Micheal Emerson's Choice
Episode 23

Isn't that the way of destiny? Full of mystery, secrets, unexpected.

If no one can control the heart when in love, then how can anyone control the course of destiny?

The news of Arini's death has spread throughout the villagers, which makes them very surprised and even in disbelief because Arini had never heard of being seriously ill, moreover, the sorrow came after a joyful day.

Today, there are so many people who come to pray, pray for those who have gone and provide support for those who are leaving.

Micheal's extended family faithfully accompanied their grieving parents. They even come along when bathing Arini, as a farewell to the woman they know very well.

Since Zenwa, he locked himself in his room after returning from the hospital. He could not bear to see the body of the brother, especially he kept remembering how his brother called him to talk while in the hospital. Zenwa felt shame, guilt and regret. All he could do was cry over the departure of Arini, who could no longer talk to him again even though Zenwa was very willing to listen to him.

After bathing and in the caravan, Arini's body was sholati by some residents. Micheal, Abi Hamka, Daddy Aryan and Daddy Gabriel stood at the very front of the line.

Michael remembered his dream, in which he dreamed of building a harmonious household with Arini. And every night, they would wake up in a third of the night, performing prayers like husband and wife. But fate says otherwise, Micheal is actually saluting Arini now, a destiny that was never terbesit in the slightest in his mind.

After the body is shalati, then now he must be returned to his last home.

"You want to take him?" dad Gabriel asked Micheal and of course Micheal nodded immediately, for the last time, he wanted to walk with Arini even though he had to carry her in a coffin instead of holding hands as he hoped.

"Where's Zenwa?" michael asked Abi Hamka because he had not seen Zenwa.

"He shut himself up in his room, Micheal," said Abi Hamka.

"Wait a minute, I'll pick him up" said Micheal then quickly he went to Zenwa's room.

Arriving there, Micheal knocked on the door and called out to Zenwa gently, but there was no response from Zenwa.

"Zenwa, don't be like this, Arini will be very sad if you are like this, Zenwa. At least take your brother home," said Micheal in a choked voice.

"Will Arin come home?"

"Again, Zenwa. When else can you step up with your brother if not now?" persuade Micheal with a soft look, he can understand Zenwa's feelings, because that's why Micheal wants Zenwa to come to the funeral, or Zenwa will be more regret earlier. Shortly after, the door opened.

"Zenwa.." murmured Micheal, but Zenwa refused to answer him, Zenwa walked past Micheal and Micheal followed him from behind.

"Nnnl..." Zenwa immediately approached Umminya and held her hand.

"It's okay, honey. You have to be strong" said Ummi Zainab despite her own heart being so broken, there is nothing more painful for a mother than the pain of having to take her daughter away, especially if he's gone and he's not coming back.

"Today Ummi hopes that you will drive Ummi home, Arin. It wasn't Ummi who drove you home."

The shroud is his last garment, the coffin is his last vehicle, and the grave is his last home, which comes from the ground will return to the land, which has a beginning will have an end, which meets will part. That is the essence of life, a destiny that cannot be avoided.

Micheal and Abi Hamka could not hold back their tears as they had to carry a coffin containing their loved ones on their shoulders.

Abi Hamka is pictured again when Arini is born, a very beautiful little angel, which makes Abi Hamka's heart beat fast and makes his heart pound. His wide eyes made Abi Hamka always miss him when he did not see him, his cry as if constantly ringing in his ears. Especially when the tiny hand held his finger then his little foot stepped with trembling. When he managed to step, he giggled, but in the next step he would fall and cry, then Abi Hamka would immediately carry him and calm him.

"Wait for us in his heaven, son."

Micheal rubbed his eyes that began to be myopic due to the tears that pooled, he remembered the words Arini said. Zenwa, Micheal understood, Arini must be very worried about her beloved sister.

"Peace there, I'll look after the one here, In Shaa Allah."

Tbc...