CUTS
Missing It's Tight...

Author POV...

A year of walking feels fast for those who have a lot of activities every day. For those who are lazy, a year feels like a snail. For Cut Zulaikha, a year goes by without notice. His days were filled with various activities outside the shophouse.

Abu business is also increasingly advanced with the number of goods in the store and customers are increasingly crowded. Now, Abu also has someone who can help him serve customers. He is Mae. An orphan boy who is now a teenager. Abu accidentally met with one of his village residents who became a coconut truck kernet from his district to Banda City.

His name was Leman. He was free to go anywhere during the conflict due to the lack of one of his limbs. He had polio as a child, making it difficult to walk. Many loved him, even the soldiers often gave him money or food. And now he's kerneted a coconut truck from the district to the town of Banda.

From him also Abu got the news that Mae's mother had died three months ago. Abu then asked Leman to take Mae to Banda City if Mae wanted to. This is where Mae is now. He lives with Abu in the shophouse. The boy who is now an orphan was happy because Abu and his family were very attentive to him. And what makes him more happy is the presence of little Rendra. Rendra himself really likes Mae who talks a lot and is good at joking.

“Bang Mae, buy jajan.” said Rendra.

“Abuuu....Dek Rendra asked for a snack.” cried Mae from the bottom floor.

Mae's cry seemed familiar to Abu of the family. As Abu was having lunch upstairs, Mae guarded the shop until Abu came down.

“Take the money in the drawer, don't scream so.” replied Umi from the stairs who was replied with a sinless smile from the two boys of different ages.

“Dek Rendra want to buy what?”

“Lupuk.”

“Cerupers? Means money only high yes?” Mae gave one coin of five hundred rupiah, but immediately got a head bob from Rendra.

“Two.” says Rendra.

“Alamak, you are still a child already good at counting money. Good thing, soon you can be the boss here in place of Abu.

The conversation between the two never went short. Little Rendra grew up well and was very active talking and moving. Abu and Umi are sometimes confused by the questions asked by him. Only Mae is able to answer all the questions that sometimes the answer is only original. That's how Rendra is, slowly but surely he lives his life well and happily without fear as before.

He gets an abundance of invaluable affection from those around him. No exception from his uncle and aunt. Mr. Cek Amir's three children also loved him very much even he was often taken to the pool by them.

As of this afternoon, Cut and Rendra who were waiting for an invitation from their cousin in front of the store had to hear a request from Mae who also wanted to swim.

“That Brother Cut, may yea, have mercy upon this orphan. Cook Dek Rendra aja invited, Mae will also learn to swim to be smarter.” Mae whines beside Cut with various expressions that make Rendra laugh funny.

“Iya, Mae wrongly said earlier. It's also good if it makes it high so Mae is not in trouble again if you want to climb coconut or rambutan at Kak Cut.”'s house for a moment, Cut was silent. His memories of his home and hometown re-emerge.

“Indeed it still bears fruit?” ask Cut. All this time he rarely talked to Mae about his village. Every day they are busy with their respective activities and at night also do not have time to talk a lot of things.

“Still Brother Cut. Even more fruit. Every fruit, Mae who guards the house of Kak Cut. Let the fruit not be eaten by squirrels. Look, how good Mae is. So, take Mae ya!”

“Already, just take him once. Who knows he could grow even higher.” Abu said.

“What'd you ride, Ash? Cut was piggybacked by Razi. Faris the same Intan, if you invite Mae to ride where she is?”

“Mae, you ride rickshaw only yes!” mae quickly nodded in excitement.

That afternoon, they enjoyed swimming together happily. The three human children laughed freely enjoying freedom without fear and sadness. Their past becomes a dark record that has ever been etched in the minds of each.

Meanwhile, in a house far away on the island of Java there. A young man was enjoying his free time by daydreaming by the window of his room. He had been back from Aceh for two months. It was as if his soul was still there. A photo held tightly in his hand. His heart was sad wrapped in longing. His desire to bring his lover to live together ran aground in a matter of hours.

His feelings hang unclear. The answer that should be heard now can still be heard again. Although it has an address, but can not go to search because Aceh is still martial law. He also could not go there personally because it would give rise to another conjecture of unity.

“This miss hurts, Cut. How are you doing? I'd love to meet you. Only a miracle can bring us back together. Hufftt.... when will Aceh be peaceful? Aren't you tired of taking up arms? To be honest, we are tired of this many years of war.”

“Silver is fine, right? Don't daydream later in the afternoon Satan passed.” Reni the younger brother enters Rendra's room.

“Already Brother, forget about the girl. Big brother is a man, usually men always think logically. And logically only brother and he are impossible to match. Even if the soul mate is just a miracle. Until when do you wait for the miracle to come. While the age of the brother continues to grow. Just a single Brother from the class of friends, does not pity Brother and mother who have been struggling to hold a grandchild.”

“You want me to introduce my friends? Many also kok beautiful.” felt ignored, the sister decided to come out of the room of the brother. Rendra could only sigh. What was said by his sister was not wrong, but his heart was already very attached to Cut. How does he marry another woman if his heart alone is already filled by Cut.

“Yes Lord, did we find us even once. I want to hear an answer from him so that this heart does not weigh.” as a prayer terbesit when the sky begins to twilight.

“This miss feels stifling chest, have I ever darted in your heart or mind even just once, Cut. I miss you so much and will continue to miss you.”

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