Light Warriors
Section 16

Ismunah's mother was shocked when Rumi brought guests from Malaysia and Mr. Tirto visited his stall.  In a hurry, he tidied up his clothes. Mr. Min tidied his hair with a comb.  

"Shhh...Mi, why didn't you tell me if there was a guest? " whispered Ismunah's mother to Rumi. 

Rumi smiled. " I didn't think I had any guests either." 

Ismunah's mother made tea for Mr. David, Mrs Hanizah, and Mr. Tirto.  Mr. David and Mrs Hanizah continue to observe the surrounding conditions.  There was compassion in their hearts.  Their eyes saw a lump on Mr. Min's neck as told by Rumi. 

After meeting them, they began to talk.  However, Mr. Min could not join because he had to send an order of packaged rice to a building project.  

"We did not sell here at first, " said Ms. Ismunah.  "We had a stall in Wonokromo Market. However, a fire disaster came unexpectedly burning the entire market.

Our stalls are burning. We suffered a lot of losses. Previously, our rice stall in the village was also burned due to a short circuit. So, until now, I've had two stall fires. The first, probably because of our own carelessness. The second was a mass fire, in which we had no power to do anything.

With the rest of the money, my husband and I opened a small stall here. I can't afford the cost. Finally, yes my husband and I sleep here." 

"Where are your real mother and father? " ask Mr. Tirto.  

"We're from Ngawi, sir. We moved to Surabaya after our stall in Ngawi also experienced a fire.

We started everything from zero. At first, my husband and I worked with people. I work as a housekeeper and my husband as a security guard. Until we can send our children alone wayang."

"Where is the mother's son now? " ask Mr. David. 

"Have passed away, sir. A traffic accident while being rammed into a motorcycle by a friend. Back then, my son was Rumi's age."

"Oh, Inalillahi wa inailayhi rajiiun, "they said in unison.  

"Therefore, I'm glad that Rumi and her twin sisters paid a visit to my stall. It was like my son was back."

Mrs Hanizah glanced at Rumi and smiled.  

"So you have a twin sister, huh, Mi? " ask Mrs Hanizah.  "Surely he's handsome like you."

Rumi smiled and bowed in shame. 

"So right did Rumi come to Mom's kiosk often and help with Mom's work? " ask Mr. David.  

"Yes, sir," replied Ismunah's mother. " Every time I go home from school, Rumi goes to my kiosk and helps me wash my glasses and clean up. I have been banned several times, but the formula continues to force. Sometimes the Sham, his twin brother also helps." 

"Lho, why is it forbidden, ma'am? " ask Mrs Hanizah. " Are they helping to ease Mom's work?" 

"I'm ashamed, Mom." Ismunah's mother sighed.  "I can't pay them both. I feel sorry for Rumi too. Just coming home from school, my body still feels tired, but it helps me work here."

"Rumi ever asked for a fee? " Sir David asked. He sipped a glass of iced tea in front of him.  

Ismunah's mother shook her head. "Never, sir. Rumi always said that she sincerely helped me." 

Mr. David, Mrs Hanizah, and Mr. Tirto were moved, and amazed by Rumi.  Rumi kept her head down, her embarrassment continuously praised.  

"I was also surprised. When there are young people around the age of Rumi and Sham who want to help parents like me and my husband, "Ismunah's mother has no power to hold back her tears. 

"I can't give them anything. I can only pray for them to be opened to life, given health, and success. " 

Mrs Hanizah immediately stood up and hugged Ms. Ismunah tightly.  

"May God give way for all of us, " said Mrs Hanizah. " Mother Ismunah and Mr. Min must be strong.Should be patient in the face of the trials of life. " 

After Mrs Hanizah embraced Ms. Ismunah, Mr. David and Mr. Tirto embraced Ms. Ismunah. Everything is lost in the feeling of haru.  

"Mi, can't we go to your house?" ask Mrs Hanizah.  

"Uhm, you may, "Rumi scratched her head.  "But me and my family live in cramped boarding rooms. I'm ashamed." 

"No problem, Mi, " said Mr. David. "We just want to get acquainted with your family, Mi. Can you?"  

Rumi nodded.

*

Cars also move to Rumi boarding houses.Since the road is very narrow and four-wheeled vehicles are not allowed to enter the alley, cars are forced to be parked in front of the alley and they are walking to the boarding houses.

 Arriving at Rumi's room, they observed the surrounding conditions.  

"Please enter Sir, Ma'am, " said Mother. " I'm sorry, we don't have tables and chairs. So, just sit down like this." 

"Ah, no problem, ma'am, " said Mr. David.  "Just sitting down like this, we're comfortable."

Mother woke up a sleeping Sham naked because the air was very hot.  

"Syam, "Mom patted Sham's shoulder. " There's a guest from Malaysia." 

Sham pensively for a moment, rubbing his eyes. "Well, Malaysia? Far away?" 

"From Rumi's school. There's Mr. Tirto too." 

Syam immediately put on his shirt and washed his face.  Mother took out a piece of ten thousand from her bag.

" Sham, help you buy drinks and small meals at the Bu Sri stall." 

"Yes, Mom."

Sham slightly lowered his head past those guests. 

"Excuse me, sir, Mom." Syam greeted Mr. Tirto, Mr. David and Mrs Hanizah.

"How are you, Syam? " ask Mr. Tirto.  

"Alhamdulillah, fine, sir. Excuse me, sir."

Sham out of the house to Bu Sri stall.  

Mrs Hanizah glanced at Rumi. " Mi, is that your twin brother? " 

"Yes, Ma'am, " replied Rumi softly.  

"There are actually four. My mother, father, me, and my twin brother. But my father just died a week ago. So, there are only three of us left. " 

"Oh, Innalillahi wa inailayhi rajiuun, " said Mr. Tirto. "We're so sorry." 

"Thank you, sir, "Rumi answered.

"All the trials of life will make you strong in the future" said Mr. David.  "You need to stay excited. " 

"Thank you, Mr" replied Rumi.

"Your twin brother didn't go to school? " ask Mrs Hanizah.  

Rumi shook her head.  "Syam was forced to drop out of school because there was no cost. Besides, she also had to work helping Mom to meet our daily needs." 

"Oh, what a pity, " said Mrs Hanizah. 

Syam came with iced tea and fried food.  

"Come, sir, ma'am, please enjoy."

"Ah, how come it's so troublesome? "ask Mr. Tirto. 

"It's okay, sir, "Sham is sitting next to Mr. Tirto.  He occasionally glanced at Rumi.  Rumi glanced back.

Syam is still amazed, how can Rumi bring guests from Malaysia to visit his home. He intended to interview his brother after the guests came home. 

Not long after, Mother who had just finished bathing and changed clothes, came and met the guests.  Mom started to mince a little.  

"Hmm, Father, Mother, sorry yes, we can only serve potluck food" he said. " Our house is a mess too."

"It's okay, ma'am, " said Mr. Tirto.  "So, this morning, our school came to a humanitarian organization from Malaysia. Mr. David and Mrs Hanizah are the leaders of that organization." 

"Oh, I see, " said Mother. 

"We were also amazed by what Rumi had done, " said Mrs Hanizah.  "We think a young man like Rumi is amazing." 

Mother looked at Rumi's face in wonder. " Well, my son has done what he did to make Father and Mother amazed? " 

"Helping an old woman wash glasses and dishes, also cleaning her stall willingly, " replied Mr. David.  

"Oh, ha.ha.ha, "Mom laughed a little.  In his heart, he laughed at himself who had reprimanded and blamed his son for working at the stall of Ibu Ismunah without pay.  A little regret appeared.

 "Ah, just help wash the glass. It's not something big." 

"It's not something big" said Mr. David.  "Because for now, only this little thing can Rumi do. But starting from this small thing, we are sure , later Rumi will do something bigger." 

Syam can only hear it.  Now, there was little light in his mind as to why these guests from Malaysia had come to his house. 

"Mother's son is great, " said Mrs Hanizah. " Our organization has made visits to various countries and paid tribute to young people who have done small, but significant, deeds for humanity. " 

"Well, that's great, " said Mom. "What is the award usually?"

"Education scholarships, funding from donations from members of our organization around the world, and much more" said Mr. David.  "We have also collaborated with the Indonesian government to reward Indonesian youth who want to do something for humanity." 

"Thank God, then, " said Mother. "This mummy is the only focus of our family. Since his father stopped working and suffered a stroke, Syam was forced to drop out of school and work on building projects to help finance our living needs. While Rumi remains in school with the hope that later, after she completes her schooling, she will bring change to our family."

"Oh yes, " said Mr. David.  "If there was a chance, would Sham want to go to school again? " Sir David asked Sham.  

Sham nodded his head, "Of course I want to." 

Mr. David smiled. He glanced at his wife for a moment.  Mrs Hanizah replied with a smile.  

"Prophey, Sham, " said Mrs Hanizah. "There must be a way from God so you can go to school again." 

"Amiin, " replied Sham, Rumi, and his mother simultaneously.  

"As long as there is a strong intention from within Sham to move forward" added Mr. David. "Nothing is impossible." 

Time shows at half-four in the afternoon.  They also say goodbye.  .

After the guests came home, Mom hurried off to work. Before leaving, he hugged Rumi.  

"Mi, I'm sorry, "he said.  

"I'm sorry why, Mom? " ask Rumi.  

"Mom was wrong about you. From now on, Mi, do what you think is good."

"Yes, Mom. You welcome. I'm sorry if I have something wrong with my mom. " 

Mom stopped her embrace.  He looked at his two children. "Mom go first."  

"Yes Ma'am," replied Rumi and Sham simultaneously.

Mom immediately left the room and left.

Rumi and Sham looked at each other for a few minutes.  Then they smile at each other.  

"Finally, I realized too, " said Sham.  

"Yes, Sham."

"Make there. You smell bad, Mi. Mixed with the smell of the river again." 

Sham laughed out loud.  

"Indeed yes. Wh why?  You don't like it? "

Rumi took a towel and took a shower.