ENDLESS HALLWAY
CHAPTER 15: THE MEMORY OF HENDRY

Cindy lay on a rickety bed that was lulled from bamboo and only the mat in the middle had been torn. His eyes were still always filled with glistening grains of clear water. Zahra sat on the edge of the bed crying too. While a wrinkled-faced old woman looked at Cindy with compassion.

"Stop crying Cindy." Said the old woman while coughing a little.

"Ooooh grandma... Why did all this have to happen to me?" Cindy asked with a lot of joy.

"God has arranged it for my grandson. Whatever has happened is not of our will. Accept it with a strong heart." Said the old woman while stroking Anita's hair affectionately.

The elusan of the old woman's hand was increasingly felt by Cindy fill the pain of her heart. Her crying is getting sobbing. Grandma's fingers held my hand and then taped on

her chest. The heart rate was as if it were not

working again. But what can Cindy feel

that felt in Grandma's chest. Cindy was crying in her car. And the woman followed

crying anyway.

"Over this family life we've been suffering so much Cindy. Grandma can't do anything about the reality your father's been through. If only all this would be over soon before grandma died, how happy would it be. It's possible that Grandma's eyes could be tightly closed at the moment of the last breath." Said the granny raucously, her thin, dry hands once again stroking Cindy's hair affectionately.

"I think all our problems are getting worse" Grandma." Cindy said once. The grandmother looked at Cindy's disheveled face.

"Tell me what happened Cindy." Ask the grandmother.

"Next week I will be in court about

romeo nek thing. Surely this thing

it will also be about me dad. Whereas

dad's situation is very sad." Definitely Cindy.

"So the police have found out the trail of your future husband Cindy." Ask grandma to know.

"Well, after his death." Reply Cindy.

"How do the police know Cindy?" Ask grandma again.

"Romeo wants to kill me when I'm about to escape. With a young man I love. There was a commotion at the Raja Basah terminal. Romeo pulled out his gun and

there was a shooting with the security guard. He was eventually shot dead by

some of those officers. Even in circumstances

dying, still got a shot at my arm.

From the packaging it has dismantled the crimes that have been committed by him so far. I'm afraid Dad's gonna be depressed his soul's getting worse if he's gonna get caught up in this." Cindy said.

"Oooooh God." The old woman complained.

"I came here for that

meet grandma's dad. Maybe I can talk to you to find out the real question. If only I had not heard the real explanation first, we might have been more wretched." Definitely Cindy.

The old woman breathed a heavy sigh. His eyes looked out blankly.

"I don't think your father could have said what you expected. He's hard to talk to that Cindy's mind can respond to. Sometimes he forgets who he is. Moreover, it should tell all the events of the past." Obviously grandmother.

"Sister Cindy, you better find someone who can defend this matter." Sela Zahra is restless.

Cindy turned her eyes towards Zahra.

"That could have been Zahra. But

how could I have won if I hadn't

know the real question?" Zahra and

the old woman was shocked.

"How can I speak to my father as a long time ago. Please help me, grandma." Cindy replies to.

"Well, I will try to persuade your father in a subtle way so that he can find his true self. After that, you'll get that chance, Cindy." The old woman said as she muttered.

"Have good luck. Try to get Dad to meet me and talk about this. Without father's explanation I would have met destruction. We will all be more tormented by circumstances

we don't really want to." Cindy again.

"May God help us Cindy." The old woman said while praying. "Now stop crying, Cindy. It is not enough with your tears that all these problems can be solved."

Cindy at the behest of her grandmother. The tears that wet his cheeks were removed slowly. "How painful is this heart, let it be hidden in the chambers of my heart. As long as the inner torment will not come again to my whole family. Hurry up this gloomy fog passes before true happiness comes wrapped in my feelings". Cindy said as she wiped her tears.

***

A sense of calm that momentarily cooled Cindy, snatched at once when entering her father's house. A pair of eyes flashed sharp and savage. Like a dislodged heart Cindy when she realized that standing upright was her father. Her grandmother tried to cover Cindy's eyes with a smile. While Zahra who was standing next to her father shivered in fear. Her eyes shifted from her father to Cindy. Zahra catches in her sight if Cindy's face is pale pias.

"Hendry, my mom's coming." Grandma said it was soft.

The half-old man only smiled wryly. His eyes were still blankly staring at the presence of a skinny old woman. Then the old woman grabbed Hendry's hand and guided him to the room. Cindy

and Zahra followed behind. Grandma Minah invited Hendry to sit on the side of the bed. Anita and Lisa sit in a chair opposite them. Grandma Minah then took out some photos that were dull in color. Minah's grandmother deliberately brought her from home to remind memories in the past.

"You still recognize this photo of Hen?" Word

"Who is this Mama?" Ask Hendry bengong.

"This little boy is you Hendry. And the one who holds the little boy is the mother. The one standing next to your mom is your dad. Do you remember your naughty childhood Hen?" Mak Minah's.

"I'm naughty mak?" Ask Hendry like a kid

a stupid little one.

"The law is not playing Hen, often you steal mangoes at the house of Mr. Heru the foreman of the rubber plantation. Then throw the glass of the Dutch officer's house until your father is required to replace." Mak Minah's.

"Yes, I remember my mother. I even killed a Dutch officer." Reply Hendry.

"Right.right, keep remembering your childhood Hen. Mak, it's so nice." Minah's grandmother said as she coughed. The woman's smile was engraved on her face that had been wrinkled. He was happy that Hendry could recall his past. Surely he will find himself who has been running away in nothingness all this time. In the chaos of a chaotic mind.

"Let's take a look at this other photo of Hen" said Minah's grandmother as she offered a picture of a sweet girl.

"Who is this Mama?" Ask Hendry.

"This is a sweet country girl. In time

her teens were once the flower in this village.

Who else if not Nelly." Grandma Minah explained.

"Oh, is she beautiful?" Sahut Hendry

smilingly.

Cindy and Zahra smile and throw their faces away. They are afraid that they will laugh at the behavior of their teenage-like father.

"That's your wife Hendry." Grandma Minah chimed.

"This is my wife, mother? Wow beautiful..." Hendry said with his laughter breaking.

The treatment of the old man had made his two children laugh. But Cindy and Zahra laughed behind a handkerchief that covered their lips.

"Where is she now, Mommy?" Ask Hendry.

"Now he lives in Lampung." Reply Grandma Minah again.

"In Lampung?" Ask Hendry.

"Well... The city is famous for its Siger monument. You remember that, don't you?" Hendry mangosteen. Grandma Minah showed me another photo. A couple sitting in a chair full of happiness.

"Who are these two brides?" Ask Hendry.

"You and Nelly." Answer grandma Minah.

"My wife's beautiful steps when she's wearing a wedding dress." Hendry muttered.

Grandma Minah smiled again.

"You remember the happiness you felt at that time, Hendry?" Ask grandma Minah.

"Well.well..I was really happy that time." Answer Hendry.

Minah's grandmother offered another photo of a baby sleeping on his stomach. The baby is beautiful and funny.

"A few years after your marriage, a beautiful and funny daughter was born. Mak at that time knew very well if your household was so happy after the birth of this little one. Then your first child named Cindy and since the birth of Cindy progress in your business is increasing. Then you boyong your wife and son to Lampung for the sake of career. And here's a picture of you with your wife and son." Grandma Minah showed me another photo. Hendry hugged his wife's shoulder while Cindy stood in the middle. Henry smiled at the photo.

"After two years, a

another daughter. Then you give your second son Zahra a name. And this

picture of her as a baby." Minah's grandmother gave Hendry a picture of Zahra. And the half-old man watched carefully.

His eyes immediately moved towards Zahra who was sitting watching his father.

Their eyes met and Zahra smiled at her father. The man's forehead creased for a moment. Presumably all this time he only knew Zahra not as his son. Zahra's name was heard often. He also often called Zahra's name but just did not know who Zahra really was.

So with the information given by Minah's grandmother a little bit can change the mind of Hendry. Forcibly he should be able to find the capture power as before. In a state of still doubt and doubt Minah's grandmother showed again photos of Cindy and Zahra's birthday. The two girls on their birthday looked beautiful. A birthday bread inscribed with a happy fourteenth birthday for Cindy, standing majestically on the table. Cindy had just finished elementary school.

"This is Cindy. So did Zahra. These two girls are still your flesh and blood, Hendry." Minah's grandmother said convincing reality with what was seen by Hendry.

"So... Cindy and Zahra are my children?" Hendry looked confused.

"Well, they are your flesh and blood." Answer grandma Minah.

Both of Hendry's eyes stared alternately from Cindy to Zahra. The man's eyes were no longer as hollow as before. Not as long as the days have passed. But now it is full of meaning and answers. Cindy and Zahra's hearts trembled with pity. Slowly the feeling of affection began to be felt by Hendry.

So does sorrow prick his heart. Both of Hendry's eyes were getting watery for longer. Glasses full of joy to see his two children.

"Help your two sons, Hendry. They still need your love and attention. They have long been tormented by an inner torment that has no place to complain. Have mercy on them." Grandma Ijah raau.

Hendry raised both his hands slowly until they stretched out. The man was ready to receive the arms of his two children. Without wasting any more time, Cindy and Zahra both hugged her father.

"Dad!." Cindy's almost identical cry

with Zahra.

The two girls were crushed in the arms of a father who had forgotten about him all along. At once the two girls were unable to be dammed. Like a flood, all sorrow is poured out in his tears. This is where they can release all the inner pressure. From the caress of a father a little much lessens the burden of suffering they feel.