Dusk Substitute
Humaira Shakila Najma and Hana Zahra Alwani

Twenty years later

Time passed by so quickly, the longing for Nissa had reached its edge. Radit doesn't want to see Nissa anymore. The promise that was spoken from Nissa's lips, has been broken and never kept. Not a year or two, almost twenty years Nissa left without any news. There is no hope in Radit's heart. When I met Nissa, half of Radit's life was gone and never came back. Radit never heard from his twin daughter again. Zain, Nissa's son, grew tired of asking the mother.

"Papa, Zain has to go!" Zain said firmly, Radit remained silent. His heart could no longer afford to lose. Twenty years ago, Nissa left with her two twin daughters. Today his son, pamit went to find a mother who loved him very much.

"Zain, where are you going to look for them? if you leave, you leave papa and mama!" Alvira said, Radit has no voice. It was cold, his heart was no longer warm.

Exactly five years, after Nissa's departure. Radit and Alvira are married. The marriage was forced, given Zain's custody which fell to Radit. Marriage religiously, so that Zain would remain next to Radit. A marriage that has no love anymore. Alvira chose to be a wife under the hands. Than she keeps loving Radit. At least Alvira can be with Radit and Zain. All this time, Alvira took care of Radit and Zain very well. Alvira gave up her success, in order to be with Radit and Zain. The son who was once weak, now grew into a handsome and smart young man.

"Radit, say something. Don't let Zain go looking for them. Besides, where is Zain going to look for them? Someone who never wants to be found. Like a needle on a haystack. Zain's efforts will be in vain, he'll never find them!" Alvira said, Radit remained silent. Both hands are on the table. I don't know what he's thinking? Radit's silence makes everything difficult. Alvira is upset, seeing Radit who still keeps his taste on Nissa.

"Zayn!"

"Yes!" Zain said, Radit stared fixedly at Zain's face.

"Tell papa, what are you going to do? If only you had met them!" Radit said softly, Zain shook his head slowly. As if he didn't know, what did he want?

"Therefore, there is no need to look for them!" Sahut Alvira cynical.

"I miss Nissa's mom!" Zain said softly, Alvira was getting annoyed. He heard Zain's longing, but not for him. Nissa's the mother she always missed.

"She's not your real mother, but she gave birth to you!" Alvira said loudly with explosive emotions.

Zain lowered his head, his hands clenched perfectly. There was anger that troubled his heart. Alvira's words always hurt her. Alvira's humiliation of Nissa, makes Zain angry and hates Alvira. But the status of Alvira, making Zain unable to be rude. Just venting the anger that was in his heart. Radit realizes Zain's anger, there's never a single word between Alvira and Zain. Zain's love for Nissa is irreplaceable. The reason Zain could never forget Nissa.

"Find your sisters, but once you know where they are. Papa doesn't want you to leave without a clear purpose. Ask Aunt Amira, she's the only person who knows where Nissa's mom and your sisters are!"

"Serious papa!" Zain was happy, Radit nodded slowly. It wasn't just Zain who wanted to meet Nissa. Deep down, Radit is eager to meet Nissa.

"You don't have to look for them. If not today, maybe tomorrow they will come!" Sahut Rayhan, Radit and Zain immediately turned their heads together. Radit the one who was most shocked, he heard the news he had been waiting for for the past twenty years.

Radit immediately stood up, leaving the dining table to walk over to Rayhan. Friends who have supported him to this day. Rayhan who is always there, becomes Radit's encouragement. Radit was weak and no longer able to stand. Zain follows Radit, an older brother who wants to meet his younger siblings. The longing that began to show at last. A very anticipated day, for many years.

"What did you say? Who do you mean?"

"They will come back, your lost family will return. Nissa and her daughters are coming home!" Rayhan said stirring, Radit immediately cupped Rayhan's hand. Thinking he heard wrong, Radit's eyes glazed over. As if in disbelief, Nissa would come to see him again.

"Om Rayhan didn't lie, Mama Nissa came back. Mama Nissa will see me!" Said Zain in disbelief, Rayhan nodded slowly. Ascertaining Zain's words, disbelief after a long wait.

"Your daughter's coming home Radit, they're coming to see you. The beautiful princess you have longed for. They're coming, hugging you for the first time!" Rayhan said with haru, Radit lowered his head. Wiping her falling tears. A sense of happiness that only exists in his imagination. Now find a ray of hope.

Radit stood staring at the two photos of the tiny red baby. Magnified and beautifully framed photos. Photos that filled the wall of the middle room of his large house. Two Radit lamps he never hugged. Just the photo, where Radit pours out his longing. The same photo filled his private room. Two little princesses, beautiful red cheeks. Light in the dark of Radit's heart for the last twenty years.

"Humaira Shakila Najma and Hana Zahra Alwani, my daughter!" Radit said softly, while staring at the photo of his little princess who was still red.

"Yes Radit, your daughter is coming back!" Sahut Rayhan, shortly before patting Radit's shoulder gently. Zain stood right beside Radit, with the same longing. Zain looked at the red faces of his sisters. Only the photos made Zain recognize them.

"Father, I'll meet them!" Zain said, then hugged Radit. A warm embrace full of longing for a lamp that goes away for years.

"Why are you so eager to meet them? Not necessarily they want to see you. For twenty years, you two have been staring at the same photo. But they don't necessarily do the same. Don't look at your photos, just know your name no!" Said Alvira cynically, Radit immediately turned his head. Radit's gaze was sharp, Alvira immediately lowered her head in fear.

"I've been silent for a long time, not because I love you or consider you to be. I was just afraid of hurting my son. How hard are you to incite me? That much I will oppose it. Nissa's gone, but it's all my fault. Nissa did forget me, it was a punishment for me. But I know Nissa, she'll never let my daughter forget me. She's a mother who never left her son. She is a mother who accepts her son with all her heart. She's a mother who always thinks about her daughter's happiness. A mother who will never make the happiness of her son a guarantee of her own happiness. Unlike you, a selfish mother who always forces happiness. Even for the sake of it all, you sacrificed my son's happiness. Look at Alvira, your son remembers Nissa. Although twenty years ago Nissa left without saying goodbye to him. Change Alvira, lest you lose the love of your son. Even after fifteen years, you live with us under the same roof!" Radit said loudly, Radit's anger is real. Alvira kept silent, Zain chose to stay away. Quarrels, debates and disputes became commonplace in his home. But never, Zain intervened or sided with one of Radit and Alvira.

"One more Alvira, you have this hostess. But my two daughters are lamps in my life. Just once you tried to turn off that lamp. I will make your life regret. I used to worry, now I'm firm. Zain and them are the reason I live, for their sake I will live!" Radit said loudly and firmly.

"You ruthless Radit, fifteen years I've accompanied you. But not for a second did you appreciate me. There's no happy word I feel while with you!" Inner Alvira pilu.