Love Lanterns
CHAPTER 128 “T Don't Want Love Ends”

“If today ... this second.. you can not return then I will be faithful. Because I believe maybe tomorrow, a few months or even a few more years you will return. Because this is the power of love that believes in a promise.”

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

Before asking for an explanation from Bagas Kara, Aletha looked for mushola and decided to perform dzuhur prayer first. Because he also wants to give birth to prayer and continue to pray until God really gives an answer to him as a point of clarity of Keenan's existence. Because Aletha did not want to assume that Keenan had fallen, considering the time Keenan had also experienced the same thing.

Aletha's memory is sharp, considering Keenan once faked his death for a mission and also avoided Aletha without knowing if Aletha was crying the ghost of love for him.

And that was the hardest thing for a Keenan, because regretting had made Aletha long alone.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

At the hospital, Aletha spread out her prayer mat and wrapped her body with a face that was made as a closed garment when facing God in fulfilling her call.

“Usholli Fardlon dhuhri Arba'a Rok'aataim Mustaqbilal Qiblati Adaa-an Lillahi ta'aala.”

“I intend to pray fardu dhuhur 4 rakaat, while facing qiblat, at this time, because Allah ta'ala.”

“Allahu akbar.

Four rakaats have been lived Aletha with se_khusu' maybe. And as always, Aletha took longer to bow and bow down, for that was when all the sins of a servant of God had fallen and been forgiven.

At the last prostration Aletha did not forget to recite three prayers, pleading with Allah earnestly because only Allah is able to turn back the life of a servant.

“Yes Allah O my Lord.. only to You do I complain, pouring out all my heart for this anxiety and sense of selflessness if it is true that the husband I love is gone.”

”And if the truth is what I have to accept, then forgive all the sins that my husband committed while in the world. But if my husband is still alive, then protect him from all eyes of danger. For it is only to You that I ask for everything.”

”Allahumma innii as-alukal 'afwa wal 'aaffiyah fid dun-yaa wal aakhirah. Allahumma innii as-alukal 'afwa wal 'aafiyah fi dini wa dunyaa-ya wa gawiki wa maalii. Allahummas-tur 'au-raatii wa aamin rau-'aatii,

Allahumma-fadz-nii min baini yadayya wa min khalfii wa 'an yamiinii wa 'wn symaalii wa min fauqii. Wa a-'uudzu bi 'adzmatika an-ughtaala min tahtii.”

“Yes Allah, I ask for Your forgiveness and deliver me from the troubles of the world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask You to forgive me in order to avoid trouble in matters of religion, the world, my family and my property

Aletha continued to pray for Keenan, because her heart still felt very confident that Keenan was still alive. And there was no stopping the rolling tear droplets soaking his cheeks. In his prostration Aletha cried, even his body was still wrapped with mucena used earlier prayer.

After feeling her heart was quite calm, Aletha prepared to step towards the parking lot. His ferry car is ready to be driven at medium speed, because he also does not want to be rash in action. Enough to calm his heart to be facilitated while on the trip and also avoid bad thoughts.

While still on the way Aletha's lips ceaselessly chanting dhikr, reconcile the heart of anxiety.

“Assalamu'alaikum, Papa where?” aletha asked who confirmed the existence of Bagas Kara.

“Wa'alaikumsalam, Papa... is in battalion.” Sounds so short, flat and firm.

“Aletha will be there.”

No, the tone of speech is the same. Equally short, clear, dense and also firm. Fix Aletha does have the same properties as Bagas Kara than her Mama.

“Tring... Tring..”

Aletha's phone voice rang again, marked by Laura's name there making a call.

‘What's wrong with Laura? Why'd he call me? What Guard also..’ Aletha asked inwardly.

To ascertain what she was thinking Aletha received a call from Laura.

“Halo, assalamu'alaikum, Ra. What's up?” ask Aletha to the point.

“Wa'alaikumsalam, Al.. hiks... hiks... hiks....” It was heard from across the street that Laura was crying.

“Ra, why are you crying? Where are you now?”

“I... I'm with Om Bagas Kara now.”

Soon Aletha sped up the speed of her car, as she wanted to know Laura's true state. If it had been a cry that could not be restrained, then something had happened with the Guard.

Fifteen minutes later Aletha arrived at the battalion. After parking her car Aletha headed to Bagas Kara's room to meet.

“Assalamu'alaikum,” say hello from Aletha.

“Wa'alaikumsalam,” replied Bagas Kara which almost simultaneously with Laura.

Aletha walked into the room and looked at the already chaotic Laura. Even her eyes were puffy, from crying too much. After staring at Laura who continued to shed tears, Aletha turned to Bagas Kara and asked her Papa for an explanation.

“Pa... Aletha please explain firmly like a leader.” Aletha held a grievous hold in her heart if Keenan was indeed pronounced dead while on duty.

Instantly Bagas Kara looked at Aletha with a sharp look. Bagas Kara also wants to make sure that Aletha is trying hard and not in pretending.

“Aletha, not attachments affidavit from Papa you have received, make no more Papa must explain everything.” Firm Bagas Kara.

“Indeed the correct attachment of Papa already Aletha read, but.. a letter from Aa Keenan will never Aletha read.”.

“Papa must remember one thing. If today ... this second... Aa Keenan can't come back then I'll be faithful. Because I believe maybe tomorrow, a few months or even a few years Aa Keenan will be back. Because this is the power of love that believes in a promise.”

Aletha tore off the attachment of the statement about Keenan's death until the letter became smashed into pieces and after that Aletha spread the shattered paper into the air.

”I would never believe this news without any definitive proof. Papa knows very well how I am, right? And Aa Keenan also once faked her death.”

Aletha stared intently at Bagas Kara, after which she turned to Laura and pushed Laura's wheelchair out of Bagas Kara's room towards a quieter and more comfortable place to talk to Laura.

In a small park Aletha stops the pace of Laura's wheelchair. After that, Aletha squatted down looking at Laura's already moist and sad eyes.

“Ra... What brother Garda..” Aletha hung her words into the air.

Just a small nod that Laura made to answer Aletha's question. Because Laura's lips were so stiff to speak at that time and her tongue was also so twisted. Only sobs were still heard by Aletha.

“Ra, are you sure about the power of love?”

“If you feel confident, God will give strength for your love to Brother Garda. You don't want it, your love ends here?”

Laura who lowered her head instantly lifted her up and momentarily looked at Aletha. After that Laura shook her head in response to Aletha's question earlier.

Laura felt the same as Aletha, not wanting their love to end tragically like that. Without any clarity about the death of Keenan or Garda. Because until then the bodies of Keenan and Garda have not been found.

“If you really do not want your love to end, just pray for your brother Garda from any threat of danger. For only Allah has ever facilitated the affairs of His servants. And Allah will grant His servant's request if he asks with earnestness in the heart.” Aletha nodded slowly.

“Don't think about this, because I'm sure they'll be back. And if it is true what is the news of their loss in the field of battle, then we should be proud. Because their struggle will not be in vain to protect Mother Earth.”

Again Aletha tried to calm Laura's heart, reminding her of the risk of a wife from a husband who devoted himself to the country of Indonesia. And basically death will come without us asking, will come even though we run as far as possible and will come at any time without human knowing.

“Remember Ra, if we as women are weak. And we are already a mother, how can we calm the heart of our daughter's son if we ourselves are weak, hmm?”

”You're right, Al. I should also know that this is a risk from those of us who have been chosen to be wives of striped troops. And you are also right we should be proud of their struggle which is not in vain. For the sake of the return of the peace of Mother Earth, they have sacrificed their lives.” Sometimes Laura was still as unwilling as she was, even though her heart was now much calmer.

The heart was almost at night and the twilight had started to disappear. Aletha decides to drive Laura home to Bagas Kara's house. And upon arrival there Bagas Kara, Mama Nina, Luna, Juan, Larissa and Ravva have welcomed their arrival.

“Mother...” shouted Ravva when she saw Laura enter the house.

Instantly Ravva hugged Laura, making Laura have to really strengthen her heart and self not to cry in front of Ravva.

“Mother dali anywhere anyway? Ravva was guts Mother loh,” said Ravva who makes everyone feel anxious.

“Mother earlier.. come out same aunty Aletha. Forgive Mother yes dear, if Mother had not said the same Ravva. And now Mommy is home.” Laura gave a smile, then dyed Ravva's chubby cheeks.

“Now Ravva enter the room first yes, Oma want to talk first with Mother and aunty Aletha.” Mama Nina approaches Ravva and asks her to go to the room with Larisa.

And after Ravva left the living room, Bagas Kara started a conversation between them all.

“You must be strong, this is..” stalled.

“Our risk. But we don't want if our love ends here and we're also sure that our husband is still alive. Only the power of love is able to make us survive,” Aletha said firmly.

Aletha will remain a strong woman, in front of anyone. Because He has also experienced what it feels like to be left behind by the people he loves. The plane was destroyed and brought Dawn down with the pieces of the plane.

“Sorry Pa-Ma, Aletha should be home soon. Alina must have been thirsty.” Aletha gave a reasonable reason, even though she just wanted to avoid Bagas Kara who always asked her to release Keenan for Keenan's departure.

With a greeting Aletha left the residence Bagas Kara. And the car was driven at medium speed.

“I won't open the letter. And if it's true, I'll still do the same. Not going to read it, not even opening it. Not that I'm afraid of the last message from you, Aa. But... I don't want your love buried with your body.”

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

“We cannot solve this mission without Captain Keenan. Because only Captain Keenan always has the right tactics, strategy and courage.”

It had been a month that they were assigned to Yahukimo, but the result was still very little success that they did. Only a few lowly members are employed, even they run the task only through telecommunications lines, after which their chairman always asked to delete their last message to leave a trace.

“But we know very well, the bomb keeps on exploding there. How could Captain Keenan and Lettu Garda still be alive?” naina.

“What Naina said was true. And we... have lost Captain and Lettu and our friend, Bian.”

The rigidity instilled in Bian, Naina and Bayu is denied over time. The days were hard without Keenan and Garda in their midst. Especially when carrying out such a big mission, it really makes the three often sigh and complain. Like there's no sense of passion for catching criminals anymore.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

“Alina darling, now sleep first yuk! Mother wants to work again.” Aletha lay Alina's body on the bed.

Aletha briefly joined the body, then read the sholawat to Alina so that Alina fell asleep on her own without being timed first. Aletha just wanted to teach Alina not to grow spoiled, always in accordance with what she wants, her desire without Alina knowing what to do to create a sense of pleasure if there is no gratitude in it.

Ten minutes later Aletha was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, as Alina had already fallen asleep after hearing Aletha chant sholawat for her up to several times.

And after Alina fell asleep Aletha again examined the data of patients who want to run the operation tomorrow.

‘Neng miss the same Aa, do not let this lantern light will spread its light by itself. And don't let Neng eat her own chocolate, so don't be cool to know.”

Aletha kept trying to wipe away her tears that were almost spilled.

Silent...

“Not to be sad, just lose one time, O God. And bring back Aa Keenan in my life.”

Aletha guaranteed the prayer she was praying.

To forget for a moment the sadness in her heart Aletha decided to eat a bar of chocolate so that the sadness could be reduced by itself until the anticipated time had returned.

One bite. has melted in Aletha's mouth.

And the return of the second bite made Aletha feel a little calm. Then continued the third bite until the chocolate bar was no longer left.

“I... do not want to see you Aa, but here also have to keep Alina.” Aletha looked at the shady and cute face of Alina who was still so innocent.

The sleepiness has struck Aletha, thinking the news of Keenan's death will never be endless, because the body is still not found.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

As the morning before, Aletha prepared the completeness of Alina's toiletries. That morning Alina continued to give a smile to Aletha, making Aletha feel anxious herself as Alina's lips were similar to Keenan's.

With time Aletha got used to it without thinking about Keenan, but her heart still felt confident that Keenan would return to fill her sad days become more colorful.

“Aletha has to leave this morning, Mom. Bu Laila can't, keep Alina alone?” tata Aletha confirmed that Ms. Laila was seven months old when she remembered Alina.

“Yes, it's okay, son. You be careful on the road!” laila's Feather replied after Aletha said hello to her.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

“Doctor Aletha,” shouted Arga after seeing Aletha about to enter the hospital.

Aletha immediately stopped her steps, then turned her body and looked at Arga who looked different.

“Arga, you..” Aletha hung up her words.

“Iya, sis, Arga wants to enroll in AKMIL school, who knows Arga can be like Aletha's sister and family.” Arga laughed too.

And Arga's laughter is contagious by itself, Aletha feels her own pride has made Arga has the motivation to live with honesty, without entering the business world later. And while the business is not halal, because it must cause crime first.

“Thank God that you have a very high motivation. Hope you succeed, spirit!” Aletha.

“Certainly Arga should be uplifting, because eradicating evil and protecting mother earth is one of the goals of Arga. Hopefully, Arga's struggle is always facilitated by Allah SWT.”.

“Aamiin..” Aletha assures Arga prayer.

And after asking for support from Aletha, Arga was ready to go to AKMIL school with a very neat dress, not to forget also with pantofel shoes attached to his feet. Make Arga more charming and charismatic.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

“Ting... Ting..”

There's a message coming to Aletha's phone. And soon Aletha saw the message of Love.

[Assalamu'alaikum, Brother Aletha. I'm sorry if Love bothers you, which must be busy. But... Love wants to thank you very much, brother Love, because Love has succeeded at the starting point. Love. won her writing contest, sister.]

Aletha smiled, it was a pleasure when Cinta had a new spirit after a few months ago asked to rest often and make her feel very bored just at home. And after following Aletha's advice, Love plunged into the world of authorship that is to make a novel.

[Wa'alaikumsalam Cinta, thank God if you have got success at the starting point, hopefully until the end point you will be more successful.]

Aletha replied to a message from Love. After that he returned to focus with patient data that had to be done visit again that morning.

“Excuse Doctor Aletha, there is a letter for you.” Aletha's assistant thrust out a letter.

“Iya thank you, Sus. Oh yes, prepare the next patient data. Now the nurse comes with me to Mr. Dani.”'s room Aletha prepared to do a visite after her snail was attached to her body.

As the sisters were preparing the data to visit each room and do a visit, Aletha momentarily read the letter that was out of nowhere.

[Assalamu'alaikum, Aletha. How are you doing? Maybe I really don't deserve it in your eyes even if I'm just a friend. So that night you didn't come, ignoring me waiting for you at the airport. But I will always thank you, because I realize my actions are too proud to make others not like. Thanks, Al.]

The reader must have known who the author of the letter was, which was clearly Dimas. While in America Dimas asked the help of the author to write a letter to be given to Aletha. And the reader will surely laugh at Dimas, because in the present is still written a letter. However, it was done Dimas does not mean it does not have a quota but since then Dimas promised not to remember Aletha again.

“Astaghfirullah azim thing, why can I forget that night.” Aletha patted her head slowly. “But yes, maybe this is God's way of keeping me away from Dimas. So that He may also forget me and love another woman, none other than his own wife.”

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

Aletha traced the hospital hallway her assistant followed from behind. After that, he entered his room again after visiting five patients in the morning until noon arrived.

“It's the same lunch..”

“Tring... Tring..”

Aletha's phone rang and Aletha immediately received the call.

“Assalamu'alaikum, Al.”

“Wa'alaikumsalam, Wilona.” cried Aletha heroic.

“Iya Al, it's me. You where? Can we meet this afternoon? Like I'm still in Indonesia,” take Catrina.

Readers don't forget, do they, with Wilona?

“Emm... May, where can we meet? I'll be there soon, you just send the address to my number.” Aletha was enthusiastic to meet her best friend who had one task with her when she joined Mercy Ships.

The place and address has been sent Winona to Aletha's mobile phone, immediately Aletha drove her car, because she can't wait to meet Wilona. Because for a long time they have not exchanged news with each other, obviously with each other's busyness. So when in Wilona visited Indonesia he also invited Aletha to meet and miss each other.

“Aletha, how are you? I heard..”

“As you can see, I'm good at the moment..

this second. And what you heard, I don't know for sure either. Because I will always assume that Aa Keenan is alive.”

“But... you no longer do things like you used to, right?” ask Aletha to investigate.

“Ha... Ha... Ha... That was it, Al. But right now I don't know anything about it. I asked my Papa, but nothing. Papa doesn't know if Keenan was assigned to Yahukimo.”

Silent...

“After this... Where are you going?” wilona asked breaking the silence.

“I... will go somewhere. Because I don't want my love to end just like that.”

“Looks like I have to go now.. tomorrow we have to meet again. Even if you are still in Indonesia, if you have returned to America do not forget to tell me.”

“Al, don't you want to join Mercy Ships again?”

“Emm..”

Seriate...