
Before our departure for our honeymoon, Mas Ilham and I spent time in administration at their respective teaching places. I was ripe with my decision to stop teaching and immediately finish the administrative affairs in school without lingering. I just say goodbye to the teachers and school staff. I don't want to have a long conversation with anyone. On the grounds that Mas Ilham was waiting for me at the front gate, I could avoid everyone who wanted to have a long pleasantry with me. Sorry, I'm just afraid that the initially trivial discussion will end in one direction. About that accident. I don't want to.
After I finished my business, I accompanied Mas Ilham to the madrassa where he taught. Same, to resign. In this new school year, Mas Ilham wanted to fulfill his promise to Abi to help him in the boarding school. Mas Ilham told me and asked my permission, and I agreed. Sure oes. But later, after our honeymoon.
The next day, we went to the school. While I was waiting at Umi's house, Mas Ilham took care of his staff administration as the new staff at the boarding school. Thanks to the help of Mas Farid, everything can run smoothly without significant difficulties. So, the rest of the day we used to have lunch with my family. Although not necessarily, but Mas Ilham still asked permission to Abi and Umi to take me abroad, a place that he still kept secret from me but he did not keep secret to other members of our family. Then, in the afternoon we visited Mas Ilham's parents' house, just to have dinner together, including with his small family Mbak Indah. And that day, I was like seeing a scene of warmth in a soap opera: how a boy who behaves so affectionately with his mother. Well, it was beautiful to see Mas Ilham hugging Umi from behind as Umi arranged the side dish in front of the table.
"Wish of Inspiration, yes, Umi. May the honeymoon be happy, and Zahra can get pregnant soon again."
Umi smiled. While his hand paused for a moment from his activity, he stroked Mas Ilham's face without turning his head, Umi assured. "Without asking, Umi will always pray for you, Leh. Umi must be praying."
Oh my God, I want that later if I have a son, my son can be as beautiful and warm as that to me. Also, if later I have a daughter, I want her and her father to be as familiar and warm as Abi Rahman and Mbak Indah's relationship. I've seen Abi put his hand on Mbak Indah's shoulder when they noticed Mbak Indah's firstborn playing in the yard, or seeing Mbak Indah who was talking to Abi, seemed to be asking for something, he spoke sweetly while standing beside Abi and holding his hand around Abi's waist. I don't know what they were talking about at the time, but when Abi nodded, Mbak Indah looked so happy, that she tiptoed and peeked at Abi's cheek. And vice versa, I've seen Abi stroke her daughter's head and kiss her side of the forehead fondly.
Iri, that's how I felt when I saw that sight. Because I was never so close, let alone so warm and friendly with my father. Well, if in terms of rejection, I'm wrong, because I refused. But it is the root of Abi.
Oops! Sori, don't discuss it. Just accept my prayer and yours, the prayer of all of us to have a warm palace and with its inhabitants so familiar and harmonious.
Aami....