Love Lanterns
CHAPTER 154 “The Incriminating Separation”

“Maybe this time you could say I am a lucky woman to get a family, husband and child who love me even always there for me. And I just want death to be what will separate us even though it will feel hard to live.”

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“Tara,” says Aletha Ogre.

Tara who was sitting on the sofa instantly stood up and turned her body facing towards Aletha and Keenan who were behind her.

“Aletha, you're finally home too. Me...”

“What's your purpose in coming here, Tara?”

“I... just want to leave this to you, Al. There is no other purpose besides that which is my purpose to come here.” Tara gave a parcel to Aletha.

Both Aletha and Keenan's eyes were perfectly rounded, even both of them were curious about the contents inside the parcel. However, Aletha is also unlikely to open the parcel given by Tara at that time, because Aletha must maintain her attitude as a woman who is not cheap.

“What is it, Tara?”

Aletha was increasingly curious about the parcel on the table with brown paper. Not only Aletha who felt curious, but Keenan who stood on the right side of Aletha was unceasingly staring at the parcel.

‘What is actually inside that paper bag? Why would I be suspicious of a man like Tara? O Allah remove this prejudice from within me and turn it into a good prejudice that will not cause hatred against him.’

Keenan removed his fist, trying to temper Tara's suspicious taste.

“Sit Tara, tell her clearly what's inside the parcel? You know for yourself who I am, at least you can explain it all to me.” Keenan looked at Tara who was still standing before him.

Tara let out a long sigh, only to realize that there was also Keenan. And Tara remembered correctly who Keenan was, besides being a husband of Aletha Keenan was also the commander of the army dared to die. Even Tara could only swallow her own saliva when she saw Keenan's sharpened gaze.

‘Why could Aletha marry such a sharp-looking man? Is he... not afraid of being stared at like that? What if He suddenly pulled out a gun and shot it into my body?” inner Tara.

Tara shuddered in horror after imagining that. And slowly Tara took a seat, again she let out a long sigh before explaining to Keenan and Aletha the contents of the parcel she had brought.

“Quick say, Tara! Because I won't open it if the parcel doesn't matter.” Aletha airs her voice firmly, because Aletha does not like people who are too long-winded.

“The parcel from... Dimas. The rest I won't say anything, because that's not my right, Al. You can open it after I leave, according to his trust before leaving our lives.” Tara keeps a lot of secrets and puzzles.

“Yes, I think my business is done. I have to go back to the hospital,” Tara said goodbye.

Tara does not need to say hello before leaving, because Tara still adheres to the non-Muslim religion. After saying goodbye and leaving Aletha's house, Tara headed straight to the hospital.

Aletha and Keenan looked at each other, still not understanding what Tara said.

“Yes already, just let Aa put Alina to bed in the room. Neng... just open the parcel, who knows it matters.” Keenan grabbed Alina from Aletha's sling.

“But... Aa it's okay if Neng opens it?”

“No problem Neng, besides Neng is not assortment, just open the parcel. Already, Aa bring Alina to the room first pity She does not sound good later sleep.” Keenan walked towards the room.

After Keenan left Aletha approached the parcel, Aletha slowly opened it to confirm the contents inside the parcel.

Seen in the parcel there is a hijab and also a letter. The curiosity that was in Aletha's heart was growing, until the letter was opened to be read.

[Assalamu'alaikum, Al.

I'm sorry if I came back so boldly to send you this parcel and letter. Even I reneged on a promise I made myself, which I said would not bother you with your life again.

This letter is my last letter. And as long as I see you wearing a hijab, I think of giving you a little gift before I leave for good from the world. One regret I had before leaving, somehow I was stupid not to give it to him directly. But it's okay, I hope this gift stays in your hands, Al.

Al, I said goodbye to the last one. After I felt tired of my illness, I resigned myself to God. And before I go I want to get an apology from you. I hope you forgive me, Al.

Thank you for the brief introduction between us that has been seasoned with love in it, even though I am the only one who feels it.

Dimas.]

The words of Dimas written in the letter made Aletha did not expect that Dimas had a disease. But Aletha did not know what Dimas suffered, until death took him away from the world forever.

‘I forgive you, Dimas. Even though you once irritated and upset but.that's human, and we as fellow Muslims must forgive each other.’.

Aletha folded the letter back, and brought the parcel in which there was still a hijab to her room. Because for Aletha it is mandatory for her to ask permission to Keenan in making a decision.

“A... Neng wants..” Aletha hung up her words.

When Aletha was about to tell the contents of the letter from Dimas, Keenan had fallen asleep so soundly. Making Aletha feel unbearable to wake Keenan who did look tired. Moreover, the drug that must be consumed Keenan there is a sleeping drug, obviously Keenan will feel drowsiness.

”Then, later the story. Neng did not want to bother Aa Keenan... Aa neng Aletha.” Aletha kissing Keenan's cheek.

Aletha always commented on the happy smile when she saw two people who were so valuable in her life together.

Aletha headed to the side room and did her activities as a housewife. Alatha helped Bu Laila who was preoccupied with various activities.

“Bu, this one has been washed yet?”

“Already Son, just stay drying his clothes.”

Aletha mangosteen, then he hangs clothes in the side yard that is very fitting to be in the hot sun. So that the clothes will dry quickly even if only half a day. Because the weather that day was really hot, even the skin would feel burnt when the light hit it.

“Alhamdulillah, the thirst is no longer felt.” One glass of water had been gulped down by Aletha.

“Nak, earlier you have met with..” stopped.

“It's done, Mom. Besides the guy's gone too.”

Ms. Laila was bearded, after which she did not ask again who the man was and what the purpose of looking for Aletha was. For Ms. Laila it is a privacy that does not need to interfere.

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It appears that Bagas Kara was thinking about something inside while in her room. It also makes Mama Nina feel interested to reprimand Bagas Kara.

“Mas... What's up? What are you thinking about? Why is her face so serious?” mama Nina with many questions.

Silent...

“Mas, if there is a problem try the story.” Mama Nina approached, giving a slow nod so that Bagas Kara wanted to tell a story.

Bagas Kara let out a heavy sigh. He felt so claustrophobic remembering the letter he received a few hours ago.

“I was confused how to tell Keenan, Garda, Bayu, Bian and Naina. Because the troops are specially made, and those who are members must return to get the task of the country.”

”While Papa knows very well if recently even today they gathered together with their relatives. Especially Keenan and Garda, they always leave their wives and children for the task that the state always gives them. Although Papa knows it is their duty, but as parents... Papa also feels sad with a damning farewell for them.” Bagas Kara looked back at the letter of assignment for the brave troops who were still in his hands.

Mama Nina also let out a long sigh, as a mother Mama Nina also felt sad if her son had to part back with a beloved husband. However, Mama Nina also could not do much other than pray about the happiness of each of her children.

Bagas Kara still wanted to keep a meeting about the task to be ordered for the brave troops to die. Because the army dared to die will be dispatched in three weeks, and the decision made by Bagas Kara was the right decision for him. Provide happiness and a moment for their togetherness with beloved friends and family.

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“How is Rania, are you going to give me an answer now to the sermon that I have asked you?”

Silent...

Rania is still hesitant to give Bian an answer when Bian makes a video call to her.

“I'm sorry if I'm sassy to ask again, not that I also can't help myself until you come back one more year, Rania. But really, I love you with God's permission. If you are still hesitant to give an answer is okay, really. I will faithfully wait for you.”

Bian tried to smile when he was in front of Rania, even though his heart actually felt pain because his love was never accepted.

Patience Bian. This is the test you have to face. Such is the message of the author, for life will always be peppered with the trials of God, the Creator. So that life will not be smooth as smooth as we want, must be trained when wading through a life full of twists.

”I'm sorry, Brother Bian. I... am not ready, I still need time.” Rania immediately hung up her phone after saying her regards.

Rania's attitude like that makes Bian feel so bad. And he could only sigh heavily before returning to resist the longing that would make him whisper.

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“Neng ... how is the wound, it has dried perfectly yet?”

“Chooking, Aa. Kan, the ointment is potent.” Aletha chuckles.

“There is more potent Neng than her ointment,”

Aletha frowned, she thought what medicine Keenan meant. However, Aletha did not find the answer, because for Aletha the ointment and medicine that Keenan always took was most potent.

“What, Aa?” aletha asked curiously.

“Wife Aa, because Aa's wife takes good care of Aa and is also affectionate. So yes.. manjur.”

Aletha who stood behind Keenan bowed, she felt ashamed of getting romantic treatment even though it was just a dime from Keenan.

“Neng, can't you if Aa asks? But the answer should be honest and serious, should not lie.” Keenan turned around and looked at Aletha.

“What?”

“What if Aa really falls while on duty and Neng can't find Aa's whereabouts? What will Neng do?”

That question really made Aletha pensive, as it was difficult for her to answer that question. Although Aletha herself knew how risky it was to be the wife of a country man, who loved the country and was willing to leave his wife and children to do the job.

“Neng, how?” ask Keenan back.

Aletha let out a long breath.

“Maybe this time you could say I am a lucky woman to get a family, husband and child who love me even always there for me. And I just want death to be what will separate us even though it will feel hard to live.”

“It will feel heavy, Aa. A damning farewell to Neng if Neng can't find Aa's whereabouts. Neng won't be able to. visit Aa's grave if Neng misses Aa anytime.”.

Aletha lowered her head, she held back as much crying as possible while in front of Keenan. He did not want if Keenan knew how much pain his heart was left without knowing his body would be buried later, which would be able to treat longing.

In addition to Kevin who was killed while on duty and his body was not found because the bomb scorched everything, there is also Dawn who died because the plane crashed and sank even the ship was destroyed after burning, as well as the death of Aletha's biological mother who until now Aletha also did not know how her body.

“Aa... Why ask like that? Will Aa be assigned again?”

“Aa doesn't know, but for sure Aa is the leader of a specially made squad. And at any time will get the task of the state openly or secretly. Aa... only fear that Aa will fall before happy Neng and Alina.”

“Aa. Aa must promise Neng to stay back and complete the task well.” Aletha clasped Keenan's hand.

“Aa will try to keep it, but the one whose name is destiny... Aa do not know, because only God wrote the scenario of our lives.”

“Aa is wrong, who wrote our life is not God but. And Neng will protest the same writer if our story will not be happy.” Aletha pursed her lips.

Keenan just smiled, eager to protest with writers like Aletha. But that's not what Keenan did, because if Keenan goes to protest he's afraid he'll complicate his life in the story of the Lantern of Love.

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That night at Aletha's house was already crowded with her extended family, as they would all prepare for the seven events instead of Alina and also the prayer that would be held tomorrow night.

All gathered to make some food like the one in the Javanese custom when they want to do a seven-month event. And after doing the show again they thought about the next event, aqiqah for Alina who knew when.

“Tante Aletha, tomorrow if Alina is already a big Ravva who take care of ya!” Ravva.

“Hust dong! Ravva should be able to take care of Alina, Atalarik and also the brother who will be born from the generation of Om Bian, Om Bayu, aunt Naina and aunt Rania.” Aletha commented a smile.

Even small talk has accompanied their night activities so as not to feel sleepy. Even the babble from Ravva was very entertaining for the elders.

Aletha imagined how crowded their generation if they grew up, which would always tie the strings of brotherhood and take care of each other.

Seriate...