Love Lanterns
CHAPTER 159 “Like Wheels Spinning”

“I will take that patience as my life companion. because I do not know what kind of test God will choose for me. And I'm gonna take that exam with... Heart Strength.”

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

“Needs Aa know the prayer that Neng keeps skyrocketing for us. May our love be eternal in the world even we can be as heavenly.”

Aletha's tears just shed, the longing to return to the heart even makes tightness in the chest. Only Aletha could pour out to the Creator, for it was only to Him that a servant complained and only Allah SWT could give everything to a servant in need of help.

Aletha immediately wiped her tears, and she did not want to be sad and always thought negatively when the distance separated her from Keenan.

“Although there is no news from Aa, Neng's prayer will never fade for Aa.”

Aletha headed to the dining room, as Bu Laila had already prepared some of her dishes at the dining table. Aletha will try to be ordinary so that Wilona does not know if she is sad.

Dinner has been held with a simple menu as a dinner. However, the gratitude created in the heart makes every food that goes into the mouth will feel delicious. Until there was not a single rice seed on the plate Aletha, because Keenan always taught to eat enough, to eat enough, it will not be excessive that makes the rice will be wasted for free because it feels full first before the rice runs out.

“How, Son Wilona likes Mom's cooking?” ask Ms. Laila as you can.

Although Bu Laila is older than Wilona, but Miss Laila does not want to be too ordinary when talking to Wilona, the brownish-eyed girl.

“Alhamdulillah, great, Aunt.” Wilona nodded.

Fortunately, Wilona Faseh with Indonesian, although not living in Indonesia but while in America Wilona always learned about Indonesian to facilitate conversation after her transfer.

“Nak Wilona, let's pray Isya' first!” take Miss Laila.

After hearing the sound of the adhan reverberating Bu Laila invited Wilona to perform the prayer isya' together, not only Wilona but Aletha was also invited.

It may be common for Ms. Laila and Aletha to pray together if, Aletha is not working. Unlike again if Aletha works morning until night, Aletha will pray at the Hospital prayer hall.

“Al, I. How's this?” ask Wilona without a sound.

“Contact the movement of Bu Laila! You didn't forget the prayer move, did you?”

“Slightly anyway.” Wilona scratched her non-itchy nape while revealing a grin.

Aletha just shook her head to see the behavior of her best friend. Reminds him who felt far from Allah SWT before knowing Laura in America first while running college. But different afterwards, especially after becoming the wife of the captain Aletha always taught about religious science.

“Look at me during ablution, during prayer and during dhikr! I'm sure, if you have memorized his movements and feel comfortable even finding a point of peace of heart, you will never again forget the prayer even reluctant to leave it.” Aletha explained how comfortable it was after performing the five prayers in a timely manner to Wilona.

Wilona occasionally saw Aletha who stood one shaf with her, while Bu Laila was in the front row because Bu Laila was a priest in prayer.

Greetings as a closing prayer, then recite remembering Allah SWT as the Maha of all Maha and Prophet Muhammad As as our Prophet, mankind.

“How, do you understand the movement of prayer?”

“Slightly memorized it, but it seems difficult to chant every dhikr like earlier.” Wilona looked at Aletha.

Aletha simply smiled, confirming what Wilona said. Because Aletha also felt the same way when starting to read dhikr as in the beginning. However, Keenan always taught it to Aletha after praying, until Aletha was used to saying it.

“Alright! It's okay, as long as you want to learn I'm sure, you won't feel worried when you're in big trouble though.” Aletha clasped Wilona's hand which was still wrapped in mucus.

“Al, you. I don't think I've ever known Aletha before. You were much calmer, not quite as cool as when we met back in Mauritania. Even I am pangling with you now, you. look so beautiful with that hijab.”.

“Life is like a spinning wheel, Wilona. I was able to change into what I am today because of faith. Faith taught from a godly husband.” Aletha imagined Keenan's face as the ablution water soaked her face which made Keenan even more handsome and stunning.

Wilona just pulled him the tip of her lips, feeling confident that Keenan was able to give happiness to Aletha and Alina. But, until now there was no news from Keenan nor others including Rania.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

“Prepare your weapons! We'll search their headquarters tonight.”

In the middle of a very dark wilderness with no bright light at all the troops dare to die will carry out a raid on the headquarters of the KKB which is increasingly rampant, making residents more restless and also afraid.

“But we don't have more weapons if, their army will multiply suddenly. Still remember, no, how did they catch us Commander?”

“Iya, we barely... lifeless.”.

“Then how do we solve this problem? We cannot carry out a raid without careful tactics and strategies. Don't let mistakes happen again. We... do not know how our next fate.”

Silent...

Everyone seems to be thinking about what must be done immediately to catch the crime that has been done by the KKB which is increasingly becoming after the arrest three months ago.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

That night the moonlight was not so clear, dim because it was covered with black clouds. It was as if it was raining that night.

“Al, it looks like it's going to rain. Your house... is not leaking, is it?”

As Aletha laughed, she remembered her childhood with Wilona. While in America there was only Aletha and Wilona who were on one roof, when it rained very heavily. But the two did not feel afraid because of the lightning, instead they were preoccupied with the roof of Aletha's house that leaked.

“No, Wilona. That was, in America, different now. I designed this house perfectly, God willing the roof will not leak,” Aletha replied with a grin.

Wilona was a beaver, believing what Aletha had said. After putting Alina to sleep in Aletha's room again opened the laptop and also the patient data book that had been registered through Sister Wati.

“Al, it looks like tomorrow our schedule is the same. Working at the morning shift, but... are you still in the operating room?”

“I think not, because it has been transferred to the General Doctor. Unless. if it's an emergency I'm in the operating room. So tomorrow I'm probably not too busy. Besides now, there are also many Doctors of heart surgeons like you, Ilham and others.”

“It's night, let's go to sleep! Take care of health.. eye health, heart, liver and..” Wilona hung her words into the air.

Aletha knitted her brows as Wilona did not answer her question. Makes Aletha feel furious, but the patience to be so attached to Aletha's heart at this time that it does not hold anger or anything like, the curse of regret.

“And. Tuh see, from earlier the feeling of you ticking continues on the laptop, fingers until curly. What is writing anyway?”

“This time, I again reply E-mail mbak Fia, ituloh who write lanterns of love. I was sad why the story was not finished happy ending, still continue.”

“Kan, that's mbak Fia lakainin to make the story exciting. Do not come to think so, let Mbak Fia who think how the flow. It's up to Mbak Fia to how the groove is, like a wheel that continues to spin.”

Aletha and Wilona laugh together, just resigned how Mbak Fia will set the path of their lives in the lantern novel love.

It was too late to continue the conversation again, even the rain was falling slowly. Make the night feel very quiet, so the body also prefers to immediately sleep and rest.

Aletha wrapped her hands around Alina's waist, giving her a decoction that would make Alina feel comfortable and protected from the thunderous sounds of lightning.

‘If this one week there's no news of Aa there, it's okay. Neng will be patient.’

‘Neng will make that sense of patience as Neng's life companion.. because Neng does not know how God's test, which will be chosen for Neng. And Neng will take that test with... Heart Strength.’

Tests...

The clear water fell down and decayed over Aletha's cheeks, the longing getting stronger in her. However, he could do nothing but enlarge his heart and strengthen his confidence that Keenan would always be in the protection of Allah SWT.

Aletha immediately wiped her tears before falling on Alina's arm and making Alina shuffle from her sleep.

‘A... Neng. In Neng's prayer, Neng hoped... God always draws us closer in the bonds of the heart.’

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

“Look fine, we can't stay here forever. There are families who are waiting for us to return, even until now we have not given any news to them.” Aletha's shadow flashed in Keenan's eye.

Degs...

‘Excuse Aa, Neng! Aa... haven't been able to give any news. This mission is very secret, so that they are immediately caught and are where they should be. Slip Aa's name in every Neng prayer.'

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

Life goes on, like a wheel that keeps turning. It had been a month, but there was still no news of Keenan when he was far away.It made Aletha's heart start to waver, he did not want Keenan to be in trouble. Especially when considering Keenan became a hostage by KKB members six months ago.

“Doctor Aletha?”

Khaira waved her hand in front of Aletha's gaze, but Aletha appeared to be unresponsive. Aletha looked dreamy, even Ilham who was accidentally in the hospital canteen immediately approached Aletha and Khaira who were sitting there.

“What's up, Khaira?”

“Eh, there's Doctor Ilham. That... look, Doctor Aletha from earlier bengong continued.” Khaira pointed at Aletha who directed her gaze in the other direction with a blank look.

Inspiration let out a long sigh, Inspiration understood what made Aletha behave like she was not used to. For the same thing was being felt by Inspiration when there was no news at all from Naina until a month had passed.

“Al, are you okay?” ask Ilham.

Inspiration touched Aletha's arm slowly, Aketha who felt the touch even made her daydream instantly disperse.

“Ah yes, brother Ilham... What is it? What's... Ilham sister talking to me?”

“What's wrong with you, Al? What happened?” Inspiration turned to ask.

“Kak... wrong not if I miss Aa Keenan? Isn't that funny... I keep talking to all of you to be patient, but it is I alone who cannot endure this sadness and longing while away from him. Hix... Hix... Hiks..”

A cry broke out, Aletha could not help her tears from falling. His heart had lied, the stubbornness that he had initially continued to instill now broke as well.

“You're not wrong, Al. Isn't that normal as a wife. You deserve to miss, cry and worry about our Commander. But you must remember, you once asked Brother to always send prayers as a tranquilizer.”

“Robbanaa afrigh 'alainaa shabran wa tsabbit aqdaamanaa wanshurnaa 'alak qoumil kaafiriin.”

“Dan means... O our Lord, cast over us, and strengthen our stand, and help us against the disbelievers. Qs. Al-Baqarah :250.”

“Do not ever hide your sorrow again, because it is not Aletha whom you know so far.” Ilham nodded, strengthening Aletha's heart whose stubbornness began to fade.

Aletha mangosteen, trying to rebuild the firmness in her heart. Although it had not fully returned, at least Aletha was able to wipe away the tears that had fallen rapidly.

“And if your heart is still overwhelmed with anxiety do not forget to pray..”.

“Allahumma inni a'udzubika minal hammi wal huzni, wal ajzi, wal kasali, wal bukhli, wal jubni, wal dholaid daini, wa gholabatir rijali.”

“Yang has meaning... O my Lord, I take refuge in You from sorrow and sorrow or anxiety, from weakness and laziness, from infidelity and cowardice, and the burden of debt and pressure of (evil) people, from injustice and cowardice,” connect Aletha.

Inspiration commented on her smile and after seeing Aletha quite well from her sadness, Ilham went to visit the patient. Khaira had left after Ilham asked her to give space to speak to Aletha, for only Ilham understood how Aletha felt Aletha's obstinacy had broken.

Aletha let out a heavy breath, trying to re-regulate the breath that had choked. Although his tears had flowed very fast, fortunately both his eyes did not look so swollen. If it was seen, then there would be a lot of people talking about him.

“Aa is Neng's light, without that light Neng feels darkness and void. Likewise with Aa, Neng is the light for Aa. And without Neng, Aa doesn't get light as light.”

Aletha briefly went back to pondering about what made Keenan or the others unable to contact her until a month had passed.

“I have to ask Papa. Not only do I need certainty, but my friends also need certainty about their lives, what happens and. life or death.” Aletha muttered in the heart.

Aletha returned to her room. Then he grabbed his phone on the table and sent messages to Laura, Ilham and Wilona. Where Aletha wants to arrange an appointment for the meeting to be held at Cafe Maple And Oak at 16:00 p.m.

Seriate...