Italicized Before 24 Hours
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After removing the appron and changing the uniform with regular clothes. Septian rushed out of the cafe. This afternoon is so bright. The almost sunset gives a wonderful beautiful effect in the sky. And then, he remembered Nara. His beautiful wife is waiting at home.

Septian called Nara. Ask if he wants anything. And apparently, the woman wanted a pempek.

In the spirit of 45, Septian went around looking for a pempek merchant. But the screams from someone made him stop. A man seemed to be chasing after the man he shouted at.

Septian who was riding a motorbike, immediately stopped the motor in the snatcher. And his foot kicked the snatcher until the man and his bike fell.

Lucky Septian is good at martial arts. And with the help of other citizens, finally able to bend the snatch.

"This is his gold purse?" Septian handed the wallet to the victim.

"Thank you, my. If there wasn't any gold, it would have been my wallet."

"The same." Answer while regulating the breath that is still bored due to fighting.

"It's for mas." The man offered several pieces of red money to Septian.

"Not for mas. I really want to see it." Reject Septian.

"I love him too." The man forced. And finally, Septian accepted it.

"Eh mas, you know the emaciated seller isn't around here?" Ask Septian.

"That's. My favorite food is. Let me take you to a restaurant that looks good."

A restaurant? Septian was immediately less interested. It certainly costs a lot. He was looking for a traveling salesman. But considering he just got sustenance, so that's okay.

"Away no?"

"Deket. Take the motorbike only. My car, I parked in front of that shophouse earlier." The man pointed to the place where he parked his car. Also the place where he was snatched.

"Come on that." Septian immediately climbed on his motorbike followed by the person. With his direction, until they were in a restaurant that sold pempek. The restaurant looks crowded. Maybe because of the hours to work. So he had to wait patiently for his order to be made.

"Gosh, looks like we haven't met since." Said the man as they sat waiting for the pempek order.

"I'm Abi." The man extended his hand.

"Septian." Septian shakes Abi's hand.

Hearing Abi's name, Septian recalled Nara's ex-husband. Nara has mentioned that name several times. But, Abi's name is a market. Not necessarily this same Abi, her inner self.

"You seem younger than me. I'm calling you by name, right?" Ask Abi.

"It's just the comfort."

"I subscribe here Sep. Delicious pempeknya. Come here often, first." Words used to be like hanging in the air. He remembered his former best friend, Nara. They are fellow pempek. Yes, he is the same Abi. Abi who used to be Nara's husband even though it is not up to 24 hours.

"If I don't like it. It's just, my wife's cravings pempek."

"Wife pregnant?"

"Yes mas. If you are married, what is it? Or maybe you have a child?" Septian asked back.

"My wife is pregnant too." Abi replied with a face that looked less excited. Not happy with his wife's pregnancy. But Septian did not dare to ask. Fear offending. Besides, it's none of her business.

Their chatter came to a halt when the Septian order was completed. They headed straight for the shophouse where Abi parked his car.

"You want to go home?" Abi asked after getting off the Septian motor.

"No, no more magrib. So pray first. More about the mosque." Septian pointed his chin towards a mosque close to the place. "If you want to pray too. We can be together. I'm a fucking masjid." Bargainly.

Abi seemed to think, then he nodded. "Oh yeah, I'm with you."

Septian pulled his motor gas as soon as Abi sat behind him. They headed to the mosque which was only about 100 meters away from the place. While waiting for the Adhan who will soon reverberate, they sit casually in the mosque.

"Thank God my wife never asked for anything weird."

"How many months?"

"7 months."

"Just now dong's. Must be really cool?"

Abi looked bitterly smiling. An expression that does not indicate if he is happy waiting for the presence of his son. Like carrying a very heavy load.

"My son has been diagnosed with Down syndrome since the womb." Said Abi while staring nanar ahead. It was as if his future was wiped out.

Septian was silent. Now he knew what kind of problem the man in front of him was facing. It is fitting, the look of the man's face immediately changed when talking about his wife's pregnancy. Having a child with Down syndrome is obviously a serious problem for parents who are unable to accept the condition.

"Maybe because of the sin of my wife and I. That's why our son has Down syndrome."

"Don't say it like that." Septian Salak. He clearly disagreed with that expression. "There are no sins. No child bears the sins of his parents." He continued while looking at Abi.

"As his parents. Even if it's a child out of wedlock. The child is still born holy, without sin."

Septian remembered the child in Nara's womb. Children of their sins.

"God never creates a failed product. All children must have their own advantages and disadvantages. Including the Down syndrome child."

Inwardly, Abi confirmed Septian speech. But in retrospect, this ordeal was too much for him.

"Taking care of a Down syndrome child is not easy. I'm afraid I can't keep that trust." Abi said as he looked towards Septian who was sitting next to him.

"God gave his servant trials according to his limits. If God designates mas and mas wife as parents of children with Down syndrome. I'm sure you can afford it."

"Speaking is easy. But living it, I'm sure it's not easy. It will cost a lot to take care of it. And the most important. Such a child attracts attention. And maybe, there'll be a lot of booing about us when you take him out." Yes, in addition to financial problems, shame is the main principle.

Septian smiled hearing that. "Maybe it used to be like that. But I'm sure people's mindsets are different now. Many children with Down syndrome who have special talents to finally be able to achieve achievements and boast parents. Besides, there's one more advantage that's very special."

"What?" Abi looked curious.

"Child Down syndrome will be easy when going through the process of hisab. He will not be asked about prayer, fasting, or other worship. He was simply asked who your God is. After passing that stage, he would enter heaven. And a child who goes to heaven, will try to draw his parents also to heaven."

"Perhaps having a Down syndrome child is considered an ordeal. But behind the ordeal, there's heaven waiting." Septian.

Abi smiled at Septian. This time, it looked sincere and carefree. "Thank you, thanks to you, I am more eager to wait for the presence of our son. To be honest, when I first found out my son had Down syndrome, I told my wife to abort him. I am ashamed to have Down syndrome. I never even wanted to accompany my wife to check the contents. As if, I blame her for defending that fetus. But now, it seems, my wife's decision is right."

Abi was disappointed with Arumi's decision not to abort her content. Since then, their relationship has been a little strained. There is no more togetherness. All as in its own way.

Abi is not ready to have a Down syndrome child. The main reason is shame. In addition, his dream to build his own company will certainly not be kampainga. It will cost a lot to take care of a Down syndrome child. And Arumi, she can't work anymore because she has to take care of her son. Because Abi's parents, they don't want to take care of a special grandchild. Arumi's mother had died a long time ago.

Septian patted Abi's shoulder several times. "Excite, I'm sure, I can get through this."

"You are younger. But your mindset is much more mature than mine."

"Life lessons that mature a person."

"Well, once in a while your wife has a husband like you Sep."

Septian shook his head. "I'm lucky to have a wife like her." Instantly Nara's shadow was present in his mind. So kangen.

"It looks like you two love each other."

"Isn't that supposed to be husband and wife."

Abi took a business card from his wallet. "This is my number, please call me so I can keep your number. Looks like, next time, we can meet again."

Septian received the card and read it at a glance. "Tell me if my wife gives birth. Let me take my wife to see my wife and son."