younger siblings in this condition. Iqbal is not. Umi is still very troubled. After all, school fees in Singapore are not cheap, Iqbal does not want to add to the burden of umi."

"Oh my God, don't talk like that. Iqbal knew, umi had prepared everything. For school costs you have set aside from the proceeds of home sales that are reduced sales capital and the cost of treating your Abi. So InshaAllah is enough, really."

"But who's going to help Umi? Who will take care of the younger siblings also when the current condition of Abi is still not better" said Iqbal.

I kept quiet, actually what he said was true. I am still very troubled with the business of Ilham mas and my sale. Sometimes the kids don't notice. Fortunately they were now obedient, so without being watched they could still be controlled. But still, they must always be supervised because children as big as they also need the love of their parents, especially in the teenage phase.

"Well, if that's your decision. Umi agrees that you only go to school here. But still you have to keep trying to realize your ideals yes." I patted the teenager's shoulder plan. Her face that looked so much like Ayu made me feel a little guilty. I failed to get him to go to school where he dreamed.

"The Union has not failed. Umi has taught me something more important, which is how to be a real firstborn." Iqbal.