Light Warriors
Section 45

The next day, after several hours by bus through several cities in east Java, they arrived in Ngawi. Then, by taking an online motorcycle taxi, they continued their journey to the village of Ibu Ismunah, according to the address and floor plan given. 

They arrived at the intended house. The house was very small, reminding Syam and Rumi of his old boarding room.  Dusty and looks unkempt.  There was no feeling of any occupants in the house.  

Sham knocked on the door. "Excuse me," he said.

But there is no answer.  Rumi became restless.  

"Excuse me, "Sham repeated his greeting several times.  Still no answer. 

"Syam, how does this house seem to be empty? " Rumy asked.  

"Yes, Mi," said Sham. "Is it possible that Ismunah's mother gave the wrong address? " Sham is no less confused.  "We've come all the way here."

Syam opened the door.  The house is not locked.  And true to their guesses, it turned out that the house was empty.  

"There are no Mi people" Sham said.  " Are we going back to Surabaya? " 

"I don't want to go home before I meet with Ibu Ismunah and Mr. Min" Rumi said.  "I need to see them both. " 

Syam was silent and sighed." Alright. We ask people around." 

Sham asked a father who suddenly passed by. " Excuse me, sir, don't you know the owner of this house? " 

The father frowned. " Whose sister is looking for? 

"The one who inhabits this house, " answered Sham.

"Hm. Mr Min isn't it? " ask the father. 

It was a feeling they both knew that the father knew Mr. Min.  

" That's right, sir, " said Rumi.  " Do you know him? " 

"Yes, of course I know him, brother, " replied the father.

"Where is he now? " Sham asked.

"He's dead, brother" replied the father. "Just now." 

How shocked are they both. Both were unsure of what he heard. 

"What's?  Died? " screams Rumi.  

"Right, brother" said the father.

"Innalillahi wa ina ilaihi rajiuun." Rumi embraces her twin sister. 

"Then, what about Ismunah's mother? " ask Sham.

The father was silent for a moment. " You wait here" he said.

The father left them both, went to a house located three houses from the house of Ibu Ismunah and Mr. Min.

After knocking on her door and saying hello, a woman in her 40s came out.  The man talked for a moment, asking the woman something. 

After looking at the two twins, the woman went back into her house. A few seconds later, the woman came out while holding an old woman.    

"Syam, it's Ismunah's mother," Rumi jumped up in excitement. 

"Thank God, Mi," said Sham."

Rumi ran to Ismunah's mother, followed by Sham.  

"Mother.... Ismunah's mother, "Rumi called.  Ismunah's mother saw Rumi and Sham. He was so surprised.   

"Rumi, Syam, "he said softly.  " How are you guys?"  The three of them embrace each other.

The 40-year-old woman looked at them with a feeling of wonder, as well as haru. 

"My news is good, ma'am, "said Sham.  

"I'm good too" Rumi said.  

"When did you come back from Malaysia, Mi? " Ismunah's mother asked. 

"Yesterday, ma'am, "Rumi answered.  "I was shocked to hear that Mom's shop had an attack.

Ismunah's mother wiped her teary eyes, "The incident was completely out of my expectations. Let's enter. We talk inside the house. "

"Rummi.... Sham, " said Ismunah's mother. "Here's my name, Ma'am Ningsih, my neighbor.  Rumi and Syan shake hands with Mbak Ningsih.  

"I'm Rumi. And this is my brother, Sham," Rumi introduced himself and his twin brother to Mbak Ningsih. 

Mbak Ningsih smiled as he served two cups of warm tea for Rumi and Sham.  

" I am very grateful to Mbak Ningsih, " said Ms. Ismunah.  "Mbak Ningsih is studying with me to become a knight of light. After my shop was attacked, my husband was attacked and I went home to Ngawi, the next day, my husband passed away. Since then, I have been kara.

However, Ma'am Ningsih was pleased to accompany me and take care of me like her own mother, as she learned to be a knight of light. Ma'am Ningsih is just like me, a kara as well. Her husband also died a long time ago. From the marriage with her husband, Mbak Ningsih was not blessed with children. " 

Rumi smiled at Mbak Ningsih.  The figure of the village woman who radiated shade from the radiance of her face.  

"This Mother Ismunah often told me about you, " said Ms. Ningsih.  "Say, you two who have helped raise his cafe in Surabaya. Ismunah's mother told him all about you two, as the Twin Lights."

"But I'm sure you'll meet me again, "Mother Ismunah chimed in.   " That belief is getting stronger day by day. I pray, before I finally follow my husband, I want to meet you both. At least for the last time. Now God has granted my prayer."

"Hus, Ibu Ismunah do not speak that no-no ah, " said Mbak Ningsih. "

"I speak as is, Ningsih," said Ms. Ismunah.  "My age is old enough now. Maybe I just have to wait for time. May the Council of Light elect you as the Chief knight of light, in my place. Or else Rumi or Syam can."

"We're very sorry, ma'am, for Mr. Min's death" Sham said.  

"May his spirit get the best place on His side, " added Rumi.  

" I am happy. Finally, my husband was free from his suffering. " 

"If you may know, where is Mr. Min buried? " Rumy asked.  "We wanted to make a pilgrimage to his grave. " 

"Not far from here" said Ismunah's mother.  

"Will you take us there? " Rumy asked.

"No problem" replied Ismunah's mother.

The four of them walked to the cemetery where the late Pak Min was buried, passing through the green rice fields, a row of trees.   Rumi took a breath for a moment. Inhaled in the fresh air of the countryside.  

"Thank God, "the inner.  He continued his journey with Ibu Ismunah and Sham.  

They were in an old cemetery.  A giant banyan tree seemed to be growing in the middle of the cemetery. Among the rows of tombstones, looks frangipani tree. 

"Here is my husband's grave, " said Ismunah's mother.  The old woman crouched down and held the tombstone of her husband's tomb. 

For a moment he closed his eyes and was silent.  His mouth was committed to chanting Al Fatihah's letter.  Sham and Rumi follow squatting and pray for the spirit of Mr. Min.  Both are filled with feelings.  

"May the spirit of Mr. Min get the best place by his side, "Sham said.  

Rumi added, "And may all the sins of Mr. Min be forgiven by God." 

Ismunah's mother looked at them.

"thank you. My husband is calm now, " said Ismunah's mother. " He was free from his suffering. Also from the pain he had felt for a long time. 

Syam and Rumi nodded.  Tears soaked Rumi's cheeks.  Rumi immediately wiped it with her shirt.  Syam embraces his twin brother, trying to encourage him. 

"Here, Mi," he said. " Don't be sad."

"Yes Sham. I'm not sad." 

"Tuh, your tears, "Sham seduces.  

"Just a little moved, Sham. "

Ismunah's mother smiled seeing the two of them joking.  

 They went back to Ningsih's house.  Ma'am Ningsih had prepared dinner for them. Rice, vegetable jackfruit, tofu and tempe fried, fried fish, and sambal.  

"Well, how troublesome? " said Rumi.  

" No, " said Mbak Ningsih. "Simple food only.  Come on, get eaten." 

"Thank you, " said Sham. 

They began to pick up dishes and spoons that had been prepared, then take the side dishes that had been available. 

Ismunah's mother installed protective crystals at some point in her house. The same protective crystal used by Mr. David.  

"Mother Ismunah, "Rumi started the conversation. 

" Is there no desire to reopen the rice stall? " 

Ismunah's mother pondered for a moment. "There was. But not in Surabaya. I need to find a safer place. Near any mosque or place of worship. Did Mr David and the others ask? " 

"Honestly yes, " said Rumi.  "They are concerned about the incident that happened to Mr. Min and the rice stall Ibu, and will provide additional funds if I deign to reopen the rice stall." 

Sham did not care about their conversation. He seemed to be eating food on his side.  Since then, he has been hungry.  

"Basar greedy, "Rumi whispered her ears.  Syam still doesn't care.  

" I will open my shop again, " said Ms. Ismunah.  "But maybe I'm not the one managing anymore. "

"I mean Mother? " Rumy asked.  

"Everything I will leave to Mbak Ningsih. Along with all the savings I got while selling in Surabaya and all the money left over from Malaysia. Everything is still enough to set up a new shop."

Ningsih looked surprised. " But Ismunah's mother, isn't that excessive?" Ma'am Ningsih asked. " I'm not Mom's family. I feel less deserving of all this."

"You are not my physical family, but you are my light family. After all, who else would continue my rice stall business if not you?

I am too old and I have no one but you, Ningsih. I consider you my own son." 

Ma'am Ningsih was moved and hugged Ms. Ismunah, "Thank you, Mom." 

"Ningsih. I should be thanking you for being willing to accompany me." 

"Thank God, "Rumi smiled.  

Not felt, time shows at eight o'clock at night.

"Mother Ismunah, we ask for permission to leave for Surabaya, " said Syam.  

"Lho, nights like this? Shouldn't you guys be home in the morning? " 

"Tomorrow I must go to school, ma'am, "Sham replied.  

"We promise Mom, we'll come back here again if it's a holiday" Rumi added.  

"All right then. Be careful on the road and pray a lot and do miser." 

"Okay, ma'am, "answer them simultaneously.  

After ordering an ojek online, they say goodbye.