I'm Single Mom
ASM 26's

Akmal's cell phone voice breaks the silence inside El's nursery.

Akmal looked at me before answering someone's phone. Maybe Zaskia, I guessed.

And it turns...

" I'm sorry, I can't come. We changed dinner the other day. There's still business."

My guess is not wrong. The phone is Zaskia. Turns out they're planning dinner, "Huh. Dinner, what's special." My mind is self-serving.

" Yes... But sorry. I promise you that after the business is ready, you come straight to your house. Okay well? Please don't sulk, it's not the right time, Zaskia." Akmal tried to persuade his girlfriend. I pretended not to hear their talk. Padahl I purposely put my ears on so I could hear their talk.

Akmal shut the phone. I heard, he breathed heavily.

" It's exhausting to face a spoiled woman like Zaskia? How, it is difficult to compare which pliers are good and which are best? Remember how patient I was with you?" I remember the time of the Nelangsa with Akmal. Long ago.... I gave up too much now...

He must yield for the sake of the spoiled and unkempt Zaskia.

El was already much calmer, he looked sound asleep. Akmal approached, sitting next to me.

" Solicit your cell phone number." Akmal Pinta.

I smiled funny, "I don't have a cell phone."

Akmal was surprised, looking from his eyes that were rounded and like he wanted to get out of his eyelids.

" At this age you don't have a cell phone?" Ask me not to believe.

I shook his head, without feeling a bit guilty. " Aren't you sane?" My emotions are back.

" I and El, lived in concern all this time. What El Minya, I always say patient. Now you're laughing at me, just because I don't have a cell phone? You think cell phones are important to me? Even the last cell phone my mom bought at uda High School I pawned for my and El's lives." My chest is up and down because I'm trying to be okay.

Without me holding back my two eyeballs condensed. It's sad that anyone laughs at my life, let alone Akmal. The one who caused my life to turn 360 degrees.

" Sorry, Sa. I'm not mocking you. I'm just asking for your phone number so I can easily tell you and El. That's all, there's no meaning. Sa, I appreciate all your struggles, from El still in your womb until she becomes a beautiful and smart little girl. If only El had not been born from your womb, perhaps El's fate would not have been as good as it is now. Please! Don't get angry quickly." Pintanya.

I've been as unwilling, not as strong as harboring all the burdens of my own life.

Akmal clasped my shoulders, his hands rubbing my shoulders many times.

" We'll raise El together, I'll make up for your nine years full of thorns. I'll make up for that time, Sa. Trust me! For now and in the future we will face it all together.

Akmal took me into his arms. Peaceful, warm and comfortable, that's how I feel. The hug nine years ago I can finally feel again. The fragrance of her perfume that never changed, and I love it... I'm like a drunken woman tonight.

Who would have thought El's presence gave a beautiful hope between me and Akmal. Tonight I sleep in Akmal's arms. Now Akmal is like a light to my life and El.

*

Morning came, Akmal and I woke up late. We both became a spectacle for Akmal.

" El, you've been up?" I'm embarrassed.

" It's. Dad hug mom yes. dad, El dong dong sleep in the hug dad " replied El seductively.

Instantly my face flushed like a boiled crab. Shame because he was teased by his own children.

Akmal approached his daughter, "is it better?"

" It's dad."

" Thank God..." Akmal Sahut.

Akmal's cell phone ringing interfered with our breakfast time.

" lifting?" My orders.

Akmal's hesitating, "Zaskia." Said slowly.

" Just answer maybe something's important."

Akmal's finger moved to press the green button.

" I can't Za, I'm in El's hospital. Two fevers from last night."

I was flabbergasted to see Akmal's honesty. The next second Akmal handed me his cell phone.

" Zaskia wants to talk."

My heart's beating great. Between fear and confusion.

" Hello... " My leg is weakened.

At the end there was the tone of Zaskia's voice that held back jealousy. He was also astonished that Akmal could tell El was ill. But he himself felt like he knew nothing.

" God..What should I say to Zaskia?"

" Za, El had a fever last night. It just so happens that Akmal comes." I'm trying to find a reason that's deceived.

Finally after trying to convince us that we had nothing to do, Zaskia disconnected her phone.

I'm breathing a little relieved.

" When El is healed, I want to be with you."

The statement that came out of Akmal's mouth suddenly, made me who was drinking become choked.

" Ohuuk..." Akmal patted my back palan.

" Be careful when drinking. Drink in a hurry." Ledek Akmal's.

I wanted to hit Akmal with the bottle I was holding.

" Are you brave? Are you ready to cross off the family card?" My insinuation.

Silence, there is no word from Akmal.

" Tsk. Akmal-Akmal.if you can't swim, don't want to dive into the sea. Ye... Until anytime will not dare to reveal the identity of El. So from now on stop promising the moon to me and El." My whisper in Akmal's ear. I don't want El to know our secret.

*

El was cured, and we're home from the hospital.

I was still troubled to think of Akmal's invitation to come clean to Zaskia and also father. But if you think about the fate of El, at least we as parents have to sacrifice even though later El will lose the relationship between aunt and nephew and between grandfather and grandson. Likewise from Akmal's side, of course they refused the presence of El.

The day I feared finally arrived, very early in the morning Akmal had come to pick us up.

" Are you serious?" I still ask Akmal, but I know the answer.

" Shall I answer again?" Akmal seemed to be caught off guard by the same question with the rhythm repeated.

We finally decided to leave. El seemed happy because he could walk while driving a car. Her innocent face made my heart break.

" God give our best... Don't let El be sad, don't let El be in the law for our wrongs." My prayer in my heart.

After an exhausting journey, we finally arrived at a house that was more suitable for me to call a palace. My guts shriveled even more, even cold sweat began to wet a part of my clothes.

Akmal took my hand, but I was forced to take it off. I'm not ready for everything that's going to happen.

" Hello... El..." Zaskia welcomes us. From the look on his face it was clear he was jealous to see me and Akmal walking together.

After El went inside, "why did you pick up Salsa?" Ask probing.

" Go in yuk!" Take Akmal.

With his effect, Zaskia clung to Akmal's shoulders. Zaskia wanted to let me know that Akmal was hers.

As usual, El immediately entered the room to play with his father's son and caregiver. We gathered in the living room. There's dad, mom, Zaskia, Akmal and me.

After a long time of pleasantries, Akmal finally started to make a sound.

" Dad, mama, Zaskia.The arrival of the mas here is..."