Love Lanterns
CHAPTER 155 “Together”

“If indeed the farewell will still happen, it's okay. As humans, death will come anytime and anywhere. We can only be sincere in accepting the destiny that has been outlined.”

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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. As it is today, the rope of brotherhood will remain tied until togetherness is created.

The female elders like Bu Laila and Mama Nina were busy in the kitchen, which was assisted by some nearby residents to make cakes made from sticky rice. This sticky rice cake will be given several colors, so it is called a colorful sticky rice cake.

Larisa and Naina's parts decorate the chicken cage which will be written Alina's full name. Alina Daena Mahendra, that's Alina's full name. While the men make a small ladder up to seven steps for the event tomorrow morning.

“What Papa Parts?” ask Bagas Kara.

Bagas Kara was only the male elder in his family, as Mahendra himself had long since died while on duty. And in the event of the descent was Bagas Kara's toy shopping section for her grandkids.

“As usual Papa did. According to the field only, because it is impossible Papa will decorate the cage, make sticky rice cake and make stairs.” Aletha.

“Iya... Yes, fine! Papa will leave now, before his toy store will close.” Bagas Kara took his car keys and went to the toy store.

After that Aletha again put sleepy Alina, the same thing was done by Luna. The bloodless siblings spend time with their children in one room.

“Al, brother does not always think we are getting older. Even the sister already has two children, one teenager and the other is already one year.” A flash of shadow as they were teenagers suddenly flashed in Luna's memory.

“Iya, Brother. I can't believe we're getting older. And this is destiny, beautiful destiny.” Aletha commented on her happy smile.

Luna mangosteen, it justifies Aletha's speech. After their child falls asleep they come back together with all family members and friends.

“Ra... Why are you here alone? Let's just join them,” take Aletha.

“No, Al. I... feel tired, sorry if I can't help you in this important event.” Laura looked at Aletha with a sad look.

“Ra, it's okay. It's okay, besides I'm not going to be bothered about this. As long as we can all get together I will be happy. Yes already, rest there let me ask brother Garda to accompany you. All right, ask Ravva to sleep, it's night.” Aletha patted Laura's shoulder gently.

Laura nodded, on her wheelchair Laura awaited the presence of the Guard who would help her to the room while accompanying her.

That night the weather seemed so supportive, a lot of starlight and bright moonlight, which illuminated the night event togetherness of the Bagas Kara family.

“What's up, Neng? Is there a problem, hmm?”

“No hell, Aa. It's just that Laura is feeling tired, so yeah... Neng asks Brother Garda to accompany Laura in the room.”

Keenan nodded, not wanting to interfere in Laura's affairs anymore, because for Keenan there was a proper Guard to keep Laura as her husband, unless something else had happened. Keenan as a sister would certainly interfere.

At 23:30 p.m., all work was done including making stairs and also decorating confinements. And now it's time to rest, all looking for the most comfortable place to relieve drowsiness and fatigue.

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“Ting... Ting..”

A message went into Bagas Kara's phone. Seen the name of General Faruq there, none other than the superior of Bagas Kara.

[Immediately put down your special forces, because the crimes committed by the KKB have increasingly threatened the citizens.]

[Let's down another week. At least you have prepared a tool to help them in the assignment this time. Remember, do not be rash in catching their members. Do a mature strategy so as not to make a grudge action later.]

Bagas Kara let out a long sigh, it felt so difficult to assign them to such an insecure place, let alone that they were her own daughter-in-law. However, the task of the state cannot be ignored, inevitably Bagas Kara will still give the task to the troops dare to die.

“What's up, Papa?” asked Mama Nian who saw Bagas Kara look agitated.

“I get the order again, the assignment of Keenan, Garda, Batu, Bian and Naina will be held one more week. It feels...heavy to order them, Ma.” Bagas Kara spilled his grievances.

“But Papa can't ignore that task either, can he?”

“Iya, Ma.” Bagas Kara nodded.

Mama Nina tried to calm her husband's heart, until slowly Bagas Kara began to think to tell the brave troops after the tradition of going underground for Alina.

Even the night was getting late, all were already asleep in their respective sleep. And that night Keenan could not do the action with Aletha, because his room was already filled Luna and Atalarik. So he had to sleep with Bayu, Bian and Juan.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

That morning the invited residents have been coming to attend the event of the tradition of going underground. And a grandfather who was about to lead the event was also present. Even all the completeness has been arranged neatly in the yard next to Aletha's house which is quite spacious.

It looks so interesting, I would love to have a writer back in childhood. Wkwkwk

The event was held, Alina had to step on a colorful sticky rice cake with the help of the grandfather. It is believed that it will make Alina strong and sturdy on the path of life until both stairs that describe her ideals later to the top.

“Yee..!”

Cheers ranted with joy were heard and the ears of the elders, neighbors and the other Aletha sedta. It made Alina just smile happily, not feeling afraid when meeting with strangers or aoin heard the screams of those around her.

After that Alina was put into a chicken cage containing various toys, in the cage Alina assisted Ravva because Alina still could not sit perfectly.

“Come on deck, choose which one?” ravva whisper.

Alina seems confused about which toy to choose, because so many toys that have been purchased by Bagas Kara. Until finally Alina chose a gun yahh held left hand and syringe in his right hand.

“Wahh... child pinter yes Alina!” peeking Mama Nina's.

“Iya Ma'am, maybe Alina will be like Dad or Bundahya later.” The neighbors also praised Alina.

After getting the toy, Alina was bathed in flower water with various flowers, while the guests invited in the tradition were asked to recite dhikr and prayers together.

If the custom of the reader is the same as the custom held by the Bagas Kara family? If the authors are almost the same.

“And now it's time.. eat-eat.” Bian walked to the dining table.

“Basic, shameless. Fortunately the poster body is not prenagen, it is not funny a soldier like that. Will be the material of people's speech alone,” umpat Bayu feel annoyed.

The dining together has enlivened the event of the underground tradition. Residents who attended the event did not hesitate to take food that has been served, because Aletha and Keenan were always kind to all of them. So that familiarity has been established, like his own family.

Keenan just furrowed his brows, wanting to resist was impossible because it was the happiest event when togetherness was created. However, Keenan was reluctant to take selfies, because Keenan himself also never took pictures with various styles.

“Aa smile yes!” aletha Pinta.

In the event Aletha and Keenan deliberately wear the same batik clothes, as well as Alina. So it feels right when the photo has been shot.

“Aunty once again, yes! But in freestyle, Om Keenan do not forget to come in style!” pinta Larisa who is the.

One...

Two...

Three...

“Cekrek!”

The picture was again shot, although Keenan looks so stiff to be stylish but the photo is quite funny and interesting, fitting to be a memento when Alina has grown up later.

After that continued by the elders, take pictures with Alina in her arms.

“Aa, what do you want to eat? Neng get it,”

“Terserah Neng only, as long as it is filling in Aa's stomach. Aa already feeling very hungry.”

“Oh, ok, alright!”

Aletha headed to the dinner table, in a dish filled with yellow rice and side dishes that had been cooked by Mama Nina, Bu Laila and also the neighboring mothers before dawn.

In one plate Aletha and Keenan ate together, a sense of happiness was bursting the chest. Until it did not feel the event was over, the invited guests and the neighboring mothers had said goodbye to go home. Not to forget Mama Nina gave a parcel containing rice, sticky rice cakes and others to all of them.

”Thank you very much Bu Nina and Bu Laila, may his family continue to be happy and in the protection of Allah SWT.” When shaking hands do not forget the neighboring mothers pray for the families of Bagas Kara and Aletha.

“Iya Ma'am, equally. And we also thank you for the presence of the mother and the mother's prayer, everything,” said Mama Nina.

“Iya, Mom, equally.”

Although the guests and neighbors are no longer in the Aletha residence but there is still seen crowded with the presence of troops brave death and other relatives.

“Tring... Tring..”

Some cell phones have rang, there are incoming calls from every cell phone the troops dare to die.

Keenan, Garda, Bayu, Bian and Naina who were sitting not too far away immediately looked at each other and exchanged glances. And the five special forces members were looking for a quiet place. There is Bagas Kara who is still on the side page.

“Go!” pinta Bagas Kara without a sound.

The five let out a heavy sigh, again they had to ask permission to the beloved family to face Bagas Kara at the headquarters. The hardest thing is the separation. Because they will go back to parting with their beloved family after a moment of togetherness is created.

“Neng, Aa..” Keenan hung up his words.

“Why Aa?” ask Aletha.

Aletha felt something different from the look on Keenan's face that changed instantly. Full of seriousness and anxiety, even when you want to talk, Keenan seems hesitant.

“Tell me, Aa! Neng will listen,”

“Aa... need to go to headquarters now.”.

“Oh, yes already Aa go to headquarters alone is okay. Later do not go home late at night if it is finished duty! Neng wants... talk to Aa.”

“Iya, Neng.” Keenan.

It was not Keenan unwilling to tell Aletha if it was an urgent call from a superior against his subordinates. But Keenan himself also did not know what kind of task Bagas Kara would give to the brave troops to die.

Aletha shook Keenan's hand, not forgetting that Keenan kissed Aletha's forehead in return. Love and affection have been poured Keenan by peeping Aletha's forehead, after which Keenan went after saying hello.

The same thing was done by the Guard, saying goodbye to Laura is important because Laura bears the status of his wife.

While Naina, she will say goodbye to her future husband, Ilham. And Ilham will always allow Naina while on duty.

Bayu and Bian were already waiting in the car parked in the front yard. Soon Keenan, Garda and Naina enter. Bayu who was in the driver's position immediately stepped on the gas pedal and did the car.

“Al, actually... Where are they going?”

“Mau to headquarters.” Aletha answered so briefly. “Already... brother Inspiration does not need to be jealous. I'm sure, Naina won't mess with another guy.” Aletha chuckled amusedly.

“Not jealous, Al. It's just that I don't want to be left with Naina for long. I'm also afraid that... He was assigned to a dangerous battlefield.” It is undeniable that Inspiration is afraid of loss.

Aletha was just buzzing to hear the words of Inspiration.

“Al, may I ask you something?”

“What the hell, Brother?” Aleta turned around asking.

“What if later they will properly be assigned in a very dangerous battlefield? And.. it can also make them fall, finally.. we will part.” Inspiration doubted his words.

Aletha let out a long breath.

“If indeed the farewell will still happen, it's okay. As humans, death will come anytime and anywhere. We can only be sincere in accepting the destiny that has been outlined.”

“Ya.. I admit it must be very heavy, Brother. But..want how else, whose name mubram destiny is a destiny that can not be changed by humans.absolute destiny.”.

Ilham nodded, confirming Aletha's words. And Ilham had also felt a sense of loss when Maya left him without a word. Even then Ilham could do nothing but learn to accept with sincerity and legowo.

“We pray if it is true they will be assigned to the battlefield, hopefully they can get through difficult times and they remain in the protection of Allah SWT.” Aletha smiled.

Aletha left Ilham who still enjoyed the dish, although the event had broken up but the dish was still used as a snack for the Bagas Kara family who were still there.

‘Yes Allah, forgive me if this heart only pretends to be firm and accepts legowo if that happens. But at this time in fact..my heart mstasa fret and fret, even haunted by anxiety.’.

The question from Ilham again flashed in Aletha's memory. And it would be hypocritical if the wife was not afraid of losing her husband, let alone Aletha also remembered what Keenan said that night.

Aletha's thoughts were mixed, her heart and mind were in a clash. Inwardly obviously not willing if Keenan went off duty, in his mind Aletha said it was okay. It's heartbreaking to be the wife of a country man.

Seriate...